How Cavs' Richard Jefferson overcame severe asthma to save his NBA career

An estimated 300 million people suffer from asthma worldwide.
Richard Jefferson, a 16-year NBA veteran and key cog for the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, is one of those people.
Jefferson’s successful career, now in its twilight, has seen its fair share of obstacles. Over the past quarter-century, his battles with severe asthma have sent him to the hospital, hindered his on-court performance and, a few years back, almost led him to retire.....

Read more here: usatoday.com

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Influenza susceptibility higher among patients with asthma

Patients with asthma are at increased risk for more severe influenza disease, according to research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
“The mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility to viral infections in those with asthma are poorly understood, but it has been suggested that the skewing toward Th2 immunity results in deficient Th1 antiviral immunity,” Ben Nicholas, PhD, from the University of Southampton, and colleagues wrote. “Understanding of antiviral immunity in asthma is also complicated by the immunosuppressive effects of [inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs)]or oral corticosteroids, standard treatments in asthma”......

Read more here: healio.com

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Nearly 600,000 Asthma Inhalers Recalled By GSK

ZEBULON, N.C. (CBS) – More than 593,000 asthma inhalers in the United States have been recalled because of a problem that could cause them to deliver less medication than intended.
An FDA document indicates the reason for the recall is a “defective delivery system” due to a leak in the Ventolin inhalers. Reuters reports drugmaker GSK is trying to figure out what caused the problem after an increasing number of complaints, and is pulling the inhalers from hospitals, pharmacies, retailers and wholesalers.....

Read more here: boston.cbslocal.com