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Inhalers ‘could make asthma worse for some children’

  • Youngsters with a certain gene could make condition worse by using the aid
  • Research was carried out at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School

By
Daily Mail Reporter


Published:

19:58 EST, 31 May 2014

|
Updated:

07:47 EST, 1 June 2014

Children with asthma may be using medicines that do not  work, and in some cases could increase their suffering, a new study has shown.

The inhaler, often the first line of treatment in asthma, could be less effective or may even make the condition worse for some children carrying a particular gene, according to research at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

Its chairman of paediatrics, Professor Somnath Mukhopadhyay, said: ‘Both asthma reliever and controller medicines may not work well in a proportion of children.

The inhaler could make the condition worse for those carrying a particular gene, researchers say

‘A simple test can identify those who might benefit from a switch to an alternative, more effective medicine.’

The news comes just weeks after it was revealed that exposing newborn babies to germs could help prevent asthma as they grow up.

According to the ‘hygiene hypothesis’, exposure to bacteria is necessary to prime the immune system early in life.

The findings bolstered the theory that modern obsession with hygiene and cleanliness has driven a boom in allergies and health problems.

Many scientists believe that modern society, with its mania for sanitation and easy access to antibiotics, makes children hypersensitive to harmless allergens.

 

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Comments (31)

what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

Kay4,

California, United States,

23 hours ago

Not sure if the UK has this but I live in the US and sometimes nebulizers are used with Albuterol solution for children and other asthma patients. I have one at home for when my asthma is bad and the inhaler is not working. The medicines here are expensive – I pay about $400 a month for my Serevent and Qvar medicines but the generic medicines are not much (Albuterol). If my asthma is really out of control I get the 6 day course of Prednisone pills (not expensive) but these should not be taken all the time because of all the side effects.

Tilly,

Burton, United Kingdom,

1 day ago

I think it’s awful that inhalers have to be paid for. I (like other asthmatics) have relied on my inhaler to save my life, and it has – several times. I think someone else has said this, but it’s disgusting that I have to pay for the life saving treatment of the disease I didn’t ask for when drug addicts can get their substitutes for free.

Journeywoman,

Abergele,

22 hours ago

Most people taking regular prescription drugs feel the same way so to be fair free prescriptions for all. Only then, the NHS goes bankrupt and you will then be paying a much greater price than prescriptions for care

Terry99,

Croydon,

1 day ago

I’m sure I heard about this last year.

Im,

Cambridge, United Kingdom,

1 day ago

There is also a hidden fact that in many cases the ‘generic’ Salbutamol inhaler is about as much use as a chocolate tea pot I insist on the real Ventolin, a fact that my doctor objected to but after a few years they save me the visit to the chemist across the road and stock it themselves!

Im,

Cambridge, United Kingdom,

1 day ago

I was diagnosed with Asthma at the age of 10 after suffering ‘chestiness’ for years. After going through to my 30s still suffering regular ‘attacks’ I starred taking Cod Liver Oil capsules, one a day. I haven’t had a full blown asthma attack since then and I am now in my 60s. I do still get reactions to my allergies but no where near as serious. My doctor refuses to believe that Cod Liver Oil has improved my life, I do!

Ysabel Ekaterin,

Sheffield,

1 day ago

At age 12 i was diagnosed with asthma and prescribed inhalers that didn’t really work; my mother was also diagnosed with adult asthma after years of chest problems. After taking family history DNA tests that included medical information, I learned that I did not have asthma. I had AAT deficiency, which is a hereditary genetic defect. AAT is produced by the liver and is vital for healthy lung function. Our lungs contain NE an enzyme that eats up old cells and bacteria, but AAT deactivates NE after its finished so it doesn’t scar the lungs. AAT deficiency presents as asthma/COPD/Pleurisy/other respiratory issues. In the UK prescriptions got £8 a go, so people can spend years wasting their money on medication that isn’t going to work. Asthma is an allergic over-reaction so if your asthma is periodic and set off by pollen, animal moult, dust mites, etc you have asthma. If your asthma seems random or constant you don’t. UK GPs/NHS seem years behind the US in knowing about AAT deficiency

Erec Shaw,

coventry, United Kingdom,

1 day ago

I’L TELL YOU ALL A LITTLE SECRET FOR FREE! It may sound unorthodox BUT as my best mate works in lab’s where they study medicines he once told me this and ive told many people over the years and it works, IF you have a wheezy chest and its tight or you have asthma you dont have an inhaler with you drink a hot drink (NOT cold) and if you cant get to a hot drink on the back of your “Back” where your shoulder blades are get someone to rub and scratch there close to where your lungs are there is muscles and nerves that will extract when you get them massaged! works everytime!

MISSY,

london, United Kingdom,

1 day ago

I’m gonna try this on my partner thanks x

John,

bromley, United Kingdom,

13 hours ago

We’ll if your mate works in a lab it must be true. I’ll write to the lancet and get them to report this ASAP

dotlink,

sheffield, United Kingdom,

1 day ago

asthma inhalers can get you hooked if you used it for years

Nini,

Fareham, United Kingdom,

1 day ago

What I want to know is why is Asthma medication not free like those for with other conditions?

John W. Burns,

Wide Open Spaces, United States,

1 day ago

Inhalers were a ‘life saver’ for me starting at about age 10 and until I finally outgrew the childhood asthma at about age 20. At 64 now, I still use one a couple times each spring when pollen is bad.

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