Asthma Relief, Tummy Soothers, and Why Silence Kills

Spring Cleaning Caution

Rigorous cleaning will leave your house sparkling this spring, but it might not leave you with a clean bill of health. One in seven cases of adult asthma may have been caused by weekly use of common pump or aerosol cleaning sprays, including those for glass and furniture and for freshening the air, according to new research. "Because sprayed material goes straight into the air you breathe, you're more exposed to the irritating components in these products," says Rebecca S. Gruchalla, MD, PhD, of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. To spare your lungs, clean with disinfecting wipes or a cloth doused in a natural cleansing solution, such as vinegar and water. Avoid products with harsh chemicals.
-- Courtney De Wet