CONSUMER NEWS    RECALLS    COMPLAINT FORM    SCAM ALERTS  


Complain about a product or service

Small Claims Guide | Class Actions | Lemon Law | FAQ | Resources | Newsletters | Spanish
Automotive    Education    Electronics    Family    Finance    Health    Homeowners    Shopping    Travel   
NEWS   Latest |  Archives |  Auto |  Cells, etc. |  Computers |  Financial |  Health |  Homeowners |  Parents |  Privacy |  Scams |  Seniors |  Travel

A Good Laugh Can Trigger Asthma Attack





May 25, 2005
Laughter, they say, is the best medicine. But a new study suggests there's an exception to that rule when it comes to asthma sufferers.

Asthma
AsthmaFDA Studies Asthma Drug's Potential Suicide Link
Indoor Allergens Torment Asthma Sufferers
Patients Balk at New Asthma Inhalers
Study: Farm Kids Have Lower Risk of Asthma
Researchers Link Spray Cleaners With Asthma
National Study Links Asthma to Allergies
Study Finds High Rate of Asthma in College Athletes
Can an Apple a Day Keep Asthma Away?
Survey Shows Asthma Not Controlled in Majority of Patients
Asthma Patients Pay the Price for Ozone Protection
Asthma Linked to Obesity in Women
Researchers Say "Killer" Asthma Inhalers Should Be Recalled
Asthmatic Kids Need No-Smoking Rules
Study: Asthma Patients Think It's Temporary
Female Hormones May Affect Allergies, Asthma
Home-Based Clean-Ups Help Childhood Asthma, Study Finds
Asthma and Obesity: Is There A Connection?
Bacteria in Household Dust May Trigger Asthma Symptoms
Air Pollution, Asthma May Be Linked
Americans Lack Vital Asthma Info: EPA
Researchers Find Ties Between Asthma and Emotion
A Good Laugh Can Trigger Asthma Attack

The study of 235 patients at the New York University Medical Center found that laughing could set off an asthma attack in 52 percent of them. Doctors say it doesn't appear that the laughter-induced attacks are all that serious - none of them recorded in the study required hospital treatment.

It's not clear why there seems to be a laughter-asthma connection. Some researchers suggest it's an early warning sign that the condition isn't properly under control. Since it was hearty, boisterous laughter that seemed to set off the attack, the researchers also speculate that hyperventilation may be a contributing factor.

"Patients did report that during times when their asthma is well-controlled, they can laugh for longer without getting asthma symptoms," said Dr. Stuart Garay, a clinical professor of medicine at NYU Medical Center.

Symptoms from the attacks include coughing, followed by tightness in the chest. The study show patients were as likely to suffer the attacks as they were from other well known triggers - things like fumes, dust mites and pollen.

Doctors say under normal conditions, laughter is a great stress reliever, contributing to both mental and physical health. They say asthma patients who are properly managing their condition should be less likely to suffer an attack from laughter.



Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.


Consumer News

May 17 2008

Recent Recalls & Safety Alerts

READER SERVICES

Print, Email & More

Subscribe

Free consumer newsletters
Sign up now!



Back to the top |

Advertisement


Home | Rogues Gallery | Good Guys | Complaint Form | News | Recalls | Search | Video | FAQ |
Consumer Resources | Small Claims Guide | Lemon Law | Newsletter | Contact Us
Advertise With Us | Testimonials | Newsroom | RSS Feeds | Radio | Job Postings




Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2008 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.