Asthma treatment

http://www.healasthma.com past six monthsthe past twelve months Search Hint Connecting terms with AND narrows your search to give more precise results …more on search operators – . Sun-Sentinel – FDA PLANS TO PHASE OUT CERTAIN ASTHMA INHALERS The government asked asthma patients and their doctors for help on Wednesday in planning how to gradually remove from the market certain asthma inhalers that hurt the environment.Patients should not panic, the Food and Drug Administration said, because no drugs will be banned for more than a year But as the FDA approves asthma inhalers that do not use CFCs, the chlorofluorocarbons that deplete the ozone layer, an international treaty requires the old, polluting inhalers to be phased… Maker of asthma spray told to pay million A federal judge has approved a settlement that calls for a generic drug maker to pay up to million in damages to people who claim to have been injured by a contaminated asthma spray.In an order dated Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Clarence Brimmer approved an agreement settling a class action suit over Copley Pharmaceuticals’ albuterol product, which was recalled in and . … . Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA) – DIGEST U.S. DROP MEDICAL BAN ON MARIJUANA Clinton officials are reconsidering the Bush administration ban on medical use of marijuana and say action could come soon. But they caution that review doesn’t necessarily signal reversal.Starting in the U.S. government allowed people who were suffering from certain diseases – and who didn’t find relief in traditional medications – to apply to the Food and Drug Administration for permission to use the illegal drug.But the Bush administration in … . Times Union, The (Albany, NY) – ASTHMA DEATHS BE LINKED TO DRUGS Heavy use of one of the most common inhaled asthma drugs is associated with a significantly increased risk of dying of asthma, according to new research that suggests that some treatments themselves help explain the perplexing rise in asthma deaths worldwide.The study, to be announced today in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that the more heavily a person relied on inhaled drugs called beta agonists, the greater his risk of dying from asthma or of suffering a near-fatal… . STUDY LINKS ASTHMA DRUG TO DEATH OVERUSING COMMON SPRAY FOUND TO INCREASE RISK People who overuse a common kind of inhaled drug to relieve asthma attacks face a greatly increased risk of death, a study concludes.The researchers don’t know whether the drugs, called beta agonists, are directly to blame. They suggested that the drugs harm organs such as the lungs and heart or that their excessive use mask asthma so severe that it can be fatal.Whatever the cause, asthmatics double or triple their chance of death with each canister of the spray… . Daily Camera, The (Boulder, CO) – Courtesy of Ken Hill Despite the wheezing it can cause, Colorado’s cold, dry winter air is impossible for asthmatics to avoid — especially if it’s your job to be outdoors year-round. Fortunately, the air has to be pretty cold before it bothers Ken Hill, a hydrologist for the United States Geological Survey. Hill works outdoors two to four days a week, often skiing (with a heavy pack) in to high weather stations in Rocky Mountain National Park. Courtesy of Ken Hill Despite the wheezing it can cause, Colorado’s cold, dry winter air is impossible for asthmatics to avoid — especially if it’s your job to be outdoors year-round. Fortunately, the air has to be pretty cold before it bothers Ken Hill, a hydrologist for the United States Geological Survey. Hill works outdoors two to four days a week, often skiing (with a heavy pack) in to high weather stations in Rocky Mountain National Park…. . Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL) – ASTHMA INHALERS CHANGE Asthma inhalers with chloroflurocarbon (CFC) propellant will no longer be sold as of Jan. , in favor of inhalers with environmentally safer hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant. If you’ve yet to make the switch, health experts advise Read and follow directions with the new inhaler. Prime the unit. Breathe in mist slowly, hold for seconds. Rinse inhaler opening regularly with warm water to prevent clogging.Consider using a spacer. Plastic chamber attaches to inhaler and… . Daily Courier, The (Forest City, NC) – Cause of leg rash is a mystery Dear Dr. Gott I am years old and have COPD. I suffer from a rash on my legs. My doctor says it doesn’t look like eczema, but like blood under the skin. I had my blood checked to see if it is too thin, but that test was negative. A thyroid test was slightly low. My medications are Spiriva, Albuterol and Armour Thyroid. I was previously on Symbicort, but it made my tongue swell and become raw, so I was switched to the Spiriva, which doesn’t work as well…. Fred Meyer offers generic drugs Portland-based Fred Meyer Stores announced Friday it has begun selling prescriptions to more than generic drugs for at all its pharmacies in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The prescriptions are for -day supplies of commonly prescribed dosages. Popular brand name drugs to be offered as generics include Claritin (generic name Loratadine), Zantac (generic name Ranitidine) and Proventil (generic name Albuterol). A complete list of available generic drugs is available online at… . Dear Pharmacist Take all meds with water, even the liquids Question Does drinking water immediately after swallowing liquid medications dilute the medicine? — T.W., Irving, Texas Answer No, although this is a common myth. Fresh, clean water is important to good health because it dilutes toxins in your body and helps keep cells alive. I don’t like fluoridated water, but this is inevitable in some cities (unless you buy bottled). You have to think of water as a “vehicle” towing the medicine down… –