Phthalates and Childhood Asthma

Exposure to phthalates, substances used as plasticizers in a large number of consumer goods, can occur by ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Children––who are uniquely vulnerable to adverse health effects of environmental exposures because of their still-developing neurological, immunological, and respiratory systems—can receive particularly high exposures due to more frequent contact with phthalate-rich surfaces such as plastic toys and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flooring, as well as house dust, which collects phthalates (and other chemicals). Researchers now report an association between phthalate exposure and asthma and allergic disease in a cohort of 10-year-old Norwegian children [EHP 121(2):251–256; Bertelsen et al.].....

Source at medscape.com



High-tech inhaler tracks asthma locations, triggers

A new cutting-edge inhaler for asthma sufferers is helping doctors pin down a patient's location and possible allergy triggers.
Duffy Minges is one of 25 million adults and 8 million children in the U.S. who suffer from the chronic disease. She never leaves home with her asthma inhaler......

Read more: wral.com



Living with Asthma

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a disease affecting your lungs. Asthma causes wheezing, short- ness of breath, chest pain, and coughing. In many instances, these symptoms appear mostly at night or early morning. Some people with asthma have these symptoms daily. People with asthma often have asthma attacks. An asthma attack occurs when something bothers your lungs. Airways become swollen and inflamed which makes it hard to breathe. These attacks can be mild, moderate, or severe. Even though you may feel fine, an asthma attack can occur anytime.1,2.....

See more at: pharmacytimes.com