Health Tip: Pregnancy and Asthma

(HealthDay News) -- Having asthma doesn't necessarily mean an unhealthy pregnancy. The key is to control symptoms and prevent attacks.

The University of Virginia Medical Center offers these suggestions for asthmatic women who are pregnant:

• Avoid anything that triggers asthma symptoms, such as tobacco smoke or pet dander.
• As prescribed by your doctor, keep taking your asthma medications throughout your pregnancy.
• Keep exercise moderate. If you have exercise-induced asthma, use your asthma medication. Check with your doctor before starting an exercise regimen.
• If you are in the second or third trimester during flu season, make sure you get a flu shot.

Acetaminophen Linked to Childhood Asthma

(HealthDay News) -- Children given acetaminophen during the first year of life to reduce fever are more likely to develop asthma later on, a new study finds.

These children are also more likely to develop rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema when they reach age 6 to 7, according to the report in the Sept. 20 issue of The Lancet.

"If this association is causative, it would suggest that acetaminophen use is a risk factor for asthma and may explain the asthma has become more common," said lead researcher Dr. Richard Beasley, from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand in Wellington.

Since this study can't definitively say that acetaminophen is a cause of asthma, its use for children shouldn't be changed, Beasley added. "Acetaminophen is the preferred drug for relief of pain and fever in childhood," he said.

Beasley thinks, however, acetaminophen should not be used routinely for childhood fever, but reserved for high fevers. "Acetaminophen is still the preferred agent, but the large amounts of acetaminophen used around the world are unnecessary," he said. "Its use should be limited to treat high fevers."

For the study, Beasley's group collected data on 205,487 children from 31 countries around the world. These children participated in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood.

The researchers found that children who were given acetaminophen for fever during the first year of life had a 46 percent increased risk of developing asthma when they were 6 to 7 years old.

In addition, children who were given high doses of acetaminophen within the past year had a more than three times increased risk of asthma. Those who were given medium doses had a 61 percent increased risk of developing the condition, Beasley's team reported.

Acetaminophen use was also associated with an increased risk of severe asthma of about 22 percent to 38 percent, the researchers found.

Moreover, acetaminophen increased the risk of eczema by 18 percent and rhinoconjunctivitis by 32 percent. Among children given high doses of acetaminophen, the risk for eczema almost doubled, and the risk for rhinoconjunctivitis increased by almost threefold, Beasley's group found.

Dr. Norman H. Edelman, vice president for health sciences and professor of medicine at SUNY Stony Brook University in New York, and spokesman for the American Lung Association, said the study adds more evidence to acetaminophen's link to asthma.

"The study is consistent with quite a few others which show that use of acetaminophen associated with an increased in the risk for asthma," Edelman said.

Dr. Geoffrey Chupp, an associate professor of medicine and director of the Yale Asthma Clinic at Yale University School of Medicine, thinks the association between acetaminophen and asthma may be a sign of something else.

"Children who are taking acetaminophen may be getting sick more often and getting more respiratory viruses, and they are getting asthma for other reasons," Chupp said. "It's not actually due to the acetaminophen, but acetaminophen happens to be in the picture, because they get sick all the time."

Another study in the same journal concluded that allergic or not, allergic rhinitis is a predictor of asthma in adulthood.

In the study, researchers collected data on 6,461 patients without asthma. After 8.8 years of follow-up, the researchers found that 3.1 percent of the patients with non-allergenic rhinitis developed asthma, as did 4 percent of the individuals with allergic rhinitis. This compared with only 1.1 percent of the patients without rhinitis who developed asthma.

"This large prospective study provides strong evidence for an increased risk of asthma in adults with allergic rhinitis, and to a lesser extent non-allergic rhinitis... Several clinical trials in asthmatic patients with allergic rhinitis were associated with a reduction in asthma symptoms. However, only interventional studies could be used to conclude that the treatment of allergic rhinitis is effective in reducing the incidence of asthma," the authors concluded.

A third study in the journal found adult asthma has its origins in early childhood.

For the study, researchers from the Arizona Respiratory Center collected data on 849 infants. After 22 years of follow-up, 181 people had asthma. The researchers found that children who had wheezing at age 6 or 7 were four times more likely to develop asthma as adults.

For children whose wheezing persisted, their risk of developing asthma increased 14 times. Other factors in childhood which increased the risk of asthma included low airway function (4.5 times increased risk for asthma) and bronchial responsiveness (7 times increased risk for asthma).

"In over 70 percent of people with current asthma and 63 percent of those with newly diagnosed asthma at age 22 years, episodes of wheezing had happened in the first three years of life or were reported by parents at age 6 years... Our findings support our previous proposition that most forms of asthma have their origins in early life, but we now extend that proposition to asthma diagnosed in early adult life," the authors concluded.

More information
For more on asthma, visit the National Institutes of Health.

Health Tip: Controlling Asthma

(HealthDay News) -- While some people are more likely to have asthma, the things that actually "trigger" attacks vary from person to person.

In general, there are things asthmatics can do to ward off attacks. The National Safety Council offers these suggestions:

• Avoid being around smokers. If someone must smoke indoors near a person who is asthmatic, it should only be allowed in a separately ventilated area.


• Keep humidity levels in the home low -- between 30 percent and 50 percent.


• Avoid using a humidifier. It one is necessary, change water daily to prevent microbe growth.


• When cooking, running a dishwasher or using the shower, keep windows open or use an exhaust fan.


• Have any combustion-powered appliances -- such furnaces, stoves or heaters -- checked every year, and change their filters regularly.


• Keep the house clean and free of dust, dirt and animal dander.

Lung Association Urges Back-to-School Asthma Checklist

(HealthDay News) -- With the start of school here, the American Lung Association is advising parents of children with asthma to follow a simple checklist to ensure this sometimes debilitating disease doesn't hinder their child's academic year.

Almost 11 percent of school-age children have asthma. Annually, these students miss some 13 million days in the classroom because of asthma, making it one of the most common reasons kids are absent from school.
The American Lung Association also urges parents who have children with asthma to:

• Schedule an asthma check-up: Even if your child's condition is well controlled, meeting with your pediatrician is also an opportunity to evaluate medications and physical activity restrictions.
• Confirm medicines are up-to-date and fill prescriptions: If your child uses an inhaler, ensure you have a current prescription for the new HFA inhaler (the old CFC inhalers will now longer be available after Dec. 31, 2008). Ensure your child's asthma prescriptions have sufficient refills available and have not expired.
• Know about prescription assistance services: Two organizations can help if you have issues affording your child's asthma medication. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance can be reached at 1-888-4PPA-NOW. Rx Outreach provides online help at www.rxoutreach.com.
• Have an asthma action plan: An asthma action plan details personal information about the child's asthma symptoms, medications, any physical activity limitations, and provides specific instructions about what to do if an asthma attack does not improve with prescribed medication. Provide this to all your student's teachers, coaches, the school nurse, and the front office administrators.
• Meet with your child's school nurse and teachers: Discuss with your child's teachers specific triggers and typical symptoms. Learn if the school allows students to carry and independently administer their asthma medication. Learn what steps need to be taken to have your child carry and use his or her inhaler if recommended by a doctor.
• Know your schools asthma emergency plan: Ensure that your child's school knows how to contact you in case of an emergency. You should also know the school's past history of dealing with asthma episodes. Confirm that school staffers -- including after-school coaches and bus drivers -- have been trained to respond to asthma emergencies.

More information :The American Lung Association has more about asthma in children.

Chronic Coughs Need a Doctor's Attention

(HealthDay News) -- If you wake up due to coughing or have a cough that lasts for weeks, you may have a potentially serious problem that requires medical attention.

"Cough is the most common respiratory symptom for which patients seek medical attention," Dr. Alan B. Goldsobel, chairman of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology's cough committee, said in a prepared statement.

"Cough protects the body by removing mucus and irritating particles from the respiratory tract. Coughing is a useful function and does not always mean there is a problem ...," Goldsobel explained. "However, coughing at night, after going to sleep indicates the need for medical attention."

Common causes of coughing include: viral upper respiratory tract infections; asthma; nasal and sinus disease; stomach and esophageal problems; an inhaled foreign body; habit; and environmental irritants.

People should see an allergist/immunologist if they have:

• a cough that lasts three to eight weeks or more;
• a cough that coexists with asthma;
• coexisting chronic cough and nasal symptoms;
• a chronic cough and tobacco use or exposure.

More information
To learn more about cough and children, visit the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

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'Tis the Season For Allergy, Asthma

(HealthDay News) -- It's easy for the holidays to become the season of sneezing, congestion and other woes for people with food or other allergies and asthma, say experts at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

But some preventive measures can cut symptoms to a minimum, they say.

"Whether it's feasting on holiday meals, setting up your Christmas tree, or visiting your pet-owning relatives, allergy triggers may be lurking inside of our warm, cozy homes this time of year," Alisa M. Smith, vice-chairwoman of the AAAAI's indoor allergen committee, said in a prepared statement. "Unfortunately, with busy schedules, travel time and the stress of the holidays, it is easy to forget to take the proper care when dealing with allergies and asthma.

However, avoiding potential triggers and taking the proper precautions is necessary to keep symptoms under control."

The AAAAI offers the following tips for people with asthma and different types of allergies:
When you're at parties or family gatherings, inform your hosts about your food allergy and ask about the ingredients used to prepare the meal.

Always carry an injectable dose of epinephrine. Homemade meals/snacks don't have ingredient lists and may be contaminated with trace of amounts of allergenic foods through contact with storage containers or kitchen utensils.

Remind family and friends that strict avoidance is the only way for you to manage food allergies and that even a tiny bit of allergenic foods can trigger a dangerous allergic reaction.
If you're visiting homes where there are pets, take your allergy medication beforehand.

Real Christmas trees often carry microscopic mold spores that can cause allergic symptoms such as sneezing, water eyes, and an itchy nose.

Decorations and artificial trees can gather mold and dust while in storage. Clean them before you start putting them up.

Artificial snow can irritate your lungs if you inhale it. Be sure to follow directions when spraying artificial snow on windows or other surfaces.

The stress of the holiday season can sometimes trigger an asthma attack. Monitor your stress levels. If you do feel stressed, deep breathing and relaxation may help.

If you're sleeping away from home, bring your own pillow with an allergen-proof cover. Ask for down-free pillows.

Avoid wood smoke, which can trigger an asthma attack.

More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about controlling allergy symptoms.

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Trouble at Home Boosts Kids' Asthma

(HealthDay News) -- Poor family support and bad neighborhoods can aggravate asthma symptoms in kids, Canadian research suggests.

Edith Chen and colleagues at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver examined the degree of support that 78 children with asthma received from family and peers. They also looked at social problems, such as crime and violence, in the children's neighborhoods.

They then assessed the children's lung function, asthma symptoms, and certain behaviors that can affect asthma.

The results indicated a correlation between social environment and asthma symptoms and lung function. Children who reported less family support and lived in worse neighborhoods experienced greater asthma symptoms, the team said. Those who reported less family support had poorer lung function.

Further analysis revealed that low levels of family support were associated with greater lung inflammation which, in turn, was associated with poorer asthma outcomes. Family support did not appear to influence behaviors that can affect asthma.

The researchers also concluded that living in worse neighborhoods was associated with higher rates of child smoking and exposure to smoke, which is associated with poorer asthma outcomes.

"Poor family relations may foster psychological experiences with direct physiologic consequences, whereas problematic neighborhoods may operate by providing the role models for maladaptive behaviors," the study authors wrote.

Peer group support had no significant effect on asthma symptoms or lung function. The study was published in the first issue for October of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

More information
The American Lung Association has more about childhood asthma.

First Skin Patch Sanctioned for Alzheimer's

(HealthDay News) -- The Exelon skin patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat dementia associated with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, maker Novartis Pharmaceuticals said Monday.

Exelon, approved in 2000 in capsule form to treat Alzheimer's dementia and in 2006 to treat Parkinson's dementia, can cause gastrointestinal side effects typical of its class of drug, called cholinesterase inhibitors.

The skin patch, while maintaining a steady supply of the drug over 24 hours, showed three times fewer reports of nausea and vomiting than the capsule form, Novartis said.

As with the capsule form, the company recommended that the medicated patch be used with caution in people with a history of so-called "sick sinus syndrome," ulcers, asthma and other chronic lung diseases, seizures, or urinary obstruction.

More information
For more information about this drug, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Group Launches 'Asthma Friendly' Toy Certification

(HealthDay News) -- The weekend after Thanksgiving has traditionally signaled the start of the Christmas shopping season, but as Santa Claus checks his list of who's been naughty or nice, he may also have to make special arrangements for children with allergies or asthma.

Prevalence rates for both diseases have doubled in the past 20 years, and many common household items, including toys, can trigger asthma and allergy attacks.

"Stuffed toys are notorious for carrying dust mites and other substances that can be a major problem for children who take plush toys everywhere they go, including to bed," Dr. Sheryl Lucas, a allergist in Washington, D.C., said in a prepared statement.

To help Santa out, a new program to certify toys as "asthma friendly" has been launched by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). These toys have been scientifically tested and proven to be better choices for children with asthma and allergies.

Toys certified as "asthma friendly" also come with instructions on how to keep them that way.

For example, certified plush toys instruct parents to place the toy in the freezer for 24 hours and then in the washing machine every four weeks in order to kill dust mites and their eggs.

"Asthma friendly" toys are now available at a number of major U.S. retailers. Certified pillows will be available in December and other products -- including mattresses, pillow protectors/encasements, vacuum cleaners, and flooring -- will be considered for certification next year, the AAFA said.

More information
Here's where you can find out more about asthma friendly certification.

Proteins Hold Clues to Chronic Pain

(HealthDay News) -- Low blood levels of two anti-inflammatory proteins could be key to chronic pain, researchers report.

Low concentrations of two cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10, were found in patients with chronic widespread pain, according to a German study published in the August issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.

Cytokines are proteins that act as messengers between cells.

The study included 40 patients who'd received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as a novel treatment for pain that hadn't responded to standard therapy and another 15 patients who did not receive IVIG. The study also included a control group of 40 healthy people.

Blood samples were collected from all the study volunteers, and the pain patients were asked to rate their pain, fatigue, mood and cognitive function.

Compared with the control group, the 40 pain patients had significantly lower levels of IL-4 and IL-10. The 15 patients in the second group had similar results, although the difference in their levels of IL-10 compared to people in the control group was not statistically significant.

Several factors may be involved in low levels of these cytokines and how they influence pain, the study authors said. They noted that previous studies have shown that IL-10 reduces sensitivity to pain and that IL-4 can also dull pain response.

Genetic variations in different cytokine genes are associated with certain diseases. For example, IL-4 gene variations are associated with asthma, Crohn's disease and chronic polyarthritis, the researchers said.

"The low levels of IL-4 and IL-10 we observed in the patients with chronic widespread pain might therefore also be caused by genetic alterations either in the cytokine genes themselves or in regulatory elements, although other factors may be involved," they explained.

More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about chronic pain.

Is It Dangerous to Combine Supplements and Drugs?

Is It Dangerous to Combine Supplements and Drugs? Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: I'm curious about interactions between herbs and drugs. Are there many that we should worry about? -- Nicole S.

A: For the most part, I think warnings about interactions between herbs and drugs are overstated. For example, a few years ago the American Society of Anesthesiologists warned that certain herbs and supplements could pose a hazard to patients undergoing surgery.

The group claimed that several herbs have anti-blood-clotting activity and conceivably could interfere with clotting during and after surgery. St. John's wort was also singled out in 2003 as an agent that could diminish the effectiveness of certain drugs because of its effect on enzyme systems involved in drug metabolism. (Many pharmaceutical drugs have the same effect.)

In general, I think you're pretty safe taking most supplements, but you certainly should tell your doctor about anything you're taking regularly, particularly if you're also taking either prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Here's a quick rundown of some commonly used supplements and drugs that could interact to your detriment:

St. John's wort: May affect metabolism of antidepressants; HIV protease inhibitors used to treat HIV/AIDS; digoxin, a heart medication; theophylline, used to treat asthma; cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant; chemotherapy; birth control pills (it may reduce their effectiveness); the blood pressure and heart disease medications nifedipine and diltiazem; Coumadin, a blood-thinner; and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors for HIV/AIDS treatment.

Co-enzyme Q10, dong quai, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, vitamin E and St. John's wort: May increase the risk of bleeding if you're taking prescription anticoagulants such as Coumadin.

Echinacea: May increase levels of HIV protease inhibitors used to treat HIV/AIDS, calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure, and anti-anxiety drugs.

Capsicum (red pepper, cayenne pepper): May increase the absorption and effect of ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and kidney disease; theophylline (for asthma); sedatives; and antidepressants.

Garlic: May decrease the effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs and HIV protease inhibitors. It also may reduce the need for insulin among diabetics (by lowering blood sugar).
Ginkgo: May increase the amount of antidepressant drugs in your blood; may cause seizures when combined with anti-psychotic drugs.

Ginseng: Can cause headache, trembling and manic behavior when combined with the antidepressant Nardil; may interfere with the action of the heart medication digoxin; may reduce blood sugar levels in people with Type II diabetes, thus affecting the need for insulin or other medication for diabetes.
Andrew Weil, MD

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Cure for Hangovers?

Cure for Hangovers?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: This past Friday morning, I got out of bed to find myself with quite a splitting reminder of the night before. Is there anything that can help cure the common hangover? -- Anonymous

A: Alcohol is a strong toxin to both the liver and the nervous system, and it irritates the upper digestive tract and urinary system as well. The morning after a binge, you also feel the effects of dehydration. It certainly seems that everyone has a cure for a hangover: Sailors claim saltwater is the antidote; the Egyptians ate boiled cabbage as a preventive; today, many folks claim it's the "hair of the dog" that'll stop the hammering. Believe what you will.

I probably don't need to say that moderation is the best way to avoid hangovers. It makes sense to imbibe as much water as possible while you're drinking alcohol, to avoid dehydration. Taking aspirin before drinking, though popular, doesn't help. The best and only sure-fire remedy is time: As your body metabolizes the toxic overdose, symptoms subside.

If you have access to pure oxygen in a canister you can try inhaling some to see if it speeds recovery, but I doubt this is practical for most people. I recommend taking a B-complex vitamin supplement plus extra thiamine (100 mgs) to counter the B-vitamin depletion caused by alcohol. But I really don't know of any hangover treatment that works as well as putting time between yourself and the night before.

Be aware that you should pick your poison wisely. Since alcohol is exempt from most labeling requirements, it may contain additives that can trigger asthma, migraines, and other reactions. Whenever possible, choose quality brands. The extra money you pour out for a premium cocktail may tax your wallet, but your liver will thank you.

Some distilled beverages are rich in substances called congeners, toxic impurities that can greatly add to your woes. Bourbon, rum, and cognac are particularly "dirty." Champagne and some sweet wines are also notorious causes of hangovers. Vodka, being just pure alcohol and water, is the cleanest. It's always a good idea to pace yourself, and to eat if you have more than a drink or two.

My drink of choice is sake, which seems pretty clean to me. I don't get a hangover from it, even when I drink more than normal. Kampai!

Andrew Weil, MD

Nutrition for Kids with Allergies or Asthma?

Nutrition for Kids with Allergies or Asthma?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: I recently learned about a nutritional supplement called OPC-3 which is supposed to have benefits for people with allergies and asthma. What are your thoughts about adding this to my two-year old child's diet? -- Raye

A: OPC stands for oligomeric proanthocyanidins, a group of powerful antioxidant compounds. They are commonly found in grape seed extract, which in lab and animal studies has been shown to make blood vessels more elastic and less likely to leak fluids, thus decreasing the leg swelling often associated with varicose veins. OPC-3, a product containing these compounds, is being widely promoted on the Internet as a treatment for diseases associated with free radical damage. However, I have seen no studies suggesting that OPC is an effective treatment for allergies or asthma.

(Grape seed extract is commonly prescribed in France for varicose veins and other vascular problems. I generally recommend it along with horse-chestnut seed extract [HCSE], a more extensively studied treatment for these conditions.)

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by repeated episodes of airway obstruction and associated with an exaggerated airway response to a variety of inhaled stimuli. Although the cause is unknown, such factors as allergies, increased stress, respiratory infections, and exercise can worsen asthma. It can also occur without any obvious triggers.

Allergies are due to "misplaced immunity" against something that really is not a threat to health. Allergic responses are also learned responses that can be unlearned. The goal of treatment should be to convince the immune system that it can coexist peacefully with the substances it is reacting to. In young children, it is important to try to limit exposure to potential irritants of the immune system.

Instead of trying products like OPC-3, my principal recommendation for patients with asthma and allergies (or both) would be to follow an anti-inflammatory diet. Increase organic fruits and vegetables, and stay hydrated with lots of water. Avoid processed foods, partially hydrogenated oils, white sugar, and flour. I also recommend using standard medical treatment selectively and trying to avoid suppressive medications (such as oral steroids) as much as possible. Use mind-body medicine such as guided imagery or clinical hypnosis and experiment with homeopathy as well since children respond favorably to this form of treatment.

Andrew Weil, MD
Last Reviewed: May 2005

What Foods Cause Acne?

What Foods Cause Acne?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: Do dairy products cause acne? I recently heard that they can. -- Josie

A: The principal cause of teenage acne is the hormonal upheavals that occur during adolescence, which can lead to overactivity of oil glands in the dermal layer of the skin. Contrary to popular belief, such foods as chocolate and soda, or such popular teen foods as pizza and French fries, haven't been linked to acne. However, a recent study suggests that dairy products, particularly skim milk, may play a role in acne outbreaks.

The study, reported in the February 2005 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, analyzed responses from more than 47,000 women participating in the national Nurses Health Study II. Researchers from Harvard asked the women about their consumption of dairy food when they were teens, particularly about the type of milk they drank, and whether they had experienced severe teenage acne.

The women who drank more than three servings of any type of milk per day were 22 percent more likely to report having had severe acne than those who drank only one (or less) servings per week. Those who consumed two or more glasses of skim milk daily were 44 percent more likely to say that they had been diagnosed with severe acne as teenagers.

Other dairy foods that were associated with acne in this study include instant breakfast drinks, sherbet, cream cheese and cottage cheese. However, the researchers did not find as strong a link between whole or low-fat milk and acne.

These findings are not likely to be the last word on the subject. More studies will be needed to confirm the association between some dairy products, particularly skim milk, and acne. I've long advised parents to keep children off cow's milk and other dairy products at an early age, especially if the family history includes allergies, asthma, bronchitis, sinus conditions, or autoimmunity.

I also think that individuals with those conditions should eliminate dairy from their diets. The milk protein casein can irritate the immune system and thicken mucus secretions. We'll see if acne is another condition that responds favorably to eliminating cow's milk and milk products.

In any event, I recommend calcium-fortified soy milk, almond milk, or rice milk for those teens and anyone else who habitually drinks a lot of milk. Remember that rice milk contains little protein, and other sources should be added to the diet, especially in growing adolescents or teenagers. Regarding soy milk, I would recommend buying organic products and looking for brands that don't have carageenan, a thickening agent which may not be safe.

Andrew Weil, MD

How Bad Is Secondhand Smoke for Kids?

How Bad Is Secondhand Smoke for Kids?
Provided by: DrWeil.com

Q: I don't like to leave my kids with my mother-in-law because she smokes. Am I right to think this could be harmful? I'm getting a really hard time about my objections to her babysitting. -- Val

A: Of course, you're right. Secondhand smoke is particularly harmful to children. In fact, new research in England has confirmed earlier findings that children exposed to secondhand smoke are at much higher than normal risk for lung cancer later in life than those who weren't exposed.

And researchers in Hong Kong recently found that nonsmoking adults who were exposed to secondhand smoke at home were 24 percent more likely to die from any cause including lung cancer, other lung diseases, other types of cancer, heart disease, and stroke if there was one smoker at home. If there were two smokers in the household, the nonsmokers chance of dying increased by 74 percent. Both studies were published in the February 5, 2005 issue of the British Medical Journal.

The British study included more than 123,000 people who were nonsmokers or had given up smoking at least ten years before joining the study. The former smokers were at a higher risk of lung cancer than those who had never smoked, but among the nonsmokers, those who were exposed to secondhand smoke at home when they were growing up had more than triple the normal risk.

The statistics below, from the American Lung Association, may help you make your point about the dangers of secondhand smoke:

• Secondhand smoke causes about 3,000 deaths each year from lung cancer among people who don't smoke.
• Secondhand smoke is estimated to cause about 35,000 deaths annually from heart disease among nonsmokers.
• Children who breathe secondhand smoke are more likely to suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis and other lung diseases.
• Children who breathe secondhand smoke have more ear infections and are more likely to develop asthma (among all youngsters with asthma, those who breathe secondhand smoke have more frequent attacks).
• Infants and children under 18 months of age who breathe secondhand smoke develop an estimated 150,000 to 300,000 infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, every year resulting in between 7,500 and 15,000 hospitalizations.

I'm sure your mother-in-law wouldn't willingly put her grandchildren's health at risk. Perhaps the information above will persuade her to curb her smoking when she's taking care of your kids.

Andrew Weil, MD

House Dust Stirs Up Problems With Asthma Drugs

House Dust Stirs Up Problems With Asthma Drugs If you read carefully between the lines, you can learn a lot about interesting combinations of substances at work in your body and environment that can harm your health.

Case in point is a recent study that links exposure to toxic, bacteria-laden house dust with an significant risk of asthma.The sources for these endotoxins are pretty common, if you have a family and have any number of household possessions: Pets, humidifiers and dust.Here's the discrepancy: The worst problems were experienced by adults currently taking asthma medications exposed to high levels of bacteria-saturated dust in the bedroom.

Makes you wonder if the interaction of dust with asthma drugs is the real problem...That's why I urge you to learn more about safe and effective ways to treat your asthma safely, inexpensively and without the need for a potentially toxic drug.

Also, there's no mistaking the fact indoor air pollution -- people spend 90 percent of their days and nights inside their homes, cars and various enclosed places -- is worse for you to breath than outdoor air. In fact, some experts estimate indoor air can be up to 10 times dirtier.
Science Daily December 1, 2005
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Vol. 172, No. 11, December 1, 2005: 1371-1377

Vitamin Supplement Could Help Treatment-resistant Asthma

Science Daily Dec 9 2005 11:31PM GMT


Asthma is usually treated very effectively with inhaled steroids but for some patients, taking steroid tablets is the only way of controlling their condition, and this can cause considerable side effects. Unfortunately a sub-group of people with severe asthma fail to show clinical improvement, even with high doses of oral steroids, limiting their treatment options.

Professor Tak Lee, Director of the MRC-Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma at King's College London and Imperial College, who was involved in the latest study, explained its importance: 'This research is really exciting and points the direction towards potential new strategies for reversing steroid resistance. This has major implications for how to treat patients with severe asthma and could also substantially reduce the use of NHS resources.'

The team's results imply that steroid treatment works, at least in part, by inducing the T-cells of the immune system to synthesise a secreted signalling molecule, called IL-10. This molecule can inhibit the immune responses that cause the symptoms of allergic and asthmatic disease.
Unlike T-cells from healthy individuals, or patients that respond to steroids, T-cells taken from patients who are steroid resistant do not produce IL-10 when cultured in vitro with the steroid, dexamethasone.

However, the researchers found that when vitamin D3 was added to the culture medium along with dexamethasone, this defect was reversed and the previously steroid-resistant cells were able to respond to the treatment by producing IL-10 to the same extent as T-cells taken from steroid-responsive patients.

Adding vitamin D3 to cultures of T-cells from healthy individuals or from steroid-responsive patients made these cells even more responsive to steroids than before.

Dr Catherine Hawrylowicz, who led the King's research team said: 'The hope is that this work will lead to new ways to treat people who don't respond to steroid treatment as it currently stands, and it could also help those people who are on heavy doses of steroids to reduce the amount of medication they are taking.'

To test whether this therapy could work in practice the team at King's went on to perform a pilot experiment where people with asthma who were unresponsive to steroids took daily vitamin D3 supplements for seven days. The researchers took blood samples to assess whether the patients' T-cells were more responsive to dexamethasone after they had taken the supplement. The test results were positive.

Dr Hawrylowicz said: 'This is a great example of how productive basic science collaborations can translate into studies in patients. Our research began more than five years ago with Dr Anne O'Garra from the MRC National Institute for Medical Research at Mill Hill.'

She added: 'At the moment we only have a preliminary experimental observation, that ingestion of vitamin D3 can increase the responsiveness of T-cells from patients with steroid-resistant asthma to steroids. We now need to test the benefits of this treatment in the clinic, and we are currently putting a proposal together to carry out this work.

'Interestingly, vitamin D3 is at present occasionally administered to patients with severe asthma to help prevent steroid-induced osteoporosis. Our studies suggest that there is an additional potential benefit to this treatment.'

Dr. Lyn Smurthwaite, Research Development Manager at Asthma UK said: '2.6 million people in the UK have severe asthma symptoms, many of whom have restricted treatment options available to them as they do not respond to conventional steroid therapy. Asthma UK is very pleased to have funded this research which opens up a potentially important new avenue for developing treatments for people with difficult to control asthma.'

Asthma is usually treated very effectively with inhaled steroids but for some patients, taking steroid tablets is the only way of controlling their condition, and this can cause considerable side effects. Unfortunately a sub-group of people with severe asthma fail to show clinical improvement, even with high doses of oral steroids, limiting their treatment options.

Professor Tak Lee, Director of the MRC-Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma at King's College London and Imperial College, who was involved in the latest study, explained its importance: 'This research is really exciting and points the direction towards potential new strategies for reversing steroid resistance. This has major implications for how to treat patients with severe asthma and could also substantially reduce the use of NHS resources.'

The team's results imply that steroid treatment works, at least in part, by inducing the T-cells of the immune system to synthesise a secreted signalling molecule, called IL-10. This molecule can inhibit the immune responses that cause the symptoms of allergic and asthmatic disease.
Unlike T-cells from healthy individuals, or patients that respond to steroids, T-cells taken from patients who are steroid resistant do not produce IL-10 when cultured in vitro with the steroid, dexamethasone.

However, the researchers found that when vitamin D3 was added to the culture medium along with dexamethasone, this defect was reversed and the previously steroid-resistant cells were able to respond to the treatment by producing IL-10 to the same extent as T-cells taken from steroid-responsive patients.

Adding vitamin D3 to cultures of T-cells from healthy individuals or from steroid-responsive patients made these cells even more responsive to steroids than before.

Dr Catherine Hawrylowicz, who led the King's research team said: 'The hope is that this work will lead to new ways to treat people who don't respond to steroid treatment as it currently stands, and it could also help those people who are on heavy doses of steroids to reduce the amount of medication they are taking.'

To test whether this therapy could work in practice the team at King's went on to perform a pilot experiment where people with asthma who were unresponsive to steroids took daily vitamin D3 supplements for seven days. The researchers took blood samples to assess whether the patients' T-cells were more responsive to dexamethasone after they had taken the supplement. The test results were positive.

Dr Hawrylowicz said: 'This is a great example of how productive basic science collaborations can translate into studies in patients. Our research began more than five years ago with Dr Anne O'Garra from the MRC National Institute for Medical Research at Mill Hill.'

She added: 'At the moment we only have a preliminary experimental observation, that ingestion of vitamin D3 can increase the responsiveness of T-cells from patients with steroid-resistant asthma to steroids. We now need to test the benefits of this treatment in the clinic, and we are currently putting a proposal together to carry out this work.

'Interestingly, vitamin D3 is at present occasionally administered to patients with severe asthma to help prevent steroid-induced osteoporosis. Our studies suggest that there is an additional potential benefit to this treatment.'

Dr. Lyn Smurthwaite, Research Development Manager at Asthma UK said: '2.6 million people in the UK have severe asthma symptoms, many of whom have restricted treatment options available to them as they do not respond to conventional steroid therapy. Asthma UK is very pleased to have funded this research which opens up a potentially important new avenue for developing treatments for people with difficult to control asthma.'

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Yeast Infections - Dealing with Them the Natural Way. 71 Ways For A Writer To Make Money.

Yeast
Infections - Dealing with Them the Natural Way

If you've ever suffered with Thrush, the word & Candida' will be all too familiar. But do you know what it really is, what causes it and how to control it naturally. Candida overgrowth affects both men and women, manifesting in surprising ways, which if left unchecked, can lead to some awful consequences.

WHAT EXACTLY IS CANDIDA?
Candida is a single-celled form of life, a yeast or more accurately a fungus, normally found in your gastrointestinal tract. In the free WellBeing Checklist I offer visitors to my website, you will see the word microforms. Yeasts, fungi, moulds, bacteria and viruses are all examples of microforms. Candida itself, is not a problem; in fact without it we would die. BUT, our modern Western diets lead to serious Candida overgrowth and that is where the problems start because the symptoms of overgrowth range from the mildly irritating to the fatal!

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH MICROFORMS?
Actually their presence would be totally fine if it weren't for some unwelcome little habits in certain conditions! You see, they feed off the same stuff that our bodies rely on for energy - glucose, proteins and fats. Then after they've feasted, they show their gratitude for your hospitality by excreting nasty, poisonous acid wastes into our bloodstreams and inside our cells. Lovely - thanks very much! These wastes are called myco- (meaning fungus) and exo- (meaning bacterial) toxins.

WHAT CAUSES MICROFORM OVERGROWTH?
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
In fairness, Candida and other microforms shouldn't shoulder all the blame for the damage they do. Sure, symptoms like (deep breath) pain, fatigue, adrenal/thyroid failure, indigestion, diarrhea, depression, hyperactivity, eczema, asthma, colds and flu, hemorrhoids, arthritis, endometriosis, thrush, ulcers, colitis