A recent study found that fewer than 50% of asthmatics were compliant with their inhaler use if they didn’t like the device. Since asthma inhalers come in a variety of formats, be sure to discuss your preference with the prescribing doctor.
The University of California is doing research on a histamine-4 blocker to treat asthma. Most traditional antihistamines such as Benadryl, Allegra, and Zyrtec block histamine-1. Early research shows that blocking histamine receptor number 4 can alleviate asthma.
For many years now, asthma has been referred to as “The Nocturnal Predator” because of its tendency to exacerbate at night. The traditional explanation given was due to our normal circadian variation in adrenal gland output. Our adrenal glands produce two hormones that are an innate treatment for asthma: adrenalin and cortisone. In fact, many of the pharmaceutical therapies for asthma mimic the body in that they contain forms of adrenalin and cortisone. Our adrenal glands “wake up” about an…
Researchers at Utrecht University in the Netherlands recently published a study on food allergy reactions due to undeclared ingredients. They studied 73 patients with food allergy who had a reaction even though they thought they were avoiding their known food allergies. In 22 patients the scientists could find no explanation for the allergic attack. But in 51 cases analysis of the offending food revealed one to four culprit allergens not listed under “ingredients”. The most common “undeclared food” was milk…
The key sensory proteins for pain, touch, taste, smell and sight have all been identified. In fact, their discoveries have been so important to health wellness that they have led to a number of Nobel Prize awards. However, for forty years the protein for hearing has eluded scientific research. But not any longer, neuroscientists have discovered it. It is named TMC-1 (trans-membrane channel-like protein) and it works via a calcium channel in the inner ear. It stimulates the inner ear…
The FDA has recently approved “Sinuva”, a sinus implant to treat nasal polyps. Up to 25% of patients with allergic rhino-sinusitis develop nasal polyps. The polyps can cause nasal discharge, chronic congestion, snoring, tendency to sinus infection and loss of sense of smell. Often the polyps can be treated with nasal steroid sprays and with leukotriene modifier pills such as Singular or Accolate. But, for some patient’s surgery is the only option. Unfortunately, in many surgical patients the polyps often…
Adamis Pharmaceuticals has developed a prefilled epinephrine syringe as a cost-effective alternative to the automatic injectors. Currently, the only two available injections for epinephrine to treat severe allergic reactions are Epipen and Auvi=Q. Both work automatically to insert the needle and then deliver the medicine. However, both are expensive and cost constraints have led to some adults and children going without the protection. The new prefilled syringe requires the patient or a caregiver to remove the needle shield, insert the…
Lumify is a new OTC eyedrop that helps “get the red out”. It is a selective alpha-adrenergic agonist that is available by prescription in higher concentrations. But the OTC form works well and unlike some other OTC eye drops, it does not cause rebound redness when you stop using it.
A pet surrogate is available for children/adults with pet allergy. Cats and dogs that look real and move in response to being held or petted are available at JoyForAll.com companion pets.
Previous issues of this newsletter have contained articles about the importance of the gut microbiome and human health in general and more specifically in good immune function. In this regard the use (and overuse) of antibiotics has come under intense scrutiny. This includes therapeutic antibiotics and those used in our food production. The premise here is that the antibiotics kill off some of our healthy microbiome and can lead to an overgrowth of “undesirables”. A recent article published…