Highlights
New Asthma Management Guidelines
In 2005, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) released joint guidelines on asthma management. The guidelines classify asthma as “well-controlled” or “not well-controlled.” Well-controlled asthma means:
- Asthma symptoms occur no more than twice a week
- Rescue bronchodilator medicine is used no more than twice a week
- Symptoms do not disturb sleep
- There are no limits on school, work, or exercise activities
- Peak flow meter readings are normal
Asthma symptoms can change quickly over time. Your medication may need to change as well. Your doctor needs to check your asthma symptoms and control at every visit.
Drug Warnings
In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health advisory on inhalers that contain salmeterol (Serevent Diskus, Advair Diskus) and formoterol (Foradil Aerolizer). The advisory warns that these long-acting beta2-agonists may trigger severe asthma attacks, which can be fatal. The FDA recommends that patients:
- Use these drugs only if other medicines have not worked
- Do not use these drugs to treat asthma attacks that are getting worse
- Do not stop taking any asthma medicines without talking to your doctor
Immune Response
Natural killer T cells may be a cause of asthma, suggests a breakthrough study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Scientists hope that future research into these immune system cells may lead to new drug treatments.
Asthma and Obesity
Overweight patients may have a more difficult time controlling their asthma. Patients who have a body mass index of 25 or more are less likely to have their condition controlled well.
Asthma and Pregnancy
Consuming more vitamin D during pregnancy may lower a child’s risk of developing asthma or wheezing, according to research presented at the AAAAI annual meeting.
