Asthma & Allergies

Helium Helps Asthmatics BreatheReported June 19, 2009 LAS VEGAS (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Asthma affects 23 million adults and 9 million kids. The wheezing, coughing and suffocating can turn into a life-threatening situation. Now, doctors are turning to helium to help people breathe easier. It's been a rough start for Emery. Trouble breathing stressed his heart. Now doctors … [Read more...]

Baby lotions, shampoos, powders may expose infants to worrisome chemicals Reported February 04, 2008 CHICAGO - Baby shampoos, lotions and powders may expose infants to chemicals that have been linked with possible reproductive problems, a small study suggests. The chemicals, called phthalates, are found in many ordinary products including cosmetics, toys, vinyl flooring … [Read more...]

Mom’s Diet Can Cause Asthma?Reported September 22, 2008 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A mother who has a diet rich in folate, an important prenatal supplement, could increase the chance that her infant will suffer from asthma after birth, according to a new Duke University study. Scientists gathered evidence in mice that had diets rich in methyl donors, one source … [Read more...]

New Weapon to Fight Pancreatic CancerReported April 21, 2009 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Researchers may have found a new weapon to wield in the fight against one of the deadliest forms of cancer. A therapy combining the agents tigatuzumab and gemcitabine demonstrated the ability to cause remission of pancreatic cancer tumors in a recent study. The combined … [Read more...]

Race Matters When it Comes to AsthmaSeptember 26, 2007 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- When it comes to asthma, new research shows black patients are more likely to visit the emergency room or be hospitalized for the condition than white patients. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, studied 678 patients who were hospitalized for … [Read more...]

C.difficile infections continue to fall Reported January 16, 2009 The NHS is on track to reduce C.difficile infections by 30 percent by 2010-11 according to the latest statistics from the Health Protection Agency (HPA). There were 8,947 C.difficile infections in in England between July and September 2008. This represents a 33 percent … [Read more...]

Study: Smokers more likely to have back pain Reported January 10, 2010 LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A new study shows that smokers are more likely to suffer from lower back pain. A new Finnish study says smoking does not cause back pain, but the data suggests a link between the two. Researchers found the association was strongest in adolescent smokers and smokers who suffer from … [Read more...]

Allergy DropsReported August 11, 2009 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- It's that time of year again -- when allergies wreak havoc on those who want to enjoy the outdoors. Between 40 million and 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. Traditional treatment with over-the-counter or prescription meds and allergy shots work for some, but for others, relief is still … [Read more...]

Asthma Linked to Early Smoke Exposure Reported November 17, 2006 By Lucy Williams, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Young people who light up may find themselves sidelined with asthma. Early exposure to cigarette smoke is linked to the development of asthma in adolescents and teenagers. … [Read more...]

Blacks Need More Asthma Meds Reported February 14, 2005 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Racial differences may play a role in determining a patient's response to asthma medications. In a new study, blacks who were asthmatic and nonasthmatic required higher doses of glucocorticoids, or controller … [Read more...]

Chemicals in Air Fresheners Reduces Lung Functions Reported July 31, 2006 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research reveals a chemical compound found in many common deodorizing products, like air fresheners and toilet bowl cleaners, has a moderately harmful effect on a … [Read more...]

Health Tip: Cold or allergy? 2004/11/18 People with year-round allergies may confuse their symptoms with frequent colds.   Colds are the result of a viral infection. Perennial allergies -- often caused by indoor triggers such as dust mites, furry pets, cockroaches, mold and fungi -- are the body's physical reactions to inhaled … [Read more...]

Fish oil Helps Asthma Reported January 12, 2006 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Adding fish oil to the diet may help reduce the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma (EIA). A new study from Indiana University in Bloomington reveals fish oil helps reduce narrowing of the patients' airways, allowing them to use less asthma … [Read more...]

Household Chemical DangersReported November 24, 2008 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Household products used on a daily basis could cause chemical exposure that’s hazardous to your health. According to a new study, common products like cleaners, beauty products, food packaging and electronics used in homes are a significant source of personal chemical exposure that … [Read more...]

Expert advice changes for preventing allergies in infants and children Reported January 07, 2008 CHICAGO - Breast-feeding helps prevent babies' allergies, but there's no good evidence for avoiding certain foods during pregnancy, using soy formula or delaying introduction of solid foods beyond six months. That's the word from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which is … [Read more...]

Mom’s Obesity Linked to Asthma in KidsReported May 20, 2009 (Ivanhoe Newswire) – Here’s another reason to maintain a healthy weight: obese women are more likely to end up with children who have asthma. This finding comes from researchers in The Netherlands who followed nearly 4,000 children from before birth up to age eight. About 20 percent of their mothers were … [Read more...]

Non-Smoking Lung CancerReported July 03, 2008 (Ivanhoe Newswire) – About 15 percent of people with lung cancers have never smoked. A new study finds the cause could be linked to cells that cannot repair efficiently from environmental insults. The research was conducted by investigators from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Researchers drew white blood cells from … [Read more...]

Recruiting Young SmokersReported July 21, 2008 ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The tobacco industry continues to recruit young smokers, even while overall cigarette sales are declining, according to a new study. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health uncovered a strategic effort by tobacco companies to recruit and addict young smokers through … [Read more...]

Spending time Outside may Decrease Asthma SeverityReported April 24, 2009 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Vitamin D may now be beneficial for more than simply strengthening bones. A recent study suggests low levels of vitamin D may be connected with a high severity of Asthma. A recent study conducted by Harvard Medical School incorporated 600 Costa Rican children … [Read more...]

Americans Living Longer Thanks to Cleaner AirReported January 23, 2009 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Americans can thank fresh air for increasing their life spans. Over recent decades, the average life expectancy in 51 cities across the United States increased by almost three years. Five months of that time is thanks to cleaner air. "Such a significant increase in … [Read more...]

Asthma Linked to PTSDReported November 19, 2007 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- There may be a link between asthma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A new study from Columbia University looked at 3,065 male twin pairs who had lived together in their childhood and served on active military duty during the Vietnam War. It found patients with the … [Read more...]

Botox Sponge Replaces Needles for Rhinitis Patients Reported October 16, 2009 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- German researchers may have found a pain-free treatment for sneezing and sniffling rhinitis patients, replacing needles with soft sponges. Millions of American rhinitis patients suffer from an inflamed inner lining of their nose, causing itching, … [Read more...]

Childhood Food Allergies: Over Prepared? Reported September 1, 2006 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- More and more kids these days are carrying around adrenaline kits aimed at treating severe reactions due to food allergies. Are they really needed? Depends on who you talk to. According to a pro/con report … [Read more...]

Health care fails to meet demands October 9, 2006 When Kevin stopped attending the Asthma Reading and Advocacy Program at the King/Drew Medical Center six months ago, I figured that he would return soon. Kevin was one of my students in the South Central L.A. program. Its mission was to help youth with … [Read more...]

Fishy Diet Protects Babies from Eczema?Reported September 26, 2008 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Fish is often a forbidden food when it comes to infants because of its allergenic properties; but now, experts say a diet that includes fish may protect babies from developing a common skin condition. Swedish researchers say infants who are fed fish before they are nine … [Read more...]

How to Kick the Smoking HabitReported August 26, 2008 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research shows statewide tobacco control programs may be the most effective option to reduce the financial and health burden of smoking. Results of a University of California, San Diego, study show California saved $86 billion on personal health care costs between the start of its … [Read more...]

Peanut allergies strike earlier, study saysReported December 03, 2007 CHICAGO (Reuters) - Allergies to peanuts and other foods are showing up in children at younger ages for reasons that are not clear, researchers said on Monday, and some urged parents to postpone exposing susceptible children to peanuts. In a study of 140 children with peanut allergies, the median age of … [Read more...]

More Peanut Butter, Please!Reported May 05, 2008 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- If you’re one of the 1.5 million people in the United States suffering from a peanut allergy, there’s good news. Experts anticipate some form of immunotherapy for peanut allergy to be available within the next five years. Peanut allergy is becoming more common, but it is … [Read more...]

Allergies May Raise Blood Cancer RiskThursday, November 18, 2004 NEW YORK (Reuters Health)--In contrast to some earlier reports, allergic conditions appear to increase, rather than decrease, the risk of leukemia and lymphoma, according to a Swedish study. Depending on the root cause of allergies, theories predict that allergic conditions … [Read more...]

Study: Stop Smoking Treatments Don’t LastReported July 15, 2008 (Ivanhoe Newswire) There are a variety of treatments available to help people quit smoking, but evidence shows their effects are not long lasting. A team of researchers at McGill University and the University of Montreal tested six products – varenicline, nicotine nasal spray, buprotion … [Read more...]