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Highlights
New Asthma Management Guidelines
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) released in 2005 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 (inhaler) 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 child’s medication may need to change as well. Your child’s doctor needs to check asthma symptoms and control at every visit.
Drug Warning
Salmeterol (Serevent) and formoterol (Foradil) inhalers may trigger severe asthma asthma attacks, which can be fatal. These drugs should only be used if other medicines have not controlled asthma. They should only be used preventively, to treat asthma attacks or wheezing that is getting worse.
Drug Research
Fluticasone (Advair, Flovent) works better than montelukast (Singulair) in controlling mild-to-moderate persistent asthma symptoms in children, according to a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Fluticasone is an inhaled steroid. Montelukast is a leukotriene-antagonist chewable pill.
Allergies and Asthma
- Children who are highly allergic are at greater risk of developing asthma as adults, according to a study in Chest. The study found that children who were allergic to house dust mites were three times more likely to develop asthma than children who were not allergic.
- Immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) may help prevent asthma development.
Vitamin D and Pregnancy
Children whose mothers consumed a higher intake of vitamin D during pregnancy are less likely to develop early childhood asthma, according to research presented at the AAAAI annual meeting.
