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RSV is linked to childhood asthma – but we can’t yet say one causes the other

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As winter approaches in Australia, respiratory viruses are in all places. One of the important culprits is the RSV virus, which has caused over 145,000 infections across the country this yr. Most of them are amongst children under five.

RSV is the leading reason for bronchiolitis and pneumonia (each chest infections) in young children. Every yr no less than one in 200 children children under five are hospitalized with RSV in Australia. Babies lower than six monthsand particularly children under three months of age, are most in danger.

The RSV virus infects respiratory tract and lungswhich causes the mucus in the respiratory tract to turn into very sticky. Young children may experience coughing, wheezing, difficulty respiratory and feeding problems.

Studies indicate that severe RSV infection in infancy can also increase the risk children with asthma. So what evidence is there linking RSV to asthma? And why might this link exist?

Relationship or cause-and-effect relationship?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects: 11% Australians. People with asthma often have difficulty respiratory, coughing, and wheezing. This happens because their airways turn into temporarily narrower, often due to triggers (for instance, viral infections, dust, or pollen). Asthma often begins as wheezing in preschool. But for some people, it begins in maturity.

When we speak about RSV and asthma, it is essential to consider the differences between association and causation. An association occurs when two events often occur together (for instance, smoking and drinking coffee), while a causal relationship occurs when we know that one may cause the other (for instance, smoking and lung cancer). While the association between RSV and asthma is well-established, a causal relationship it has not been proven yet.

To prove a causal relationship, certain criteria should be met. These include a temporal relationship (on this case, RSV infection must occur before asthma) and a plausible explanation (a biological mechanism).

Infants are at biggest risk of RSV infection.
Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

Some evidence suggests that RSV infections change the developing cells in the airways of infants and young children. This could mean that the protective or barrier function of the lining of the airways is altered, predisposing a toddler to turn into sensitized to allergens — when their immune system makes antibodies to something they encounter, similar to grass or dust.

Allergen sensitization is a major risk factor for asthma, so severe RSV infection may contribute to the development of asthma through sensitization to common environmental allergens. This is a possible biological mechanism, but we still need more research to confirm this.

Several studies show an association between severe RSV infection and recurrent wheezing and asthma in later childhood.

But what comes first? one studyChildren under 12 months of age who developed RSV bronchiolitis were followed for six years. Almost half (48%) were diagnosed with asthma before their seventh birthday.

Similarly in one other testChildren hospitalized for RSV infection before the age of two were more likely to develop asthma by the age of 18 than those that weren’t hospitalized.

However, the researchers who conducted twin study concluded that the data were more likely to indicate reverse causation. That is, children with a predisposition to asthma were more likely to develop RSV requiring hospitalization.

Father helps smiling boy breathe through nebulizer.
Asthma often begins in preschool age.
Kleber Cordeiro/Shutterstock

We could also be closer to the answer

The pendulum could also be swinging towards causality. Recent findings from South Africa Birth Cohort Study showed that severe RSV infections were related to each recurrent wheezing and subsequent impairment of lung function.

Some prior examination Studies conducted by this group showed that hospitalization for any respiratory infection, and particularly for RSV, was related to recurrent respiratory infections and wheezing. Recurrent wheezing and decreased lung function are predictors of future asthma.

Other last examination Studies of greater than 1,700 children in the United States have shown that avoiding RSV infection in infancy can prevent up to 15% of childhood asthma cases.

Recently, the possibility of vaccinating moms and using monoclonal antibodies to prevent RSV infection has emerged, which is able to probably help answer this query once and for all.

Earlier this yr, nirsewimab (a long-acting monoclonal antibody) became available for infants and young children through state programs in Western Australia, Queensland AND New South Wales. Nirsevimab works barely in another way than the vaccine, but is similarly administered as an injection.

In addition, the RSV vaccine Abrysvo was licensed in Australia this yr to be used while pregnant to protect the baby after birth. It is available to pregnant women to buy privately on prescription from a health care provider, while South Australia recently announced it is going to provide Abrysvo free to pregnant women next yr.

With these measures, hopefully we will see a discount in RSV at a population level in the coming years. If we see a discount in asthma at the same time, this will likely finally answer the query of causality.

A nurse talks to a pregnant woman.
A vaccine against the RSV virus has already been registered for pregnant women.
MilanMarkovic78/Shutterstock

Protecting children and communities

Although it is still not known whether RSV causes asthma, RSV and other viral infections will be especially problematic for individuals who have already got asthma. In each cases adults in children with asthma, respiratory diseases of viral origin can have a more severe course and cause an exacerbation asthma symptoms.

RSV It is spread through coughing, sneezing, and shut contact. There are many other viruses that spread in similar ways. Parents will help keep their children and others healthy by encouraging children to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing and to wash their hands recurrently.

Ensuring that children don’t go to school, daycare, or other children once they are sick helps prevent the spread of many viruses, including RSV. Finally, staying up to date on vaccinations and getting a flu shot yearly could make an enormous difference in our health and the health of those around us.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Tyler Lepley and Miracle Watts are engaged!

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Getty

One of the web’s hottest couples, Miracle Watts and Tyler Lepley, 37, are about to begin planning their wedding. Watts shared her engagement photo on Instagram, and the post has since gained nearly half one million likes.

The actress and social media personality captioned the photo with an engagement ring. The photo shows a white heart-shaped garland of flowers with the words “Will you marry me” in the center. Lepley smiled as he knelt on one knee, holding his future wife’s ring finger. The stars wore all black of their engagement photo and looked dazzling and joyful.

This engagement may come as a surprise to some fans, considering Miracle recently gained popularity after asking a matter about how long it should take a person to marry a girl during Q&A on her YouTube canal.

“I have a question. Do you think it is disrespectful for a man not to marry a woman after being with her for a certain number of years if they both agree to it? marriage is something they need?” she asked in a YouTube video.

Answering her own query, Watts replied, “Yes. I do. Yes, and we’re getting near that time… Better get your act together.

Lepley told a social media commenter on the time that the engagement was “closer than you think” and lower than six months later he popped the query. The actor has actually pulled himself together and is doing all the things in his power to make the matter official.

The engaged couple met on the set of P-Valley in 2021 and since then they’ve been like two cents in a pod. Over the years, we have seen them share glimpses of their love, whether it was Tyler washing Miracle’s braids, vacationing in Bermuda, or popping up at a club.

They now even have a tangible piece of their love; the couple gave birth to their first child together, a boy named Xi Leì Lepley, in October 2022.

The actor also has two children, Leo and Jade, together with his ex April King.

Congratulations to the couple and we will not wait to see their story unfold live!

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Indigenous people are 4 times more likely to die from diabetes. We need to better understand how exercise can help

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It is estimated that just about 1.9 million Australians suffer from diabetes, and the variety of these people is increasing. In the years 2013–2023, the whole variety of people with diabetes in the whole country increased by 32%.

As within the case of a series health conditionsdiabetes disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Indigenous Australians are three times more likely diagnosed with diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians. Are 4.4 times more likely die from this.

Among other things, physical activity plays a very important role in stopping and treating type 2 diabetes. However, our latest study, published within the journal Medical Journal of Australiashows that we do not know enough concerning the role of physical activity in stopping and managing type 2 diabetes in First Nations people.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition wherein it occurs an excessive amount of glucose (sugar) within the blood. There are several types of diabetes, but probably the most common is type 2 diabetes. In people with type 2 diabetesthe body becomes resistant to the motion of insulin – a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.

Risk aspects for type 2 diabetes include a family history of diabetes, being obese and hypertension.

The high rate of diabetes in indigenous communities is essentially influenced by… social determinants of health. For example, we all know food insecurity disproportionately affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly in rural and distant communities. This can make it difficult to stick to a healthy food regimen, which in turn affects your overall health.

People in distant indigenous communities in addition they often have poorer access to education and employment opportunities, adequate housing and high-quality health care. All these aspects can contribute to worsening health.

First Nations communities do especially high stakes younger onset type 2 diabetes (often defined as diagnosis before the age of 40).

If diabetes shouldn’t be treated effectively, it can lead to numerous complicationsincluding long-term damage to the guts, kidneys, eyes and feet. Diabetes can affect all elements of an individual’s life, including their life sanity.

People with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels.
Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock

Lifestyle interventions (food regimen and physical activity) are generally really helpful as a part of the treatment plan. for type 2 diabetes.

We wanted to understand how physical activity interventions could help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with diabetes.

Our research

There is powerful evidence that it plays more than simply a task in stopping diabetes exercise is helpful for people already diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Physical activity is related to lower levels glycated hemoglobin within the blood (an indicator of glucose control), reduced levels of lipids within the blood equivalent to cholesterol, and weight reduction. The evidence suggests a mix aerobic and resistance exercises could also be better than either mode alone.

We reviewed research examining the impact of physical activity interventions and programs on the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes amongst First Nations Australians.

We only found nine studies that investigated physical activity interventions to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes in Indigenous adults.

There is evidence linking physical activity with improved outcomes for Indigenous Australians with type 2 diabetes. However, the worth of the outcomes was affected by weaknesses within the study design and the shortage of Indigenous involvement within the design and conduct of the studies.

A man running along the road.
Exercise is very important in stopping and treating type 2 diabetes.
sutadimages/Shutterstock

The high-quality evidence gap

There are many elements of stopping and managing diabetes that tend to be more difficult for people in First Nations communities, especially those living in rural or distant areas.

Additionally, latest technologies that can help manage diabetes, equivalent to continuous glucose monitorsare often very expensive.

It is incredibly vital what Indigenous Australians with diabetes have access to appropriate support for diabeticseducation and services.

In particular, health, cultural, and socioeconomic differences may impact participation in physical activity. What constitutes realistic exercise opportunities may differ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people compared to other Australians.

Previous data has shown that Indigenous Australians are less likely to socialize recommendations for physical activity than non-Indigenous Australians.

Factors that will influence physical activity levels amongst First Nations people include access to protected, accessible, family-friendly, and inexpensive places to exercise. These could also be limited in regional and distant communities.



Overall, we found a scarcity of reliable data on whether and what kinds of exercise may profit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with type 2 diabetes.

Given that physical activity is the cornerstone of treatment for type 2 diabetes, we need more rigorous research on this area. These studies should be well designed and culturally appropriate. They must engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in any respect levels of the research process.

Targeted research will help us discover the perfect ways to increase physical activity and understand its advantages for Indigenous people with type 2 diabetes.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Eva Marcille and her girls explore Vietnam in Peacock’s ‘Eat, Kill, Love’

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Peacock

Actress Eva Marcille and Grammy-nominated singer Nivea travel abroad with their girlfriends Tammy Rivera () and London Hughes () to deepen their journeys of self-love and self-care and, after all, to eat, kill and love in Vietnam. Three episodesThe Will Packer-produced series, which premieres on November 7, follows the quartet’s journeys in finding healing after failed romances.

“I would consider the four ingredients of a good girl’s trip to be us. You have the funny, the emotional, the fashionista and the crazy one, that’s me,” Nivea said in the first seconds of the official trailer. “We’re leaving our comfort zone and going to Vietnam for my birthday!” – she continued.

According to the trailer, the quartet engages in fun shenanigans across the country, similar to rice cake hikes, prayers, mud baths, and networking with locals. In addition to living their best life, also they are on a journey of spiritual healing. Marcille made her intentions for the trip clear: to flee what her heart was going through and find peace. “We all led a luxurious lifestyle, but money can’t buy that kind of peace,” said Marcille, lounging in a hammock on the beach in her trailer.

Eva Marcille and her girls explore Vietnam in Peacock's 'Eat, Kill, Love'
EAT SLAY LOVE – “Seas the Day”, episode 103 – Pictured: (lr) Tammy Rivera, Nivea, Eva Marcille – (Photo: PEACOCK)

Marcille is not any stranger to heartbreak. The former Real Housewife of Atlanta and America’s Top Model star recently finalized her divorce from ex Michael Sterling in August 2023. The divorce, although amicable, was a challenge for the actress. During their split, she told PEOPLE magazine: “It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but sometimes life takes you in a direction you didn’t expect.”

We cannot wait for the women to resolve conflict, revel in the wonder and spirituality of Vietnam, heal heartache, strengthen friendships, and re-evaluate their priorities at home.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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