Big Increase In Asthma Inhalers.

[10ClarionSt]

This has been reported today. A big increase in the number of people requiring Asthma inhalers. As a so-called baby boomer, this baffles me for reasons I've stated many times on here. Aren't we the lucky ones? Part of the ageing population? Never had it so good? We lived through massive pollution; coal fires, smog, heavy industry, passive smoking everywhere throughout childhood. I didn't know anyone who had Asthma. I'd never heard of it for years. Since those days we've had the clean air act; cat converters; unleaded fuel; massive reduction in heavy industry; greatly improved medical care and yet there is now an unprecedented demand for Asthma treatment. Todays generation are a bunch of weaklings running to the doctors for anti-biotics as soon as they get a sniffle. I suppose if you think you're ill, then you will be.

[woofgang]

I don’t think there is an unprecedented “demand” I think that children who had “croup” or were allowed to wheeze on are now treated, also inhalers are used for other things than to treat asthma. I had one prescribed a couple of years ago to deal with a cough so bad it made me fight for breath. I was dubious but the Gp told me it was a growing trend when the post viral cough is in the upper respiratory tract with a clear chest and no other symptoms. I am amazed that when you were a child, you knew no one with asthma....or perhaps you never noticed.

[gness]

If the link works....

You were lucky never to have know anyone with this horrid condition......to see them struggling for breath....I saw this throughout my childhood......and during my days working with children...

No....today's generation are not a bunch of weaklings.

[Sqad]

Clarion......you are quite correct....why is asthma on the increase and i cannot answer your question.
We know all about pollutuin, smoking etc, BUT we do know, but do not know why...STRESS plays a part in asthmatic attacks.
Maybe you comment about "weaklings" may has some weight.

[Mamyalynne]

I'm 63 and there were a few children in my class at school with Asthma, so likely more throughout the school.

My Mother had chest and breathing difficulties, a combination of mill work (no masks) and smoking no doubt - she had inhalers and a nebuliser.

My own offspring are quite hardy and I wouldn't call them weaklings, not often at the GP for anything.

[emmie]

many of these will be children. As i posted last week there are 40,000 related deaths to air pollution, if i can find the thread will post it.

[emmie]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1541762.html

[Jackdaw33]

I too am a baby boomer. I developed asthma at the age of 4 but as time went on the attacks became less frequent and stopped entirely when I was 14. I have been a heavy smoker for the past 50 years yet curiously I seem to have suffered no lasting damage. I suppose it's all in the genes.

[Prudie]

I don't think they are weaklings but do believe whether it's the amount of technology and waves we absorb, chemicals in food, maybe too much disinfecting or something else we're not aware of but as a child and 10 years teaching until the 90s children and adults with asthma and particularly cancer just was not heard of in the huge numbers you get today, never had nut allergies either.

[jno]

when I was young both the boy next door and the girl over the road has asthma; the latter died of it aged 15. Not in Britain, but it's not some recent invention.

[Sqad]

Jackdaw........no! ..what the OP is saying is, the attack on pollution and the the increase in awareness of preventative medicine, instead of asthma DECREASING, it is actually INCREASING?
Why?
He is suggesting that antibiotics, anxiety states, "weaklings"(whatever that means) may well be a factor AND in my opinion, he may have something.

[Prudie]

I don't think anyone has said it is. I knew classmates with it but they were few and far between

[tamborine]

Am copd supposedly & use inhalers occasionally. Due to hay spores, instead of handling it I have big hay bales dropped into fields. Most farm workers suffer same but the animals dont?

[Jackdaw33]

There were no inhalers when I had asthma. The answer was ephedrine tablets. I don't think you can get them anymore. They were a stimulant, a bit like amphetamine. To negate the effects and aid sleep I was also given phenobarbitones and I know for a fact that they are now banned.

[melv16]

I used to think I was good in bed till I found out the wife had asthma :-)

[bednobs]

clarion, perhaps the increase in asthma s in the baby boomer age group - their pasts finally catching up with them?

[Sqad]

Jackdaw...I remember them well, they were called Amesec and were black and green capsules, containing aminophyilline,ephedrine and amylobarbitone. Inhalers, particularly of steroids came in in the early 60's.

[tamborine]

My lil sis is chronic asthmatic & was often at Brompton hos in a coma. Looking back, she was fine until starting school; when she recently revealed she was sex abused. I think stress is a factor.