Asthma :: Back-to-school season can be tough on kids with asthma

Many of the 9 million children in this country who have asthma need more than just pencils and notepads when they return to the classroom each fall. According to U-M pediatric allergy specialists, these children require easy access to their inhalers and other medications, and the awareness of teacher and school officials about their condition.

Asthma :: ESRF lightsource helps tailoring new treatments against asthma

Asthma affects 300 million people worldwide and, according to World Health Organization, it killed 255 000 people in 2005. Asthma attacks are caused by an acute inflammatory reaction in the airways, a reaction that is largely due to actions of LTC4 synthase (an enzyme which catalyzes a synthesis process). For this reason asthma medicines often aim to block the downstream effects of LTC4 synthase.

Asthma :: Low dietary intake of nutrients increases asthma symptoms

Teenagers who forego a healthy and balanced diet may have a harder time catching their breath. A new study, published in the July issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), shows that a low dietary intake of certain nutrients increases the likelihood of respiratory symptoms such as asthma, especially in teens who smoke. Furthermore, a lack of these nutrients may also lead to lower lung function.

Asthma :: Gene defect affects millions of asthma sufferers

Researchers at the University of Dundee, who last year identified the gene that causes eczema and associated forms of asthma, have now discovered that defects on the same gene can drastically affect the day-to-day management of asthma in millions of children and young adults.