Recent Research May Help Asthma Sufferers Breathe Easier

Few health problems are as frightening -- and as potentially dangerous -- as respiratory disorders. Asthma sufferers report that the sensation of not being able to take a deep breath can be profoundly disconcerting. Over the course of the last several decades, the prevalence of one common respiratory disorder -- asthma -- has increased considerably.

Although the reasons behind the skyrocketing rate of asthma have not yet been fully explained, it is believed that the increase of manmade pollutants in the atmosphere may be a culprit. The problem is particularly serious in urban environments. Researchers estimate that as many as one in three inner-city dwellers may suffer from some form of asthma or a related respiratory disorder.

The seriousness of the growing asthma epidemic has focused a great deal of research attention on this problem in recent years. Today, we'll take a look at the results of several recent studies that have tackled this public health challenge.

New Study Urges More Aggressive Management for Asthma Patient

In the past, asthma was often regarded as a relatively minor health problem, and as such, many family physicians adopted a somewhat lax, self-directed approach to asthma care. However, based on a number of recent studies, public health advocates are strongly urging that physicians adopt a more stringent approach.

Based on a review of the recent research literature on the subject, a panel of experts from the National of Institutes of Health issued a number of revised treatment recommendations for asthma sufferers. The most significant recommendation was a broad suggestion that physicians and other medical personnel adopt a more proactive, management-oriented stance in the process of treating patients with asthma.

In addition to this primary recommendation, the panel urged that doctors focus more on treating co-morbid conditions that can make the health impact of asthma worse, such as obesity. They also urged more aggressive measures to ensure long-term consistency in medication compliance, even when no recent attacks have been observed.

Have Asthma? Your Job May Be Making It Worse

It's no secret that the environment has a lot to do with aggravating respiration problems in patients with asthma. But one recent large-scale study conducted by researchers at several prominent institutions in Europe proved that one's profession may play a greater role in determining asthma risk than previously thought.

The study analyzed health data from nearly 7000 individuals with asthma in 13 European countries. One of the main goals of the research was to identify high-risk occupations that were correlated with a high concentration of asthma and similar respiratory disorders.

Although some of the study's findings were unsurprising, others came as something of a shock. For example, nursing was found to present the highest level of occupational risk to asthma sufferers. Other high-risk occupations included woodworkers, printers, cleaners and caretakers, agriculture and forestry workers, and electrical processors.

Asthma Rates Skyrocket Among 9/11 Cleanup Crew

Adding to recent findings about the occupational and environmental risk factors that can aggravate asthma and other respiratory disorders are the results of a recent study that focused on the skyrocketing rate of asthma diagnoses among the workers who helped clean up the wreckage of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York.

Several recent studies have reported on the troubling rates of asthma and related respiratory disorders that have been found among 9/11 workers. The most staggering finding was that asthma occurred at a rate nearly 12 times higher among these workers than among the general population.

Out of the more than 25,000 workers who collaborated in the cleanup efforts, those who begin working at the sites soon after the attacks and continued on the project for a period of more than 90 days were found to be at greatest risk for developing asthma. The occupational roles that were associated with the highest risk included fire and rescue workers, medical workers, and police and military personnel. Researchers posited that this was because these workers stayed at the site longer than most other workers.

Talk with your doctor if you think your job or your environment may be contributing to your asthma. Check back each week for the health science news that matters to you!