Fluticasone plus salmeterol associated with fewer severe exacerbations than fluticasone alone The safety of long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) such as salmeterol and formoterol, in medications such as Advair, Symbicort, Dulera, and Breo, has been widely debated. Large, poorly structured trials in the past have shown increased risk of serious asthma related events in patients on LABAs,…
Fish oil supplementation during pregnancy does not reduce IgE mediated allergic disease in children Prenatal supplementation with omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) does not reduce immunoglobulin E (IgE)-associated allergic disease in children, according to a study published online May 25 in Pediatrics. Karen P. Best, R.N., Ph.D., from the South Australian Health and…
Nasal irrigation and steam inhalation in chronic sinusitis Nasal irrigation appears beneficial in symptom improvement for patients with chronic sinusitis, according to a study published online July 18 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association. Paul Little, M.D., professor of primary care research at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, and…
Vitamin D supplements may combat asthma A Cochrane Review (meta-analysis of multiple studies) suggests that patients with asthma who take vitamin D supplements can reduce the number and severity of attacks, researchers reported at the annual meeting of the European Respiratory Society. In nine trials reviewed by a team headed by Adrian R. Martineau, MD,…
Early introduction of egg and peanut may prevent allergy For many years parents were advised not to give their child eggs and peanuts before the age of one or even later, but more recently it’s been suggested that earlier introduction may be better, and a recent large review of studies confirms this. The review, based…
Peanut patch effective in reducing sensitivity to peanut Initial trial results have shown that a wearable patch, which delivers small amounts of peanut protein, can protect children and young adults with peanut allergies from the effects of accidental ingestion or exposure. The findings come from the first year of an ongoing trial of a treatment called…
Infants with a history of allergies should be tested for peanut allergy prior to introduction into the diet Most of the time, parents can safely feed peanuts to babies on their own, but infants with a history of allergies should still get a checkup first, a research review confirms. “If your infant has a history…
Thunderstorms and asthma As we have found with the recent deaths in Australia in the news from “thunderstorm asthma” it is important to remember that storms can trigger your asthma and allergies and could, in rare, severe cases, be fatal. Asthma and thunderstorms Thunderstorm asthma is a potentially dangerous mix of pollens, weather conditions and…
NIH recommends feeding babies peanut-based foods to lower risk of allergies Babies with a high risk of developing peanut allergy should be introduced to the food as early as 4 months according to an expert panel from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) consisting of representatives from 25 professional organizations, federal agencies,…
Early introduction of egg in babies with eczema may reduce risk of egg allergy A clinical trial conducted in Japan and published online in The Lancet (Dec. 8, 2016) found that the development of egg allergy in infants with eczema was dramatically reduced by aggressive eczema treatment combined with regular consumption of heated whole-egg powder….