Why asthma can be worse for obese people

People with asthma who are obese have harder-to-treat symptoms than lean or overweight patients. A large, bouquet-shaped molecule called surfactant protein A, or SP-A, may be why.
Researchers compared SP-A levels in lean and overweight asthmatics against SP-A levels in obese asthmatics (those with a body mass index, or BMI, over 30). The obese individuals had significantly less of the protein.
SP-A is a powerhouse of a protein that helps curb the lungs’ responses to environmental insults such as air pollution. It also regulates the numbers and locations of disease-fighting white blood cells called eosinophils. Without enough SP-A to rein them in, you end up with too much of a good thing. The eosinophils collect in the lungs and wreak havoc.....

Read more here: futurity.org

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Environmental pollution exposure during pregnancy increases asthma risk for three generations

Exposure to environmental pollutants during pregnancy may increase the risk of asthma for as many as three consecutive generations, according to new research. The study is published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology -- Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology.
Researchers studied three generations of mice born to mothers that were exposed to either diesel exhaust particles or urban air particle concentrate during pregnancy.....

Read more here: sciencedaily.com

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Richmond gets grant to help combat asthma issues in the area

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Richmond City Health District is getting a large amount of money to fight asthma issues in the area.
“Over the last five years, every year we’ve been ranked one of the top 10 cities to live in with asthma,” said Dr. Danny Avula with RHCD.
Avula says it doesn’t matter where in the area you live or which doctors you use; asthma in Richmond region is a huge problem, partly because of air quality and high smoking rates.
“It’s an issue that affects everybody,” Avula said.....

Read more here: wric.com