Novartis has released study data on its newest long-acting inhaler, the once daily Seebri Breezhaler. The Seebri Breezhaler has been formatted specifically for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, making it one of the first treatments of its kind. Many other long acting inhalers are recommended for asthma, but can also be used to help reduce the symptoms of COPD.

A small research firm based out of Japan, Sosei, developed the medicinal ingredient with its partner firm Ventura. Novartis then bought the rights to glycopyrronium bromide in April 2005. It has since been submitted for approval in both Europe and Japan.

In addition to Seebri Breezhaler, also under development is QVA149 (indacaterol maleate 110 mcg/glycopyrronium bromide 50 mcg), an investigational inhaled, once-daily, fixed dose combination of glycopyrronium bromide and the LABA indacaterol maleate.

The first four Novartis QVA149 Phase III studies in the treatment of COPD all met their primary endpoints. The results of the SHINE, BRIGHT, ENLIGHTEN and ILLUMINATE studies, which are key components of the IGNITE program, demonstrate the potential of QVA149 in the treatment of COPD.

This is great news for COPD sufferers, who have very few options to treat their condition. For those who are allergic to, or have more side effects from other COPD treatments, the Seebri Breezhaler could help them to better treat their symptoms.

COPD is a progressive disease associated mainly with tobacco smoking, air pollution or occupational exposure, which can cause obstruction of airflow in the lungs resulting in debilitating bouts of breathlessness. With symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing getting steadily worse, it is important to start a COPD prescription such as generic Advair as soon as possible after diagnosis. Long acting inhalers and bronchodilators will not stop the disease, but will make the symptoms significantly easier to bear.

COPD affects an estimated 210 million people worldwide and is predicted to be the third leading cause of death by 2020. Although COPD is often thought of as a disease of the elderly, 50% of patients are estimated to be within the ages of 50 and 65, which means that half of the COPD population are likely to be impacted at the peak of their earning power and family responsibilities.

In a study based on 62,000 Danish mothers, the children of those who ate peanuts and tree nuts while pregnant were less likely to develop asthma or allergies than the kids whose mothers shunned nuts.

The results support the recent withdrawal of recommendations that pregnant women should avoid nuts because they might raise a child's risk for allergies to the nuts themselves and for other hypersensitivities like asthma, according to theU.S.and Danish researchers.

"There's some mixed data out there and this current study is showing that maybe there might be a benefit to your child in having less asthma later on if you continue to just eat the way you're still eating and not avoid (nuts)," said Dr. Todd Mahr, a pediatric allergist at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, who was not involved in the study.

In 2008, theAmericanAcademyof Pediatrics rescinded its recommendation that women should avoid eating peanuts while pregnant to prevent a possible food allergy, and theUK's health agency did the same in 2010.

There is little research implicating even peanuts, specifically, eaten by a pregnant mother and her child's risk for peanut allergy - much less a wider range of sensitivities. Yet the fear continues to lead many expectant mothers to steer clear of nuts.

So Ekaterina Maslova, a researcher at the Centre for Fetal Programming at Statens Serum Institut inCopenhagen, wanted to take a more extensive look at nut exposure and the possible health outcomes in kids.

Maslova's team, who published their results in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, collected survey responses from more than 61,908 Danish moms who gave birth between 1996 and 2002, and analyzed their kids' medical records at the ages of 18 months and seven years old.

The mothers had provided information about how often they ate peanuts and tree nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, during pregnancy.

At age 18 months, the researchers found, the kids whose mothers ate peanuts were less likely to have asthma.

Fifteen percent of kids whose moms ate peanuts more than once a week, for instance, had asthma compared to more than 17 percent of kids whose moms never ate peanuts.

When other asthma risk factors were taken into account, the researchers concluded that kids whose mothers ate peanuts regularly were 21 percent less likely to develop asthma.

At seven years old, this same group of kids was 34 percent less likely to have a diagnosis of asthma than kids whose moms had abstained from peanuts.

Similarly, mothers who ate tree nuts more than once a week had 18-month-olds who were 25 percent less likely to have asthma and wheeze than the moms who avoided the nuts, although this difference appeared to fade as the kids reached seven years old.

Peanuts appeared to have no effect on whether kids developed nasal allergies, and the children of moms who frequently ate tree nuts were 20 percent less likely to have allergies.

Maslova said the findings are further reassurance that moms-to-be don't need to avoid peanuts and tree nuts, although the study doesn't prove that nuts are actually protective against asthma and allergies.

She said the fatty acids, vitamin E or antioxidants in nuts might be playing a role.

"We're looking at food intake, so we can't say this is the one nutrient that's driving this association," she said.

Mahr, who is also chair of the section on allergy and immunology at theAmericanAcademyof Pediatrics, noted that interviewing people about what they eat can introduce some accuracy issues, but the findings are still interesting.

"A take home from this would be if there's no food allergy in your family, but there's an asthma history in your family, maybe you might not want to avoid peanuts specifically," Mahr told Reuters Health.

If your child has developed asthma, be sure to talk to their pediatrician or doctor about which treatment plan may be right for them.

Here's another reason to embrace a diet rich in fruit and vegetables: the nutrients in them can help keep away the negative effects of air pollution.

A three year study conducted on 209 COPD or asthmatic patients in London found that they were more likely to be hospitalized for issues related to the air pollution if their bodies were low in Vitamin C. Citrus fruits, broccoli, and spinach, for example, are good sources of Vitamin C. Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are both characterized by wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Asthma is a lifelong condition with sporadic bronchospasms, also known as asthma attacks. COPD is generally diagnosed later in life, and is more difficult to control than asthma. Both conditions are often treated with oral or inhaled corticosteroids.

All had an increased risk of breathing problems if air pollution was high. European standards for air pollution are the same as the ones set in North America, at 50 micrograms per cubic meter of coarse particulate matter. Pollutants made up out of coarse particle matter have a diameter that is usually a fifth of the diameter of a human hair. Car exhaust and power plants are sources of particulate matter.

Researchers believe that Vitamin C alleviates the effects of air pollutants because of its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect the body from dangerous molecules called free radicals that damage cells. Research has indicated that free radicals may play a role in the development of heart disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases.

Cristina Casonova and her colleagues at the Imperial College London studied the levels of Vitamin C and other vitamins and genes, and the role they played in the development of asthma and COPD. Most of the patients were 54 to 74, although some participants were as young as 18. Many patients were former smokers.

They found that, for every 10 mcg/m3, the risk of hospitalization for breathing-related issues increased 35 percent for people with COPD or asthma. For those who had low levels of Vitamin C, that number was increased by 1.2 times. That correlation held true even when researchers excluded the elderly and former smokers in their analysis, though they did find that former smokers tended to have lower levels of Vitamin C than non-smokers.

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It may not be surprising to most couples who are managing COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) that the disease has an impact on many facets of everyday life including enjoying a healthy sex life. Since sex is a kind of light-weight exercise, and exercise in general often needs to be monitored, sex also has the potential to exacerbate COPD symptoms. Sex requires more oxygen intake, not less, just like any form of exercise. It is said that the oxygen required to have sex is similar to climbing a set of stairs.

As though the limiting physical aspects of COPD aren't enough, fear of encountering a breathing problem can also inhibit sexual activity. This fear may even eventually lead to avoidance of the activity altogether, leaving couples feeling lonely and frustrated. Take heart! There are steps that can be taken to help alleviate some of the nagging fears and promote more confidence in the bedroom.

• Make sure that the bedding is clean, reducing chance of being exposed to irritants

• Eliminate perfumes, lotions, hairsprays from the environment

• Avoid sexual activity immediately after a big meal

• Explore sex positions that are less energetic

• Use your bronchodilator first

• Have oxygen handy

Fatigue may at times feel debilitating with COPD. Pay attention to those times when you feel most rested, choosing to be intimate when you feel your best. Don't always assume that you have to wait until bedtime. Your partner can also take a more active role in sexual activity, allowing you to conserve energy.

Not all sexual problems will be due to COPD. The side effects of medication or even the aging process can both have some impact. Maintaining a good relationship with your doctor where you can freely discuss sexual issues is also important.

Doing our best to stay in shape is a wise decision no matter what. Individuals coping with COPD are no exception. A significant part of any plan to keep us healthy includes regular movement and a healthy weight. Talk with your doctor about the kinds of exercise that can safely be done even though COPD is part of your life. Ask your doctor if there is a pulmonary rehab program nearby where you can learn effective ways to exercise.

Finally, COPD does present challenges, but with forethought, education, and a willingness to accept beneficial changes in the way we do things, sex can continue to be an important part of any relationship. Not sure is there sex after COPD? Get tips from here.

There is no doubt that Facebook is a powerful social networking tool. Facebook has over 845 million active monthly users, with 11% of the world’s population having an account. 50% of these users log in every single day! 48% of 18-34 year olds check Facebook as soon as they get up in the morning, some of them before they even get out of bed! The average user has 130 friends and spends over 700 minutes per month on the site! Now that’s a lot to keep up with!

Could Facebook be causing its users to feel stressed? Absolutely! A survey from Edinburg Napier University found that more than 1 in 10 participants had Facebook related anxiety. The study also found that those with the most number of friends were the most likely to become stressed. Although the participants liked the ability to keep in touch with friends, the pressure to keep up with everyone’s photos, status updates and invitations was difficult. Feeling the need to be funny, original and entertaining with daily status updates also caused anxiety in some individuals.

Breaking up is hard to do but Facebook may make matters worse. Another study that was conducted by researchers at Brunel University in the UK looked at participants who had experienced a break up with at least one person they had been friends with on Facebook. This study showed that staying in contact with the ex on Facebook caused considerable stress and delayed recovery.

Now can this kind of stress trigger an asthma attack? According to well known British Medical Journal, The Lancet, yes it can. An article published by the magazine describes the case of an 18 year old boy whose asthma was triggered by seeing photos of his ex girlfriend with other young men. The boy’s ex-girlfriend “un-friended” him after their break up and became friends with several new young men at the same time. Under a fake name he became friends with her again, and saw photos on her profile that upset him causing hyperventilation and shortness of breath.

Stress is a well known and common asthma trigger. Common feelings of stress related asthma are shortness of breath, anxiety and even panic. These feelings can cause tightening of the muscles around the lungs. An asthma attack occurs when the airways narrow and the cells lining the airway become swollen and produce excess mucus. This reduces the flow of oxygen making it difficult to breathe.

It’s important to learn to identify triggers that may initiate anxiety that can lead to an asthma attack. If Facebook causes anxiety it might be time to take a Facebook break. It can be hard at first but taking a Facebook break can actually be quite liberating. As difficult as this can be (there are even support groups for those who are addicted to Facebook), taking a break can offer a new perspective allowing the user to stay connected with those who really matter to them.

Remember when your mom used tell you to eat your broccoli? As we got older, most of us stopped questioning whether veggies are good for our health. However, for those suffering from COPD, being committed to eating your vegetables could be twice as important. A compound found in broccoli, particularly in broccoli sprouts, may actually strengthen a compromised immune system. COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a lung condition which obstructs air to the lungs. A progressive disease that is not curable, it eventually renders those diagnosed with it less capable of fighting lung infections.

As COPD damages your immune cells, it impacts your health by reducing the ability to protect against bacteria. Studies suggest that by boosting the activity of a specific molecule in these cells the defenses can be restored to some degree. A team of scientists at John Hopkins University have been investigating this phenomena. They have discovered a chemical pathway in the lungs called NRF2 that happens to be deficient in the lungs of COPD patients. According to the study, the lack of this important chemical suppresses the production of white blood cells called macrophages. This makes it more difficult to clear out infections that cause illness.

There is a plant chemical called sulphoraphane which is found in certain vegetables from the cruciferous family. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, and cabbage belong to that group. Broccoli takes the prize, however, for having the highest concentration of this valuable chemical. Wouldn't you know, it appears that this same chemical may aid the immune system in clearing infectious material out of the lungs.

It should be added that the benefits of broccoli exist only in the raw form. In other words, cooked broccoli doesn't offer the same beneficial chemical. Learning to enjoy the crunchy, sweet goodness of raw broccoli shouldn't be too hard to do. Now, it makes even more sense to incorporate vegetables into your diet whenever possible. Although the studies are not conclusive, the fact that broccoli, a whole food that is already good for you, may also assist in strengthening the immune system truly does give your mother the last word on the subject.

Breathing, the very essence of life, often becomes a challenge for those who have been diagnosed with COPD. However, both non-medical and medical therapies can help to improve the lives of those suffering with this lung disease. Here are 6 things you can do to breathe easier.

• Stop smoking. Quitting is the best way to manage your COPD and keep your symptoms from getting worse. Furthermore, not smoking will improve your health in general, perhaps, sparing you from lung cancer and heart problems as well. The prognosis and diagnosis for COPD varies according to each individual. For those people with very mild COPD, if they can stop smoking and start taking better care of themselves, life expectancy shouldn't be shortened.

• Be serious about receiving pulmonary rehabilitation. This treatment is important. It will help you to control your symptoms. Something as simple as learning the best ways to stand, sit, exhale and inhale can alleviate the struggle that you experience when trying to breathe. Your therapist will work to teach you specific breathing techniques like pursed-lip breathing which can help when you are experiencing shortness of breath or during exercise.

• Don't be afraid to get support from your family and friends, especially if you are dependent upon oxygen therapy.

• Avoid contact as much as possible with people who are sick. Also, anything that you can do to keep from irritating your lungs and thereby aggravating your COPD is important. So, scour your house for chemicals, sprays, perfumes or anything else that can be an irritant.

• Arrange your house in such a way as to make it easier to access things that you need on a daily basis. Conserving energy is important.

• Know your limitations. There is a fine line between knowing your limitations and being too afraid to challenge yourself though. People do tend to back off from exerting themselves a little more than they should. By all means, continue to move and to do a daily routine of exercise that is appropriate for your own personal situation.

Living with COPD is a challenge. Yet, with a commitment to working with your doctor, altering your lifestyle, and learning as much as you can about the condition, you can greatly improve the quality of your life.

Every year about 4000 people die because of asthma. When asthma symptoms present after the age of twenty, generally, it is referred to as adult-onset asthma. Although asthma may be more common in childhood, it can develop at any age, even later in life. Also, sometimes childhood asthma goes away only to return as we age.

In about 50% of the adult-onset cases, the individual also has allergies. For instance, people who are allergic to cats may have increased risk of developing asthma. Occupational Asthma is sometimes diagnosed in adults as well. This means that substances in the workplace induced the attack.

Some women first develop asthma during pregnancy, suggesting that there may be a correlation between hormonal changes and adult asthma. Women going through menopause appear to be more likely to develop asthma. In fact, women who take estrogen tablets for ten or more years are 50% more likely to develop asthma.

Viruses and infections can trigger a first-time asthma attack. Symptoms can arise after a respiratory infection such as bronchitis, pneumonia or colds and flus.

Unlike children with asthma, adults have more persistent symptoms rather than intermittent ones. They may have to take medications such as Advair Diskus 250/50 to help control their symptoms. Also, as people age their natural lung capacity decreases, often making it more difficult for doctors to recognize the asthma symptoms for what they really are and so postponing a diagnosis. It also becomes easier to make a misdiagnosis by mistaking the symptoms for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or stomach problems.

If you are experiencing breathing problems, respiratory issues, or notice that when you are in certain environments that your symptoms increase, make an appointment to see your doctor. Undiagnosed adult-onset asthma is dangerous. There are treatments that will alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Studies by the Environmental Protection Agency suggest that the air quality in homes poses a significant risk to our health. The risk increases for those suffering with a respiratory disease. Does proper air purification help to alleviate irritants and even perhaps prevent the development of respiratory problems? Although it can help, it is never a cure and will only assist with lessening the symptoms once your airways have been compromised. It never should replace proper medical attention, care, and treatment either.

Even the cleanest homes can contain dust, molds, fumes, irritants, and pollutants. These can aggravate the symptoms of COPD. It is impossible to remove all of the things that lurk in the air of our homes, but an air purification system could help to reduce the irritants that make breathing a little less than easy. Of course, if you live with a smoker, second-hand smoke is the first thing that you need to eliminate. Using a humidifier is another simple way to improve air quality. Air purification systems will not cure a patient, but they may offer some relief.

Using a filtration system as a means for air cleaning may be worth considering. Air purifiers are an effective way to remove smaller sized particles and irritants that can get carried to your lungs and cause respiratory issues. In addition, the simple act of removing carpeting or at the very least reducing the amount of carpeting in your home is highly recommended. Carpeting tends to hold indoor contaminants.

Many doctors actually do recommend an air purification system for those suffering with COPD. However, not all systems are created equal. It would be advisable to do your homework first before making such a purchase. Always remember that although clean air is a worthy pursuit, taking the proper medications and following the treatment plan that your doctor has prescribed should always come first.

In the recent past, there has been a lot of information about the value of vitamin D in our diet. Many Americans do not get enough vitamin D. Interestingly, it has been noted that those with COPD often have very low levels of vitamin D in their system. Is there a connection between low levels of vitamin D and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? Some researchers believe there may very well be.

Vitamin D is best known for helping to strengthen our bones. The most natural way for your body to receive vitamin D is through sunlight. The UV rays from sunshine are turned into vitamin D by our amazing bodies. However, if a person lives in a colder climate, they may not spend as much time outdoors with their skin exposed to the sun as someone who lives in a warmer climate. Another factor that could influence the amount of time someone spends in the sun on a regular basis would be illness. When you don’t feel well, there is less incentive to go outside.

The ill effects of low levels of sunlight may also extend to include poor muscle health, balance in women, and seasonal depression. Since many patients with COPD are often low in vitamin D, there has been at least one small study conducted to explore the possibility of using vitamin D as a treatment. The outcome of the research suggested that the participants who were taking vitamin D showed greater improvements in their ability to exercise as well as a strengthening of the respiratory muscles.

It is still too early to say whether or not incorporating extra vitamin D into your diet will make a difference in the long run for those with COPD, but it may be worth taking into consideration since low vitamin D levels can also affect other aspects of your health. The US recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 600 IU daily for adults up to age 70 and 800 IU daily for adults over 70. If you live in a colder climate, are not able to get outdoors often, or think that you have low levels of vitamin D, you may want to consider taking a supplement.

COPD as of yet does not have a cure. However, if you have been diagnosed with COPD, it is highly recommended that you collaborate with your doctor to develop a plan for managing the symptoms of COPD. Proper medication combined with lifestyle changes are important aspects of any treatment plan.

Women who are managing the symptoms of asthma may find that female hormones can make breathing more difficult. Pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause can have significant influence on asthma and allergies. Every year about 3300 women die from complications due to asthma. Certain triggers like dust, animals, pollen and even stress are well known, but recent research suggests that hormonal changes, a more intrinsic trigger, may make paying closer attention to your personal menstrual cycle advantageous.

During recent studies, it was noted that respiratory symptoms vary significantly during the menstrual cycle. It appears that the up and down of hormone levels, estrogen in particular, may cause inflammation in the airways. Most women living with asthma are conscious of the seasons and specific allergies that might trigger their symptoms. While most people are aware of seasonal changes in regards to allergy symptoms, women should also monitor their menstrual cycles. A pattern may emerge which could be helpful in customizing a treatment plan. This holds true for pregnancy and menopause when once again there can be a major fluctuation in hormone levels.

Throughout the menstrual cycle, a recurrent trouble spot seems to be right before a period. This is a time when estrogen levels are at lowest levels. In fact, the highest incidents of hospitalizations for women with asthma tend to occur around the peri-menstrual stage of the cycle. Estrogen levels drop to almost zero at that time.

Women already know that changing hormones can wreak havoc with their lives from time to time. Hormones aggravating asthma symptoms may just be one more thing to add to the list. Asthma triggers are varied and personal. It is important to recognize the triggers that exacerbate your symptoms in order to take appropriate steps to control them. If you suffer from asthma, it is highly recommended that you work with your doctor to manage the symptoms of asthma with proper medication, lifestyle changes and education.

If you are more than fifty years of age, you may have noticed that “back in the day” asthma seemed to be a rare condition. In fact, that observation is true. The rise of asthma over the years is at an all-time high, possibly affecting as many as one in every seven children. Popular consensus places this epidemic on lifestyle and dietary changes.

In 1996, the city of Atlanta cracked down on traffic during the Summer Olympics. In fact, traffic was significantly lowered during this time. The influx of spectators was successfully managed, but as traffic was being controlled, it was also noted that asthma problems dropped at an equal rate, 22%, going on to surpass the drop in traffic with a 40% reduction in asthma-related incidents. Fewer people with asthma were admitted to hospitals and fewer people were visiting their doctors during this time.

In a widely car-dependent society, could our main source of transportation also be contributing to the high rates of asthma?

If truth be told, scientists believe that we are now dealing with an increase in numerous illnesses that are aggravated by air pollution. The chemicals produced by the exhaust from cars and other vehicles are harmful to asthmatics. It affects lung function. That includes all vehicles. They emit tiny particles that can penetrate your lungs, creating havoc with the respiratory system.

So what can we do?

It is virtually impossible to live in modern society without using your car or some type of vehicle. Our cities, communities, and lifestyles are not designed to function without this modern convenience. However, there are a few things that you can put into practice that may help.

• If you can travel early in the morning or late in the evening, you may avoid heavy idling of cars in gridlocked traffic areas.

• Close your windows.

• Turn on your air conditioner.

• Do not stand behind idling cars.

• A regular weekly cleaning of your vehicle may also be helpful. Irritants and pollutants can gather on the surfaces of your car. But take caution with the cleaning products that you use as many are irritants as well.

We do live in a world of cars, cars and more cars. It can be a real challenge to carry on as usual if you have asthma. Stay in close contact with your doctor. Develop a proper treatment and management plan. Pay attention to your body. Use appropriate medications. Plan ahead. Taking care of your asthma is the smartest thing that you will ever do.

What is too small to see with the naked eye, white in color, has eight legs, but are not insects? If you guessed a dust mite, you are right. These primitive creatures are blind with undeveloped respiratory systems. Yet, as tiny and unimpressive as they seem, a dust mite may be the most common cause of year-round allergies and asthma.

Dust mites live in many homes all around the world except for Antarctica. They are very adaptable and can survive almost anywhere. Even though they may be almost impossible to get rid of completely, there are ways to reduce your allergic reaction to the pesky little critters.

Your first response to what you have just read may be one of utter dismay. After all, no one likes to think of sharing their house, even their bed with such an unwholesome sounding bug. During the life cycle of a dust might, from egg to adulthood, they keep busy either eating, reproducing or eliminating waste products. It is the last activity on the list that causes the allergic reactions in humans. That’s right. The waste product itself, not the mite, causes the problems. Containing an allergen that sets off a reaction, they can make life quite unpleasant for those affected. Even after a dust mite dies, the waste is left behind.

What to do?

First of all, you need to know that having dust mites does not mean that you also have a dirty house. You can have a pristine home and still dust mites will move in and set up housekeeping. However, making an attempt to keep your house as dust free as possible is a great first step at reducing the dust mite problem.

The most popular room in the house is the bedroom. Dust mites just love to make their homes deep inside your sofas, mattresses, pillows and carpeting. If you aren’t totally grossed out by now, please consider covering your mattresses and pillows with dust-proof covers, the kind that zip. Tackling your bedroom gets you the biggest bang for your buck, because roughly 95% of the dust mite population can be found there.

What else can you do? Washing your sheets at least once a week can make a difference. Hot water should be used in order to successfully kill the mites. Wall-to-wall carpeting should be removed. Keep your pets out of the room. Shades instead of curtains are also recommended. In other words, remove as much fabric as possible, giving them less choices for places to hide and breed. Dust mites thrive in humidity, so reducing the humidity in your home may help, too. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner.

Your doctor is an invaluable resource. Proper medications or even allergy shots may be part of your treatment and management plan. You may not be able to get rid of every dust mite that is living in your home, but there are ways to make life a lot more bearable.

There is nothing like bringing in freshly dried clothes from the backyard clothesline to make you wax nostalgic about the good old days. Not only do the clothes smell great, but it reduces energy consumption which in turn is easier on the environment and the pocketbook. All good reasons to hang your clothes to dry outdoors. Yet, we can add yet another reason for resorting to this somewhat old-fashioned habit. It may also be better for our health, especially if there are family members with respiratory problems like asthma.

So how about drying your clothing indoors by hanging them on racks or over radiators? When the weather doesn’t permit outdoor drying, this can seem like a logical second choice, especially if you are trying to cut the cost of electricity bills. However, this method may not be so good after all. Yes, you have avoided the dryer with all of its propensity toward consuming energy and creating environmental problems within the home, but apparently you may not be home free.

The passive drying of clothes increases moisture that encourages moulds and dust mites, which is bad for people prone to asthma. Also, the recent move toward building more airtight and energy efficient homes actually serves to make things worse. Poorly ventilated rooms can pose a real problem. The use of fabric softeners adds to the increase of irritants in the air as well.

Clothes dryers need to be vented outdoors. To make use of the heat created by a dryer, some people actually vent the dryer indoors, attempting to maximize this heat source. Sounds reasonable, yes? This is not a good idea if you are also trying to keep the air quality in your home as clean as possible.

So, here’s the deal. It is recommended that people dry their clothes outdoors as much as possible. The use of energy-efficient, condensing tumble dryers that are vented outdoors is also a smart move. If you have a balcony or a porch that faces in a southerly direction, consider hanging your clothes there in inclement weather. Avoid fabric softeners and use natural light and heat as much as possible.

An asthma attack is no fun. Whether you have asthma yourself or are living with someone who does, there are steps that can be taken to ensure a safer indoor environment for everyone. Of course, working with your doctor to develop an appropriate treatment plan is important as well. Taking the necessary steps to better breathing is the worth the effort.

Some people are diagnosed with asthma during childhood, but If a patient develops asthma after the age of twenty, it is generally considered to be adult-onset asthma. By the time many people reach middle age, they tend to have lower lung capacity and so doctors may not even recognize the symptoms of asthma. Roughly 50% of patients with adult-onset asthma have allergies as well. The symptoms of asthma may come on suddenly.

Asthma affects the lungs, resulting in symptoms that come and go. Swelling to the airway and a buildup of mucous can produce shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulties and tightness in the chest.

Adults that are at a higher risk of developing asthma include women who are pregnant or going through menopause. Hormonal changes can trigger adult-onset asthma. Menopausal women should avoid taking estrogen supplements over a long period of time as well.

Viruses and colds can trigger adult asthma. Allergies, especially to cats, may also. Long-term exposure to irritants, like at the workplace or smoking tobacco, contribute to asthma in adults, Also, mold, dust perfumes and other household cleaning items may become triggers.

Do you have a family history of asthma or allergies? Did you grow up living with smokers? Do you come from an urban area with more pollution? Answering yes to these three questions make you a possible candidate for adult asthma.

All asthma patients are not equal, however. Symptoms may vary from person to person. From mild and intermittent, to mild but persistent, all the way to severe and persistent. It will be up to your doctor to help decide your classification and to develop an appropriate treatment plan to meet your needs.

It is encouraging to know that asthma can be controlled with proper treatment, but it cannot be cured. Learning how to control the symptoms is important. Your goal should be to lead a normal life. That is accomplished by working with your doctor, recognizing your personal triggers and tracking your lung function. Your history and the severity of your asthma will determine what kind of asthma action plan that you need to have in place in case of emergencies. Staying informed and making a commitment to understanding asthma help to achieve a quality life.

Are you a mouth breather? There is a reason that we have a nose. It is there for inhaling and exhaling. Not that you can’t get air into your lungs through your mouth, but if you want to absorb as much oxygen as possible, breathing though your mouth is not the best way to accomplish that goal. Yes, occasionally we overexert and feel compelled to pant for air, but if you are breathing through your mouth most of the time, even during exercise, you may be setting yourself up for other problems.

There is a strong connection between mouth breathing and asthma issues. If you are breathing through your mouth and also have asthma, retraining yourself to breathe normally through your nose can be highly beneficial. When a person breathes normally they take in around 4 to 6 liters of air per minute. Asthmatics tend to have a breathing volume that is two to three times more than normal breathers. Furthermore, it is much more common for people with asthma to breathe through their mouths and suffer from over breathing which is recognized by upper chest movement, audible breathing and other visible signs. Breathing though the mouth actually constricts the airways.

Other benefits of breathing through your nose

With all of the pollutants in the air, breathing through your nose is the best filtering system that the body has to offer. All of those aggravating little nose hairs actually serve an important purpose. They are cleaning the air before it enters your lungs.

Mouth breathers are also more susceptible to colds, since germs are not being filtered successfully. Even one less cold a year is worth it! Incidents of snoring are much higher with mouth breathers. Also, if you want a keener sense of smell and taste, breathe through your nose.

These days, it is pretty much an accepted fact that mouth breathing causes hyperventilation which can contribute to asthma. If you are a mouth breather, you may need to be trained to start breathing normally. If you have been diagnosed with asthma, learning to control your air intake by better breathing should be an important part of any treatment plan. Always work with your doctor to determine the best way to manage the symptoms of chronic asthma.

Do you know someone with asthma? Many of us do as the condition is becoming more prevalent. However, what would you do if you were the sole source of assistance when a full-blown attack took place in your presence? Panic? If you don't have a clue what steps to take when someone you love has an asthma attack, it would be in everyone's best interest if you armed yourself with a little knowledge. Asthma can be life threatening.

First of all, understanding what happens when an asthma attack ensues is very important. An attack can result in various symptoms. Coughing, wheezing, tightening of the chest and an inability to actually inhale air and exhale it properly are all rather visible signs.

Symptoms vary according to the individual. If the airway becomes really obstructed, you may not even be able to hear any wheezing. Also, some attacks are mild and usually can be managed at home, but the severe attacks may require a trip to the hospital. Being able to tell the difference is also important.

What to Do

The aim of treatment these days is to be able to manage asthma cases with very few asthma attacks, but, of course, attacks still take place and can be alarming. If you are present during an attack, stay calm. Your own ability to stay calm may help the patient to relax, too. Stress can exacerbate the symptoms.

Make sure the person is sitting up. This is the best position for breathing. Straddling a chair and propping their elbows on the back of it can sometimes help. Laying down is not recommended.

Identify and remove if possible any triggers, for instance, cigarette smoke, perfumes etc. The list of triggers includes the dander from animals, exhaust fumes, exercising, cold weather, windy weather, pollen and more. Ask the patient if they can identify any triggers.

Many well-prepared asthmatics have an emergency plan. They may even be carrying a card which will make your job a lot easier. Follow the directions accordingly. Do they have an inhaler handy or other anti-inflammatory agents? Does their action plan include instructions for what to do if their symptoms worsen? Continuing to stay calm, discuss the plan together.

If after ten minutes the situation is not improving, call the doctor or EMT. Even if the person objects, it is time to involve the assistance of a medical professional. It can be very scary to have so much responsibility. When in doubt, don't ever hesitate to seek medical assistance immediately. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 30 million people have, at some point of time, suffered from asthma. The disease, singlehandedly, has landed one and a half million people in the hospital and is responsible for over 17 million trips to the physician every year. And yet, a lot of people labor under the misconception that treating asthma requires little more than taking puffs from an inhaler.

As you can imagine, things are a lot more complicated. Treating asthma is not a straightforward business. Every case is unique since the condition is capable of assuming a host of different forms. Using an inhaler to treat flare ups is not really dealing with the problem. It only addresses the symptoms while ignoring to target the underlying problem, which is the inflammation in your airways.

What's worse is that the condition keeps evolving in response to your lifestyle and other influences. Most medical practitioners will tell you that past experience of asthma cannot be indicative of how the condition will develop in the future. What may have worked for you at one point of time may become ineffective gradually. That’s why your treatment needs to be adjusted regularly.

There is yet another factor that comes into play here. Most patients suffering from asthma are only reminded about their condition when they are having an attack. For most part, they don’t even think about the disease, which still exists even when you are feeling all right. They simply get used to the disease and living with the symptoms becomes a part of their lives.

As a result, each patient who has been diagnosed with asthma requires a treatment plan tailor made especially for him/her. Taking the same medicine as your Uncle Tom or buddy Jim from tennis club or your friendly neighbor will not prove to be beneficial for you. There is no one size fits all solution.

In a recent discovery, the discovery of a key gene brings a ray of hope to asthma patients in the form of personalized medicines. Scientists have discovered that a patient’s response to asthma treatment depends largely on whether they have two copies of a newly identified common genetic variation. Although the findings have to be replicated on a much larger scale, the implications of this discovery are enormous. It could revolutionize the manner in which asthma is managed, making it possible to use genetic testing and personalized medicine to achieve improved patient outcomes for not just asthma, but other respiratory conditions as well.

However, until that happens, it is important to manage your condition the traditional way, staying away from allergens, recognizing your triggers, and following the advice laid down for you by the doctor. And, should you notice the slightest change in your symptoms – for better or for worse – bring it to the doctor’s notice as soon as possible. He will make the necessary adjustments to your treatment and increase or decrease the dosage – as the case may be – so it is more beneficial to you.

The trigger point of asthma is usual stuff like pollen, dust mites and the like which are responsible to elevate the severity of the allergy. These days, scented deodorants, air fresheners, perfumes are a usual sight and moreover the cleaners also come in scented format. We all love these products which are imbibed with chemical scents but are unaware that they are the reasons of initiation of allergies. Apart from the products, it is also recommended that the house is kept clean i.e. dust- free and hygienic to avoid or control asthma.

Refrain from cleaning routines

When we talk about keeping the house clean and hygienic, it should be understood that the person having the allergy should stay away from the dust particles, which emerge from the cleaning process. Moreover, it is important that the cleaning of house is done on a daily basis, if you have an allergic patient in your family. Keeping the house spic and span is a cumbersome job and cannot be done without help. Therefore, it is advisable to take the aid of a house cleaner to do the needful on a daily basis. Let’s understand why a house cleaner is required.

Exposure to cleaning sprays and air fresheners

The chemical infused cleaning sprays and air fresheners have allergy triggering elements in them. So instead of using these, you should rather opt for a regular cleaning of your home to keep the dust and dirt away. Moreover, if you outsource the job to a house cleaner, they can carry on this cleaning routine for you and in turn help you and your family members to stay away from allergens.

Replacement for cleaning routines

It is quintessential that you refrain from cleaning activity and opt for a house cleaner because the latter has numerous advantages. The major reason is that you and your family stay away from being exposed to dust, dirt and various other potential allergy triggering components. While carrying out cleaning routines; there is, without a doubt, occurrence of dust and dirt which you are going to directly inhale, if you are the one doing it. This exposure can be quite detrimental to your health and increase the risk of an asthma attack. It doesn’t matter if you use vacuum cleaner for making your house dust-free; there will still be some dust that will prevail in the air and the asthma patient needs to stay away from it.

Another important reason is that if your house remains clean and dust-free on a daily basis; it would be a boon for you and your family. Daily cleaning of windowsills, carpets, bed sheets, bathroom molds, mopping, dusting etc. is not possible to be done single handedly and even if you can handle it; it will always pose a health risk for you. A house cleaner on the other hand will make it certain that your house remains allergy-proof without you having to sweat it out.

It is advisable for a dwelling with asthmatic allergy to outsource the job of cleaning to keep the allergies in control.

The chemical messengers which travel in the body through the bloodstream to the tissues and organs are called hormones and they slowly affect the body’s processes. Hormones play a key role in building and maintaining our immunity and control allergic reactions, and it is the endocrine glands that produce hormones. When these chemical messengers stop functioning properly, there is an imbalance of hormones. Research has shown that among the other causes of asthma, imbalance in hormones has emerged a major factor in aggravating Asthma.

Basics of Asthma

Asthma is a disease that affects the airways which carry air between the lungs. There is swelling and inflammation in the inside walls of the airways of a person suffering from asthma. This causes irritation which leads to allergic reactions. When the airways become narrow, very less air can move through them and lead to breathing problems, tightness of the chest, coughing and wheezing. These symptoms are most commonly experienced early in the morning or at night. People suffering from this disease are referred to as being asthmatic.

What causes Asthma?

Asthma is caused due to many factors such as low birth weight in babies, exposure to tobacco smoke, allergies – to animal allergens; pollen grains; dust particles, hay fever, pollution, exposure to nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, humidity, cold temperatures, ozone, obesity, stress, genes, hyperactivity in the airway, eczema and allergic conjunctivitis etc. Babies who are born through caesarian section are more susceptible to asthma. Premature birth can also increase the risk of asthma.

What most of us may not know is that fluctuation in hormones can cause severe asthma attacks in women.

Let’s see how:

• The production of estrogen and progesterone in the ovaries is said to decrease at the time of menopause and this increases allergies.

• During pregnancy also, the body produces hormones in varying levels and women become more vulnerable.

• The level of progesterone rises on the onset of the menstrual cycle and remains high throughout. Sometimes the periods become irregular due to asthma. However, during ovulation, wheezing is said to decrease.

• Women who take contraceptive pills, which have high estrogen levels, can also develop asthma.

The female hormone, estrogen has a lasting impact on airways and can lead to hay fever, which in turn leads to certain allergies and increases the risk of asthma. High progesterone levels cause allergies and this increases the risk of asthma. Fluctuation in hormone levels also reduces cortisol and the body tries to produce more adrenalin. This triggers inflammation and increases allergic reactions and increases the risk of asthma.

Good news is that asthma and the inflammation caused by it can be controlled by balancing of hormones.

Balancing the Hormones

Balancing of the hormones is considered to be a very important factor that can help in combating asthma. Hormonal balancing is seen to bring about surprising results. If the level of progesterone and estrogen is balanced in a natural manner or through therapy, it can lessen allergies and reduce the risk of asthma.

There are various ways to balance hormones:

• Estrogen levels can be very well balanced by the Estrogen Replacement Therapy however it can make the patient susceptible to cardiovascular diseases.

• Hormones can be balanced avoiding foods that produce toxins

• By avoiding high omega 6 polyunsaturated fats

• By limiting the intake of caffeine

• By getting enough sleep

• By including some coconut oil in your diet daily

• By adding supplements to our diet wisely

• By doing some light exercise

• By avoiding soy and making sure that carbohydrates are taken in sufficient quantity

• There are some remedies in Ayurveda, which can also help balancing the hormones, and they don’t cause any adverse side-effects.