Asthma & Allergies

ASA: Smoking May Affect TIA RiskReported February 24, 2010 SAN ANTONIO -- Smoking was associated with transient ischemic attack (TIA) at a younger age than was seen in those who have quit or have never taken a puff, a retrospective study showed. At a single center, smokers who sought emergency treatment for a TIA were more than a decade younger, on average, than … [Read more...]

Study: Health rules on flying with TB too strictReported February 21, 2010 ATLANTA — Provocative new research suggests international rules that bar potentially infectious tuberculosis patients from flying are too stringent and airline passengers are really at little risk from catching TB from a fellow traveler. Global and U.S. health authorities also go too far in … [Read more...]

Smoke from home fuels tied to emphysema Reported March 01, 2010 People who burn wood or other “biofuels” for heat or cooking may have a heightened risk of emphysema and related lung conditions, a new study suggests. In an analysis of 15 international studies, researchers found that people exposed to smoke from “biomass” fuels in their homes generally … [Read more...]

Hormone Replacement Therapy Linked to Higher Asthma Risk Reported 11 February, 2010 THURSDAY, Feb. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Postmenopausal women who use hormone replacement therapy consisting of estrogen alone are at higher risk of developing asthma, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in Thorax. Noting that previous … [Read more...]

Little risk of TB transmission during flights: StudyReported February 24, 2010 NEW DELHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO)'s international guideline for the control of tuberculosis in relation to air travel -- tracing passengers who sat for longer than eight hours in rows adjacent to people with pulmonary TB -- may be futile and exaggerated. A British scientist … [Read more...]

Hormone-infused nasal spray found to help people with autism Reported February 16, 2010 A nasal spray containing a hormone that is known to make women more maternal and men less shy apparently can help those with autism make eye contact and interact better with others, according to a provocative study released Monday. The study, involving 13 adults with … [Read more...]

Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Increase Asthma Risk: Study Reported February 10, 2010 A new study suggests that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can increase the risk of women developing asthma after menopause. While HRT has long been suspected of increasing the risk of asthma, researchers found that the greatest increase in risk came from the use of … [Read more...]

Estrogen hormone therapy linked to asthma in study   Reported February 08, 2010 LONDON (Reuters) - Estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may increase the risk of developing asthma after the menopause, scientists said on Monday. The findings, from a major study involving almost 58,000 women in France over 12 years, add to a … [Read more...]

Asthma Attacks: Parents Slow to Respond Reported February 12, 2010 (Ivanhoe Newswire)-- A new report finds parents of kids with asthma wait too long to treat their symptoms. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis say parents are missing opportunities to intervene early and relieve a child's symptoms, possibly … [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...]