Links Between Childhood Asthma and Obesity

Asthma is a chronic disease that causes airways to become inflamed. Does your child have this disease? If so, you're no doubt familiar with symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing. Today, a whopping nine million children under age 18 have asthma – or have had it in the past.¹

            But with rates of childhood obesity climbing faster than a ten-year-old scrambling up a tree, this number could quickly skyrocket. Why? Because children who are overweight or obese are more likely to have asthma than children of a healthy weight. The strength of this link varies by race and ethnicity. It hurts Hispanic children the most.²

            Extra weight isn't considered a cause of asthma, simply a contributor. But what, then, accounts for the connection between the two ? One theory is that a hormone found in fat tissue increases the body's chronic inflammation. And this may increase the risk of asthma. ^3,4

            Overweight or obese children have double the risk of asthma as their normal-weight peers if they become or remain heavy in their early school years. But, parents, listen up. Here's the good news: If children slim down by age seven, they may wipe out that increased risk. It's not quite as easy as erasing a string of numbers from a blackboard. But it's way more powerful. That's especially true given that childhood obesity is not only linked to asthma, but to a whole host of other health problems, including diabetes and high cholesterol.⁴

            Extra weight also sends kids with asthma to the doctor and emergency room more often and requires higher doses of asthma medications.² In fact, a recent small study found that overweight and obese children needed about twice as much of a commonly used asthma medication (an inhaled corticosteroid) as healthy-weight kids. These findings are similar to those reported on earlier in adults. The response to the medication decreased as weight and body mass index (BMI) rose, according to study researcher Pia Hauk, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at National Jewish Health in Denver, CO.³

            If your child has asthma, don't forget that I'm here to help you and your child manage this condition as well as you can. Remember that your child's asthma management plan may be different than another child's. I can help guide you in understanding how and when to use asthma medications. Getting the right care by a knowledgeable allergist is also key. This is someone who has special training and experience in figuring out whether a child has asthma, what is triggering it, and how to move forward to treat it effectively.  Together, we can form an awesome team!⁵

Sources

 1.                  MedlinePlus: "Asthma in Children." Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthmainchildren.html. Accessed March 5, 2012.

2.                  MedlinePlus: "Obesity Linked to Asthma in Children." Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_122445.html. Accessed March 5, 2012.

3.                  MedlinePlus: "Heavy Kids May Not Respond as Well to Asthma Meds." Available at:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_122575.html. Accessed March 5, 2012.

4.                  MedlinePlus: "Overweight 7-Year-Olds Face Higher Risk of Asthma." Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_120071.html. Accessed March 5, 2012.

5.                  American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology: "Childhood Asthma: Tips to Remember."http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/at-a-glance/childhood-asthma.aspx

The Reason for Your Sneezin'

Winter was milder than usual in many parts of the country this year. Warmer weather has brought earlier pollination of trees and – you guessed it – an earlier hay fever season as well.

            If you suffer from hay fever, buckle your seat belt. You and about 35 million other people may be in for a rougher ride not only this year, but also in years to come.¹ That's because recent studies suggest that rising temperatures and carbon dioxide levels from climate change are behind earlier and longer hay fever seasons.²

            But what exactly is hay fever? And how can you know for sure whether your sniffles and sneezes are due to a late winter cold or an early hay fever attack? Hay fever is a nasal allergic reaction to airborne particles such as pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. It's more likely to be hay fever than a cold if your symptoms last longer than a week or so and your nasal discharge is clear.  Also, colds can cause body aches and fevers, but allergies don't.³

            The symptoms of hay fever may include:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing, along with postnasal drip
• Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
• Dark circles under the eyes
• Sore throat or hoarse voice
• Facial pressure or pain
• Fatigue^4,5

            You can do many things to ease the discomfort of allergies. First, track pollen counts in your area. In general, it may help you to know that pollen levels tend to be highest in the morning during ragweed pollen season (late summer and early fall). They tend to be highest in the evening during grass pollen season (spring and summer). And, as you probably already know – sunny, windy days are often the worst.⁶

            One easy way to find pollen counts in your area is to visit the web page of the National Allergy Bureau. Here, you can also sign up for free email alerts with daily pollen and mold reports.⁷ Then, try to stay inside on high pollen-count days. Also:

• Keep house and car windows closed. If necessary, use air conditioning instead.
• Avoid outdoor chores such as yard work or mowing grass.
• Wear a facemask that filters pollen out if you can't avoid being outdoors.
• Take a shower and wash your hair right after being outdoors.^2,6    

            See me if you need help selecting over-the-counter allergy medicines such as nasal sprays and rinses and oral medication. I can also answer your questions about any prescription medications you might need. And if your hay fever is really wreaking havoc, ask an allergist about whether you're a good candidate for allergy shots. They can provide long-term relief by making you less sensitive to pollen.⁴

 Free Clipart & Free Photos

Compliments of Ace Clip Art

Monitoring High Blood Pressure at Home

Has your doctor recommended keeping closer tabs on your blood pressure? One convenient way to do this is by monitoring your blood pressure at home, in between doctor visits. You can do this in a matter of minutes.

                But first, a refresher. What is blood pressure and what do the numbers mean? Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Blood pressure is actually the measure of two numbers.  Systolic pressure is the force on artery walls when your heart beats. Diastolic pressure is the force on your arteries between beats – when your heart is relaxed. Blood pressure is invisible and silent, but can also be deadly when it's too high – 140/90 or higher.¹

                Home monitors can help in many ways. You can use them to spot high blood pressure (hypertension) early, especially if you have another condition that puts you at higher risk. The American Heart Association suggests that anyone with high blood pressure – that's one-third of American adults² – keeps monitoring it at home. Home monitors are a way to see if your medication and lifestyle changes are keeping your blood pressure within a safe range. All in all, home monitors can help you take control of your health while cutting health care costs. ³

                You can buy a home monitor right here in our store without a prescription. If you need help finding the right one for you, let me know. But here is some information to get your started.

                Home monitors have these parts:

• An inflatable cuff or strap. An inner layer fills with air and squeezes your arm. An out layer holds the cuff in place. You inflate the cuff manually by pumping a bulb. Or, this occurs at the touch of a button using a digital device. This depends upon the type you buy.
• A gauge. This is either a digital readout or a dial that points to the blood pressure number.

                Not all home monitors have stethoscopes, but if yours does, you can listen to the sounds your blood makes as it flows through an artery in the crook of your elbow. Digital cuffs record this information for you.³ 

                Here are some things to consider before buying a home monitor:

• If you're overweight or very muscular, look for a monitor with a larger arm cuff.
• A digital wrist monitor might be best if you can't find an arm cuff that fits, or if arm monitors cause too much discomfort.
• If you have hearing loss, a monitor with a digital display might be best.
• Although available, devices that measure blood pressure at your finger aren't recommended. ³

                Just getting started? Give yourself some time to learn how to use your home monitor. Measure your blood pressure twice daily to start, but not right when you first wake up. Avoid food, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco for at least 30 minutes beforehand. Empty your bladder and sit still for at least three to five minutes before beginning. Raise your arm to heart level and don't talk while testing.³

                If you run into any trouble, bring your home monitor to me and we can make sure you're using it properly and that it's calibrated for accurate readings. I'm here to help.

Sources

Mayo Clinic: "Get the most out of home blood pressure monitoring." http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/HI00016/METHOD=print

Is it a heart attack?

More than a million Americans have heart attacks each year. Nearly half of them die.¹ Why does this happen? In many cases, it's because people don't take action quickly enough – or at all.

                A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked. If blood flow isn't restored quickly to that part of the heart muscle, it lacks nutrition and dies. That's why it's so important to seek medical help right away.

                If you or someone you're with may be having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 without delay. This needs to be an ambulance trip to the hospital, not a joy ride. If you get caught driving in traffic, you can lose valuable minutes. To help you visualize the urgency of the situation, think of a heart attack as a gunshot to the heart. If symptoms stop within five minutes or come and go, don't just thank your lucky stars. Call your doctor and describe what happened. A blood vessel could be on its way toward blockage.

                Cardiologists call the 60 minutes after a heart attack the "golden hour." That's because this is the narrow window of time when treatment can open arteries and prevent permanent heart damage. These heart specialists have two methods for doing this. They can use a clot-dissolving drug. Or, they can perform a procedure to open blocked heart arteries (angioplasty).

                If treatment is so effective, why don't people get themselves promptly to the hospital where they belong? Maybe it's because many have a Hollywood image of a heart attack: the clutching of the chest, the unbearable pain, the dramatic collapse onto the floor.

                But a heart attack can have several guises. Symptoms can begin quickly or slowly. They can be severe or mild. They may come and go. They can even vary from one time to the next. And some people may have no clear symptoms at all. These are called "silent heart attacks." They are more common in people with diabetes.

                Chest discomfort or pain may be a hallmark of heart attack. But it can feel more like pressure than pain. It may be a squeezing or heaviness, making it difficult to catch your breath. Or, you may have a feeling of fullness or indigestion, resembling heartburn.

                You may have other warning signs of a heart attack, including:

• Discomfort in one or both arms, or your back, neck, jaw, or stomach
• Nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Sweating

                So if this happen to you or someone you know, will you take the needed action? Or will you be afraid you're being alarmist and worry that the symptoms were nothing but a case of indigestion? If so, remember this: You can't die of embarrassment. But a heart attack can most definitely kill you.

                After a heart attack, doctors often prescribe medications to prevent a second one. These work in various ways.  For example, they might prevent blood clots, lower cholesterol, or lower blood pressure. Don't stop taking these without your doctor's okay. If you run into any problems or have any questions, I'm here to help guide you.

Sources

1. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. "What Is a Heart Attack?"
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/HeartAttack/
HeartAttack_WhatIs.html

2. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. "Heart Attack: Key Points."
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/HeartAttack/
HeartAttack_Summary.html

3. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. "Heart Attack Warning Signs."
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/actintime/haws/haws.htm

4. WebMD: "Heart Attacks and Heart Disease." http://www.webmd.com/
heart-disease/guide/heart_disease_heart_attacks

Are Neti-Pots Safe?

There have been concerns over some deaths caused by infection in patients using Neti-Pots or nasal irrigation devices. 

Should you be concerned?

Nasal irrigation can improve symptoms when you have a cold or allergies. If properly used, a neti-pot or nasal irrigation's benefits out way the risk of causing an infection.

If you get frequent sinus infections and you use nasal irrigation, make sure you are using the product correctly. You should always wash out the irrigation device after each use with soap and hot water. You should never share the device with anyone else. If you correctly use the device and still get frequent sinus infections, discontinue use for a period of time and to see if the infections stop occurring. For some people irritation caused by use of a neti-pot can cause more sinus infections.  

Talk to your Doctor our Pharmacist about nasal irrigation and how to do it properly.