Did Your Grandma Smoke? You bet your asthma she did.
Smoking cigarettes is unhealthy. Second hand smoke exposure is unhealthy. Everybody knows that! When pregnant women smoke, their child is more likely to have low lung function in childhood and adulthood. But, what happens to her grandchildren when granny smoked when she was pregnant? This …
New Treatments for Asthma: Change Your Lifestyle
While the diagnosis of asthma has not changed significantly, the treatment has (and should). Asthma affects 25 million people (including 7 million children) in the U.S. The incidence of asthma has increased in the last few decades, and while the exact reason for this is …
Vaccines have Transformed our World!
Before vaccines, parents in the U.S. could expect that each year: • Polio would paralyze 10,000 children. • Rubella (German measles) would cause birth defects and mental retardation in 20,000 newborns. • Measles would infect 4 million people, killing 500 of them. • Diphtheria would …
Asthma/COPD drug being discontinued.
Do you have asthma or COPD? If so and you have been using the inhaler called Foradil, take note. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Foradil Aerolizer (contains formoterol fumarate) and produced by Merck has been discontinued. The decision to discontinue Foradil was …
Not-So-Scary Halloween Trick-or-Treating for Children with Food Allergies
The Teal Pumpkin Project™ is designed to make Halloween safe (and fun) for food allergic children. Rather than hand out candy, provide non-food items! Potential items that are available at most dollar stores or party supply stores include: Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces Pencils, pens, …
Asthma and Allergy: Not Do-it-Yourself Disorders!
Do it yourself! That was my idea when I decided to remove the wallpaper from my wife’s kitchen. It was a disaster! Or the time I decided to “re-build” a 1973 Jeep CJ-5. How hard could it be? I had a manual, the internet, …
-
Spiriva now approved for asthma!
Although Spiriva has been used in the U.S. for the treatment of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) at a once a day dose of 2 puffs (5 mcg total) since 2004, there is good news for individuals with asthma! The US Food and Drug Administration …
Preparing for allergies when going OTC (Off To College)!
In this month’s issue of Montana Parent magazine, I provide a checklist for student’s with asthma and allergies who are preparing to head off to college. The transition can be challenging enough for students without health issues so imagine the potential issues when you leave …
Going to College With Food and Latex Allergy
Allergy & Asthma Network shares preparation strategies Bozeman, Montana- College is an exciting time, full of new possibilities and new friendships. If you have a life-threatening food or latex allergy, it may also feel overwhelming. Whether you’re beginning freshman year at MSU or your final …
Horse allergy: It’s not just for cowboys!
Living in Montana means horses! If you are allergic to horses, it can really put a hitch in your giddy up! A little background on horses: They are 1 of 2 subspecies of Equus ferus that is still in existence. They belong to the family …