Last Friday, we found out that we still don’t have the genetic cause of asthma defined. But, the condition itself- that we know a lot about. After all, with some 44000 asthma attacks- EACH AND EVERY DAY in the US alone, it’s pretty clear someone ought to know what’s going on.
Tag Archives: Asthma
Perfect Puff
Every single morning, the very last thing I do in the bathroom is grab my two inhalers. Shake them (1,2,3…all the way to 15). Exhale slowly, and then inhale slowly through my mouth (1,2,3,… up to 10), depress the button on 2 , and then exhaling through my nose. Repeat the process for the other inhaler.
A New Health Tracker?
There may be some relief for 30 million folks soon. Of that number, about 1/3 are kids!
About what am I talking? Folks with asthma. These folks have an ailment that incurs health care costs of about $ 56 billion a year. In the overall scheme of things, that’s not too much, amounting to about 0.5% of our total health care expenditures. But, it’s the kids with asthma that create the problem. Plus many of these kids come from the lower side of the economic strata, which means they fail to obtain treatment, they miss school, etc.
Asthma, Caesarean birth, breast feeding, and antibiotics?
You know that statement, ‘You are what you eat’? There’s a lot more to it.
As I’ve written a few years ago, I wrote about Helicobacter pylori and their association with ulcers AND Parkinson’s. (I will talk soon about different gut conditions and Parkinson’s, too.) Today, I’ll discuss how gut bacteria are associated with the incidence of asthma- an affliction that affects about 20% of the children in the developed world. (Yes, I know there’s a genetic component- just ask my kids!)
Continue reading Asthma, Caesarean birth, breast feeding, and antibiotics?
Children’s Asthma- Redux
Remember when I wrote about how Children’s Hospital in Boston was dealing with the asthma problem? (What? You don’t? Shame on you. Here is the link ☺ ) As I said then, that’s the sort of practice that needs to be everywhere to manage our overall healthcare costs. And, now, Children’s National Medical Center (DC) is employing a similar practice. Which is a very good thing- since DC has among the highest rates of pediatric asthma in the US. And, one where the area emergency rooms (ER) are the modality of choice far too frequently (in my humble – or not– opinion).
Cleanliness is next to godliness? Not if it’s hyper-cleanliness!
Do you remember the 3 second rule? I certainly do.
That rule let kids know it was OK to pick something up off the floor and eat it- as long as it wasn’t there for 3 seconds or more. Oh, stop making those noises! There probably is more right with that rule than you think.
Continue reading Cleanliness is next to godliness? Not if it’s hyper-cleanliness!