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