Aspirin every other day will reduce Asthma risk by 10% in women, according to a research study published in the British Journal “Thorax”. American Scientists conducted extensive research study on 40,000 American female healthcare professionals (age>45) over 10 years. Previous studies on male doctors indicated that Aspirin reduces Asthma risk by 22% in men. But Aspirin worsens Asthma symptoms in 5% of cases. So, you should not take Aspirin without consulting physician. Aspirin (100 mg tablets) reduces the Asthma risk in women except in obese. It decreases risk irrespective of age, physical stamina, habits like smoking and menopause status. Asthma is a chronic airways disease characterised by narrowing of airways. Due to increase in air pollution, Asthma cases rapidly increasing in industrialised areas. Due to advancement in treatment options, Asthmatics can now lead normal life. Asthma statistics: More than 300 million people are suffering from Asthma, according to World Health Organisation data. 0.3 Million Asthmatics died in the last year alone. According to another study published in “The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine”, Aspirin reduces heart attack risk by 44% and Asthma risk by 22%. Aspirin induced Asthma: In 3-5% of people, Asthma develops within 3-5 hours after taking Aspirin. Along with Asthma, Rhinitis and facial flushing may be seen in these patients. … [Read more...]
Pregnant Smokers May Suffer Depression
10-12% of pregnant women are smokers and many pregnant smokers may suffer from depression. Smoking in pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth-weight babies, death from SIDS and learning behaviour disorders. 20% of American adults (45 million) smoke. 30% of smokers had a mental health disorder indicating the role of psychological counselling in managing these pregnant smokers. Most of these women suffered from depression. Smokers were about 3 times as likely to have a mental health disorder as pregnant non-smokers. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarette smoke can act in the brain like weak antidepressants. Image courtesy: Quit smoking hub. According to a research study done by a Colombian University epidemiologist, 22% women smoked at some point during pregnancy and 12% of pregnant women are nicotine dependant. This research was done on 1,500 pregnant women in New York. Pregnant smokers were typically poor; less educated and had less access to health care. How to manage pregnant smokers? 1. “Quit for your baby” is the motivational message for every pregnant smoking woman. 2. There should be more mental health screenings in the prenatal checkups. 3. Poor inner-city women are high risk group. 50% of these women suffer from depression. 4. Intensive psychological therapy is needed to make them to quit smoking. 5. Antidepressants are generally used in severe cases of depression. 6. Nicotine patches have no proven role in treating this depression. Enter Texas' Project Baby Steps. More than 250 pregnant smokers are testing whether a form of cognitive therapy for depression helps them kick the habit better than anti-smoking counselling alone. … [Read more...]
