Heavy breathing, not peanut kiss, killed Quebec teenager
SAGUENAY —
A severe asthma attack, not
a nut-laced embrace, caused the death of a Quebec teen
last November, according to coroner Michel Miron. Christina
Desforges' brain was deprived of oxygen and was taken
off life support nine days later. Dr Miron's report stated
that Ms Desforges, who was allergic to peanuts, had spent
hours among smokers at a house party, smoked marijuana
and engaged in "physical activity" with her boyfriend
in the hours leading up to her death. Her story made headlines
around the world when early reports linked her tragic
end to a kiss from her boyfriend, who had eaten a peanut
butter sandwich nine hours earlier. Reports that Ms Desforges
had unsuccessfully administered an adrenaline shot were
also unfounded.
Pre-emptive
puffers shot down
TUCSON — Inhaled corticosteroids are the best longterm
treatment for persistent asthma. But pre-emptive use
won't protect toddlers from getting the disease, according
to results of the Prevention of Early Asthma in Kids
trial published in the May 11 NEJM. In the study,
285 kids between the ages of two and three were randomly
assigned to receive an inhaled corticosteroid or placebo
for two years. The tots were then followed for an extra
year to see if the initial treatment had any lasting
effect, but the researchers couldn't find any significant
difference.
Life
near the fast lane
LOS ANGELES — Kids who grow up within a block of
a busy road have a 50% higher risk of getting asthma,
according to a study in the May issue of Environmental
Health Perspectives. Researchers looked at more
than 5,000 kids between five and seven years old. Those
living 75m or less from a major road were 1.5 times
more likely to report asthma or wheezing compared to
those living more than 300m away.
Hay
fever on pins and needles
BUNDOORA, AUSTRALIA — Acupuncture and Chinese herbal
medicine really can help patients stick it to hay fever.
At least that's the conclusion of a review in the June
2006 Current Opinions in Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
After narrowing their scope to the well-conducted studies
available, researchers found that the alternative therapies
appear to reduce seasonal allergy symptoms.
The
Pill leaves women breathless
LOS ANGELES — A growing body of evidence suggests
that estrogen has a damaging effect on lung function.
The latest study, in the May issue of the Journal
of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, finds that women
with no history of asthma who are on the Pill have a
higher risk of developing the chronic respiratory condition.
Of the 905 women involved, those who were asthma-free
and taking an OC were 75% more likely to wheeze. The
length of time ladies were on the Pill also increased
the likelihood of symptoms.
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