According to a 2015 study, an estimated 60 to 70 percent of women experience shortness of breath during pregnancy. Doctors often attribute this to the growing uterus pushing upward on the lungs and making it difficult to breathe. This article will explore this and other possible reasons for shortness of breath during pregnancy. We also cover…
An association between antibiotic treatment in the first week of life and atopic asthma in childhood found in a long-term study suggests an immune-mediated effect, possibly from early disturbance of gastrointestinal microbiota, according to researchers. Emma Goksor, MD, PhD, University of Paediatrics, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden and colleagues explained that disturbed microbiota can affect…
Researchers from the French Institute of Health and Medical Research are reporting that outdoor air pollution is causing more widespread asthma symptoms. According to the study, long-term exposure to traffic and ozone significantly increases the risk of asthma attacks, and also increases the need for asthma medication and treatment. “It is very well known that…
But it’s not really clear where the advantage comes from. From cross-country skiing to speed skating, the Winter Olympics is full of breathless feats of endurance. And for a large number of Olympic athletes, the breathlessness isn’t just over who will win the next medal—it’s from asthma. But if you think the condition could hold…
The economic cost of asthma in the United States is nearly $82 billion a year, federal health officials report. That figure includes medical expenses and costs associated with work and school absences and deaths. However, the true cost of asthma is probably underestimated because the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study did not…
We know moms aren’t supposed to drink alcohol during pregnancy, but could soda be just as bad? Studies are pointing to new evidence that excessive consumption of sugary drinks during pregnancy could cause health problems for the child later in life. New research published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society suggests that children…
Flooding means health issues that unfold for years The flooding of Texas and Florida is a health catastrophe unfolding publicly in slow motion. Much of the country is watching as gallons of water rise around the chairs of residents in nursing homes and submerge semi-trucks. Some 20+ trillion gallons of water are pouring onto the…
A common asthma symptom is an exercise-induced bronchoconstriction – the constriction of the airways. Researchers investigated the potential of fish oil to improve asthma symptoms. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a prominent and common symptom in individuals with asthma. It even affects up to 50% of elite athletes, making it a concern for any individuals participating…