Archive for the ‘Asthma’ Category

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

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

Nancy: When someone gets a diagnosis of asthma, they need to take a proactive approach from that moment on. It doesn't matter whether it was the first attack or the tenth attack. You must take a proactive approach from that point on, and proactive means you ask the doctor for an explanation of what happened. ... Full story

Andrew: Dr. Shapiro, there are some people with asthma who smoke. One of them sent us an e-mail, and wonders about smoking and asthma. Now I'm sure you have a lot to say about smoking. Dr. Shapiro: Yes. Well, of course you can smoke and have asthma, but it makes it harder to control your asthma, and it accentuates the likelihood of having ... Full story

Andrew: Ok, so this is a new medication that people may or may not know about - primarily because they don't report the side effects to their doctor. I would think that if I was shaky and nervous after using a medication I would complain to my doctor. ... Full story

Rick: We talked about how you actually take your medication and how simple the process is. How about using a peak-flow meter? Is it that difficult, Dr. Stempel? Dr. Stempel: Peak-flow meters are very simple to use. It's just taking in a deep breath and then blowing out very quickly, much like one would ... Full story

Andrew: I have a question about supplements. Anyone with a chronic condition always wonders about vitamins or herbal remedies, alternative medicines--where do they come into play? Dr. Shapiro: There isn't a lot known about any positive value of vitamins for asthma or allergic disease. People try all sorts of things. Unfortunately, the alternative medicine world hasn't done a lot of good controlled trials ... Full story

Andrew: Let's talk about treatment. Many people see commercials on TV or on radio, and head to over-the-counter medications. How far can those OTC medications go if you have a chronic condition, and how should proceed as far as seeing if they need something more like ... Full story