Severe Asthma Study

Do you know your state air pollution level?

The American Lung Association has a great resource for finding out your states air quality. They have been analyzing state air quality data and compiled the State of the Air report. Polluted air can impact your health and shorten your life, protect your health and learn more about the air you breathe.

Do you know your state  air pollution level? Check out the your state report card   http://www.stateoftheair.org

Allergic cat lovers given new hope of beating their allergy

Nottingham University 

An amazing break through for cat lovers who have allergies or asthma caused by their cats.  A team of immunologists at Nottingham University’s School of Molecular Medical Sciences lead by Dr Ghaem-Maghami identified the key triggering cell responsible for allergic responses to cat dander.

This new study is revolutionary because most therapies try to improve symptoms instead of curing the condition.

Dr Ghaem-Maghami says that “Many people with asthma are highly sensitive to airborne allergens such as cat dander or house dust mite — in fact many studies have shown that up to 40 per cent of children with asthma are allergic to cat allergens. A better understanding of how the interaction between allergens and the immune system leads to allergy is vital if we are to develop more effective and efficient treatments for this debilitating condition.”

Father’s Day is near!

Father’s Day is near! Does your Dad smoke? Are you a dad? Help yourself or your Dad to throw the cigarettes away.  Proven resources at the American Lung Association website to help you or your loved ones quit smoking: www.QuitterInYou.org

Today is World Asthma Day!

World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. The theme of World Asthma Day 2011 is “You Can Control Your Asthma.” Check out their website for their guidelines and resources page for some great information! http://www.ginasthma.com

UCSD Airway Research is currently recruiting for Asthma & COPD research studies

Attention San Diego residents – Complete our online survey to see if you qualify for the Asthma and COPD research studies that we are currently recruiting for Online Screening Survey
Study participants are compensated for time and travel.

For more information on The UCSD Clinical Trials Center:
Website: http://ctc.ucsd.edu
Screening to participate in one of our studies:
Screening Survey
Blog: http://ucsdairwayresearch.wordpress.com
Facebook: UCSD Airway Research
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UCSDCTC

Lung function decline is associated with risk of COPD

Lung function decline was associated with increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) morbidity and mortality emphasizing the need to monitor lung function change over time in at–risk occupational populations. http://ow.ly/4GtMD

Data revealed that students with asthma are absent more frequently

Data revealed that students with asthma were absent more frequently, scored lower in mathematics, and participated less in school activities than their peers without asthma. Their level of illness did not predict the number of days absent, which was negatively correlated with achievement and positively correlated with students’ permissive attitudes toward absenteeism. Findings indicate that school nurse interventions were sources of physical, social, emotional, and academic support. http://ow.ly/4FoGV

Chronic inhalation of polluted can lead to widespread inflammation

Chronic inhalation of polluted air appears to activate a protein that triggers the release of white blood cells, setting off events that lead to widespread inflammation. The condition can lead to an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity. http://ow.ly/4EL0x