By Amanda Gardner
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, May 28 (HealthDay News) -- Here's another reason why adults shouldn't smoke around kids:

In addition to developing asthma and respiratory infections, children in households where someone smokes are more likely to catch a whole range of severe infections, including meningococcal disease. Many even have to be hospitalized, a new study found.

Being around smoke during the first few months of life was most dangerous, especially if the newborn was born underweight or premature.

The U.S. government-mandated switch to CFC-free inhalers is causing problems for millions of people with asthma and other lung diseases, according to The New York Times. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), used as propellants in the inhalers, damage the Earth's ozone layer.

As of Jan. 1, 2009, CFC inhalers will have to be replaced with inhalers that use propellants called HFAs (hydrofluoroalkanes). But HFA inhalers cost much more than CRC inhalers and the new and old inhalers differ in feel, force and taste, and in how they're primed and cleaned, the Times said.

Gesundheit!

Lexington, Ky., sits atop the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's 2008 ranking of the leading 100 spring allergy capitals.

Trailing Lexington on the annual list are: Greensboro, N.C.; Johnson City, Tenn.; Augusta, Ga.; and Jackson, Miss.

Least likely to make you sneeze and wheeze among the top 100 is Spokane, Wash, preceded by the California cities of San Francisco and Bakersfield, Sarasota, Fla; and Lancaster, Penn.

On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration announced that they are conducting a probe into the popular allergy medication Singulair because it allegedly causes depression and leads to risk for suicides. If I recall, several other drugs have lead to investigations for similar risks. Accutane comes to mind. Has anyone taking Singulair experienced these types of symptoms?

I thought about this one more time as I sprayed the tub with a bleach-based cleaning agent and took note of all the toxic cleaners I had for various tasks. I live in an area where black mold is a serious threat, so the monthly bleach treatment of wet spaces and the A/C pipes is a must.

By Amanda Gardner
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, March 13 (HealthDay News) -- Taking a small dose of aspirin every other day seems to reduce the risk of developing asthma among older women.

The study, appearing in the online issue of Thorax, essentially mirrors a similar study in which men taking aspirin saw the same reduced risk.

But the study authors warned that the research was still not enough to recommend taking aspirin regularly.

By Serena Gordon
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, March 4 (HealthDay News) -- Oral allergy immunotherapy -- in the form of drops or tablets -- is effective at reducing asthma symptoms and the need for asthma medications in children who have what's known as allergic asthma, a new study finds.

The findings bolster hopes that these oral medications might someday replace injections, never a hit with kids.

I thought about this one more time as I sprayed the tub with a bleach-based cleaning agent and took note of all the toxic cleaners I had for various tasks. I live in an area where black mold is a serious threat, so the monthly bleach treatment of wet spaces and the A/C pipes is a must.

Are you or a loved one affected by exercise-induced asthma? It seems as though exercising, especially aerobic exercise in cold weather and dry air (winter!), can be a cause for narrowing or inflamed airways (that cause asthma symptoms). According to the Mayo Clinic, you may not know that you have exercise-induced asthma, and think that after exercising or exerting yourself that it is normal to cough, wheeze or have chest pain/tightness. (If you have any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you talk with your doctor). Do any of you experience these symptoms after exercising?

One in four women experience physical, sexual, or emotional violence and abuse in their lifetime. And now, according to a recent survey by the CDC, intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with poor health, chronic disease, injury and disability. Over 40,000 women nationwide were surveyed, and the results are astonishing. Women who suffered from intimate partner violence reported a higher prevalence of these chronic health conditions: Diabetes Arthritis Asthma Stroke High blood cholesterol Heart disease