Tag: asthma
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Halifax Announces New Lung Wellness Clinic to Cut Breathing Test Waitlists
New Halifa x Clinic Aims to Shorten Breathing Test Wait Times A new lung wellness clinic is opening in Halifax at the end of November with a clear mission: reduce the long waitlists for breathing tests that have affected patients across Nova Scotia. The clinic will focus on comprehensive respiratory evaluations, including pulmonary function testing,…
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Drying Salton Sea Threatens Lungs: New Research Highlights Child-Specific Risks
Overview: Dust, Dust, and More Dust As California’s Salton Sea shrinks, its exposed lakebed stirs up chemical-laden dust that can be inhaled by nearby residents. New peer-reviewed findings from researchers at the University of California illuminate how this environmental shift may be impacting lung health, particularly among children who live in communities around the drying…
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Expectant Mothers Miss Specialist Allergy Care: Why It Matters
Why specialist allergy care matters for pregnant women Many expectant mothers experience allergies, asthma, or adverse reactions to medications. When these conditions are not monitored by specialists, they can complicate pregnancy and potentially affect outcomes for both mother and baby. New research presented at major allergy and obstetrics conferences underscores the importance of integrating allergy…
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Expectant Mothers Miss Specialist Allergy Care More Than They Realize
Overview: The Gap in Specialist Allergy Care for Expectant Mothers Pregnancy is a time of heightened vigilance for maternal and fetal health. For many expectant mothers, allergies, asthma, or medication reactions can complicate the journey. Yet a significant number do not receive timely consultation with an obstetric or allergist specialist who can tailor care to…
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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…