A stressful pregnancy may increase the risk that a baby will develop asthma, a new study finds.
The role of stress in asthma is not understood, but animal studies suggest that prenatal stress can influence the infant’s immune system in the womb, the researchers noted. It is also known that asthma is most prevalent in…
Archive for July, 2011
Prenatal Stress May Boost Baby’s Asthma Risk
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
Meat Might Be Behind Many Unidentified Allergic Reactions
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
A carbohydrate in meat called alpha-gal may be the unrecognized cause of recurring severe allergic reactions in some patients, a new study suggests.
The study included 60 people in Australia and the United States who experienced the recurrent severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis with no known cause. Allergy tests revealed that 25 of the 60…
Mediterranean Diet & Asthma
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
A Mediterranean diet– well known to protect your heart and decrease cancer risk– might just also improve your asthma. While there is no one Mediterranean diet, it can be thought of as a ‘cocktail’ containing the following key components:
Generous amounts of fruits and vegetables
Healthy fats such as olive oil
Non-salt flavorings such as herbs and spices
Red…
How to Stick with Your Workout Routine Despite Allergies
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
Well, once again the Winter Olympics have come and gone, with splendid displays of athleticism against all odds, as well as disappointments and failed expectations. Watching the competitions put me in mind of how challenging it can be at times to keep going with workouts when allergy symptoms are at their worst.
So, I thought it…
Researchers Identify Gene Pivotal For Immune System Balance
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
A team led by St. Jude researchers identified a gene pivotal for immune system balance. Ultimately, the discovery may aid efforts to tame allergies and asthma.
Named Mina, the gene is part of a signaling pathway that may provide novel targets for new treatments and provide further insights into the disease-fighting immune system, explained Mark Bix,…
Breathe Easy: A Natural Fruit Compound May Help Asthma
Thursday, July 21st, 2011
<p>A preliminary study by a New Zealand company, Plant & Food Research,* shows that natural chemicals from blackcurrants may help breathing in some types of asthma.</p>
<p>Researchers found a compound from a New Zealand blackcurrant may reduce lung inflammation with a multi-action assault in allergy-induced asthma. The compound was found in laboratory experiments to enhance the…
Study Ties Asthma to Higher Odds for Diabetes, Heart Disease
Thursday, July 14th, 2011
People with asthma may have a higher risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, according to a new study that looked at the relationship between asthma and four other inflammatory conditions.
The study, which looked at medical records from the late 1960s through the early 1980s, found higher rates of diabetes and heart illness among asthmatics…
Reaction to red wine? It’s probably not a sulfite allergy
Thursday, July 14th, 2011
Almost every day, someone asks me about sulfite-free wines. Sulfite allergy is a serious issue for folks who suffer from it, but the FDA estimates that only about 1 percent of people have a sensitivity to sulfites, and an even smaller percentage are sensitive enough to have a severe reaction.
Symptoms can include:
Respiratory problems, or asthma-like…
Asthma linked to smoking, nicotine dependence
Thursday, July 14th, 2011
The study analyzed data from the National Comorbity Survey-Replication (NCS-R) – a large epidemiological survey of American adults.
The study found that individuals who were diagnosed with asthma were 1.26 times more likely to have been a smoker, and twice as likely to have been nicotine dependent at some point in their lifetimes – compared to…
Achoo! Is It A Cold Or Allergies? Find Out The Difference And Find Relief
Thursday, July 14th, 2011
A runny or stuffy nose and non-stop sneezing can leave you feeling miserable, but is it a cold or are allergies taking a toll? Finding out whether your symptoms are caused by a cold or allergy is the first step to finding relief, according to allergist members of American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology…
