Tag: asthma
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LungGames Unveils Sparky: A Breathing-Exercise Game for Preschoolers
Introducing Sparky: A New Way to Teach Breathing Through Play LungGames, a pioneering developer in breathing-powered interactive gaming, announces Sparky™, a video game designed to teach breathing exercises to preschool and young children. The game couples engaging gameplay with portable spirometry to help children learn proper breath control while providing clinicians and parents with a…
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Best Treatment for a Teen Hacking Cough: When to See a GP
Understanding a teen’s hacking cough: viral vs. bacterial For most teens, a stubborn cough after a respiratory infection is viral in origin. Antibiotics don’t target viruses, and using them when they’re not needed can do more harm than good by disturbing healthy bacteria in the gut and contributing to antibiotic resistance. A clinician will consider…
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Best Treatment for a Teen with a Hacking Cough: When to Treat at Home and When to See a Doctor
Understanding the Basics: Viral vs. Bacterial Coughs in Teens When a teenager develops a hacking cough, distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections helps guide treatment. Antibiotics target bacteria, not viruses, so most coughs in teens are viral and self-resolve with time and supportive care. Misusing antibiotics not only fails to help but can disrupt healthy…
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Dr Phil Kieran on Teen Coughs: The Best Approach for a Hacking Cough
Understanding the cough: viral versus bacterial When your teenager develops a hacking cough, it’s natural to wonder what the best treatment is. Dr. Phil Kieran emphasizes a practical starting point: trust your instincts. If you believe your child is significantly unwell and may need a doctor’s intervention, you are probably right. If you feel they…
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Understanding food challenge risks in asthmatic children: Safer OFCs through better screening
Overview: Why pediatric oral food challenges matter Oral food challenges (OFCs) are the gold standard in diagnosing and reassessing food allergies in children. When carefully conducted in a controlled hospital setting, OFCs help clinicians determine whether a child has outgrown an allergy or may tolerate a food with reduced risk. A recent study published in…
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Understanding OFC risks in asthmatic children: Safer testing through better screening
Overview: Why oral food challenges (OFCs) matter for children Oral food challenges are a critical tool in pediatric allergy care. They help determine whether a child has outgrown a food allergy or still reacts to a specific antigen. While generally safe when conducted in a controlled hospital setting, OFCs carry a small risk of allergic…
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Understanding food challenge risks in asthmatic children
Understanding the risk factors of oral food challenges in asthmatic children Oral food challenges (OFCs) are a cornerstone of diagnosing and managing pediatric food allergies. A recent retrospective study published in Nutrients analyzes 205 OFCs performed in a single pediatric center to understand which preexisting conditions raise the likelihood of a reaction during testing. The…
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Prepare Now for Thunderstorm Asthma Season in South-Eastern Australia
Thunderstorm asthma season is here: what you need to know South-eastern Australia faces its high-risk period for thunderstorm asthma as grass pollen peaks in November. Thunderstorm events can rupture pollen grains into tiny sub-pollen particles (SPPs) that travel on storm winds and are easily inhaled at ground level. For people with asthma or hay fever,…
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Thunderstorm Asthma Season: Protecting Asthma Sufferers
Understanding thunderstorm asthma and who is at risk South-eastern Australia faces a trusted health challenge every year as the grass pollen peak coincides with storm season. Thunderstorm asthma occurs when rain and humidity cause pollen grains to rupture into tiny sub-pollen particles, which are then driven to ground level by storm winds. These particles can…
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Thunderstorm Asthma Season: Prepare Now
Understanding thunderstorm asthma season South-eastern Australia faces a critical period each year when thunderstorms coincide with high pollen counts. Thunderstorm asthma can rapidly worsen symptoms for people with asthma and hay fever, especially when grass pollen peaks in November. During storms, rain and moisture cause pollen grains to absorb water and rupture into tiny sub-pollen…