High altitude has been on my mind a lot lately as my relocation to Denver creeps–this particular move is such a long, wearying process that I do mean creeps–closer. The first and only time I visited Colorado, my daughter had no breathing problems although I had prepared for them. Of course, that back in July 2008 and I’m actually moving in the middle of winter, my kid’s most challenging season no matter where we live.

The big news between altitude and asthma is the cold, dry air. Colorado is very dry anyway, of course, with its semi-arid climate, and when we first live there it will probably seem even drier to us, coming from super-humid northwest Florida. Now, moist air is easier on the lungs and bronchial tubes than dry air, but too much moisture (read: humidity) triggers asthma in lots of people. AG’s one of them, but only when humidity approaches 100% and if she’s active outside.

I have no idea how this kid’s spazzy lungs are going to react to living in high altitude year-round, but here’s a summary of the research I found:

1. At least one piece of research from Greece in 2001 points a significantly lower rate of asthma in children who live in the mountains versus those who live at sea level. However, smoking was more prevalent at sea level. Also, these results were obtained through questionnaires, while the ones below came through examination.

2. Research in 2004 found high altitude lessening the severity of asthma symptoms in children with atopic (allergic) disease when it was used as a kind of rehab during 4-week stays.

3. This 2008 German study reports a reduction in asthma symptoms for patients with both atopic and non-allergic asthma. Like the 2004 research above, this bit investigated the effect of visiting high altitudes rather than living in them permanently.

4. Finally, research from Austria in 2007 found higher rates of hospitalization for atopic asthma patients who live in higher altitudes.

What does all this mean for my kid? Well, one encouraging sign: the only study (#4 on the list) with a link between worse asthma and high altitude was for atopic patients, not intrinsic ones like AG. Yet of the three studies that support high altitude’s positive impact on asthma symptoms, two focused on patients who stay at high altitudes temporarily rather than those who live there year-round, and the third one (#1 in the list) got its results through self-reporting rather than clinical investigation.

Add those observations to my kid’s main triggers (illness, dust mites, strong emotions–especially hard laughing or crying), and I think her asthma could go either way. Fewer dust mites because of Denver’s climate can only help her, while colder, drier air during the worst season for respiratory illness doesn’t inspire my optimism.

I get a lot of email asking me what to expect in high altitude and what it’s like to live with asthma in Colorado, and there’s just no telling. Talk to me a year from now, when I’ve spent the winter a mile high with my own asthma kid, and I’ll let you know.

Filed under: Asthma Girl, Asthma Triggers, Bio, Children's Asthma, Children's Health | 3 people talking »

I love my children, but this morning I’m really loving their return to school. Freelance projects have piled up, my email inbox has been terribly neglected, and near non-blogging means I’ve got a backlog of research and news links.

Enjoy today’s Monday edition and this blog’s return to a regular posting schedule. Hopefully, the beginning of 2009 finds you happy, healthy, and able to catch up on your life as well.

Some Severe Asthmatics Benefit from Antifungal
Patients with severe asthma–notoriously difficult to treat and control–and a fungal allergy may see some improvement in symptoms with the addition of an oral antifungal drug. In this study, 62 percent of people with both experienced fewer symptoms when taking itraconazole twice a day. Lead investigator David Denning calls the data “dramatic,” but some patients did drop out of the study because of the side effects.

Western PA Asthma Kids Have 400% Higher Rates of ER Visits than National Average
Dr. Fernando Holguin, just tapped to head up Pittsburgh’s new Pediatric Environmental Medicine Center, is going to figure out why. (As this article notes, though, the American Lung Association ranked Pittsburgh as the U.S. city with the most soot pollution in 2008.)

Bad Air Days in Phoenix = 14% Asthma Symptom Increase in Kids
We all know air pollution is bad for asthma, but this Arizona State University research is newsworthy for two reasons:

[It] is thought to be the first in the state to quantify a tie between poor air quality and children’s health.

It also reveals that children are affected by coarse pollutants at levels below the federal government’s health standard.

Antacids During Pregnancy May Up Asthma Risk
As always, be aware of the possible link if you’re planning to get pregnant sometime in the future, but in the meantime file it under “Don’t Blame the Moms for the Kids’ Asthma.”

Here’s Why the 1918 Flu Hit So Hard
Japanese researchers uncovered three genes that basically get the flu virus to start reproducing inside the lungs, leading to deadly pneumonia. The good news? Identifying these genes could lead to better flu treatments, a big deal since flu and health experts say another pandemic is pretty much inevitable sometime in the future.

Filed under: Air Quality, Allergens, Asthma Meds, Asthma News & Research, Asthma Risk Factors, Asthma Triggers, Children's Asthma, Children's Health, Friday Links, Health Care | 1 person talking »

It’s New Year’s Eve, so let’s look back at the stories that generated the most traffic and/or comments on the Asthma Mom blog this year. Thank you all for visiting and subscribing to the blog throughout 2008 and for sharing your stories, experiences, and insights with me.

I hope you’ll keep reading in the new year, too.

The “Hypoallergenic” Obama Dog
U.S. media got a teeny bit obsessed with the Obamas’ search for a new family pet after the election. One good outcome of the saturation? Most people now know there’s no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic pet, and parents who have kids with asthma (like Malia Obama does) learned more about reducing exposure to pet allergens.

Safety of Long-Acting Beta Agonists
Drugs like Advair were under scrutiny pretty much all year, with the debate coming down to whether the possible serious side effects are worth the very real benefits of the medicine. As it stands now, the FDA is pulling none of them off the market (for any age group), but its drug safety division doesn’t want any of them marketed for children.

Asthma Medicine Safety, Take II: Singulair
The big question:

Can taking Singular cause depression and suicidal thoughts?

It’s a controversial issue, and this is the most recent research I’ve read, an independent study from the American Lung Association.

Asthma Medicine Safety, Take III: HFA Inhalers
Mostly, I resist posting about the new inhalers much because the switch to them from the older CFC ones is even more controversial than Singulair use. And while I don’t love the higher price of the HFA models, I’m hesitant to come down on either side of the debate since A) I don’t have asthma and therefore don’t use the new inhalers myself, and B) My daughter, who does have asthma, uses them with no problems.

Google tells me that plenty of you have strong opinions on the HFA inhalers, though, and you’re always welcome to post your own thoughts (whether for or against) on this blog anytime.

Outdoor Pools and Asthma
The connection between flares and indoor swimming pools with poor ventilation is old news, but research this year pointed to a higher risk of asthma with outside pools as well. I’m hoping more research on asthma and swimming pools piles up and prompts better, less expensive non-chlorinated filtration technology for public and private pools.

Asthma a Phase for Young Boys
Children “growing out” of asthma actually may not be a myth after all, but only for boys.

Who knows what asthma, air quality, and other breathing news this year will bring? But as long as you keep reading, I’ll keep posting about it.

Happy end of the year! Be safe tonight, enjoy the celebration, and see you in 2009.

Filed under: Asthma Meds, Asthma Moms & Dads, Asthma News & Research, Asthma Triggers, Children's Asthma, Children's Health, FDA Issues, Holidays | 1 person talking »

So did you have a good Christmas or (if you don’t celebrate) a pleasant week? I can tell you about my Christmas in one word:

Hot.

Yes, hot.

Look, I know I live in Florida (for now). But this is north Florida first of all, and it’s a big state. Secondly, even this far south, December is generally cool or cold. Third, shortly before Christmas, the storm that dumped all that snow in the West and Midwest brought daytime temperatures down to the 30’s and 40’s here.

However, the Day Itself hovered around 75 degrees in my part of the world. Seventy-five and muggy, which it made the air feel even warmer. Unseasonal weather aside, though, the girls got to see Mr. Asthma Mom for a few days, I didn’t have to cook, my daughters and nieces and nephews got to spend Christmas together, and a wonderful holiday was had by all.

Also, I’ve recently been told that April is Denver’s snowiest month. April. That’s the beginning of beach season where I live, so this year’s humid Christmas was perhaps a good thing, since I will shortly live in more cold and snow than I will know what to do with. And also? I am a teeny bit terrified at that news.

But enough weather talk. I’ve got a contest winner to announce. Thanks to all who entered It’s All About the Yes and to Yes to Carrots for sponsoring. AG and her Steadfast Sidekick were, in the end, swayed by all the baby talk since they both desperately want a little brother or sister (ain’t happening), and here’s their pick:

LPN Mom

Congratulations! I’ve emailed you the prize information–let us know how you like the movie.

As for me? Here’s what I’m saying “Yes” to in 2009:

1. The move (finally!) to Denver.
2. The transition from freelance telecommuting to full-time work.
3. The continuing, often frustrating, effort to involve AG in asthma maintenance and treatment decisions.
4. The second year of this Asthma Mom blog.

Stay tuned this week for the inevitable end-of-year lists, Best of 2008 posts, and a look forward into 2009.

Filed under: Asthma Girl, Bio, Children's Asthma, Children's Health, Holidays | 6 people talking »

****CONTEST HAS ENDED****

While I won’t be blogging at all next week, enjoy this Christmas present from me to you.

Actually, this is sort of from me (I’m contributing the blog space) but mostly from the nice folks over at Yes to Carrots, the purveyors of paraben free, organic veggie-filled hair and skin products like those lip butters up there and the ones who are providing the prize.

We’re going to have a little contest, and the winner will receive two free movie tickets (through Fandango) to see Yes Man with Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel.

Here’s how it works:

1. Anytime from now and all through Christmas week, use the comments section on this post to tell me what you’re going to say “Yes” to in the New Year.

2. Next weekend, I’ll let the girls pick their favorite answer.

3. On Monday, December 29, I’ll email and announce the winner.

That’s it. Simple, right?

In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas if you celebrate it and a fabulous week if you don’t.

See you December 29.

****CONTEST HAS ENDED****

Filed under: Eco-Friendliness, Holidays | 6 people talking »

Asthma School Program Reduces Symptoms, Absences
California middle and high school students who participated in an asthma education and management program in their schools exhibited fewer symptoms and fewer missed school days because of asthma. Considering kids take control of their own asthma care sooner than previously thought and they spend the majority of their day in school, programs like this make a lot of sense.

The U.S. Death Map
Researchers at the University of South Carolina figured out where in this country people have the highest chance of dying in natural disasters, and then mapped the results. Here are two interesting sentences from the article:

People living in the South along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts have a higher likelihood of dying from a natural hazard compared to residents of the Great Lakes area and urbanized Northeast.

I live in the South along the Gulf Coast. In other words, hurricane country.

[O]ther risky areas included. . . . the Rocky Mountain region (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico) with winter weather and floods as top killers.

Aaaand, that’s where I’m moving. I’ve been–and will continue to be–living on the edge, apparently.

Holiday Health Myths
This CNN article isn’t groundbreaking information, but I didn’t know that A) poinsettias aren’t really toxic and B) eating right before bed doesn’t put on more weight than eating too much at any other time of the day.

Men’s Health: The Year’s 20 Health Heroes
All the usual end-of-year lists are sprouting on websites and in magazines. This one’s on people “working to make the world healthier, through their actions and their inspiring stories” and some of the more famous names include Barack Obama, Lance Armstrong, and Michael Pollan. (via Huffington Post)

Filed under: Asthma & School, Asthma News & Research, Children's Asthma, Children's Health, Friday Links, Holidays, Self-Pimpage | 1 person talking »

No, not that Christmas birthday story.

I’m talking about AG’s Steadfast Sidekick who, as you may recall, turns seven this Saturday and had her party over a week ago.

This is her, sans one front tooth and wearing her favorite present:

I’m talking about those glasses, which are fake. Which are carried around in their own glasses case, carted off to school, and worn in pretty much the same manner as prescription glasses. She puts them on to read, draw, watch movies, and do anything else that requires perfect vision.

Which she has.

But which she does not want. She wants to need glasses–specifically, funky hipster glasses like these, and you’d be surprised at how happy this present made her. It’s all very endearing and rather ridiculous.

Here’s something even more ridiculous, though:

When I bought these, the woman at the register said, “Just one pair?”

“Um,” I said. “My daughter’s only 7. One pair’s fine, thanks.”

“Oh, glasses are a big thing now,” said the woman. “All the girls are getting several pairs. They’re accessories. Like earrings!”

Oh, okay then. You’ve talked me into it. Throw a couple more pairs into the bag. When I hand them all to my kid and she says, “What’s all this? I just asked for one pair” then I’ll say, “Oh but ALL THE GIRLS are doing it.”

What I really said was, “Oh, I think a 7 year-old ‘needs’ only one pair of fake glasses.”

Seriously, lady.

That’s your best sales pitch? You can’t possibly think my first grader’s level of trendiness matters that much to me.

And also?
I’m 32. Peer pressure stopped working a long, long time ago.

Filed under: Uncategorized | 5 people talking »

Boy Survives Arrow Impalation of Eye, Head
In China, 11 year-old Liu Cheong is okay because even though the arrow went all the way through to the back of his skull, it actually missed his brain. Make sure you click on this one to see the x-rays.

Worst. Retirement. Party. Ever.
This guy wasn’t so lucky. You’ll never guess how he died as a result of his own party.

Romantic Comedies Bad for Actual Romance, Study Suggests
People who watch romantic comedies may have more trouble in their love lives than those who don’t, according to this research. The culprit? Unrealistic expectations set by the movies, even though viewers understand that these on-screen relationships are highly idealized.

The study authors are conducting online research on media influence and relationships, so check out the full story if you want to participate.Weird Christmas!
A whole Flickr gallery, to boot. Be still, my heart.

Filed under: Holidays, Weird Health Wednesdays | 1 person talking »

This morning, I read a press release about a new inhaled medication delivery system that wouldn’t require a propellant. As you guys already know, the CFC-based propellant in the older inhalers is officially banned on December 31, prompting the need for the more expensive HFA-propelled models we have now.

The new delivery system from Next Safety uses a pump to squirt the medicine through the air instead, meaning no propellant = slower delivery. In fact, the pump delivers the medicine as the patient breathes, and according to Next Safety this method will eliminate the problems kids–and often adults–have with using an inhaler properly.

Now, spacers also keep people from spraying the backs of their throats with medicine or getting the incorrect dosage by not inhaling the medicine at exactly the right time, but they still involve inhaling propellants while Next Safety’s platform doesn’t. Still, I read this release half-awake and half-engaged, thinking Awesome. It would be cool not to need spacers anymore. And getting rid of the propellants so my kid doesn’t breathe them in anymore would be nice, too.

But what would this cost?
Less than the inhalers and spacers?
And how much of a benefit is eliminating the propellant, anyway?
Was it a health concern in the first place?

When I clicked on over the Filed under: Asthma Meds, Asthma News & Research, Children's Asthma, Children's Health | 3 people talking »

I’ve been getting a lot of hits lately through people conducting Google searches for holiday asthma triggers. If you’re one of them and new to Asthma Mom, welcome to the Blog of Inferior Breathing. Starring Asthma Girl (age 9), her Steadfast Sidekick (age 7 on Saturday), and me.

Let’s talk Christmas and asthma.

Wondering if your Christmas tree is triggering your asthma or your kid’s?
Read this and this.

Suspect your favorite holiday-scented air freshener is making your lungs freak out?
Check this out.

Can’t figure out whether to use your wood burning fireplace around a lung-challenged member of the family?
You want to go here and here.

Want to learn more about this blog and the people behind it?
Try this and this.

With all the stress, activity, airborne irritants, cold and flu germs, and weather triggers, winter holidays have a tendency to bring out the very worst in asthma. Got any questions not answered through these links? Leave a comment or email me through the “Contact” tab above.

Filed under: Asthma Girl, Children's Asthma, Children's Health, Holidays, Tips | 1 person talking »