Archive for July, 2009

Andrew: We've certainly covered so much ground here talking about what asthma is and why asthma has been on the increase. I might ask you, though, to define asthma a little bit for us. What's going on in our lungs--or airway--when we have asthma? Is it just swelling? Dr. Shapiro: It's swelling of the air tubes and tightening of the muscles, and increased production ... Full story

Dick: All the research tells us that it's very important for MS patients to get on and stay on long-term aggressive treatment. Why is this so important? Dr. Frohman: ... Full story

Rick: What about someone who seems to be keeping their asthma in good control, and yet they don't have the energy to exercise? Dr. Redding: Think of exercise as being a challenge to the lungs. So if you sit at rest and watch TV you really don't challenge your lungs very ... Full story

Andrew: We talked earlier about National Institutes of Health (NIH) guidelines that I guess came out last year, after a lot of work, by yourself and other leaders in the asthma field. Why were these guidelines necessary, and how well are they understood? Dr. Shapiro: The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is a major branch of the NIH. This branch has done ... Full story

Richard: My problem is with woodsmoke. I live in an area where there's a lot of woodsmoke, and I have been diagnosed as having rhinitis and asthma. Dr. Redding: Woodsmoke is a big deal around here. It's a major source of heating for many people and it can produce not only particulates but also ... Full story

Our best understanding of the most typical form of MS, which is relapsing/remitting MS, and how it evolves over time, especially when not treated, into more obviously progressive forms of the disease. First off, usually by the time that a person has their first clinically obvious symptom of the disease, their MRI at that time will ... Full story

Rick: I understand, Delbert, you have some tips on traveling with MS on a plane, for example, or maybe by bus. Delbert: I will tell you that now that I've completed my trip across the country, I've had a rare opportunity of getting a chance to go around the country and talking and ... Full story

Andrew: How did scientists achieve a better formulation of albuterol? Dr. Lanier: Most everybody that looks at medications and looks at a formula for medications thinks that the chemical in solution is just that formula. Actually, it's a little ... Full story

Terry: Hi. My question regards the pollen season. My son and my husband both have asthma. My son is eight years old and he was diagnosed about four years old as having it. We have a nebulizer at home and most of the time he does not have to have any type of medication. I do use a peak-flow meter ... Full story

Andrew: There are over-the-counter medications advertised that people with asthma may rely on too much. Could you talk about that? Dr. Shapiro: There are some tablets that have bronchodilating medication and inhalers that also have bronchodilating medications. But these medications are generally short-acting, not particularly potent, and they certainly don't have the anti-inflammatory, long-term beneficial abilities that we've been talking about. So ... Full story