New Drug for COPD: BREO ELLIPTA
This new medication is a combination inhaler that contains fluticasone furoate (an inhaled steroid) and vilanterol (a long acting beta-agonist bronchodilator). Indication: Long term maintenance treatment for patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), including chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. It can reduce attacks of COPD in …
Asthma wellness is within reach and without a prescription!
In this month’s issue of Montana Parent magazine, I discuss a few lifestyle changes that can improve your child’s lung health that does not require a prescription! To read the article go to page 36 at http://digital.turn-page.com/i/252493. This month’s edition has many excellent articles and these …
Asthma and Allergy: Not Do-it-Yourself Diseases!
Do it yourself! That was my idea when I decided to remove the wallpaper from my wife’s kitchen. It was a disaster! Or the time I decided to “re-build” a 1973 Jeep CJ-5. How hard could it be? I had a manual, the internet, …
Allergy-Safe Weddings: How to tie the knot without getting in a bind.
Preparing for that perfect day can be challenging. Preparing for that perfect day when you or your guests have allergies can be perplexing and taxing! Here are a few hints to keep yourself or your loved ones safe during the nuptials. If you are …
Seasonal influenza is spreading
In Montana, the influenza virus is making its appearance. The CDC reports “local” outbreaks, while our neighbor to the south (Wyoming) has reported widespread influenza outbreaks. In fact, influenza has become widespread in 33 states this week compared to just 4 states last week. …
Handling the Holidays with Allergies and Asthma
The holidays are here! This means people with allergies and asthma are going to be potentially exposed to multiple allergens and irritants at home and while travelling. In this month’s issue of Montana Parent magazine, I review some precautions to take to ensure a safe …
Asthma Severity: Don’t be a Cheese Danish!
When a doctor evaluates a patient for asthma, one of the primary goals is to establish the severity of the asthma. The more severe the asthma, the more intensive the medication regimen is likely to be. Asthma severity is classified as: Intermittent: this is the …
Hunters beware: allergy to deer, elk, bear, antelope and buffalo
It is that time of year again and the gun hunters are wearing blaze orange and bow hunters invisible in their camouflage. In search of the great horned beast, hunters will be exposed to triggers of asthma such as cold air, campfire smoke, other hunters …
Goodbye Maxair Autohaler!
The popular asthma inhaler Maxair will no longer be manufactured after December 31, 2013. Maxair contained the short-acting beta2 agonist bronchodilator called pirbuterol that was used for treating acute asthma attacks similar to how albuterol works. When the international agreement called the Montreal Protocol was …
Dance, choir, and band… meet asthma!
In this month’s issue of Montana Parent magazine, I write a column for parents whose children desire to participate in extracurricular activities. Participating in extracurricular activities in one of the best parts of school, yet, some thought needs to go into choosing the best activity …