advertisement
(Jeffrey MacMillan for USN&WR)
New research shows why asthma and obesity seem linked. How to find out if you need treatment.
Health Community
Asthma control is a daily challenge. And from air filters to shots, there's no end of ways to fight allergies. Share your strategies for what works-and what doesn't.
![](http://www.usnews.com/dbimages/master/2143/GR_PR_071030ccf.gif")
Asthma is a disease of the bronchial tubes, or airways, of the lungs that makes breathing difficult. Symptoms include frequent coughing—especially at night, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness, pain, or pressure.
As many as 5 percent of children under 15 years old have been diagnosed with asthma. There are no good tests that can predict which children will grow out of asthma. But with proper understanding, good medical care, and monitoring, you can keep asthma under control.
Feeling itchy? Dry, itchy skin and/or a red, scaly rash could be atopic dermatitis, a condition also known as eczema. There's no cure, but effective ways to treat it range from simple oatmeal baths and moisturizers to steroids and antihistamines. Whatever you do—don't scratch!
Under usual circumstances, the body deploys the immune system to fight off foreign invaders like parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Allergic reactions to food occur when the immune system misidentifies a harmless foreign substance and reacts as if it poses a threat.
The country's most common allergy, hay fever is an allergic response to pollen, the male component of the plant reproductive system. Symptoms are seasonal and may include sneezing, watery eyes, a runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, and a bluish shadow under the eyes.
advertisement
Heart surgeon Charles Fraser with Rachel Parrish, 9, at Texas Children's Hospital. He operated on Rachel in 1997, 1998, and 2001 to treat her for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. (Kevin Horan/Aurora for USN&WR)
Out of 5,189 hospitals only 3 percent are ranked in one or more specialty. Johns Hopkins tops the Honor Roll.
New England is home to many of the best health plans in the country. U.S. News and NCQA review 684 plans.
American Hospital Association Symptom Finder
Discover possible causes of your symptoms.
Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.