Sydney: Ever heard of "occupational asthma'? That's asthma caused by exposure to allergens present in the average office

City blocks boasting plenty of trees aren't only more pleasing to the eye; they may be healthier for children's lungs, according to research conducted in New York City. Four- and five-year-olds living along the city's greenest streets were less likely to have asthma than young children living in sparsely planted neighborhoods, Dr. Gina S. Lovasi and colleagues from Columbia University found.

Athletes suffering from asthma face no greater health risk at this summer's Beijing Olympics than other athletes, despite the city's pollution problem, a European anti-asthma organisation said on Tuesday. Beijing has been under increasing pressure to improve air quality ahead of the Aug. 8-24 Games after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said there was some risk to athletes competing in endurance events lasting more than an hour.

Laying stress on proper care and medication for asthmatics, various non-government bodies organised talks and lectures to mark World Asthma Day in the Tricity today. Health Aid Medicare (I), which is working for promotion of good health in schools, conducted the lectures and workshops at schools on asthma in children and its treatment. Children were made aware about causes, risk factors and preventive measures for asthma. They were also told about exercises to increase lung function and power.

Asthma has caused 250,000 deaths across the globe and poses a big challenge to the world community. In Pakistan, five per cent people are suffering from the disease. This was stated at a news conference held in connection with the World Asthma Day at the press club here on Monday. Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Chest Society president Prof Dr Arshad Javaid said that at present 300 million people in the world suffered from asthma and the number of patients would rise to 450 million by 2025 if the disease continued to spread at the current ratio.

About 90,00,000 people in the country, including children and adults, have been suffering from asthma which is characterised by coughing, wheezing, tightness of the chest and breathlessness.

Experts on Sunday said that the disease of asthma had turned into an alarming condition as about 10 per cent of children in Pakistan were suffering from this disorder, while 5 to 10 per cent of the adult population in the country was suffering from this condition.

it is believed that women who grow up on farms have a strong immunity and face a lower risk of allergies than those who don't grow up on farms. A study has found that farm women may be at a