Asthma Health Home>>Asthma>>Health news Written by: QMI Agency Jun. 29, 2013 A child uses an inhaler. Image from Fotolia A genetic test might be able to predict whether children with asthma are likely to grow out of it by the time they become adults, new research says. The study, led by researchers from Duke University in North Carolina, was published Friday in the online issue of The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. The researchers say they looked at the results of a huge genetic study of asthma, drafted a profile of asthma risk genes and tested it against a leading asthma research database of individuals that have been followed from birth to their 30's. The team says individuals who had the highest genetic risk scores were the ones most likely to develop asthma, developed it earlier, and tended to have more severe asthma. Another important result from the study was that "the genetic risk profile was able to give more information about asthma risk than you could get from looking at family history of the disease," the researchers said. They emphasized that although the study shows it is possible to use a genetic risk profile to predict which children with asthma will … Continue reading →

Jennifer Estep has never been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. Yet, the 37-year-old mother of two has had her breasts and ovaries surgically removed. Estep, of Cooper City, is one of many women who have had preventive, or prophylactic, surgery after a test showed they carried a genetic mutation that significantly increased their risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Indeed, a study of 2,677 women in nine countries who tested positive for BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 gene mutations that significantly increase a womans risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer showed that many American women chose to have their breasts or ovaries removed once they learned they carried the genes. Genetic testing and the BRCA gene mutations were thrust into the spotlight after actress Angelina Jolie revealed in a May 14th op-ed column in The New York Times that she had a preventive double mastectomy because she carried the BRCA 1 mutation. Jolie, 38, like many other BRCA-positive women, has a family history of breast and ovarian cancer. Her mother died in 2007 of ovarian cancer and her aunt recently passed away from breast cancer. That genetic test made all the difference in the world for me, … Continue reading →

FRIDAY, June 28 (HealthDay News) -- People with more genetic risks for asthma are not only more likely to develop the disease in childhood, but also more likely to continue to have asthma into adulthood, according to a new study. Previous studies have linked several genes to increased asthma risk, so the researchers wanted to investigate the cumulative effect of those genes. For the study, they analyzed data from 880 people in New Zealand who have been followed since they were born in 1972 or 1973. Those with more genetic risks for asthma developed asthma earlier in life than those with fewer genetic risks. Among study participants who developed asthma in childhood, asthma that persisted into adulthood was more likely in those with more genetic risks. These patients also had more allergic reactions associated with severe and persistent asthma and developed lung function problems. Their quality of life also suffered because they missed work and school more often and were admitted to hospital more often due to asthma. The study appears June 28 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. "We've been able to look at how newly discovered genetic risks relate to the life course of asthma at an unprecedented level … Continue reading →

#39;Bebot' Villar: Stem cell therapy made me weaker MANILA, Philippines - A government official on Thursday said he is no believer in stem cell therapy after undergoing the procedure but getting zero health be... By: TheABSCBNNews … Continue reading →

By: Jet Villa, InterAksyon.com June 29, 2013 6:55 PM A scientist working on stem cells in a laboratory. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE InterAksyon.com The online news portal of TV5 MANILA, Philippines -- The Food and Drug Administration has asked hotels to guard against allowing stem cell therapy to be performed in their premises. FDA acting director Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go said hotels may be held liable for guests found performing or undergoing stem cell therapy in their rooms. Go pointed out that performing medical procedures like stem cell therapy in a non-health facility is illegal. Under Republic Act 9711 or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009, violators face a fine of up to P500,000 plus closure of the establishment and jail terms. In FDA Advisory 2013-012 issued May 15, the agency warned the pubic against "receiving unapproved stem cell preparations in non-health facilities." "Patients who might receive stem cell preparations and therapy without prior FDA-Department of Health approval run the risks of contracting infectious diseases and severe complications which may lead to permanent disabilities, physical deformities, serious iatrogenic harm, autoimmune diseases and worst death, and without the benefit of health insurance coverage," the advisory said. See the rest here: FDA urges … Continue reading →

By GENALYN D. KABILING Dont be fooled by stem cell therapy promising cure-for-all treatment in unauthorized facilities. Malacaang issued this warning to the public following reports of deaths arising from complications in alleged unsafe stem cell treatment. Dismayed at the false hope given by unscrupulous medical practitioners to patients, Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte reminded the public to instead seek proper treatment in hospitals accredited by the Department of Health (DoH). According to the DoH, stem cell treatment is geared toward for a certain purpose. Any offer for cure-all treatment is fake. There is no treatment that will cure all of your ills, she said in Filipino during a Palace press briefing. Valte warned the public against the treatment that uses animal or plant-based stem cells which is prohibited in the country. The autologous treatment, which harvests stem cells from the patients own system, on the other hand, must still have clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. To protect the lives of Filipino patients, Valte said the health department will soon issue an administrative order imposing tighter regulations on stem cell treatment offered by hospitals. By August 31, hospitals must file their accreditation requirements so they can continue to … Continue reading →

By Rima Jessamine Granali Philippine Daily Inquirer Now she can literally walk a mile. Lawyer Charito Planas, 83, used to have a hard time getting up. But she can now walk without pain, thanks to stem cell therapy that cost her only five figures. While hospitals here and abroad charge millions for the treatment, a wellness center in Tagaytay offers the service 10 times cheaper, Planas said. The cane I used to walk with is just an accessory now, for I walk freely, without pain, without limping, said Planas, a political and human rights activist who sought refuge in the United States during the Marcos martial law administration. My heavily grey hair has now regained its ebony shade; my skinboth body and facial skinhas regained a youthful, shining glow; and my wrinkles are slowly fading away, she added. Planas underwent six sessions of stem cell therapy from March to April at Green and Young Health and Wellness Center, owned by Dr. Antonia Carandang Park. VIP patients Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reportedly visited the Filipino physician a day after she was released from detention at Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City after posting a P1-million bail in July last … Continue reading →

MANILA -- A Visayan lawmaker sought a congressional inquiry Saturday parallel to the investigation conducted by medical groups on the stem cell treatments done in the country. Malacaang earlier warned the public against stem cell therapy following the recent incident involving a lawmaker who undergone the treatment but has experienced other health problems. Western Samar Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento sought for the inquiry following the deaths of two lawmakers which are linked to complications brought by the treatment. The late Bohol Representative Erico Aumentado and Pedro Romualdo of Camiguin supposedly died after undergoing the stem cell treatment overseas "I will definitely ask for a congressional inquiry, parallel to any other investigations by government agencies and independent medical groups. This concerns public safety. I am also concerned about reports of stem cell treatments being done in the country," Sarmiento said. It was reported that the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and the Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine (PSSCM) is conducting an investigation as to the circumstances of the death of three politicians who went to Germany for the treatment. Dr. Leo Olarte, PMA's president and PSSCM's spokesperson refused to name the politicians pending the result of the investigation. The PMA and … Continue reading →