Kids can have a hard time learning to use their asthma inhaler correctly. Proper technique is essential for your child to get good control of their asthma. Learn more in this video about helping your child improve their inhaler technique.

Learn More Important Info About Your Child’s Asthma

• Symptoms Of Infant Asthma

• RSV Virus & Asthma

• How Is Your 0-4 Year Old Child’s Asthma Control?

• Is My Child at Risk for a Fatal Asthma Attack?

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Normally scabies is treated with Permethrin, a cream, by applying it from the neck down before going to bed then washing it off in the morning.  If you’ve been wondering how nice it would be if there was a less messy treatment option that worked just as well, you can stop wondering.  And the answer is yes.

Ivermectin is a pill that’s used to treat certain types of intestinal worms in humans.  We’ve long known that ivermectin is a treatment option for scabies, especially scabies that’s resistant to permethrin.  In a recent review of the treatment of scabies in the New England Journal of Medicine, the authors cite a study that shows two doses of ivermectin 2 weeks apart works better than permethrin.

Significant increases in asthma have been seen over a large portion of the United States from 2001 to 2008 according to a study preformed by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

According to the study 19 states had significant increases in the 3-year average prevalence of asthma with the highest increases in Oklahoma and Alabama (both about 2%). The only state that demonstrated a decline over the 3 year period was Nevada.

In the press release lead study author Teresa A. Morrison, MD, MPH stated “This state-by-state analysis of annual trends in asthma prevalence is important for public health planning and for generating hypotheses to determine risk factors for this common condition.”

Why do you think asthma is on the rise? Leave a comment or go to the forum and join the discussion.

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Does asthma affect your mental health?

According to the March issue of Chest, adults with asthma were two and one-half times more likely to experience serious psychological distress compared to those without asthma. Additionally, the more serious psychological distress experienced, patients reported poorer health related quality of life.

What do you think? Does asthma affect your mental health? What do you do to keep asthma from affecting your mental health? Leave a comment or join the discussion in the forum.

Learn More About Coping With Asthma

• How Do You Cope With Asthma?
• 10 Tips For Coping With Asthma

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If your child gets a rash on the backs of the thighs or sides of the buttocks would you think about your toilet seat as the culprit? In a new study published in the journal Pediatrics, investigators discovered the factors most likely to cause skin irritation from a toilet seat.

It appears using harsh chemicals to clean the toilet seat or having toilet seats made of exotic woods, especially if they are covered with varnish or paint, are to blame for causing skin irritation in children. This irritation is easily treated if diagnosed early, but bacteria can get into the skin if it’s cracked and chafing, causing cellulitis.

In a prospective study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting, researchers found that closing a c-section incision with sutures caused fewer complications than using staples.

Interestingly the wound complication rate in the suture group was 9.1%, compared to 21.8% in the staple group. In addition wound separation rate in the suture group was 4.6%, compared to 16.8% in the staple group.

In a recent study, investigators were able to video the movement of viruses as they infect a group of cells. In that video they were able to see that the virus glides past cells that are infected.

Tobacco consumption and indoor tanning are both known health hazards so why do people engage in the risky practices? One reason may be the advertising similarities of both industries. In a recent observational study investigators found that the same tactics used by the tobacco industry to promote cigarette smoking were used by the indoor tanning industry to promote indoor tanning. The tactics used were:

• Downplaying health concerns by emphasizing new “healthier” products, for example
• Appealing to a sense of social popularity convincing consumers their social standing will rise
• Emphasizing the calming or relaxing effect of their products
• Targeting specific groups like women and teens

If you are a woman over the age of 40, you probably know that you should be taking Vitamin D. Unfortunately, many women don’t get enough. But did you know that not getting enough Vitamin D might be affecting your asthma?

According to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, vitamin D may slow the progressive decline in lung function resulting from airway remodeling over time. In airway remodeling certain types of smooth muscle grow more prominent, cause inflammation, and can cause damage to the lungs. The researchers believe that the remodeling can possibly be prevented or slowed down if adequate amounts of vitamin D are consumed.

The researchers found that vitamin D decreased growth of smooth muscle inflammation in the lungs of 12 volunteers more than other potent anti-inflammatories. While the studies are preliminary, they continue to study vitamin D as an asthma therapy. According to a press release, the authors are going to preform a randomized controlled trial to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on patients with severe asthma.

How much vitamin D do you take? Would you consider taking more if studies end up demonstrating that it might improve your asthma?

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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 wine in moderation
• Less red meat consumption
• Eating fish or shellfish several times per week
• Daily exercise

Mediterranean diets may decrease allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms according to a research study that found over a 1 year period children taking in more vegetables, fruits, nuts, fish and cereals and less dairy products, meat, junk food and fat had less asthma and wheezing symptoms , as well as allergy symptoms like runny nose, sneezing and itchy-watery eyes. Overall risk for developing asthma or allergic rhinitis was not altered.

A Mediterranean diet may not only be good for your heart, but may also be good for your lungs.

Have you tried the Mediterranean diet? Have you ever tried to make dietary changes for your asthma? Leave a comment here or join the discussion in the forum.

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