Asthma Expert James Thompson, MD shares Asthma management news and commentary at MyAsthmaCentral.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313 http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313 http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/41809/risk-acetominophen Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0000 James Thompson, MD It is disturbing that as we enter peak cough, cold and flu season, we are faced with the dilemma that acetaminophen (sold under the brand name Tylenol) may increase the risk of developing asthma.   The last major Tylenol scare occurred in the 80s when a few pill bottles were tainted with cyanide, intentionally, which killed seven people in the Chicago area. Of course, in that event, the problem with the popular pain killer had nothing to... http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/41809/risk-acetominophen http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/38401/asthma-outlook Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:52:00 -0000 James Thompson, MD "Doc, will I outgrow my asthma?"   This question is frequently asked by patients and parents in my office. I usually respond by saying: "Clinical research has uncovered genes that are the likely cause of asthma. We do not outgrow our genes but the activity of our genes may vary over time. We may therefore have remission periods which may last months to years."   This means that after a period of being asthma symptom free... http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/38401/asthma-outlook http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/36073/olympics-obstacle Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0000 James Thompson, MD Olympic athletes go through years of training and physical conditioning in anticipation of competing against others that have the same goals: to bring home the gold medal. This year the summer Olympics in Beijing will present a few other challenges for its participants representing more than 200 nations. Heat, humidity and smog are expected to be at high levels throughout the games. Elite athletes know how to prepare for hot and humid weather... http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/36073/olympics-obstacle http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/32428/update-turbuhaler Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:33:00 -0000 James Thompson, MD According to the recently revised National Institute of Health asthma guidelines, inhaled corticosteroids are the preferred class of controller medications for treating persistent asthma in all ages. Pulmicort Turbuhaler, a brand of budesonide, was approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for marketing in the US in 1997.   For almost 10 years it was available in a dry powder device that contained 200 doses. Each puff (dose) of... http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/32428/update-turbuhaler http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/29011/asthma-toddlers Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:04:00 -0000 James Thompson, MD New Asthma NIH guidelines recommend early intervention in controlling inflammation associated with asthma. Inhaled steroids are the preferred controller medication in every age group. Pediatricians and family doctors are often hesitant to label a preschooler with the diagnosis of asthma out of concern that wheezing may not be permanent and, in fact, gone by school age. Studies have shown that at least 20% of these early wheezing children... http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/29011/asthma-toddlers http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/26024/asthma Sat, 03 May 2008 18:00:00 -0000 James Thompson, MD More than 20 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with asthma. Death rates have decreased over the last 5 years but the numbers of hospitalizations and emergency department visits for asthma attacks have remained the same. African-Americans and Puerto Ricans continue to top the charts as the two ethnic groups most severely affected by this breathing problem. The inner cities of New York , Chicago and Atlanta are considered high risk... http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/26024/asthma http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/24104/dont-hooked-hookah Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:40:00 -0000 James Thompson, MD A fairly new wave of tobacco smoking has infiltrated the lives of many of our young people at a time when almost half of U.S. states have banned smoking in most public places. It's called Hookah smoking and there are now more than 400 Hookah bars across America, mostly around college campuses and in urban cities.   "It's relaxing and encourages more socializing with others," some young people have said. Many of the... http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/24104/dont-hooked-hookah http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/21178/asthma-losing Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:31:00 -0000 James Thompson, MD Asthma and Childhood Obesity: A Losing Combination When parents come into my office with their asthmatic children, they often ask these questions:  "If my child loses weight, will he breathe better?" "My child is having trouble in PE (Physical Education). Will you excuse her from PE this year?" "Is my child severely overweight? How can I tell?" Excess Weight Might Worsen AsthmaRecent studies... http://www.healthcentral.com/asthma/c/58313/21178/asthma-losing