Article Abstract:
Children with asthma who are closely monitored may perform well academically despite their illness. More than 5% of US children suffer from asthma and many miss a significant amount of time from school. Among 255 Iowan school-age children with asthma who took a standardized scholastic achievement test, the average scores in reading, mathematics and a composite, standardized measurement of achievement (T-score) were similar to the overall standards for Iowa and above the national average. The average composite T-score of 101 children was slightly higher than that of a non-asthmatic sibling. Eight-five children who were compared to a non-asthmatic sibling were being treated with drugs for asthma. Seventy-two of these were being treated with theophylline, which is considered to affect academic performance negatively. The average composite T-score of children treated with theophylline was approximately the same as that of their non-asthmatic sibling.
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Article Abstract:
Theophylline may still be effective in the treatment of chronic asthma despite the fact that newer drugs have supplanted it. Theophylline is considered a bronchodilator but it also has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant properties. It does not appear to be very useful in treating acute asthma attacks if the patient responds well to beta-agonists and corticosteroids. However, theophylline can be very useful as a daily medication to manage chronic symptoms, especially in young children. This is because theophylline is produced in tablet and capsule form and can be taken by mouth. Young children may have difficultly using a nebulizer or inhaler every day. The dose should be started at approximately 10 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day and adjusted to maintain blood levels of 10 to 15 micrograms per milliliter. Theophylline can be toxic above these levels, although serious toxicity occurs only rarely.
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Article Abstract:
The drug montelukast appears to be beneficial in preventing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma patients. Montelukast inhibits leukotriene, a naturally occurring chemical involved in inflammation. Researchers randomly assigned 110 asthma patients with a history of exercise-induced asthma to take montelukast or placebo once a day for 12 weeks. Compared to placebo, montelukast reduced exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and lung function did not worsen when the drug was stopped.
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