Preparing for asthma attacks during a pandemic

Preparing for asthma attacks during a pandemic:

 

 

Newswise — Cooler weather, pumpkins, and falling leaves – all things that kick off the most wonderful time of year, the holiday season. But for asthma sufferers, this could mean trouble because experts see an increase in asthma attacks toward the end of September.

Pushan Jani, MD, MSc, assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), has tips on how to avoid asthma attacks and possible hospitalization during a pandemic.

“There are two different types of asthma flare-ups. First you have those who suffer asthma year-round, and then there are some people who have seasonal asthma, which is triggered by different allergens and pollen in the air. This time of the year increases the attacks for seasonal asthma and can make those who suffer from persistent asthma control worse,” Jani, a pulmonary oncologist with UT Physicians, said.

Jani says every year toward the end of September and into October, he sees a significant uptick in asthma-related hospitalizations as various pollens such as ragweed and mold hit the air.

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways, making it difficult to breathe. It impacts nearly 25 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With flu season starting, COVID-19 still here, and an increase in pollen in the air, these three respiratory illnesses could be a recipe for disaster. To avoid landing in the hospital due to an asthma attack, Jani suggests doing the following to prepare:

• Monitor local weather channels or the Air Quality Index (AQI) for pollen counts. “If you know what type of pollen triggers your asthma, stay up to date with weather channels and apps that can help you determine whether or not you should be out. If the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, 101-150, the AQI recommends that asthma patients reduce or limit the time they spend working or doing activities outside,” he said.
• Stock up on any medications or inhalers needed to control flare-ups.
• Get an allergy test. “If you are unaware of what triggers these attacks, get tested. This will help pinpoint what you should look out for to avoid a huge attack and possible hospitalization,” Jani said.

In addition to these steps, Jani says it’s important to know the early symptoms of an asthma attack: severe shortness of breath, excessive coughing, difficulty talking, and chest tightness.

“Ideally, we would like for patients to have good control of their asthma year-round. We are going into the time of year where we see an increase in asthma-related cases, and we are still in the middle of a pandemic. We hope now more than ever that patients understand why it is especially important to have these triggers under control to avoid visits to the hospital,” Jani said.

Asthma Does Not Seem to Increase the Severity of COVID-19

Asthma Does Not Seem to Increase the Severity of COVID-19:

Asthma does not appear to increase the risk for a person contracting COVID-19 or influence its severity, according to a team of Rutgers researchers.

“Older age and conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and obesity are reported risk factors for the development and progression of COVID-19,” said Reynold A. Panettieri Jr., a pulmonary critical care physician and director of the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science and co-author of a paper published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. “However, people with asthma — even those with diminished lung function who are being treated to manage asthmatic inflammation — seem to be no worse affected by SARS-CoV-2 than a non-asthmatic person. There is limited data as to why this is the case — if it is physiological or a result of the treatment to manage the inflammation.”
Panettieri discusses what we know about asthma and inflammation and the important questions that still need to be answered.

How might awareness of SARS-CoV-2 affect the health of people with asthma?
Since the news has focused our attention on the effects of COVID-19 on people in vulnerable populations, those with asthma may become hyper-vigilant about personal hygiene and social distancing. Social distancing could improve asthma control since people who are self-quarantined are also not as exposed to seasonal triggers that include allergens or respiratory viruses. There is also evidence that people are being more attentive to taking their asthma medication during the pandemic, which can contribute to overall health.

What effect might of inhaled steroids have on COVID-19 outcomes?
Inhaled corticosteroids, which are commonly used to protect against asthma attacks, also may reduce the virus’ ability to establish an infection. However, studies have shown that steroids may decrease the body’s immune response and worsen the inflammatory response. Steroids also have been shown to delay the clearing of the SARS and MERS virus — similar to SARS-CoV-2 — from the respiratory tract and thus may worsen COVID-19 outcomes. Future studies should address whether inhaled steroids in patients with asthma or allergies increase or decrease the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and whether these effects are different depending on the steroid type.
In what way does age play a role in how asthma patients react to exposure to the virus?
A person’s susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 infection increases with age. However, since asthma sufferers tend to be younger than those with reported high-risk conditions, age-adjusted studies could help us better understand if age is a factor in explaining why asthma patients may not be at greater risk for infection.

Children and young adults with asthma suffer mainly from allergic inflammation, while older adults who experience the same type of airway inflammation can also suffer from eosinophilic asthma — a more severe form. In these cases, people experience abnormally high levels of a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection, which can cause inflammation in the airways, sinuses, nasal passages and lower respiratory tract, potentially making them more at risk for a serious case of COVID-19.

In addition, an enzyme attached to the cell membranes in the lungs, arteries, heart, kidney and intestines that has been shown to be an entry point for SARS-CoV-2 into cells is increased in response to the virus. This enzyme is also thought to be beneficial in clearing other respiratory viruses, especially in children. How this enzyme affects the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect people with asthma is still unclear.

How might conditions in addition to asthma affect a person’s risk of infection?
Asthma tends to be associated with far fewer other conditions than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cardiovascular disease. If SARS-CoV-2 is a disease that causes dysfunction in the cells that line blood vessels throughout the body, then diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other diseases associated with this condition may make people more susceptible to the virus than those who are asthmatic. However, older people with asthma who also have high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease may have similar instances of COVID-19 as non-asthmatics with those conditions.

Study sheds new light on the harms of air pollution

Study sheds new light on the harms of air pollution |

 A new University at Buffalo study based on levels before, during and after the Beijing Olympics reveals how air pollution affects the human body at the level of metabolites. Researchers found that 69 metabolites changed significantly when air pollution changed.


 

Credit: University at Buffalo

Lina Mu, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health, University at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions

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Researchers found that 69 metabolites changed significantly when air pollution changed. Their results were published today (May 29) in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

The study identified two major metabolic signatures, one consisting of lipids and a second that included dipeptides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, taurine, and xanthine. Many of those metabolites are involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, cardiovascular and nervous systems, researchers note.

The findings are based on the Beijing Olympics Air Pollution study, conducted during the 2008 Olympic Games in China, when temporary air pollution controls were implemented. The study was led by UB epidemiologist Lina Mu.
The study enrolled 201 adults prior to Beijing’s air quality improvement initiative, when air pollution was high. Researchers followed them during the Games, when air pollution was low, and afterward, when levels returned to their usual high in the city of 21 million people. A subset of 26 non-smokers aged 30 to 65 was selected for the metabolomics analysis.

Metabolites are small molecules that are the end products of environmental exposures, such as air pollution, and body metabolism. “Think of our body as a society. These metabolites fulfill different positions, such as teacher, farmer, worker, soldier. We need each one functioning properly in order to maintain a healthy system,” said Mu, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health in UB’s School of Public Health and Health Professions.

“Our study found that the human body had systemic changes at the metabolite level before, during and after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, when ambient air pollution changed drastically,” said Zhongzheng Niu, a PhD candidate and a paper co-author.

The molecules mostly belonged to the lipid and dipeptide families.

The study provides researchers with a broader view of the molecular mechanism underlying the impact of air pollution on the human body. Most previous studies only looked at a small number of molecules. However, the human body is complex and molecules affect one another.
Mu and her colleagues used the “omics” method, a new platform that can measure a whole collection of all detectable metabolites — 886 in their study — simultaneously. Instead of examining these molecules one by one, Mu and her team used network analysis to analyze them all together.
“We found that these metabolites together depicted a relatively comprehensive picture of human body responses to air pollution,” said paper co-author Rachael Hageman Blair, associate professor of biostatistics at UB. She and her team developed the novel analysis method used in the study.
The responses include cellular stability, oxidative stress, anti-oxidation and inflammation.
Researchers measured metabolomics repeatedly when air pollution was high, low and high. Such a design mimicked a “natural experiment” while controlling for variations unrelated to air pollution changes. This provided stronger evidence than previous studies

Air pollution is an environmental exposure that can’t be avoided by people who live in places like Beijing. The World Health Organization reports that 91 percent of the world’s population lives in places where air quality exceeds WHO guidelines.

Once inhaled, air pollutants stimulate the body’s respiratory system, including the nose and lungs. Some cells in the body may be directly insulted by these air pollutants, their membrane may be broken, their secretion may be disordered, and they may send out signaling molecules to other organs for subsequent responses, Mu explains. Metabolites are all these broken membranes, secreted products and signals.

“Capturing these molecules tells us what is going on when people are exposed to air pollution,” Mu said.

Air pollution also induces cellular oxidative stress, which breaks cell membranes.
Researchers found that some molecules that serve as building blocks of cell membranes were elevated when air pollution levels rose. Broken cell membranes release different kinds of lipid molecules. Some of these lipid molecules, with the help of enzymes, turn to inflammatory molecules, which could be harmful to the body.

“The good thing is that we also found some protective molecules, namely antioxidants, also increased when air pollution is high, indicating our body has a defense system to reduce harm,” Mu said.
Studies such as this one may help identify individuals most vulnerable to air pollution, as well as finding potential biological pathways to guide treatment that reduces harm to the body, Mu said.
Mu’s UB co-authors include Richard Browne, associate professor of biotechnical and clinical laboratory sciences, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Matthew Bonner, associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health; and Mya Swanson, data manager/statistician, Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health.
Furong Deng of Peking University is also a co-author.

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Preparation is Key as You Head to College with Allergies and Asthma | Newswise: News for Journalists

Preparation is Key as You Head to College with Allergies and Asthma | Newswise: News for Journalists:

 Feeling as though there are too many things to think about as you plan your transition from high school senior to college freshman?




Source Newsroom: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI)

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Newswise — ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILL (May 1, 2019) – Feeling as though there are too many things to think about as you plan your transition from high school senior to college freshman? Here’s something else to consider: How will you handle your allergies and asthma in your new environment?
“Many college freshmen have never been in charge of their health care before and must consider how they’ll keep their allergies and asthma under control,” says allergist Todd Mahr, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “There are all sorts of questions to answer before they go, such as: How will I handle dorm food if I have a food allergy? What if I’m allergic to things in my room? Where will I get my prescription medications? and Where do I go if there’s a medical emergency? Advance planning can help answer these questions and more.”
Following are five tips from ACAAI to help college students get ahead in taking the lead in the care of their allergies and asthma as they head off from home for the first time.

1. Meet with your allergist – Make an appointment with your allergist before or soon after you graduate to discuss some of your important questions. Find out if your prescriptions need to be updated or changed. Will the climate be different? Sometimes a new geographic location means more (or less) pollen or different asthma triggers. If your mom or dad has been the main point person, it’s time for you to step into the role. Ask for a referral to an allergist in your new location and scout out where you’ll be able to pick up prescriptions. ACAAI has an allergist locator that can help you find an allergist in your new town.
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3. Good communication can help ease the transition - Before you leave, contact school administrators to discuss necessary arrangements for your dorm room, meals or transportation around campus. The nearest hospital facility may not be equipped to treat patients with special medical needs, so ask about the best facility in case of emergency. Contact the school’s office of disabilities if special provisions are needed, and make sure they have any documentation needed to provide special services.
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5. You gonna eat that? – College dorm food, while sometimes awful, can also be dangerous if you have food allergies. Your school should have special accommodations for students with food allergies. Look into how the cafeterias confirm the ingredients in the food they serve. Either in advance or once you arrive, talk to food handlers about safety standards. Ask about ingredients at every meal or snack. You probably already carefully read labels, but make sure your friends, roommate and resident adviser know about your food allergies. It’s your job to educate others about your allergies.
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7. Step up your vigilance – Be aware that impaired judgment from drug or alcohol use increases your risk for accidental ingestion of foods that cause anaphylaxis. There are also risks associated with intimacy, and the potential for partners to transfer food allergens through saliva. Discussions surrounding drugs, alcohol and sexual activity are never easy, but your allergist may be a great resource for information on these topics.
8. Dorm rooms don’t have to be dirty  – It’s more or less expected that dorm rooms can get messy, but cleaning can help you keep seasonal allergies in check, as well as allergies to mold or dust. Remember to bring cleaning supplies you already know work for you. An allergy-proof pillow and mattress casings can protect you from dust mites. Carry and store your belongings in airtight plastic containers to cut down on dust and keep dorm windows closed to prevent pollen and dust from entering.

A board-certified allergist can help identify and treat your allergic symptoms and create an action plan so you can live the life you want. For more information about allergies and asthma, and to locate an allergist in your area, visit AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org.

Higher weight increases risk of psoriasis | Newswise: News for Journalists

Higher weight increases risk of psoriasis | Newswise: News for Journalists:

 Studies have linked psoriasis and higher weight, but the causal relationship between the two has been unclear. What triggers what?

Article ID: 711982
Released: 26-Apr-2019 11:05 AM EDT
Source Newsroom: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

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Newswise — Studies have linked psoriasis and higher weight, but the causal relationship between the two has been unclear. What triggers what?
Or could other underlying reasons explain the connection?
"Higher BMI may contribute to increased inflammation of the skin, which can exacerbate psoriasis, but it could also be that psoriasis leads to a person being less physically active and thus gaining weight," explains Mari Løset.
She is a medical doctor at the Department of Dermatology at St. Olavs Hospital and a postdoctoral fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's (NTNU) K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology.
Løset is part of a team that been involved in a study of the causal relationship between BMI and psoriasis.
BMI stands for body mass index and is a measure of body fat content. It is calculated from a person's height and weight.
The observational study is a large collaboration among researchers from NTNU, England and North America. Some of the data being used is from the Health Survey in Nord-Trøndelag (HUNT) and the UK Biobank. Together, the analyses include data from 750 000 individuals.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the skin, which causes a red, scaly rash. The cause of the disorder is probably multifactorial, involving both heredity and the environment.
Worldwide, two to four per cent of the population is affected by psoriasis. The incidence is particularly high in Norway.
"Self-reported data from two large population surveys in Norway indicate that six to eleven per cent of the population may be affected in this country," says Løset.
A study in the city of Tromsø has shown that the incidence of psoriasis was 4.8 per cent in 1980, but had increased to 11.4 per cent in 2008.
"Similar studies from other parts of the world substantiate the fact that the condition is increasing," says the postdoctoral fellow.
To investigate the causal relationship between BMI and psoriasis, the researchers used a method called Mendelian randomization. It is named after Gregor Mendel, who is known as the father of genetics.
According to Mendel's principles of inheritance, whether we inherit a certain variant of genes from our mother or our father is random. Genetic variants are randomly distributed, or randomized, between individuals.
"Mendelian randomization means that nature itself distributes individuals randomly into groups based on genes. This way, we can avoid the results being influenced by external factors," says Løset.
"Our understanding of how genes are related to disease is increasing at record speed, and in this study we used known genetic variants as markers for BMI and psoriasis," she adds.
By using Mendelian randomization, the researchers found that higher weight is a contributing factor to psoriasis. They observed that greater BMI increased the chance of getting the disease.
"We calculated that the risk increased by nine per cent for each higher whole number on the BMI scale," Løset says.
But the researchers are still uncertain about just how higher weight can lead to psoriasis.
"We still don't know enough about the mechanisms behind this connection. Fatty tissue is an organ that produces hormones and inflammatory signalling molecules, which could be a contributing factor," says Løset.
So far, not much research has been done on whether weight loss can cause psoriasis to disappear, although a few clinical studies suggest the possibility.
"Psoriasis is a very complex disease and we hope to study subgroups, especially individuals with severe psoriasis. The hypothesis is that we will be able to observe even greater links with higher weight," says Mari Løset.

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Study:
Mari Løset et al.: Evidence of a causal relationship between body mass index and psoriasis: A mendelian randomization study. PLOS Medicine.

8 Proven Ways To Relieve Asthma Naturally

Relieve Asthma

As an Asthma sufferer myself, this is welcome news!

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Sunday, January 20th 2019 at 7:00 am

Written By:

GreenMedInfo Research Group

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Asthma affects about 300 million people worldwide. It is growing by 50 percent every decade and causes upwards of 180,000 deaths per year. The cause is not well-understood but here are 8 proven ways to help relieve symptoms naturally. 
There is nothing more terrifying than not being able to breathe.  But that's what asthmatics face every day.  Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the airways. Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough.  According to the Global Initiative for Asthma it affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide.  And it increases globally by 50 percent every decade.[i]
Asthma is also deadly.  According to the World Health Organization, it is linked to more than 180,000 deaths per year.[ii]
No single cause of asthma has been identified.  Symptoms may be triggered or worsened by viral infections, allergens, tobacco smoke, exercise and stress, among other things.
Obesity is also linked to asthma.  A study from the Harvard School of Public Health found that obesity is both a risk factor for asthma and is associated with increased severity of the symptoms.
And a study in the journal Allergy looked at data from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).  It found that obese people had more than 2.5 times the risk of developing asthma as people with a normal body mass index (BMI).
Researchers from Duke University also reviewed NHANES data from 2001 through 2004.  They found that people with a BMI in the obese range were 12 percent more likely to have more severe asthma. They hypothesized that the inflammation induced by obesity may contribute to worse asthma symptoms.
Several studies link some asthma cases to childhood vaccines and their timing.  In a study of 1,531 children in Manitoba, Canada, researchers found that the risk of developing asthma by the age of seven was cut in half when the first diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT) immunization was delayed by more than two months.  Delaying all three doses of DPT vaccines cut asthma risk by 60 percent.
Studies show breast feeding reduces the risk of developing asthma.  In a study of 1500 infants and pre-schoolers, children who were exclusively breast-fed had lower asthma rates than those partially breast-fed or given formula milk.
And a meta-analysis of 12 studies published in the Journal of Pediatrics showed that exclusive breast feeding during the first three months after birth reduced asthma risk by 30 percent.  Researchers attributed the effect to the immunomodulatory properties of breast milk.
For those suffering with the disease, there are natural remedies to relieve symptoms.  Here are just eight proven ways to relieve asthma.
1. Breathing Exercises
Many studies show that breathing exercises have a therapeutic role in the treatment of asthma.   In one randomized controlled trial asthma patients taught breathing exercises showed significant improvements in their quality of life, symptoms, and psychological well-being after six months.
In another study, patients were taught breathing exercises known as the Buteyko Breathing Method named after the Russian physician who developed the technique.  Buteyko breathing exercises increased asthma control 40 percent to 79 percent and significantly reduced the use of corticosteroid inhalers compared with a control group.
In addition, yoga breathing exercises are therapeutic for asthma sufferers.  In a study of 60 patients, half were randomized to receive yoga breathing instructions.  After two months the yoga group showed a statistically significant improvement in lung function as well as improved quality of life.
In another study of 17 university students half the subjects were taught a set of yogic breathing exercises, physical postures, and meditation three times per week.  After 16 weeks, data showed that the yoga significantly improved relaxation, led to a more positive attitude, and reduced use of inhalers.  The researchers concluded that yoga techniques seem beneficial as an adjunct to the medical management of asthma.
2. Turmeric
Studies show that one of the active components in the spice turmeric, curcumin, inhibits the allergic response.  Other research suggests that curcumin works by preventing or modulating inflammation and oxidative stress in the airways.[iii]
In one study 77 patients with mild to moderate bronchial asthma were randomly assigned to two groups.  One group received standard asthma treatment while the other group received the standard therapy plus 500 mg per day of curcumin.  After 30 days researchers concluded that curcumin significantly helped improve airway obstruction and suggested that curcumin is effective and safe as an add-on therapy for the treatment of bronchial asthma.
3. Magnesium
Researchers from Brown University School of Medicine tested intravenous magnesium on pediatric patients with moderate to severe asthma.  Thirty patients were randomly assigned to receive either 40 mg/kg of magnesium sulfate or a saline solution.  Just twenty minutes later the magnesium group showed remarkable improvement in short-term lung function.
Taking magnesium orally is also effective for asthma control.  In a study published in the Journal of Asthma 55 patients were randomly assigned to take 340 mg (170 mg twice a day) of magnesium or a placebo.  After 6.5 months the magnesium group had better bronchial reactivity, and better subjective measures of asthma control and quality of life.
In another study from Brazil 37 patients all received inhaled fluticasone (brand name Flonase) twice a day and the asthma drug salbutamol as needed.  Half the group also took 300 mg per day of magnesium.  After two months bronchial reactivity improved significantly in the magnesium group only. The magnesium group also had fewer instances of worsening asthma and used less salbutamol compared to the placebo group.
4. Vitamin D
Asthma has been linked to lower levels of vitamin D.  In a study of 483 asthmatics under 15 years of age and 483 matched controls, researchers found that vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in asthmatics.
A review of vitamin D studies found vitamin D and its deficiency have a number of effects in the body which could affect the development and severity of asthma.  Researchers concluded that vitamin D may improve lung function and response to steroids, and reduce airway remodeling.
And in a double blind, randomized, comparative study, 140 patients received standard treatment for asthma while half also received 1000 mg per day of vitamin D3.  After six months researchers found that the vitamin D3 significantly improved the quality of life for severe asthmatics.
5. Diet
Many people find their asthma symptoms disappear on a dairy elimination diet.
A meta-analysis of data from more than 30 studies in the journal Nutrition Reviews found high intake of fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of asthma and wheezing in adults and children.  Researchers concluded that eating more fruit and vegetables could reduce the risk of asthma in adults and children by 46 percent.
Another study found tomatoes particularly powerful.  Researchers in Australia had asthmatic adults eat a low antioxidant diet for 10 days.  Measures of asthma severity worsened.  Then for seven days the patients were randomized to receive either a placebo, tomato extract (45 mg lycopene/day), or tomato juice (45 mg lycopene/day). Patients receiving tomato extract or tomato juice reduced their signs of asthma.  The researchers suggested that lycopene-rich supplements should be further investigated as an asthma therapy.
And research from Johns Hopkins University found that sulforaphane, or foods rich in sulforaphane like broccoli, may be adjuvant treatments for asthma. Sulforaphane is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemical also found in other cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, kale, collards, broccoli sprouts, arugula, and watercress.
6. Fish Oil
Many studies show that fish oil relieves chronic inflammation like that found in asthma. In one study of 20 asthmatic patients, researchers compared fish oil to montelukast (brand name Singulair).  Montelukast is a drug used to prevent the wheezing and shortness of breath caused by asthma.
The subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 10 mg of montelukast tablets or 10 fish oil capsules totaling 3.2 g EPA and 2.0 g DHA every day for three weeks.  Thereafter all the subjects received both treatments together for another three weeks. Results showed that montelukast and fish oil were equally effective (and fish oil was slightly better) at reducing airway inflammation.
7. Pine Bark
Pycnogenol® is a standardized extract of French maritime pine bark with anti-inflammatory properties. Italian researchers compared it to the use of corticosteroid inhalers for relieving asthma symptoms.  A total of 76 patients used an inhaler.  Half the group also received 50 mg of Pycnogenol morning and evening.
After six months 55 percent of the Pycnogenol patients were able to reduce their inhaler use compared to only six percent of the control patients. In addition, none of the Pycnogenol patients had a worsening condition but 18.8 percent of the inhaler-only group deteriorated. Researchers concluded that Pycnogenol was effective for better control of allergic asthma and reduced the need for medication.
Also, Pycnogenol is effective to help manage mild-to-moderate childhood asthma.  In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 60 subjects, aged 6-18 years old, were given either Pycnogenol or placebo.  After three months, the Pyconogenol group had significantly more improvement in lung functions and asthma symptoms. They were also able to reduce or stop their use of rescue inhalers more often than the placebo group.
8. Vitamin B6
In a double-blind study of 76 asthmatic children, patients received 200 mg daily of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine).  After five months researchers found vitamin B6 led to significant improvements in asthma symptoms and reduction in dosage of bronchodilators and cortisone.
For additional natural strategies explore GreenMedInfo’s page on asthma.

Gingko Biloba: A 'Living Fossil' With Life-Extending Properties

Gingko Biloba: A 'Living Fossil' With Life-Extending Properties:

An amazing herb!

 This marvelous plant survived Hiroshima and a quarter of a billion years of Earth history, earning its status as a living symbol of hope and longevity...

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Sunday, June 2nd 2013 at 2:00 pm

Written By:

Sayer Ji, Founder

This article is copyrighted by GreenMedInfo LLC, 2018
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Photo credit: Ginkgo tree with therapod dinosaurs and several extinct birds from various periods within the Mesozoic era. (John Agnew)

Those interested in learning how to enhance their longevity may want to look to Gingko Biloba, whose very existence today as a "living fossil" speaks volumes to its ability to survive conditions that would otherwise kill or dramatically shorten the lifespan of most other species.

There is a thread of biological immortality woven into all things that are living. Anything that breathes or pulsates with life today contains within its germline genetic information that originated from a last universal common ancestor (LUCA), and from which all living things -- plants, bacteria, fungi and animal included -- descended. While somatic cells within multicellular organisms perish, their germline stem cells are capable of infinite self-replication, which in the case of gingko biloba, has been going on for at least a quarter of a billion years.

Ginkgo biloba is the world's oldest living plant, and is known as a "living fossil" because it has no close living relatives, and appears to be the same as a plant species dating back 270 million years (Permian) in the fossil record.  It is also one of a rare few (6%) dioecious flowering plants, meaning it has distinct male and female organisms.

Not only has this exceptionally hardy species survived three mass extinction events over the past quarter of a billion years, but it was found to be the only surviving plant species near the epicenter of the August 6^th, 1945 Hiroshima atomic bomb blast.  In September 1945, the area around the blast center was examined and six Gingko biloba trees were found standing. They budded shortly after the blast without major deformations and are still alive to this day. To learn more about the Hiroshima Ginkgo trees visit The Ginkgo Pages.

Interestingly, the same plant that survived exposure to a wide range of radioisotopes released by nuclear blast, including radioiodine-131, is capable of conferring radioprotective properties to humans exposed to at least one of the same elements. Graves' disease patients receiving radioiodine-131 therapy, which is known to cause chromosomal damage, have been found to benefit from receiving a gingko biloba supplement before treatment by experiencing reduced damage to their DNA. You can view the study published in 2007 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism here.

Ginkgo not only has a reputation for longevity, with some plants living to over 1,000 years, but it appears willing to confer longevity to those who use consume it extracts of it.

Indeed, a solid body of preclinical and clinical research indicates that it is useful in age-associated cognitive decline, e.g. Alzheimer's disease, dementia, as well as age-associated visual disturbances such as glaucoma. There is also indication that it may slow the aging process within the mitochondria of cells by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing mitochondrial respiration,[i] and this mitochondrial anti-aging effect is not limited to neurons, but extends to other cell lineages such as blood platelets,[ii] and fibroblasts,[iii] liver cells,[iv]endothelial cells,[v] heart cells[vi] and likely many others yet to be investigated.

One of the most encouraging studies on gingko biloba, which we explored in a previous article, Declaring Chemical Warfare Against Alzheimer's, showed that it was more effective than the blockbuster alzheimer's drug donepezil for treating symptoms of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.

What is even more remarkable is that this plant has been shown capable of articulating over 30 different beneficial physiological actions that may be of therapeutic value in over 100 health conditions. Those conditions in the "A" group are listed below:

• Aging
• Aging: Brain
• Allergic Airway Diseases
• Allergic Conjunctivitis
• Aluminum Toxicity
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Anosmia
• Arterial Thickening
• Arteriosclerosis
• Aspiring-Induced Toxicity
• Asthma
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
• Autism
• Autism Spectrum Disorder

To view the list of all 100+ potential medical applications, from A-Z, visit our Ginkgo Biloba research page. Or, to acquire our entire downloadable document, including over 100 hyperlinks to the National Library of Medicine's original citation location, go here: Downloadable Document - Ginkgo Biloba. [Remember, as a member you can download it with your tokens for free]
A word of caution for those who wish to use ginkgo biloba. Its seeds contains physiologically significant levels of a naturally occurring neurotoxin known as ginkgotoxin (4'-O-methylpyridoxine), which as an antivitamin is structurally related to vitamin B6 (pyroxidine) and can cause neurological problems in those who are susceptible, may be deficient in B6, and/or who consume high amounts.  The leaves are generally considered harmless, but it never hurts to be careful, especially if there is a history of seizures.

Also, many herbs are subject to "cold pasteurization" with gamma radiation, indicating that they could contain formaldehyde and formic acid, as well as unique radiolytic byproducts which may be toxic. Ask the manufacturer if they have tested their raw material for such exposure, or opt for a certified organic brand if accessible.

Finally, remember that accelerated aging and cognitive decline is not caused by a lack of herbs like gingko biloba, and therefore it is always best to first embark on significant lifestyle and dietary changes, including gentle detoxification strategies, than to fall prey to the allure of "magic bullets," even natural ones.

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New Drug Therapy Could Lead to More Effective Treatment for Millions With Asthma

New Drug Therapy Could Lead to More Effective Treatment for Millions With Asthma:

 Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and collaborators from Shanghai University in China examined more than 6,000 compounds and identified a drug that relaxes the muscles and opens the airways, allowing those with asthma to breathe. Find out why this new therapy might give people a better option and new hope.

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School discovers protein that opens airways

Article ID: 693236
Released: 23-Apr-2018 9:00 AM EDT
Source Newsroom: Rutgers University

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  Rutgers New Jersey Medical School researchers have identified a treatment they believe could lead to better drug therapy for those with asthma and other respiratory disorders.

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CITATIONS

Science Translational Medicine

CHANNELS

All Journal News, Allergies, Asthma, Respiratory Diseases and Disorders

KEYWORDS

Asthma, Asthma And Allergy Foundation Of America, Asthma And Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma and children

Newswise — Rutgers New Jersey Medical School researchers identified a new treatment that could lead to more effective drug therapy for millions of individuals with asthma and other respiratory disorders such as chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD).

In a study published on February 7 in Science Translational Medicine, Luis Ulloa, a lead author and immunologist at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, said he and collaborators from Shanghai University in China examined more than 6,000 compounds and identified a drug (TSG12) that relaxes the muscles and opens the airways in those with asthma. This drug treatment, which is not toxic in human cells, prevents pulmonary resistance in egg -and dust mite-induced asthma. The next step would be clinical trials, he said.

“It is not a cure, but I think this treatment will give people a lot of hope,” said Ulloa. “There are a growing number of patients with no alternative because the current treatments either have critical side effects or aren’t working. We hope this will give patients a better option.”

Asthma is a common, chronic respiratory disease that affects over 300 million people worldwide and over 40 million people in the United States. Another 11 million people suffer with COPD. Those with asthma and other respiratory illnesses have recurrent episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, pulmonary obstruction and severe respiratory problems.

The four-year study found that the metallothionein-2 (MT-2) protein in asthmatic lung tissue relaxes airway smooth muscle cells and opens the airways, allowing asthma patients to breathe. Researchers discovered that MT-2 was over 50 percent lower in asthmatic lung tissue. They also found that mice without the MT-2 protein were two-times more susceptible to asthma and that treating them with MT-2 improved breathing difficulties related to asthma.

Ulloa and his collaborators identified the MT-2 protein connection in asthmatic lung tissue after transmitting short electrical pulses into mice through electroacupuncture needles. It enabled them to identify the specific drug (TSG12) that they believe provides better therapeutic treatments for asthma and other respiratory disorders.

The TSG12 treatment, developed from the MT-2 protein, relaxed the airway smooth muscle cells, expanded the pulmonary airways, reduced pulmonary resistance and was more effective than current FDA-approved treatments, including bronchodilator inhalers used by almost all people with asthma.
While treating asthma and respiratory conditions like COPD with a bronchodilator to relax and enlarge the airways in the lungs, which makes breathing easier, is a promising therapeutic strategy, Ulloa said scientists have not been certain why and how it works.

Ulloa said the problem with the current drugs on the market is that they have critical side effects, depress the immune system and increase the risk of secondary infections. In addition, he said, they do not provide adequate relief for about one-third of those suffering with asthma and over time patients become unresponsive with persistent uncontrolled symptoms.

“We found that the TSG12 used in the study is both non-toxic and more effective in reducing pulmonary resistance and could be a promising therapeutic approach for treating asthma without losing their effectiveness overtime.”

Study Finds Asthma and Food Allergies Predictable at Age One

Study Finds Asthma and Food Allergies Predictable at Age One:

 Using data from more than 2,300 children from across Canada participating in the CHILD Study, the researchers evaluated the presence of AD and allergic sensitization at age one. When the children were three years of age, the researchers performed a clinical assessment to determine the presence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy and AD. The combined effect of AD and allergic sensitization was found to be greater than the sum of their individual effects, both on the risk of asthma and on reported food allergy.

Taming the Trouble with Inhalers: A New Way to Treat Asthma

Taming the Trouble with Inhalers: A New Way to Treat Asthma

As an asthma sufferer I relate to this article and would urge parents to teach their children to use the Inhalers correctly.

It also pays to look at alternative medicine to ease the condition.

Asthmatics Less Able to Fight Off Flu

Asthmatics Less Able to Fight Off Flu

This is well known which is why Doctors recommend the flu jab for asthmatics.



Newswise — People with asthma are likely to have worse symptoms when they get the flu because they have weaker immune systems, new Southampton research has shown.

A study led by Dr Ben Nicholas, of the University of Southampton, and published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, assessed lung samples from asthmatics and healthy volunteers.
The samples were exposed to influenza and their reactions analysed.

Dr Nicholas, who led the study under the NIHR Southampton Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit, said: “We wanted to look into whether immune system differences explain why asthmatics are more likely to end up in hospital if they get flu than the general population. This is important, as flu can cause a person’s asthma symptoms to get worse. The samples from healthy people showed a strong immune system-triggering reaction to the flu virus. But in lung samples from asthma patients, this reaction was much weaker.

20 Ways To Cleanse Your Lungs

20 Ways to Cleanse Your Lungs

This is an important post about your lungs and how to cleanse them with remedies.  Even if you feel that your lungs do not need cleansing, it is worth reading this post as it highlights the daily toxins we are exposed to without giving it a thought.

Black Seed Oil For Asthma

Black Seed Oil For Asthma

 As more and more people are known to suffer from Asthma, this post may help give alternative solutions to inhalers or at least lessen the dosis.

The powerful black seed known as nigella sativa strikes again! This time proving that food can be a powerful asthma medication alternative.

A new study published in the journal Phytotherapeutic Research reveals that a powerful little black seed known as nigella sativa -- once referred to as ‘the remedy for everything but death’ -- may provide a powerful alternative to pharmaceutical medicine in the treatment of asthma. This is extremely promising for the millions of chronic asthma sufferers who are still taking medications like long-acting beta agonist which the FDA warned back in 2006 actually increased the risk of dying from asthma. 

The new study entitled, “Nigella sativa Supplementation Improves Asthma Control and Biomarkers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial,” was a placebo-controlled RCT performed on 80 asthmatics, with 40 patients in each treatment and placebo groups. The researchers pointed out that “Nigella sativa oil (NSO) is used traditionally for many inflammatory conditions such as asthma.” NSO capsules were administered 500 mg twice daily for 4 weeks. The placebo group received an equal dose of olive oil.

8 Proven Ways To Relieve Asthma Naturally

8 Proven Ways to Relieve Asthma Naturally

As an Asthma sufferer myself I can vouch for the issues described in the article below:

 There is nothing more terrifying than not being able to breathe.  But that's what asthmatics face every day.  Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the airways. Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough.  According to the Global Initiative for Asthma it affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide.  And it increases globally by 50 percent every decade.[i]

 8 Proven Ways To Relieve Asthma Naturally

UW, Purdue Scientists Solve Structure of Cold Virus Linked to Childhood Asthma

t:UW, Purdue Scientists Solve Structure of Cold Virus Linked to Childhood Asthma

Great news, this study will explain a lot:


Newswise — MADISON, Wis. — The atomic structure of an elusive cold virus linked to severe asthma and respiratory infections in children has been solved by a team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Purdue University.

The findings are published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and provide the foundation for future antiviral drug and vaccine development against the virus, rhinovirus C.

“Rhinovirus C has been the ‘missing link’ in explaining illness caused by the common cold,” says Michael Rossmann, Hanley Distinguished Professor of Biological Science at Purdue and co-lead of the study with UW–Madison’s Ann Palmenberg, professor of biochemistry and with the Institute for Molecular Virology. “This is sure to spark major new efforts toward the development of vaccines and antiviral drugs, particularly for the prevention of asthma.”

Raw Milk Said To Reduce Risk Of Asthma In Children

This study is interesting because as an Asthma Sufferer I have been advised to avoid Raw Cows Milk and Dairy Products as they produce mucous which blocks the lungs.  I have to admit that since clearing my lungs of mucous with the Ayurvedic diet, and avoiding Dairy Products where possible, my Asthma has been pretty much kept under control which would suggest that Cows Milk is rather harmful.

• Children who drank raw milk had a 30 percent lower risk of respiratory infections and fever
• School-aged children who drank raw milk were 41 percent less likely to develop asthma and about 50 percent less likely to develop hay fever
• Bill AB697, which would allow consumers to purchase raw milk directly from a farm, has been introduced in Wisconsin

Study Suggests That Raw Milk Lowers Risk Of Asthma

Beware Asthma Sufferers: Migraines May Worsen

Beware Asthma Sufferers: Migraines May Worsen

It is always good to be aware of conditions that can worsen like Migraine headaches for Asthma sufferers.   The various studies and research that is done at the Universities certainly help us prepare and often get a better understanding of the conditions we suffer from.

Asthma: Attacking the Source of the Disease, Not the Symptoms

 As an Asthma sufferer for many years I eventually tried the Ayurvedic Medicine with great effect.  Since that time I have not had an Asthma attack.  Ayurvedic Treatment is expensive but well worth the money.  First of all the lungs are cleared of mucuos and the whole body is detoxed for 21 days.  Some people find this tedious, but what is the most valuable commodity in life?   Your good health!

Whatever medication is proscribed like Inhalers, Steroids, Antibiotics and such like, they merely keep the attacks at bay and do not deal with the Source of the problem which is largely and in most cases, mucous and a body clear of toxins.


Biologics for Asthma: Attacking the Source of the Disease, Not the Symptoms

Kids, Asthma and Second Hand Smoke at Home = Twice as Many Hospitalizations

 This report should make smokers think twice.  As an Asthma sufferer, the first question any doctor asks me is:  "Do you smoke".  Luckily I have never smoked and I am so grateful that I did not.  I know it is very easy to get the habit especially when surrounded by smokers like I have been.


Kids, Asthma and Second Hand Smoke at Home = Twice as Many Hospitalizations

Breaking News Story About Asthma

Information that might be useful for Asthma sufferers.


A New Use for Statins: Asthma