Reuters Health reported on March 13 that a 100-milligram dose of aspirin taken every other day appears to reduce the risk of asthma in women, according to the results of a large trial.
Still, the researchers emphasize that more studies are needed before aspirin can be recommended solely for this purpose. The findings, which are reported in the medical journal Thorax, indicate a 10 percent reduction in asthma risk with aspirin use, although this beneficial effect was not seen in obese women. There has been a rise in the occurrence of asthma over the last few decades, Dr. Tobias Kurth and colleagues note in their report. At the same time, giving aspirin to children fell in popularity after it was linked to a condition called Reye's syndrome. This has led some researchers to speculate that aspirin may protect against the development of asthma.
For the full story: click here:
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2008/03/13/eline/links/20080313elin027.html

Study Links Popcorn Flavoring to Lung Disease...

MSNBC reported on March 13 that a chemical used to give butter flavor to popcorn can damage the lungs and airways of mice, U.S. government experts reported on Thursday. Tests on mice show that diacetyl, a component of artificial butter flavoring, can cause a condition known as lymphocytic bronchiolitis, said the team at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health. The condition can lead to obliterative bronchiolitis — or "popcorn lung" — a rare and debilitating disease seen in workers at microwave popcorn packaging plants and at least one consumer.
For the full story: click here:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23613160/

Moms Who Stop Smoking Have Happier Babies

Reuters reported on March 12 that mothers who stop smoking while pregnant tend to have cheerier, more adaptable babies, British researchers reported on Wednesday. Babies of women who continued to smoke while pregnant were notably grumpy, and the researchers believe that mothers who can muster the effort to kick the habit are also caring more for their babies in other ways. Babies of non-smokers also more temperamental than babies born to quitters, the researchers found â€" which they said suggested that mothers who suspend smoking are doing something special.
For the full story: click here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23600291/

Secondhand Smoke Hikes Tots' Risk of Heart Disease..

US News & World Report reported on March 13 that secondhand smoke causes signs of cardiovascular damage in children, especially the very youngest, new research contends. The findings, which focused on children from 2 to 14 years old, showed that environmental tobacco exposure (second-hand smoke) caused increased markers of inflammation and signs of vascular injury, suggesting an increased risk of heart disease. The youngest children appeared to be more affected than teens.
For the full story: click here.
http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/healthday/080313/secondhand-smoke-hikes-tots-risk-of-heart-disease.htm

Acid-Blocking Therapy in Pregnancy Increases Infant's Asthma Risk

PHILADELPHIA (Reuters Health) Mar 18 - Acid-blocking therapy during pregnancy increases the risk of asthma in the infant by more than 50%, researchers reported here during a late-breaking clinical trials session at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology."This was seen with asthma only," Dr. Yen told meeting attendees. There was no increase in risk of other allergic diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, food allergies, allergic rhinitis or "unspecified allergic reactions or anaphylaxis."

Sublingual immunotherapy effective for bee sting and peanuts.

March 18, 2008 (Philadelphia) — Immunity against potentially fatal allergies to honeybee stings or peanuts can be achieved without years of painful injections, and possibly without the need for office visits.
Two studies presented here at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2008 Annual Meeting — one using sublingual immunotherapy for induction of immunity to honeybee stings, the other using the oral route to induce immunity to peanuts — showed safety and efficacy.
Sublingual immunotherapy works against asthma, atopic dermatitis, rubber latex, and other allergies. It has been first time tested against bee sting and peanuts.
For full story click here:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/571614?sssdmh=dm1.340987&src=nlconfnews&spon=38&uac=

Asthma Patients Should Not Take Drug Holiday From Maintenance Therapy

March 18, 2008 (Philadelphia) — Not taking a summer break from maintenance therapy with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol inhalation therapy will help prevent the autumn increase of hospital admissions and visits to the emergency department (ED) for asthma attacks.
Researchers reported here at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2008 Annual Meeting that children and young adults account for a large number of these fall hospital visits.
For full story click here:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/571616?sssdmh=dm1.340987&src=nlconfnews&spon=38&uac=