A few months ago I was concerned about impending doom
and a chronic cough that I had, thinking about throat cancer, lung
cancer, and assorted other dire diagnoses, so I went to a doctor who
told me that I had asthma. So I was prescribed a steroidal inhaler
which was very cool and purple and all, and by the third week I was
pretty much forgetting to use it, mainly because I don't think I ever
had asthma in the first place and lacked a certain motivation, plus had
a healthy suspicion of taking medication I don't need.
But plenty
of kids do have asthma, and for them it's no laughing matter. Feeling
like you can't breathe is scary business, especially for a kid. So when
a study shows that one of the primary medications being given to kids
to control asthma and prevent attacks, namely that same steroidal
inhaler that I never finished, doesn't work in the majority of kids who take it, I think that's cause for major concern.
The
thought is that there may be genetic differences among some children
who take the steroids, but that sounds pretty lame because the majority
of kids who take non-steroidal medication seem to be controlling their
asthma just fine. Here's a theory—maybe inhaled steroids don't work for
asthma? or certainly not for every kid. Just throwing that out there. I'm sure there will be "further
study" on the matter. Just don't hold your breath for answers.
