Asthma is a complex disorder that is made up of both heritable genetic factors and environmental exposures. There are a number of genetic mutations that change a single letter in the DNA of a gene, called single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs, which have been linked risk for asthma. Many of these SNPs are in genes…
Air pollution, specifically that originating from diesel engines, has been linked with increased risk of developing asthma, worsening of asthma symptoms, and increased risk of hospitalization due to asthma related problems. Nitrogen oxides (NO2, NOx) and small particulate matter, produced by the combustion of diesel, are considered to be the offending compounds that are linked to asthma…
Smokers have a higher risk for asthma and children exposed to cigarette smoke at home are at a higher risk of having or developing asthma. Mothers who have a child with asthma eventually may quit smoking in order to prevent their children from having asthma attacks that require hospitalization. What we don’t know is if…
Asthma is a disease that makes breathing difficult for 2.4 million Canadians. It is caused by excessive inflammation and abnormally thick airway walls. There are numerous known risk factors for asthma including genetics but much is still unknown about the development of the disease. Asthma is part of the atopic march, a phenomenon that often…
New research published monthly continues to shed light on the negative health effects of air pollution which include aggravation of existing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, development of chronic diseases like asthma and heart disease, and even an early risk of death. Traditionally considered to be reserved for severe pollution events, the health concerns surrounding air…
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is required for the body to absorb minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron) from your diet. While some foods contain vitamin D humans get most of their vitamin D from exposure to the sun and UVB. Without enough vitamin D a person can develop Rickett’s, a disease that causes…
We currently understand very little about the long term consequences of pollution and particulate matter in our air. We have evidence that air pollution can worsen asthma symptoms and rates of heart attacks spike during times of high pollution. We also know that exposure of cells in culture to environmental pollutants causes cell damage and…
It wasn’t that long ago that having a family history of allergies meant that the family dog or cat must go. The thought was that their presence would aggravate allergies and that a clean house free of dust and allergens could prevent children from developing allergies. How the times have changed, there is now plenty…
Asthma affects 8.6% of all American children and is the leading cause of hospitalization and school absenteeism. Exacerbations of asthma sypmtoms can lead to extended hospital stays and the need for strong courses of anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator drugs. In 2009, 8.4% of people with asthma had to visit the emergency department and 2% of people were…
You go to your family doctor complaining of difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightness in your chest, and a cough. Your doctor listens to your chest, makes some notes and diagnoses you with asthma. You get some inhalers to control the symptoms and carry on your way. Surprisingly, there was never a test done to determine if…
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