Articles Archives

August 16, 2010October 24, 2022

Acetaminophen Use and Asthma

There is new evidence that the use of acetaminophen by young people can lead to increased incidence of asthma and eczema. Acetaminophen use and asthma might be linked. Acetaminophen is a pretty common ingredient in over the counter medications. We all have heard most if not all of these drug names over the years;

Benadryl,
Excedrin,
Midol,
Allerest,
Sine-off,
Sudafed and
Tylenol.

Common Acetaminophen Uses

What these brands all have in common is that they may contain the active ingredient acetaminophen. Acetaminophen has been used for years to relieve mild to moderate pain from:

headaches,
muscle aches,
menstrual periods,
colds and sore throats,
toothaches,
backaches,
osteoarthritis,
reactions to some vaccinations and to
reduce fever.

Available Forms

You can buy a tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, suspension or liquid, drops, and extended-release tablet. Normally you take it by mouth, with or without food. Acetaminophen is available without a prescription but it’s getting harder to get to in the stores because they are locking it up.

Link Between Acetaminophen Use and Asthma

The results of a new study that is being released are supposed to show that even minimal use of it may double the risk of asthma in young teens. (read the complete article).

Monthly use can double the rate of asthma in adolescents compared to a group of kids the same age that doesn’t take acetaminophen.

“This study has identified that the reported use of acetaminophen in 13- and 14 year old adolescent children was associated with an exposure-dependent increased risk of asthma symptoms,” said study first author Richard Beasley, M.D., professor of medicine, at the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand on behalf of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC).

If you are a parent, you should talk about the use of this common over-the-counter medication with your child’s doctor. Alternatives such as ibuprofen might be safer, especially if there are other asthma risks. If there is a link between acetaminophen use and asthma, it might be better to be safe than sorry.

Wishing you the best of health
Mike Krause
AllergyStore.com – Serving Customers Since 1989

August 14, 2010October 16, 2014

Vitamin D for Asthma

Studies by National Jewish Health and a study, published in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, both suggest that Vitamin D plays a significant role in how severe asthma symptoms may be and how some people respond to medication. Don’t be surprised if you start hearing recommendations to take Vitamin D for asthma control.

Low levels of vitamin D in people who have asthma show signs of reduce lung function and less response to medication.

In another recent study Dr. Mitsuyoshi Urashima, of Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, found vitamin D also appeared to suppress attacks in children with a history of asthma. Two children taking vitamin D had asthma attacks during the study, compared to 12 children taking placebo.

Urashima admitted to being a bit surprised by this finding and hopes to confirm it in a randomized trial targeting children with asthma. The results showed that people with higher vitamin D levels had better lung function measures than people with lower vitamin D levels. In particular, people with low vitamin D performed worse on tests of lung function and airway hyper-responsiveness, two hallmarks of asthma.

Researchers say vitamin D levels were directly related to the participants’ score on the breathing tests: the lower the vitamin D levels, the worse their performance. Yet another reason to consider Vitamin D for asthma control.

How much vitamin D is needed? Current recommendations for vitamin D supplements for adults is 400 IU to 600 IU, depending on age, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Better yet, try getting it naturally. Sunlight, fatty fish and fish oils are great sources of vitamin D.

As always, make sure you check with your doctor first.

August 9, 2010October 16, 2014

Dealing With Cat Allergies

Allergies are the most widespread chronic condition in the world and 4 out of 5 people who are allergic to animals are allergic to cats. Some research shows about a third of those that suffer from cat allergies live with at least one cat.

Now cats are not the only animal that causes allergies. Many people can be allergic to dogs, rabbits, hamsters, mice, gerbils, monkeys, horses and pretty much any other furry animal. Some people even think they are allergic to their fish when in reality they are allergic to the algae growing in the fish tank.

For years the doctor’s first and best solution was to tell the patient to find their furry pet a new home. Today people will make that the last thing they will consider. After all it’s hard to get rid of a family member and our pets are part of the family. People are looking for another solution.

First of all let me say, even if you get rid of the cat you will still have cat allergens all over the house. Pet dander is very light and floats around sticking to everything it comes in contact with including the walls, carpet, furniture, drapes, blinds, light fixtures and ac systems. We have had customers with cat allergies who moved into a home that had been pet-free for at least a year and they still had allergic reactions.

Keeping your cat can be done in most cases however for some people with severe allergies this is not an option. The most important thing you need to do is reduce and eliminate anything that collects the cat’s dander. We offer a complete guide on How to Deal with Cat Allergies.

Wishing you the best of health
Mike Krause
AllergyStore.com
800 771-2246