Childhood asthma 'admissions down' after smoking ban
Smoking restrictions came into force in 2007
Showing posts with label asthma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label asthma. Show all posts
Saturday, August 06, 2016
Good news for severe asthma
Asthma pill 'promising' for people with severe symptoms - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36987243
Friday, February 01, 2013
Childhood Asthma Drops After Smoking Ban
BBC ONLINE 21 January 2013
Last updated at 05:00 GMT
Smoking restrictions came into force in 2007
Smoking restrictions came into force in 2007
There
was a sharp fall in the number of children admitted to hospital with
severe asthma after smoke-free legislation was introduced in England,
say researchers.
A study showed a 12% drop in the first year after the law to stop smoking in enclosed public places came into force.
The authors say there is growing evidence that many people are opting for smoke-free homes as well.
Asthma UK says the findings are "encouraging".
Researchers at Imperial College in London looked at NHS figures going back to April 2002.
Presenting their findings in the journal Pediatrics, they said the number of children admitted to hospital with severe asthma attacks was rising by more than 2% a year before the restrictions were introduced in July 2007.
Taking that into account, they calculated the fall in admissions in the next 12 months was 12%, and a further 3% in each of the following two years. They say over the three-year period, this was equivalent of about 6,800 admissions.
The fall was seen among boys and girls of all ages, across wealthy and deprived neighbourhoods, in cities and in rural areas.
A study showed a 12% drop in the first year after the law to stop smoking in enclosed public places came into force.
The authors say there is growing evidence that many people are opting for smoke-free homes as well.
Asthma UK says the findings are "encouraging".
Researchers at Imperial College in London looked at NHS figures going back to April 2002.
Presenting their findings in the journal Pediatrics, they said the number of children admitted to hospital with severe asthma attacks was rising by more than 2% a year before the restrictions were introduced in July 2007.
Taking that into account, they calculated the fall in admissions in the next 12 months was 12%, and a further 3% in each of the following two years. They say over the three-year period, this was equivalent of about 6,800 admissions.
The fall was seen among boys and girls of all ages, across wealthy and deprived neighbourhoods, in cities and in rural areas.
'Unexpected' benefit
Prior to the smoke-free law much of the debate on the legislation centred on protection of bar workers from passive smoke.
At the time many critics said smokers would respond by lighting up more at home - harming the health of their families. But the authors of this study say there is growing evidence that more people are insisting on smoke-free homes.
The lead researcher, Prof Christopher Millett, said the legislation has prompted unexpected, but very welcome, changes in behaviour.
"We increasingly think it's because people are adopting smoke-free homes when these smoke-free laws are introduced and this is because they see the benefits of smoke-free laws in public places such as restaurants and they increasingly want to adopt them in their home.
"This benefits children because they're less likely to be exposed to second hand smoke."
These findings reinforce evidence on the impact of smoke-free legislation from studies in North America and Scotland, which also showed a fall in hospital admissions for children with severe asthma attacks. The law in England has also resulted in fewer admissions for heart attack.
At the time many critics said smokers would respond by lighting up more at home - harming the health of their families. But the authors of this study say there is growing evidence that more people are insisting on smoke-free homes.
The lead researcher, Prof Christopher Millett, said the legislation has prompted unexpected, but very welcome, changes in behaviour.
"We increasingly think it's because people are adopting smoke-free homes when these smoke-free laws are introduced and this is because they see the benefits of smoke-free laws in public places such as restaurants and they increasingly want to adopt them in their home.
"This benefits children because they're less likely to be exposed to second hand smoke."
These findings reinforce evidence on the impact of smoke-free legislation from studies in North America and Scotland, which also showed a fall in hospital admissions for children with severe asthma attacks. The law in England has also resulted in fewer admissions for heart attack.
'Particularly encouraging'
Emily Humphreys from the health charity, Asthma UK, welcomed
the findings: "This is something we campaigned for, so it is
particularly encouraging that there has been a fall in children's
hospital admissions for asthma since its introduction.
"We have long known that smoking and second hand smoke are harmful - they not only trigger asthma attacks which put children in hospital but can even cause them to develop the condition."
She said the need now was to do more to prevent children and young people from taking up smoking, and she repeated the charity's call for the introduction of plain packaging for tobacco.
"We have long known that smoking and second hand smoke are harmful - they not only trigger asthma attacks which put children in hospital but can even cause them to develop the condition."
She said the need now was to do more to prevent children and young people from taking up smoking, and she repeated the charity's call for the introduction of plain packaging for tobacco.
Comments
Jump to comments pagination-
Comment number 570.
StuffyDuffer
21st January 2013 - 14:22Those of you who are asking why Asthma rates have increased since the 1970's when parents smoking around children was common? Simple. Asthma was regularly misdiagnosed until quite recently (as happened to me for 30 years). Believe me, second hand smoke and Asthma are a terrible mix. -
Comment number 520.
Kid Chameleon
21st January 2013 - 13:29I'm a non-smoker who grew up with a father who smoked heavily until he quit when I was about 8 or 9. He never smoked in the house.
I was one of those who totally welcomed the public smoking ban, but have to agree with the majority of smokers in this forum in questioning just what this is supposed to have done to combat child asthma when the areas it affects have little to do with children... -
Comment number 436.
Mike from Brum
21st January 2013 - 12:45A reduction in the number of child asthma attacks is good news, whatever the reason. -
Comment number 401.
Baskey
21st January 2013 - 12:33Seems odd, years ago many more people used to smoke yet there was far less asthma.
I certianly agree that passive smoke is dangerous and I wouldnt want my kids anywhere near it however id guess the drop in asthma is more likely attributed to cleaner cars etc -
Comment number 97.
Remus
21st January 2013 - 9:43I'm an ex smoker but I don't see how a ban that mainly affected places (pubs, workplaces etc) where children don't spend a lot of time should have such a positive impact on children's health. Also, having lived in London, I suspect that traffic pollution causes more asthma than smoking ever could. -
Comment number 56.
Anne-Maria
21st January 2013 - 9:26Smokers have a right to smoke but they do not have a right to force other people, including their own children, to smoke. Asthma is a dangerous and scary illness and if figures are suggesting that asthma is improving then it has to be a good thing. Watching a parent smoke in a car with the windows up and with children in the back waiting for the school to open isn't a nice sight. -
Comment number 48.
swanny
21st January 2013 - 9:21As a smoker for 30years I would give up But feel I am now doing my bit for england. If smoking was banned total there would be a massive rise in Tax then you none smokers would really have somthing to cry about -
Comment number 43.
Peter Lanky
21st January 2013 - 9:20I believe that the biggest issue with smoking is not how to stop the current smokers, as we now have a hard core, unlikely to give up easily.
The main target should be stopping new (young) people taking up the habit in the first place. Considering that new smokers know the health effects, the high cost and the social stigma, yet still smoke, this is something that needs serious research into. -
Comment number 36.
TB
21st January 2013 - 9:17Of course smoking is deleterous to health but one thing still puzzles me. Back in the 1970s when I was a child asthma was relatively rare (I remember two kids at school who had it) yet smoking was common and to do so around children was the norm. Yet nowadays, smoking rates have fallen but asthma seems more common. Now, one thing that correlates is the number of cars on the road....... -
Comment number 17.
Jim Digriz
21st January 2013 - 9:07Excellent news, but still more to do.
Cigarette smoking is a massively destructive public health issue and it has only been in recent memory our society has finally started to act to force cigarette usage away from places where people congregate.
Credit is also due to some smokers as this shows they don't see the ban as nanny state but a clear sign of how dangerous passive smoking is. -
Comment number 7.
Paul G
21st January 2013 - 9:03Although any drop in the numbers of afflicted is good news, there is no scientifically proven link. A scientist stating "We increasingly think.." is not exactly hardcore results. It has also conincided with the recession so fewer can afford to smoke (or drink). I wonder who paid for the research. -
Comment number 5.
Cliff
21st January 2013 - 9:02This is good news and evidence that preventing "passive" smoking works. We should ban smoking in cars. Not only would this reduce passive smoking it would increase road safety. Smoking while driving is a huge distraction, takes a hand off the wheel and runs the risk of smoke or ash getting in the eye, let alone the massive distraction of getting a fag out of the packet and lighting up. -
Comment number 4.
Mark-H
21st January 2013 - 9:02Since the smoking ban, i have never smoked inside. No matter where i am, whether it be in my house, or car. And i think this is a common thing with smokers today. I regularly see people standing outside there homes smoking, and this can only be a good thing.
Any drop in Asthma is great!
MONDAY: NEW DISCOVERY INTO HIV ORIGIN.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Asthma And Eczema Linked To Fast Food
BBC ONLINE 14 January 2013
Last updated at 10:37 GMT
Fast food often contains high levels of "unhealthy" fat
Fast-food 'linked to childhood asthma and eczema'
Fast food often contains high levels of "unhealthy" fat
Eating
fast food three times a week may lead to asthma and eczema in children,
say researchers who have looked at global disease and dietary patterns.
Data from more than 500,000 children in more than 50 countries suggests poor diet may be to blame for rising levels of these allergy-related conditions.
Those who ate fast food, such as take-away burgers, risked severe asthma, eczema and itchy, watery eyes.
Eating plenty of fruit appears to be protective, Thorax journal reports.
Fast food often contains high levels of saturated- and trans-fatty acids, which are known to affect immunity, while fruit is rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds, say the researchers.
In the study, children in their early teens who ate three or more weekly servings of fast food had a 39% increased risk of severe asthma.
Six- and seven-year-olds had a 27% increased risk.
Eating three or more portions of fruit a week cut the risk of severe asthma, eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis by between 11% and 14%.
The study authors, Prof Innes Asher, from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and Prof Hywel Williams, from the University of Nottingham in the UK, said: "If the associations between fast foods and the symptom prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema is causal, then the findings have major public health significance owing to the rising consumption of fast foods globally."
Generally, people with asthma do not have to follow a special diet.
In some cases, certain foods, such as cow's milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, yeast products, nuts, and some food colourings and preservatives, can make symptoms worse.
Malayka Rahman of Asthma UK, said research suggests that a person's diet may contribute to their risk of developing asthma and that eating healthily may have a beneficial effect.
"Evidence suggests that the vitamins and antioxidants found in fresh fruit and vegetables have a beneficial effect on asthma therefore Asthma UK advises people with asthma to eat a healthy, balanced diet including five portions of fruit or vegetables every day, fish more than twice a week, and pulses more than once a week."
Data from more than 500,000 children in more than 50 countries suggests poor diet may be to blame for rising levels of these allergy-related conditions.
Those who ate fast food, such as take-away burgers, risked severe asthma, eczema and itchy, watery eyes.
Eating plenty of fruit appears to be protective, Thorax journal reports.
Fast food often contains high levels of saturated- and trans-fatty acids, which are known to affect immunity, while fruit is rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds, say the researchers.
In the study, children in their early teens who ate three or more weekly servings of fast food had a 39% increased risk of severe asthma.
Six- and seven-year-olds had a 27% increased risk.
Eating three or more portions of fruit a week cut the risk of severe asthma, eczema and rhinoconjunctivitis by between 11% and 14%.
The study authors, Prof Innes Asher, from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, and Prof Hywel Williams, from the University of Nottingham in the UK, said: "If the associations between fast foods and the symptom prevalence of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema is causal, then the findings have major public health significance owing to the rising consumption of fast foods globally."
Generally, people with asthma do not have to follow a special diet.
In some cases, certain foods, such as cow's milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, yeast products, nuts, and some food colourings and preservatives, can make symptoms worse.
Malayka Rahman of Asthma UK, said research suggests that a person's diet may contribute to their risk of developing asthma and that eating healthily may have a beneficial effect.
"Evidence suggests that the vitamins and antioxidants found in fresh fruit and vegetables have a beneficial effect on asthma therefore Asthma UK advises people with asthma to eat a healthy, balanced diet including five portions of fruit or vegetables every day, fish more than twice a week, and pulses more than once a week."
PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!
Friday, May 04, 2012
Asthma More Serious Than Thought
BBC ONLINE 1 May 2012
Last updated at 00:29 GMT
Needing to use a reliever inhaler five times a day or more is one of the signs of worsening asthma
A third of people with asthma are at a high risk of having a potentially fatal asthma attack, research suggests.
The findings come from an online test launched a few months ago by Asthma UK to help those with asthma gauge how serious their condition is.
Nearly 25,000 people took the Triple A (Avoid Asthma Attacks) test, which asks simple questions about factors known to be linked to worsening disease.
Before taking the test, less than half recognised that they might be at risk.
The charity believes most asthma-related emergencies are avoidable.
It estimates that up to 75% of emergency hospital admissions would be preventable with better disease management.
But the latest findings suggest that people with asthma are considerably underestimating their risk of having an attack.
Traffic light coding Over half of respondents (55%) did not think they were at increased risk. Yet the Triple A test results suggested 93% were at increased or highly increased risk.
Asthma kills three people every day, and every seven minutes someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with a potentially fatal asthma attack, according to Asthma UK.
Those taking the test will fall into one of three categories, colour-coded like traffic lights.
The red category means the person runs a highly increased risk of a serious attack, while green would mean no increased risk.
In between, there is an amber category which is accompanied by advice that the person being tested is at an increased risk of an attack - and advises him or her to have a review with a GP or asthma nurse.
Each category is linked to advice on how to control the symptoms and what to do if someone does have an attack.
And the test stresses that everyone's asthma is different and symptoms can come and go, which means there is no way to entirely rule out any risk of an attack.
People who have attended A&E or been admitted overnight to hospital for their asthma in the past six months tend to be at increased risk of a serious attack.
Similarly, those who rely on using their reliever (blue) inhaler five times a day or more or have needed a course of steroid tablets for their asthma in the past six months are also at increased risk.
Neil Churchill of Asthma UK said: "It's extremely worrying that many people with asthma do not realise their own risk of ending up in hospital.
"As up to 75% of emergency hospital admissions are preventable with better management and support it's vitally important people understand their asthma and crucial that they are supported by healthcare professionals who can help them to reduce their risk."
Third of asthmatics risk a fatal attack, study suggests
Needing to use a reliever inhaler five times a day or more is one of the signs of worsening asthma
A third of people with asthma are at a high risk of having a potentially fatal asthma attack, research suggests.
The findings come from an online test launched a few months ago by Asthma UK to help those with asthma gauge how serious their condition is.
Nearly 25,000 people took the Triple A (Avoid Asthma Attacks) test, which asks simple questions about factors known to be linked to worsening disease.
Before taking the test, less than half recognised that they might be at risk.
The charity believes most asthma-related emergencies are avoidable.
It estimates that up to 75% of emergency hospital admissions would be preventable with better disease management.
But the latest findings suggest that people with asthma are considerably underestimating their risk of having an attack.
Traffic light coding Over half of respondents (55%) did not think they were at increased risk. Yet the Triple A test results suggested 93% were at increased or highly increased risk.
Asthma kills three people every day, and every seven minutes someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with a potentially fatal asthma attack, according to Asthma UK.
Those taking the test will fall into one of three categories, colour-coded like traffic lights.
The red category means the person runs a highly increased risk of a serious attack, while green would mean no increased risk.
In between, there is an amber category which is accompanied by advice that the person being tested is at an increased risk of an attack - and advises him or her to have a review with a GP or asthma nurse.
Each category is linked to advice on how to control the symptoms and what to do if someone does have an attack.
And the test stresses that everyone's asthma is different and symptoms can come and go, which means there is no way to entirely rule out any risk of an attack.
People who have attended A&E or been admitted overnight to hospital for their asthma in the past six months tend to be at increased risk of a serious attack.
Similarly, those who rely on using their reliever (blue) inhaler five times a day or more or have needed a course of steroid tablets for their asthma in the past six months are also at increased risk.
Neil Churchill of Asthma UK said: "It's extremely worrying that many people with asthma do not realise their own risk of ending up in hospital.
"As up to 75% of emergency hospital admissions are preventable with better management and support it's vitally important people understand their asthma and crucial that they are supported by healthcare professionals who can help them to reduce their risk."
PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!
Friday, September 05, 2008
Live in a farm to avoid asthma - bbc online
Farm pregnancy 'cuts asthma risk'
 Living on a farm while pregnant may benefit the baby |
Living on a farm during pregnancy may help reduce the chance of the child developing asthma, eczema and even hayfever, say scientists.
The New Zealand researchers suggest that exposure to animals and the bacteria they carry may affect the foetus's immune system.
Writing in the European Respiratory Journal, they said exposure before and after birth halved the risk.
But experts warn some animals carry infections which may harm the baby.
The research, carried out at Massey University, adds to other studies which have suggested that living on a farm, with regular contact with animals, during the early years of life, could cut the risk of asthma and other allergic diseases.
But the study of more than 1,300 farmers' children goes further, suggesting that this protection could start building even before birth.
It found that the greatest apparent protection - a 50% reduction in asthma, and an even greater reduction in eczema and hay fever - was gained by children whose mothers had been exposed to farm life during pregnancy, and who currently lived on a farm.
The reasons why this might happen are unclear, although they are likely to be related to the way that the child begins to develop its immune system.
Milk bacteria
Living on a farm means frequent contact with animal bacteria, perhaps through the consumption of unpasteurised milk, or contact with the animals directly.
The researchers suggested that this might suppress the production of particular immune cells linked to the development of asthma.
However, they suggested that while exposure during pregnancy might be useful, it might only persist if the child was exposed after its birth as well.
The findings are unlikely to lead to any change in current advice to pregnant women, which urges caution about contact with certain farm animals.
In particular, an infection which can cause miscarriage in pregnant ewes can lead to the same result in humans.
The faeces of other animals can also carry infections which can affect a pregnancy.
Dr Elaine Vickers, research manager at Asthma UK, said: "This study adds to existing evidence supporting the hygiene hypothesis, which states that early exposure to potential allergens results in a reduced risk of asthma development.
"However, the causes of asthma are still largely unknown and the processes involved in asthma development are incredibly complicated, including family history, environment and lifestyle."Tuesday, January 29, 2008
BBC ONLINE: Do What You Want To Do
Here is a wonderful story I came across on BBC Online which I think our members with Asthma (and those who don't have the condition) will appreciate. It is really inspiring to read of how disability and illnesses are seen so positively in Western nations compared to our part of the world.
Read on dear Petpositive members and be enlightened and encouraged! aNt PET+BLOGSPOT.
Celebrity Health - Karen Pickering
Read on dear Petpositive members and be enlightened and encouraged! aNt PET+BLOGSPOT.
Celebrity Health - Karen Pickering
 Karen has launched her own swim school |
She was four times World Champion, won 14 European Championship medals, 38 British Championship titles and 13 Commonwealth Games medals.
In the 2002 Commonwealth Games Karen won two golds and a silver medal and was given the honour of carrying the English flag at the closing ceremony.
Karen, who has asthma, has twice held a World Record and has competed at four consecutive Olympic Games.
In 1994 she was awarded an MBE for services to swimming and she has recently launched her own swim school.
HOW DID YOU FIRST REALISE SOMETHING WAS WRONG?
I was about seven and I was playing tag in the street with my friend and I couldn't breathe properly.
No-one ever let me think that there was anything I couldn't do 
Karen Pickering
I assumed it wasn't the first time it had happened because I didn't think it was odd.
She then told me her brother had the same thing and it was asthma.
HOW DID YOU GET DIAGNOSED?
I went home and told my mum what had happened and what my friend had said. We went to my doctor (Dr David Harper) who then diagnosed me properly.
WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THE DIAGNOSIS?
I can't really remember but I suppose as my friend's older brother had it too I probably thought it was cool.
Neither the doctor nor my parents made a big deal of it.
It didn't stop me doing anything. I just had to remember to take my preventative medication and carry a ventolin inhaler with me.
I played on all the school sports teams and was a good runner.
I did cross country races carrying my inhaler.
No-one ever let me think that there was anything I couldn't do. That is why I think the way my parents handled my diagnosis was so important. They just let me get on with things and never panicked.
WHAT WAS YOUR TREATMENT?
I was given inhalers to take. They were the old capsule ones and the powder tasted horrid.
Dr Harper also suggested that I swam as it would strengthen my lungs.
In the late 90s the doctor with the British Olympic team (Dr Mark Harries) suggested I try an inhaler called Asmanex.
This changed my life and cut down the number of attacks I suffered in training and competitions.
HOW DID YOU FEEL DURING TREATMENT?
As a kid, I had to rely on my mum and dad to remind me to take it but other than that it was no big deal.
As I progressed with my swimming, I struggled a bit with exercise-induced asthma.
I could keep an inhaler at the end of my lane during training and that made things easier.
I learned the hard way to make sure I took it before I raced too as I had an attack during a race once. After that I kept an inhaler with me in my tracksuit pocket.
I also struggled with the chemicals in pools. I was fine in the pool that I trained in regularly but suffered when I went somewhere else such as away on training camps.
I learned to manage my asthma better and prepare for training in different pools by upping my medication.
HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW?
I still have asthma attacks and I have noticed since I stopped swimming so often that much lower levels of exercise now induce an attack.
So when I do swim, which is at least once a week, I make sure I do a lot of breath-holding drills to keep my lungs strong. I still always carry an inhaler with me.
The thing for me is that I don't know any other way. I have had asthma for as long as I can remember. It's part of who I am.
I know it must be hard for a parent to watch their child struggle to breathe but I was lucky that my parents did not wrap me up in cotton wool or stop me doing anything, they just made sure I took my medication.
I am grateful that they didn't act like it was anything special or anything to be scared of, it was just something I had.
WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CONDITION?
Asthma doesn't have to rule your life, you just have to manage it so don't let it stop you doing the things you want to do.
Karen Pickering speaks to promote the work of Asthma UK.
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