Asthma Archives

UTMB Study Could Lead to New Therapies for Asthma, COPD

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston just released information on a discovery that could lead to new therapies for asthma and improve therapies for the people suffering from asthma and COPD.

Great News.

Role of Goblet Cell Metaplasia

“Using cell culture and laboratory mouse experiments, the researchers showed that the enzyme, aldose reductase, is essential to a process known as goblet cell metaplasia that is seen in both asthma and COPD. In goblet cell metaplasia, exposure to allergens such as pollen, mold
and dust mites initiates a series of biochemical reactions that causes the cells that line the air passages of the lungs to change from their normal state into so-called “goblet cells,” which produce substantial amounts of excess mucus. Healthy individuals’ lungs contain very few goblet cells, but patients who die from asthma — an estimated 5,000
people annually — have significantly higher numbers of these cells.

Aldose Reductase Key to New Therapies for Asthma

“Aldose reductase is key to a whole range of inflammation
disorders, so it comes as no surprise that it should be crucial to the inflammatory processes that drive disease in asthma and COPD,” said UTMB Health biochemistry and molecular biology professor Satish Srivastava, senior author of the paper. “The discovery that aldose reductase
regulates mucus production and goblet cell metaplasia makes inhibition of this enzyme an attractive therapeutic option to reduce mucus-related airway obstructive diseases — and for the first time gives us a real chance to alter the course of the underlying disease in asthma and
COPD.”

You can read the complete article here.

One thing it mentions is the possibility that these new therapies for asthma and COPD may provide an alternative to steroid treatment for patients. I know many of our clients would love to stop taking steroids. So many parents are concerned about the effects long-term steroid use will have on their children.

Wishing you the best of health

Mike Krause

AllergyStore.com

Vitamin D and Asthma

Did you get your dose of vitamin D today? If you have asthma, that is a question you should be asking. An article published in the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) documented the relationship between Vitamin D and asthma that is not controlled.

Follow this link to read the complete article.

It is winter time so most people are spending more times indoors where it is warm. Even in South Florida its a bit chilly today. One of the things being outdoors and in the sun (besides keeping us warm) is that sunlight helps our bodies produce vitamin D.

Vitamin D Benefits

Vitamin D is an important vitamin that is necessary for the human body and helps us stay healthy Vitamin D gives us strong bones and aides in absorption of other nutrients. Short term exposure to sunshine on a regular basis and a healthy diet with plenty of vitamin D enriched foods such as milk and yogurt will usually provide an adequate amount of vitamin D.

If you have asthma, you may want to discuss this article with your doctor. It might be time for you to explore the relationship between Vitamin D and asthma if your asthma is not well controlled.

Always discuss use of supplements with your allergist.

In the meantime stay warm and try to get some sun and your Vitamin D.

Wishing you the best of health

Mike Krause
AlleregyStore.com – Helping our customers since 1989
800 771-2246

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