FitSugar

Study Links Swimming Pool Chemicals to Cancer

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:00:25 PDT

I'm not gonna lie, but this piece of news has me kind of sad: a small study is linking swimming in chlorinated pools to cancer. In the first of three studies, Spanish researchers looked at the effects of 49 healthy adults who spent 40 minutes swimming in an indoor chlorinated pool. Genetic indicators from blood and urine samples from the participants pointed to an increase in cancer risk and respiratory effects like asthma.

What's a gal to do, especially since cooler temps mean more indoor swim sessions? First off, researchers are not suggesting that we stop swimming. It's a new study in its beginning stages, so the long-term effects - if any - of swimming in chlorinated waters is still unknown. Chlorine is still the common chemical used to disinfect pools, but many fitness centers are starting to disinfect their pools with a low chlorination system. Also, be sure to shower with soap and water immediately after exiting the pool; this will wash off any residual effects that may be on your body.

Kiddie Wellness: How Much Do You Know About Asthma?

babysugar — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:00:46 PDT

Before you panic, just breathe...and get the facts about asthma. Seven million US children currently suffer from this common chronic condition and that number is rising every day. As kids head back to the classroom, and lil athletes take to the field, test your knowledge by taking this quiz.

Take the Quiz

Study Shows Stressful Pregnancy Increases Asthma Risk

babysugar — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:00:33 PDT

Prenatal yoga has never sounded better. A new study by doctors at Boston's famed Brigham and Women's Hospital has discovered a link between stressful pregnancies and a child's risk of developing asthma. According to the research, a mama-to-be's stress level can influence the baby's immune system during the pregnancy, making the baby more likely to develop asthma after birth.

The study, which followed lower-income women from several major cities, found that umbilical cells of babies born to stressed moms had different reactions to stimulants than those of babies born to moms who found their pregnancies to be stress-free. Doctors say the next step is to develop programs to reduce the tension women feel throughout pregnancy, such as exercise programs, nutritional guidance, and birthing prep.

How did you handle stress during your pregnancy?

Don't Get Winded: Exercise Tips For Asthma Sufferers

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:00:19 PST

About half of FitSugar readers suffer from asthma, myself included, and it's great to hear that your condition doesn't stop you from working out. That said, there are ways you can make exercising safer and more pleasant, so check out my tips below.

Exercise during times of the day when your breathing is at its best. If you tend to wake up not being able to breathe, then a pre-work run may not be the best idea for you.
Don't forget the warm-up. Going right into a 10-mile bike ride may be too much for your lungs.
Avoid exercise that makes you out of breath.
Along the same lines, avoid extreme interval training, especially if you suffer from exercise-induced asthma. While moving at different paces is OK when it comes to your breathing, you don't want to move too fast so that you're huffing and puffing and taxing your respiratory system. Stick to consistent speeds, or if you like varying your speeds, just do so at a pace that your lungs can keep up with.
Always keep water nearby to stay hydrated. It's also good to sip in case you start to wheeze or feel a tickle in your throat.
Many people who suffer from asthma experience runny noses when exercising, so be sure to keep tissues on hand.

For other important tips

Do You Suffer From Asthma?

FitSugar — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:47:09 PST

I didn't always have asthma. When I went away to college and came back home for Thanksgiving, that's when my symptoms began. I sadly developed allergies to the kitties I grew up with, and it triggered my coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. It's pretty common to develop adult-onset allergies for a variety of reasons, and I guess I won the lottery when I developed both allergies and asthma. It's well-controlled with daily medicine, so I rarely notice symptoms, unless I have a cold or end up in a room filled with pet hair. What about you?

5 Causes for Coughing at Night

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:02:00 PDT

You feel fine all day, but something happens when you lie down. You end up with this irritating tickle in your throat or a nagging cough that only happens at night. It's been like this for weeks so what gives? According to Shape, here are five reasons you may be coughing:

Asthma: I know when most people think of asthma, they think of someone gasping for air. Although this can definitely be a symptom, most people with asthma more commonly experience a dry cough, so you may want to see your doctor to get tested, just to make sure.
Sinusitis: If it's not asthma, a chronic stuffy nose could be the culprit. When your sinuses are clogged with mucus, it can drip down the back of your throat (post nasal drip), and cause that annoying tickle. Allergies may be causing your sinusitis, so your doc may prescribe allergy meds or a nasal spray to help clear the way.

To see the other causes

Check your drugs: If you're taking certain meds such as ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, a dry cough could be a side effect. So ask your pharmacist if coughing could be caused by one of the medications you're on.
Acid reflux: If it's not asthma or sinusitis, another medical condition that could cause coughing at night is acid reflux disease. When you lie down, the acid in your stomach that causes indigestion and heartburn can also wash into your lungs. If you think this is the problem, try to eat a smaller dinner earlier in the evening, and elevate your head at least six inches when you sleep. If this doesn't help, there are OTC medications that can do wonders.
Iron Deficiency: Your cough may have something to do with your diet. If your body is low in iron, swelling and irritation in the back of your throat could be a symptom, which would make you cough. If this sounds familiar, an iron supplement may be all you need.

Source

Baby Bump: An Apple a Day Keeps the Asthma Away

LilSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:00:01 PST

What you eat prenatally, can pay off in your lil one's health even after she leaves the womb. Recent research suggests that moms-to-be who eat apples during pregnancy, have children with lower rates of asthma. Those who consumed more than four apples a week had children who were 37 percent less likely to have asthma.

Studies also found a specific food would reduce rates of eczema in babies too. To find out what it is, just

read more. Mothers who consume fish (more than once a week) during pregnancy may lower their child's risk of developing eczema. Too much of a good thing can be bad though, especially in the case of fish. Consuming high amounts of fish can boost mercury levels in a developing fetus so don't overdo it. Best practice is to focus on eating a diet wide in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and proteins - but now you may want to make sure that it includes a few apples and pieces of fish.

After Seven Years, 9/11 Causing Asthma

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:30:00 PDT

Today marks the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. The number of people who were affected that day is immeasurable, and people are continuing to feel the effects. As if the loss of loved ones isn't enough to bear, now a new a study released on Wednesday by the World Trade Center Health Registry estimates that 3,800 to 12,600 adults who were exposed to the World Trade Center disaster site have developed asthma. This condition was more prevalent among NYC residents who remained in the area on 9/11 or who returned two days after the attack, and was less prevalent among those who didn't return to the city until December.

The study is ongoing and residents, area workers, and rescue workers will be tracked for up to 20 years after the attack to determine the extent of the health issues caused by 9/11. For workers and volunteers who performed rescue, recovery, or cleanup work at ground zero, the deadline for filing for workers' health compensation has been moved to Sept. 11, 2010, in case new illnesses arise. The deadline is normally only two years. There's no doubt that many people hold heartbreaking memories of this day in their minds, but now they may also have health issues to act as constant reminders.

Source

Did You Eat Nuts While Pregnant?

babysugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:00:50 PDT

A new Dutch study found that pregnant women consuming any sort of nut product on a daily basis may be putting their unborn child at risk for developing asthma. Published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the study followed more than 4,000 pregnant women, tracked their eating habits, and the diets of the children from birth until age eight. Epidemiologist at Utrecht University, Saskia Willers said:

Children whose mothers ate as little as one peanut butter sandwich a day had a far higher risk of asthma. . . If you eat moderately, it is probably not a problem. It is only if you eat nuts or nut products on a daily basis.

Did you eat nuts when you were pregnant?
Source

Pregnancy Stress Could Cause Allergies and Asthma For Baby

FitSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:00:00 PDT

When I was growing up, my grandma always told me, "Worrying will make you sick," and according to new research, worrying can also make someone else sick. There seems to be a connection between a stressed-out mom, her growing baby, and the baby's developing immune system. It turns out that stress during pregnancy could make a fetus more susceptible to certain substances, which could potentially trigger asthma and allergies down the road.

Harvard Medical School tested this theory by taking blood samples from the umbilical cords of 373 infants. They measured the level of Immunoglobulin (IgE), a chemical found in the blood that's linked to allergies, and found higher levels of IgE in babies with stressed-out mothers. That means that those moms who were worried about money, relationships, or their jobs while pregnant could have influenced the baby's developing immune system.

Of course, more research needs to be done to test other factors besides stress that could affect a baby's risk for future asthma and allergies. It's definitely an interesting concept though and proves how important it is for a pregnant woman to be healthy and happy, both physically and emotionally.

Source