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Archive for March, 2008
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An Asthma Mom at the Audubon Zoo
The first time I ever visited New Orleans, I went to the Audubon Zoo. I was ten years-old, and even then I remember feeling awfully impressed at the huge, lush grounds filled with animals and sculpture. Part of the city’s Audubon Nature Institute, the zoo is almost a century old but one of the most [...] -
Back Home
I’m finally unpacked and caught up on both sleep and laundry from my weekend in New Orleans, so now I’m catching up on the computer. In the spirit of true free time, I left my laptop home for the entire weekend and while I’m paying for it today, the break was totally worth it. But [...] -
Saturday Links: Singulair and Suicide, Smoking
If you’re a Blog of Inferior Breathing regular, you know I never post on Sundays but this weekend, I won’t be around in the comments, either. I’m in New Orleans, one my favorite cities ever, and that’s why you see only two links today. I’ll be back Monday morning afternoon, tired and carrying a few [...] -
Friday List: Asthma Quotes From Pop Culture
1. Gilmore Girls, Episode: Keg! Max! (Season 3) Argument over a new band name: Zack: Follow Them to the Edge of the Desert is memorable and classy. Brian: I run out of breath every time I say it. Zack: You’ve got asthma, dude. You run out of breath saying your name. Dave: Yeah, Brian, we can’t work our name around [...] -
Asthma Mom’s Glossary of Symptom Terms
Bronchospasm – smooth muscle contractions/tightening around the bronchioles (airways), narrowing them and restricting airflow. Bronchospasms are part of an asthma flare. Cyanosis – blue-tinted skin, starting around the mouth and resulting from lack of oxygen in the blood. Usually starts to occur when oxygen saturation in the blood drops below 90% but may not be noticeable [...] -
Weird Health Wednesdays: Grow Your Own Limbs & Organs
The Power to Regrow Body Parts Yes, regrow the way lizards can with their tails. And actual body parts from your actual human body. CBS reports on several fronts of regenerative medicine, and you have to read the story to believe it. The article opens with Lee Spievack, who regrew the tip of his finger in [...] -
Seeking Nasal Wash Tips for Children
If you need help, you’re supposed to ask for it. I struggle with this daily, and I’m far from unique. Too many people simply hate asking for help and more specifically, I think Americans like me have it in our natures to value self-reliance above all else. And while I’m sure a therapist—given enough of her [...] -
Asthma Mom’s Glossary of Lung Terms
Unless you’re new to this blog, you know my basic asthma story: 1. Terrified girl has unplanned pregnancy at 22, becomes mother at 23. 2. Girl’s baby starts flaring at 10 months. 3. Baby misdiagnosed for next 14 months but diagnosed with asthma at age two. 4. Baby flares severely for several years. 5. Baby-turned-little-girl finally [...] -
Saturday Links: Asthma Research, Diesel Pollution, Antibiotics, Singulair
Bronchial Thermoplasty Still Looks Good, Five Years On At the AAAAI annual meeting, researchers presented results showing none of their 5-year study participants required hospitalization while receiving bronchial thermoplasty treatments. Plus, researchers recorded only 5 ER visits during those years. Bronchial thermoplasty involves using radio waves to burn off smooth muscle fiber in the bronchioles, limiting bronchospasms [...] -
The Friday List: Natural Easter Eggs
(Photo: Geri-Jean Blanchard) While driving the other day, I heard this is the earliest Easter in 95 years. Yeah, that sounds about right. Since it just doesn’t feel like Easter this early, I’m seriously considering a picnic and kites at the beach instead of the usual ham-centered brunch. Of course, the girls can’t wait for the mess and [...]
