Smokers with asthma: Just Quit!
If you are a smoker with asthma, smoking cessation is better than prednisone
The results of a unique new study done in Glasgow measured improvements in asthma control in adult smokers who decided to quit smoking. Lung function (FEV1) improved by an average of 15% and up to 36% in the ten patients with asthma who quit smoking. These improvements began within a week after smoking cessation and lasted throughout the 8 weeks of the study. This was a much larger improvement than after a 2 week "burst" of prednisone (40mg per day). [see the abstract Chaudhuri R in Am J Respir CCM April 2006]
Previous studies had already shown that 25-50% of adults with asthma are current smokers, and that these people have more severe asthma symptoms, higher rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma, more rapid loss of lung function over several years, and respond less well to inhaled corticosteroids (like Flovent, QVAR, and Pulmicort).
This report should prompt smokers with asthma to decide to quit. They will need less asthma medication to achieve better control of their asthma. Some smokers can quit "cold turkey" but others need help from counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, or bupropion (Zyban). This summer, Chantix (varenicline pills) will become available in the United States. Chantix eliminates nicotine cravings, helping about half of smokers to quit successfully. See my recent blog about Chantix.
Related Topics: FDA OKs New Quit-Smoking Drug, Quitting Smoking to Help Your Asthma
Technorati Tags: asthma, smoking, smoking cessation
The results of a unique new study done in Glasgow measured improvements in asthma control in adult smokers who decided to quit smoking. Lung function (FEV1) improved by an average of 15% and up to 36% in the ten patients with asthma who quit smoking. These improvements began within a week after smoking cessation and lasted throughout the 8 weeks of the study. This was a much larger improvement than after a 2 week "burst" of prednisone (40mg per day). [see the abstract Chaudhuri R in Am J Respir CCM April 2006]
Previous studies had already shown that 25-50% of adults with asthma are current smokers, and that these people have more severe asthma symptoms, higher rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma, more rapid loss of lung function over several years, and respond less well to inhaled corticosteroids (like Flovent, QVAR, and Pulmicort).
This report should prompt smokers with asthma to decide to quit. They will need less asthma medication to achieve better control of their asthma. Some smokers can quit "cold turkey" but others need help from counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, or bupropion (Zyban). This summer, Chantix (varenicline pills) will become available in the United States. Chantix eliminates nicotine cravings, helping about half of smokers to quit successfully. See my recent blog about Chantix.
Related Topics: FDA OKs New Quit-Smoking Drug, Quitting Smoking to Help Your Asthma
Technorati Tags: asthma, smoking, smoking cessation
11 Comments:
I'm a former smoker, (7 years smokefree), with asthma living with a smoker. My daughter goes outside but I can still smell it on her clothes. Thanks for the blog. I appreciate your thoughts.
So any news on when Chantix is coming out then? I thought it was this summer. And how is it, or Xyban, or any such, different from Prozac? Take care.
~el.
Hello,
I recently had a positive TB skin test. I am 31 years old, I had the BCG vaccine when I was 5. Is my positive TB skin test due to the BCG vaccine? Any input would be highly appreciated.
Thanks
I use combitide sun disks when i feel real uncomfortable, is it safe to use it and I am on my way to quit smoking soon. Please advice doctor
Wow! I'll quit smoking right away!
What an asinine title for the post.
Thanks for the info. I do think the title is likely to perhaps alienate some of it's target audience, despite its attention grabbing status.
If you get a moment, please check out www.learnaboutasthma.org
have you ever done studies on the effects of the scented candle on breating? I find that I am allergic to nearly all of them and my lungs just shut down. In a store where I used to shop I cannot go down the candle aisle. If one is burning I have an instant asthma attack-worse even than tobacco smoke. I hate the candles almost worse that the cigarete smoke-they are both really bad.
I am on e day 2 of chantix and I can tell you this is the miracle pill!!!! I have smoked for 21 years and I have tried everything, patches, gum, cold turkey. I couldn't do it. My mind would go crazy. I took care of my mother who was my best friend in the whole world while she lay dying of lung cancer and I still could not stop because my mind ould not let me. Chantix is making it happen. I know it is only day 2 but I have already noticed that I just don't think about it anymore. I "forget" to smoke. And I really don't have any bad side effects except for bad gas pains which I can take meds for that. I suggest to anyone who wants to quit that just can't because their mind addiction is stronger than you will power, USE CHANTIX. I cannot wait for the day that I am smoke free!!! It is something that I have wanted for years and now I feel that it is within reach.
I was a smoker for about 6 years and also take Qvar because I cannot afford Advair and name brand prescriptions. I have been on Chantix now for about a month and have quit completely. They say that you should take Chantix for a week or so before quitting but within 4 days I quit. I have tried quitting about 5 times before and I get extremely moody and just mad at the world. With Chantix I have had no problem. It was the best decision I ever made, I breath much better and would now consider myself a mild asthmatic as before I would have considered myself as a severe asthmatic. I would highly recommend doing it and sticking with it!
I took Chantix a year ago for just two weeks, when I started feeling off balance and suddenly had numbness on left side of face from eyes to below my mouth. Now I have paralysis and trouble speaking. Did the med cause me to have a small stroke? I told my doctor immediately at that time. I hope it is banned.
Has anyone had the left side of their face go numb after taking chantix? Please e-mail me at loretta.grace@yahoo.com
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