Coronavirus…the new flu from Wuhan, China
The virus affecting China and now in the U.S. is new or “novel.” The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus that is the cause of the outbreak of respiratory illness that was first detected in Wuhan, China. While there have been over 1000 confirmed …
Managing asthma during pregnancy; protecting you and your unborn child!
You just found out—-you’re pregnant! Many questions and concerns may be going through your mind with this news. If you have asthma, the first few questions that may come to mind for the mother-to-be are: 1) will my asthma affect my baby? 2) will my …
New Biological Drug to Treat Asthma
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Nucala® (mepolizumab) for use with other asthma medicines for the treatment of asthma in patients age 12 years and older. Nucala® is approved for patients who have a history of severe asthma attacks despite taking their …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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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 …
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 …
Every Month is Asthma Awareness Month!
While May is the designated month for asthma awareness, at Family Allergy & Asthma Care of Montana, we care for individuals with asthma every day, all year long! Check your knowledge of asthma with these factoids. Did you know? In Montana, asthma: affects 9.1% of …