- Email: [email protected]
Asthma in Pregnancy Resources
The risks to both mother and baby associated with poorly controlled asthma are far greater than the risks of taking asthma medications as prescribed
help determine how the herbal agent and the antidepressant fit in the overall management of the disorder. Men and women age 18 to 85 who meet diagnostic criteria for minor depression are eligible to participate. They must have experienced depressive symptoms for at least six months but less than two years continuously without meeting criteria for a major depressive episode or dysthymia within the past year. Additional exclusionary criteria include other mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety and substance use disorders. Individuals with some active physical illnesses, such as cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, endocrine, neurological or blood diseases, also are not eligible for the study. Minor depression affects about 7.5 percent of Americans during their lifetime. Although there is broad knowledge about the scope of suffering and disability due to major depressive disorder, less is known about the day-to-day struggles faced by people with minor depression. Its symptoms are the same as those of major depression, though fewer in number and causing less impairment. They include either a depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day or a markedly diminished interest or pleasure in daily activities, plus two to four of the following symptoms: • Significant weight loss or gain, or decrease or increase in appetite • Disturbance in sleep pattern • Noticeable agitation or slowness • Fatigue or loss of energy • Inappropriate feelings of worthlessness or guilt • Diminished ability to concentrate, indecisiveness • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide Symptoms must last at least six months but less than two years continuously for diagnosis. Trials are being conducted in • Boston, at Massachusetts General Hospital • Los Angeles, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center • Pittsburgh, at the University of Pittsburgh For more information, contact www.Clinical Trials.gov.
262
AWHONN Lifelines
Asthma in Pregnancy Resources
A
llergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) has developed an informative booklet to help expectant mothers face the challenges of pregnancy with asthma. “Breathing for Two: A Guide to Asthma During Pregnancy” provides practical answers to critical questions about subjects such as how asthma affects pregnancy, how pregnancy affects asthma, and how asthma medications affect the unborn child. The 16page guide
addresses common concerns about exercise, flu shots, labor and delivery, and breastfeeding. It also focuses on the importance of maintaining good lung function and asthma control throughout the pregnancy and advises about treatment options, myths and consequences of nontreatment. For instance, many expectant mothers steer clear of all asthma or allergy medications, fearing harm may come to their unborn child. However, the risks to both mother and baby associated with poorly controlled asthma are far greater than the risks of taking asthma medications as prescribed. Free copies are available on the Web at http://www.breatherville.org/ or by calling AANMA at (800) 878-4403. A Spanish-language version is also available. According to the Asthma in America survey, the rate for asthmarelated emergency room visits was almost twice as high for Hispanics (35 percent) as for Caucasians (18 percent).
Volume 7
Issue 3
help determine how the herbal agent and the antidepressant fit in the overall management of the disorder. Men and women age 18 to 85 who meet diagnostic criteria for minor depression are eligible to participate. They must have experienced depressive symptoms for at least six months but less than two years continuously without meeting criteria for a major depressive episode or dysthymia within the past year. Additional exclusionary criteria include other mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety and substance use disorders. Individuals with some active physical illnesses, such as cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, endocrine, neurological or blood diseases, also are not eligible for the study. Minor depression affects about 7.5 percent of Americans during their lifetime. Although there is broad knowledge about the scope of suffering and disability due to major depressive disorder, less is known about the day-to-day struggles faced by people with minor depression. Its symptoms are the same as those of major depression, though fewer in number and causing less impairment. They include either a depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day or a markedly diminished interest or pleasure in daily activities, plus two to four of the following symptoms: • Significant weight loss or gain, or decrease or increase in appetite • Disturbance in sleep pattern • Noticeable agitation or slowness • Fatigue or loss of energy • Inappropriate feelings of worthlessness or guilt • Diminished ability to concentrate, indecisiveness • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide Symptoms must last at least six months but less than two years continuously for diagnosis. Trials are being conducted in • Boston, at Massachusetts General Hospital • Los Angeles, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center • Pittsburgh, at the University of Pittsburgh For more information, contact www.Clinical Trials.gov.
262
AWHONN Lifelines
Asthma in Pregnancy Resources
A
llergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) has developed an informative booklet to help expectant mothers face the challenges of pregnancy with asthma. “Breathing for Two: A Guide to Asthma During Pregnancy” provides practical answers to critical questions about subjects such as how asthma affects pregnancy, how pregnancy affects asthma, and how asthma medications affect the unborn child. The 16page guide
addresses common concerns about exercise, flu shots, labor and delivery, and breastfeeding. It also focuses on the importance of maintaining good lung function and asthma control throughout the pregnancy and advises about treatment options, myths and consequences of nontreatment. For instance, many expectant mothers steer clear of all asthma or allergy medications, fearing harm may come to their unborn child. However, the risks to both mother and baby associated with poorly controlled asthma are far greater than the risks of taking asthma medications as prescribed. Free copies are available on the Web at http://www.breatherville.org/ or by calling AANMA at (800) 878-4403. A Spanish-language version is also available. According to the Asthma in America survey, the rate for asthmarelated emergency room visits was almost twice as high for Hispanics (35 percent) as for Caucasians (18 percent).
Volume 7
Issue 3