What Causes Chest Tightness with Asthma? Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which can lead to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. One of the most common symptoms of asthma is chest tightness, which can range from mild to severe in intensity. Chest tightness is a feeling of pressure or constriction…
What is Astegolimab? Side Effects, Benefits, and Uses. Astegolimab is a medication that is used to treat asthma. It is a monoclonal antibody, which means it is a type of protein that is designed to target a specific substance in the body. In the case of astegolimab, the substance it targets is a protein called interleukin-5 (IL-5), which is thought to play a role in the development of asthma. Asthma…
What is Tezepelumab? Side Effects, Benefits, and Uses. Tezepelumab is a medication that is used to treat asthma. It is a monoclonal antibody, which means it is a type of protein that is designed to target a specific substance in the body. In the case of tezepelumab, the substance it targets is a protein called thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), which is thought to play a role in the development of…
Can a Respiratory Therapist Reduce My Asthma Flare-ups? Up to 15% of adults experience ongoing Asthma or COPD flare-ups.1 To deal with this issue, many prefer to augment regular medication use with the help of a respiratory therapist; yet only one out of five people have said they know how to access respiratory therapy. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by…
What is Albuterol Made Of? Albuterol, also known as salbutamol, is a bronchodilator that helps relax the muscles in the airways, making it easier to breathe. The active ingredient in albuterol is albuterol sulfate, a synthetic beta2-adrenergic agonist. In addition to the active ingredient, albuterol inhalers typically contain several inactive ingredients, such as propellants (like hydrofluoroalkane), preservatives (like benzalkonium chloride), and buffering agents (like sodium chloride and sulfuric acid) to…
New wearable monitoring technology could get ahead of hospital admissions by predicting respiratory flare-ups. Giovanni Ferrara holds the ADAMM-RSM wearable monitoring device his team is testing with Alberta patients to find out whether it can help them manage their chronic respiratory conditions and possibly avoid emergency room visits. A new University of Alberta feasibility study involving 40 patients could help those dealing with long-term chronic respiratory issues by using new…
By David Godkin TORONTO – What do ER doctors want most for their patients? Never to return to the ER, said Giovanni Ferrara, a professor at Edmonton’s University of Alberta Hospital's Division of Pulmonary Medicine. Ferrara is heading a feasibility project to see if a wearable device developed by Rochester, N.Y.-based Heath Care Originals Inc. can predict with scientific certainty when the condition of a patient with lung disease is worsening…
Increased stiffness causes airway smooth muscle cells to constrict without inflammation A new study finds that manipulating the stiffness of the collagen-based support structure of airway cells could lead to a new treatment for asthma. The study is published ahead of print in the Journal of Applied Physiology. It was chosen as an APSselect article for June. Asthma is a respiratory condition that affects more than 300 million people across the globe. People with…
According to in-depth research, second hand cigarette smoke has significant implications for childhood asthma: "This is a comprehensive review about the role of direct and second hand cigarette smoke exposure in the development of childhood asthma. Smoking, both during pregnancy and postnatal have an adverse impact on the infant’s chances of developing respiratory illness. Second hand smoke exposure has also known to cause worsening of childhood asthma with an impact…
