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Articles categorized as Asthma

Article imageJoe Graedon - November 20, 2024
Article imageTerry Graedon - June 18, 2024
Article imageJoe Graedon - November 28, 2024 - 19 comments

Should Prescribers Discuss FDA’s Drug Warnings?

What happens when prescribers ignore FDA drug warnings? Patients are harmed or die. We share stories about montelukast and amiodarone.

Terry Graedon - March 28, 2024

Cleaning Products Linked to Worsening Lung and Brain Function

Terry Graedon - February 4, 2024

How to Prevent Asthma Flares with Vitamin D

Joe Graedon - January 14, 2024

Can You Save Money by Importing Drugs from Canada?

Terry Graedon - January 11, 2024

Show 1369: What to Do If You Catch the Flu

Joe Graedon - January 8, 2024

Primatene Mist Is Back on Drugstore Shelves

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Joe Graedon - January 4, 2024

Authorized Generic Drugs Offer Quality and Affordability

How good are generic drugs? FDA reports problems in India! Authorized generic drugs (AGs) offer an alternative. GSK will make a Flovent AG.

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Joe Graedon - July 24, 2023

Should Pharmacists Be Able to Prescribe Behind the Counter Drugs?

Many countries permit pharmacists to prescribe behind the counter drugs such as antivirals, antibiotics, and asthma meds. Why not in the US?

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Joe Graedon - June 29, 2023

Azithromycin for Asthma AMAZES

Many doctors are unaware of the science supporting azithromycin for asthma. Learn why this antibiotic might help hard-to-treat asthma.

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Terry Graedon - October 20, 2022

What Are the Hazards of Hair Straighteners?

Hair straighteners used mostly by African-American women contain hormone disrupting chemicals and are linked to uterine cancer.

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Joe Graedon - September 29, 2022

Aluminum in Vaccines and Risk of Asthma in Kids

Vaccines makers have put aluminum in vaccines for decades. How safe is this adjuvant? It stimulates the immune system, for good or bad.

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Joe Graedon - June 20, 2022

Prednisone Withdrawal: Can You Ever Stop Corticosteroids?

Corticosteroids are prescribed to millions of people. Many may not be informed about side effects or strategies for prednisone withdrawal.

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Joe Graedon - January 31, 2022

Lactose in ADVAIR DISKUS Is Unexpected Ingredient:

Did you know that dry powder inhalers for asthma or COPD often contain lactose? Neither did we. Lactose in ADVAIR DISKUS can cause problems.

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Terry Graedon - December 2, 2021

Show 1282: How Climate Change Affects Our Health

Our guests argue that climate change is the greatest threat to global health. What can we do about it?

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Terry Graedon - August 26, 2021

Show 1270: How Your Microbiome Shapes Your Immune Response

Gastroenterologist Emeran Mayer explains how your microbiome shapes your immune response and why you should take care of it.

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Joe Graedon - July 19, 2021

Trelegy for COPD Leads to Hoarseness

Do asthma inhalers cause hoarseness? If you haven't seen the Trelegy for COPD 'The Power of 1-2-3' ad, please watch it! Trelegy side effects?

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Terry Graedon - April 8, 2021

Show 1253: The Lessons of COVID-19 on How to Avoid Airborne Viral Transmission

Evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, moves like an aerosol. How can we avoid airborne viral transmission?

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Terry Graedon - April 16, 2020

Show 1208: Keeping Kids Healthy in the Age of Coronavirus

How are parents and grandparents keeping kids healthy when they can't go to school or the playground? Dr. Alan Greene has suggestions for families, 4/18/20.

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Joe Graedon - March 16, 2020

Singulair – Montelukast Warning About Psych Side Effects

Singulair is sold as a generic allergy and asthma drug under the name montelukast. The FDA has just issued a montelukast warning about serious side effects.

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Terry Graedon - February 20, 2020

Are Household Cleaners Harmful to Babies?

Babies exposed to the fumes from common household cleaners during their first few months are more likely to develop asthma as youngsters.

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Joe Graedon - August 29, 2019

Asthma Expert Questions Conventional Asthma Treatment

Asthma treatment used to seem simple: a corticosteroid inhaler plus a bronchodilator. A study in the NEJM has turned things upside down. Asthma is complex!

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Terry Graedon - March 20, 2019

Strong Vitamin D Helps Protect Kids from Air Pollution

Inner city children with strong vitamin D blood levels are less likely to develop asthma upon exposure to indoor air pollution.

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Terry Graedon - September 27, 2018

What’s Your Personal Invisible Cloud Made of?

Each of us is surrounded by an exposome–an invisible cloud of bacteria, viruses, fungi and volatile compounds that can have an effect on our health.

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Terry Graedon - June 14, 2018

When Do Americans Develop a Sweet Tooth?

A study suggests that children under two years old have a sweet tooth. Their diets have a surprising amount of added sugar.

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Terry Graedon - May 17, 2018

You Don’t Have to Be a Farmer to Benefit from the Farm

A Dutch study shows that you don't have to be a farmer to have immune system benefits from exposure to animals and their microbes. People who live near farms have fewer allergies.

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Joe Graedon - May 14, 2018

What Are the Best Drugs for a Desert Island Adventure?

What would you do if your were stranded on a desert island? What about if the power went out for several months? What are the best drugs in such extreme situations?

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Terry Graedon - May 7, 2018

How to Overcome Hoarseness from Advair

Have you been troubled with hoarseness from Advair? One reader found that treating asthma with Singulair instead took care of the problem.

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Joe Graedon - April 2, 2018

How Does Temperature Affect Mail Order Medicines?

Prescription drugs have become pricey. That's why insurance companies may try to save money by encouraging patients to buy mail order medicines. Are there problems with this practice?

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Joe Graedon - March 19, 2018

Steroid Inhaler Laryngitis (SIL) More Common Than Realized

We'll bet you have never heard of SIL (steroid inhaler laryngitis). It's supposed to be very rare. But a lot of readers report hoarseness from asthma or COPD inhalers.

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Joe Graedon - February 26, 2018

Curing Asthma By Eliminating An Underlying Fungal Infection

Are some hard-to-treat asthma cases caused by an infection? Research suggests that may be the case. Curing asthma is not easy, but some people say it is possible.

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Joe Graedon - February 12, 2018

What Should You Do If Your Medicine Freezes?

How do you store your medicine. Hopefully NOT in the bathroom medicine chest--too hot and humid! Mail-order medicines can freeze in your mail box or roast in the summer sun.

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Joe Graedon - December 25, 2017

Can You Cure Asthma With Antifungal Medicine?

Is it possible to cure asthma? Some people seem to think so. Is there any evidence to support the idea that doctors can do more than treat symptoms?

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Terry Graedon - November 30, 2017

Do Sex Hormones Have an Impact on Asthma?

New research shows that sex hormones have different effects on airway inflammation. Testosterone blocks a pro-inflammatory protein.

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Terry Graedon - October 26, 2017

A Dog in the Home: Less Asthma and Eczema for Kids?

Babies living in a home with a dog are less likely to develop asthma and eczema than others without furry friends at home.

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Joe Graedon - May 1, 2017

Should You Worry About Scary Corticosteroid Side Effects?

Most people think that corticosteroid side effects occur only after long-term treatment. New research suggests that short-term therapy also poses a problem.

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Terry Graedon - April 6, 2017

Will Inhaled Steroids Make You Vulnerable to Metabolic Syndrome?

Women using inhaled steroids for asthma or COPD breathing problems were 40 percent more likely to have metabolic syndrome.

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Terry Graedon - January 19, 2017

How Could People Treated for Asthma Not Have It?

One in three Canadian adults being treated for asthma did not meet diagnostic criteria for the disease, according to a study published in JAMA.

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Terry Graedon - January 5, 2017

Will Ham and Bacon Make You Wheeze?

French people who ate four or more servings of cured meats a week were more likely to wheeze or suffer from asthma than those who ate one or fewer.

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Terry Graedon - December 29, 2016

How to Lower the Chance that a Baby will Develop Asthma

Babies whose mothers took fish oil supplements during pregnancy were less likely to develop asthma by age three.

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Terry Graedon - August 4, 2016

Why Are Amish Kids Less Prone to Asthma?

Scientist find that early-life exposure to house dust rich in microbes explains why children in Amish communities are much less prone to asthma.

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Joe Graedon - June 20, 2016

Why Do Antibiotics Sometimes Help Solve Asthma Problem?

The asthma problem in American (and around the world) is getting worse. For many it has origins in allergy. Others, though, may have a smoldering infection.

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Terry Graedon - April 27, 2016

Could Yoga Practice Improve the Quality of Your Life?

Yoga practice was found to improve the quality of life for people with asthma; previous studies suggest benefits for post-stroke recovery and PTSD.

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Terry Graedon - April 25, 2016

How Did an Antibiotic Cure Asthma?

A reader was surprised to find that a prolonged course of azithromycin got rid of long-standing asthma symptoms. Did the drug cure asthma?

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Terry Graedon - March 31, 2016

When Will Campbell Soup Cans Be BPA-Free?

BPA, an endocrine disruptor, is found in the lining of soup cans, but Campbell's Soup has just announced that its cans will become BPA-free.

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Terry Graedon - February 15, 2016

Is Azithromycin a Miracle Cure for Asthma?

Could intensive treatment with an antibiotic get rid of symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath? Might it be a miracle cure for asthma?

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Terry Graedon - February 11, 2016

Colds Could Make Trouble for Children with Asthma

Catching a cold may be more dangerous for children with asthma, since it could lead to an episode of difficult breathing.

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Terry Graedon - November 26, 2015

Vitamin D Supplements Don’t Prevent Colds

In a study comparing vitamin D supplements to placebo, people with asthma did not get fewer or less severe colds when they took vitamin D supplements.

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Joe Graedon - November 9, 2015

How Much Money Can You Really Save Buying Drugs from Canada?

Can people really save money buying drugs from Canada? Is it worth the challenge? Find out about the price discrepancy between U.S. and Canadian pharmacies.

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Terry Graedon - November 5, 2015

Dogs May Protect Kids from Asthma

Growing up with dogs or living on a farm appears to make children less susceptible to asthma, perhaps because of exposure to a wider range of bacteria.

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Joe Graedon - November 2, 2015

Did Marijuana Help Relieve Asthma Symptoms?

Marijuana was prescribed over 100 years ago to help ease asthma symptoms. Is there any research to support the medical use of marijuana for asthma?

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Joe Graedon - July 23, 2015

Aerobic Exercise Reduces Asthma Severity

One study shows aerobic exercise helps control asthma symptoms and lowers important markers of lung inflammation.

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Joe Graedon - July 8, 2015

Mycobacterium Infection Was Misdiagnosed as Asthma

A Mycobacterium infection in the lungs could become chronic and cause symptoms that resemble those of asthma.

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Joe Graedon - June 1, 2015

How I Overcame Asthma That Would Not Quit

A long-term course of the antibiotic azithromycin helped me shake off recurrent bouts of asthma that would not quit.

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Joe Graedon - June 1, 2015

Z-Pak (Azithromycin) Cured Asthma Symptoms

Asthma symptoms such as wheezing, persistent coughing and other lung problems may respond to antibiotic treatment with Z-Pak (azithromycin).

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Joe Graedon - May 28, 2015

Cleaning Products Make Asthma Symptoms Worse

Irritating cleaning products such as bleach or ammonia can exacerbate symptoms in people with asthma.

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Joe Graedon - May 28, 2015

Soy Compound Fails to Relieve Asthma Symptoms

Genistein supplements derived from soy did not reduce asthma symptoms in adults and kids with poorly controlled asthma.

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Joe Graedon - May 11, 2015

Doctors Ignore Possible Asthma Cure

When breathing does not improve despite inhaled drugs, it makes sense to see if treating a hidden lung infection leads to an asthma cure.

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Joe Graedon - February 5, 2015

Asthma Treatment with Prednisone Triggered Steroid Psychosis

Prednisone treatment for asthma led to anxiety, insomnia, disruptive behavior and delusions. Patients should be warned about such side effects.

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Joe Graedon - December 18, 2014

Do You Know How to Use Your Inhaler?

Many asthma patients don't know how to use a metered dose inhaler for optimum effect.

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Joe Graedon - October 27, 2014

Vitamin C Stops Asthma Cough

Ascorbic acid lozenges help quell the cough due to asthma.

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Terry Graedon - October 8, 2014

Kids Exposed to BPA Before Birth Are More Likely to Wheeze

Children who were exposed to high levels of the endocrine disruptor BPA while in utero are at greater risk of developing asthma symptoms as toddlers.

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Joe Graedon - September 18, 2014

The Worst Time of Year for Asthma

September is the most dangerous month for people with asthma because ragweed pollen, mold and upper respiratory infections can trigger severe attacks.

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Terry Graedon - May 23, 2014

Jim’s Story: Reclaiming a Life Nearly Ruined by Sudden-Onset Asthma

Sudden-onset asthma threatened Jim Quinlan's lifestyle and his life, until he was successfully treated for a C. pneumoniae infection.

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Terry Graedon - May 12, 2014

Which Facts About Asthma Are Really Myths?

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Terry Graedon - February 24, 2014

When Asthma Is Caused by a Chronic Lung Infection

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Terry Graedon - January 27, 2014

Curing Lung Infection Could Clear Up Asthma

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Joe Graedon - January 9, 2014

Can You Cure Hard-To-Treat Asthma with Antibiotics?

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Terry Graedon - December 19, 2013

Living with Dogs May Help Protect Against Asthma

There may be advantages for youngsters living with dogs. Exposure to a range of bacteria associated with animals reduces the risk of asthma.

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Joe Graedon - November 7, 2013

Spiriva (Tiotropium) Side Effects & Memory Problems

Tiotropium, the active ingredient in Spiriva, is an anticholinergic compound. Anticholinergic drugs can cause dry mouth, connstipation and mental fogginess.

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Joe Graedon - October 14, 2013

Curing Asthma Instead of Coping With Wheezing

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Joe Graedon - July 24, 2013

Asthma Inhalers (Albuterol) vs. Caffeine

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Terry Graedon - May 20, 2013

Could Curry Counteract Clotting?

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Terry Graedon - September 6, 2012

Asthma Treatment Affects Growth

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Terry Graedon - July 26, 2012

Nut-Munching Moms Don’t Trigger Kids’ Asthma

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Terry Graedon - January 2, 2012

Does Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Put Kids at Risk of Asthma?

Many epidemiological studies link acetaminophen use to an increased risk of asthma among infants and children. Some experts remain undecided.

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Terry Graedon - November 3, 2011

Corticosteroids Linked to Low Levels of Vitamin D

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Terry Graedon - October 27, 2011

Asthma Drugs Pose Risks for Youngsters

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Terry Graedon - February 22, 2011

Farm Kids Less Likely to Have Asthma

Early exposure to a wide range of bacteria, especially those associated with farm animals, may help children avoid asthma as they grow up.

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Terry Graedon - October 14, 2010

Doubling Dose Doesn’t Help

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Terry Graedon - August 18, 2010

Acetaminophen Use and Asthma

Epidemiological data link acetaminophen use to an increased risk of wheezing and asthma among children and adolescents.

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Terry Graedon - June 24, 2010

Mold and Mildew Make Asthma Worse

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Terry Graedon - April 28, 2010

Beware Acetaminophen Dangers

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Joe Graedon - November 19, 2009

Acetaminophen May Increase Risk of Asthma

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Joe Graedon - January 5, 2009

Asthma Drugs Under Fire for Decades

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Terry Graedon - July 3, 2006

Reconsidering Asthma Treatments

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Joe Graedon - June 7, 2004

Breathing Offers New Approach To Healing