New Merck Asthma Treatment FDA Approved

Merck's newest asthma treatment, Dulera, has been FDA approved. It is in competition with Advair, which is made by GlaxoSmithKline. Dulera is expected to be available by the end of July. I'll be sure to post more about how Dulera is used once I find out more info about it!


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Pollution and Daycare (yes daycare!) linked to Infant Asthma

Exposure to pollutants and chemicals during the first year of life makes infants develop a higher risk of getting asthma. In addition, infants who started daycare at less than 4 months old were also more likely to develop asthma. The results were found in THIS USC study.

C-Section Babies More Likely to be Asthmatic

This research out of the UK says that babies born via c-section are more likely to develop asthma, as well as other illnesses, later in life. Children born naturally are exposed to certain germs that help boost their immune system early in life, and due to the sterility of operating rooms, c-section babies lack expose. While C-sections are performed mostly for medical reasons, there are some mothers who elect to have the procedure as opposed to natural childbirth. Based on this research, it's something they may want to re-consider.

More reason to RUN!

A study from York University in Toronto has found that asthmatics who excercise have found it easier to control their symptoms. Read more HERE.

Doesn't that make you want to go out for a jog?

Acetaminophen and Increase in Asthma

According to THIS article, it appears that women who take acetaminophen while pregnant have an increased chance of having a child with asthma. While the belief is still wildly held that asthma is hereditary, the researchers think that acetaminophen increases the likelihood of the disease being transferred over.



Another interesting point made by the article - high fat meals decrease reaction to abuterol. Adding to the reasons why I should stay away from that burger and french fries!

Take your Meds!

60% of asthma hospitalizations occur when patients are not taking their medications properly.

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I can speak for the truth to this, as I've experienced it... multiple times =\

There's an App for that!

Has your cough been getting gradually worse over the past few days? Has wheezing increased as well? You might want to enter all of that into THIS app, which uses Google Health and helps asthma sufferers monitor the severity of their symptoms. If your doctor ever wants you to track your symptoms, this is so much easier than keeping a pen and paper around (I know I'd lose it after a day or two.)

PS - Run, Raquel! Run! (Triple R maybe?!) has a sleek chic new look. Hope you all like it

More cool food research!

They're trying to develop an peanut that many people with peanut allergies could be able to eat!

Read more HERE

PS - kids getting bullied on playgrounds by being chase around with peanut butter sandwiches... that's so mean

You are what you eat

Fast food restaurants and grill enthusiasts watch out - THIS study says that children who eat 3 or more burgers a week are more likely to develop asthma.

Now that's something to chew on!

Cleaning products linked to asthma

I've always noticed that while cleaning I've been more prone to asthma attacks - the combination of both the products and the dust being brought up is a lot for my poor little lungs to handle. Well - turns out exposure to cleaning products can also induce asthma in people who don't already have it. Check THIS out.

Doctor's Orders!

Yesterday was my check-up since starting back on Singulair two months ago. Usually allergy season is struggle city for me - however this time it was different. Even when my allergies were bothering me, I did not have as many breathing problems, and if I did need my inhaler, it was never more than once per day.

So it seems the Singulair is working just fine for me; however, if I do start needing my inhaler more often, then more medication would be needed. This could also be a seasonal solution, and something to consider since winters are usually the worst for me.

I'm glad to say I've been feeling more in control of my health and asthma than I ever have and am happy that I've finally taken the steps to improve my quality of life.

As always, I'll keep y'all updated.