Seniors Undertreated for Asthma, and Many Skip Inhalers: Study
Using meds as prescribed can improve health, quality of life, researcher says
 TUESDAY, May 1 (HealthDay News) -- Asthma often is misdiagnosed and undertreated in older people, with only 53 percent of those with asthma using prescribed inhalers, a small new study suggests. The study included 77 people, including people both with and without asthma, who were over age 60. Of those with asthma, 89 percent also had allergies to mold, animals or dust mites. The asthma patients were more likely than those without asthma to have hay fever, arthritis, diabetes, higher levels of pain and poor general health than those without asthma. The study appears in the May issue of the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "Those with asthma reported more infections, physician visits and impact on health, yet only half are regularly treating the disease," lead author and allergist Dr. Andrew Smith said in a journal news release. "Patients should regularly carry and take prescribed asthma medications, following dosage instructions. Research shows that appropriate recognition of the disease, use of asthma medications and treatment by allergists improves outcomes, including reduction of hospital visits and improvement of quality of life." "Asthma is a complex disease that, when left untreated, can be life-threatening," said Smith, a member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. "It is alarming that such a large percentage of older people with asthma are letting their disease go untreated, especially since this can lead to other health problems." More information The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has more about older adults and asthma. 
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Many Asthmatic Kids Harmed by Secondhand Smoke: Study
Exposure leads to more doctor visits, disturbed sleep, exercise limitations
 TUESDAY, May 1 (HealthDay News) -- Many asthmatic children in the United States are exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke and suffer health problems because of it, a new study shows. "National asthma guidelines have advised avoidance of environmental tobacco smoke for patients with asthma for decades, but it is unclear to what degree these recommendations are being followed and what the impact of exposure has been in an era of increased awareness of the effects of environmental tobacco smoke exposure," study author Dr. Lara Akinbami, medical officer at the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in an American Academy of Pediatrics news release. The researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003 to 2010 for 972 children aged 6 to 19 with asthma. The results showed that 53 percent of the children were exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke. After adjusting for differences in age, sex, race and poverty status, the researchers found that exposure to secondhand smoke was associated with an increased risk of having three or more visits to a doctor or emergency room due to wheezing in the past year; sleep disturbed by wheezing one or more nights a week; and exercise limitations because of wheezing. There was no significant association between secondhand-smoke exposure and missing school or work because of wheezing or wheezing during exercise. The study was scheduled for presentation Monday at the Pediatric Academic Societies' annual meeting in Boston. "Although this advice is certainly not new, discussing avoidance of environmental tobacco smoke with asthma patients remains critical," Akinbami said. "New tools are needed to help families achieve the goal of reducing exposure, both inside the home and in other environments." Data and conclusions presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal. More information The American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery has more about secondhand smoke and children.
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