Asthma Research Update - Some of the Latest Studies About Asthma & Asthma Treatment

Kathi MacNaughton is feeling good! Health Professional Living with Asthma Kathleen MacNaughton, RN, is a licensed registered nurse and consumer... Send Message Subscribe: Kathi MacNaughton

Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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One of the silver linings to the fact that asthma has now reached epidemic proportions worldwide is that a lot of money is poured into research on asthma, its causes and its treatments. So, there are always new study reports being released. And as a result, treatment is moving forward at a steady pac...

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Asthma
weslie
Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 03:50 PM

I have a question more than a comment what does the common Asthma sufferer do when they have been put on Allegra D- Singular, Advair 250-50 two puffs twice a day a bronchioldilator two puffs twice a day and Nasonex and feels that they are getting over dosed and feeling tired and worn down all the time is there any hope that some of these medicines can get reduced ever or will I be stuck taking so much for the rest of my life.? I am interested in knowing if new medicines will come along to take the place of all the breathing stereoids and cortisteroids and all the side effects that it gives me?

I was just wondering if there is any hope that my Asthma will someday get to a controlled way in my life.?

Thanks Catlover27511@aol.com

re: Asthma
Kathi MacNaughton
Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 07:15 PM

Hi Weslie,

Sorry you're having such a tough time. You really are on a lot of medicines. But let me try to answer your questions.

1. Yes, there IS hope! Lots of new treatments are being introduced for both asthma and allergies on a regular basis. Because these diseases are so common, there's lots of research going on. My hope is one day they'll even find a cure. Meanwhile, it's important to stick with your asthma/allergy treatment plan. It's only by taking your medicine exactly as prescribed that you'll feel better.

2. Second, please talk with your doctor about how you are feeling. You need to know that experts say almost everyone who has asthma should be able to live a life without limits and that happens when asthma symptoms are well-controlled. If your regular doctor isn't helping you get there, then it might be a good idea to see a specialist called an allergist or immunologist who can get you on the right track. Sometimes, different medicines and medicine combinations need to be tried out before the right plan is found for us. We're each different, and we each react slightly differently to medicines. So be an active partner in your care by keeping your doctors informed as to how you're responding and if you want to make changes.

3. One of the keys to asthma control is to eliminate as many of your triggers as possible from your environment. That's not always easy, but any efforts you take will be well worth it. Triggers are things like cat dander, dust, pollen, and mold. Do you know what your triggers are?

4. Another option for people who have trouble achieving control is to undergo a therapy called immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots. With this treatment, tiny amounts of serum containing the things you're allergic to are injected into your arm once a week for a year or two. Over time, this helps you become less sensitive to your triggers. This can mean better control, reduced need for medicine and perhaps even remission of your symptoms altogether. Again, an allergist can advise you whether this might be the right approach for you.

Take charge of your health & demand that a plan be put together that will start helping you feel better, for good.

To your health,

Kathi

New Developments
James Thompson, MD
Friday, June 19, 2009 at 12:04 PM

Hi Kathi,

As usual, your postings are quite interesting an informative. Thank you for reviewing some of the latest research in asthma. You are right, millions of dollars have gone into studying this widespread breathing disorder and some of these investments seem to be paying off.

I find the statin connection quite intriguing. It is always wonderful to be able to treat more than one serious disease with one medication. There are millions of people with high cholesterol that benefit from the statins. Just think, people who also have asthma may perhaps spend less money on expensive inhalers if they are better controlled while on statins.

The eczema research sounds promising too. I have witnessed the "Allergic March" in many of my patients through the years.

Thanks again for your review and great reporting!

J. Thompson, MD

re: New Developments
Kathi MacNaughton
Monday, June 22, 2009 at 02:25 PM

Thanks for the feedback, Dr. Thompson! Always great to know I'm on track with delivering information others find useful.

Best,

Kathi

Exhaled Nitric Oxide in the Assessment of Asthma
exhalednitricoxide
Friday, June 26, 2009 at 04:50 AM

 
As quoted in recent research they found that using Exhaled nitric oxide is an effective way to monitor asthma. I have come across medical journals, which states that Measuring Nitric Oxide (NO) from the breath (during exhalation) has proven to be a useful tool for some asthma specialists in the U.S. and other parts of the world. An expert from a journal is given below.

 

Results and Conclusions from New England Journal of Medicine on Use of Exhaled Nitric Oxide Measurements to Guide Treatment in Chronic Asthma.

 

Results

 

Forty-six patients in the FeNO group and 48 in the group whose asthma was treated according to conventional guidelines (the control group) completed the study. The final mean daily doses of fluticasone, the inhaled corticosteroid that was used, were 370 μg per day for the FeNO group (95 percent confidence interval, 263 to 477) and 641 μg per day for the control group (95 percent confidence interval, 526 to 756; P=0.003), a difference of 270 μg per day (95 percent confidence interval, 112 to 430). The rates of exacerbation were 0.49 episode per patient per year in the FeNO group (95 percent confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.78) and 0.90 in the control group (95 percent confidence interval, 0.31 to 1.49), representing a non-significant reduction of 45.6 percent (95 percent confidence interval for mean difference, ¡78.6 percent to 54.5 percent) in the FeNO group. There were no significant differences in other markers of asthma control, use of oral prednisone, pulmonary function, or levels of airway inflammation (sputum eosinophils).

 

Conclusions

 

With the use of FeNO measurements, maintenance doses of inhaled corticosteroids may be significantly reduced without compromising asthma control.