HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Approximately one in 50 Americans rely on Epinephrine Auto-Injectors to help prevent a potentially deadly allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Dr. Christopher Chang, Chief of Pediatric Immunology and Allergy at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital said two separate studies are showing promise for needle-free forms of epinephrine.
“There have been studies going on now to produce new forms of epinephrine so for example in through the nose or a nasal spray or sublingual, under the tongue, so these studies have been ongoing for a while and are nearing FDA approval,” he said.
Chang said epinephrine is the only drug that will reverse an anaphylactic reaction, so finding alternatives to an injection could be beneficial for many patients.
TAI CHI BENEFITS BLOOD PRESSURE
A recent study found that regular sessions of tai chi may be more effective at lowering blood pressure than regular aerobic exercise.
The study, published in the Jama Open Network, compared the effects of both forms of activity among patients with pre-hypertension.
After 12 months of four one-hour sessions of either Tai Chi or aerobic exercise each week, the Tai Chi group experienced a more significant reduction in blood pressure readings.
In addition, those readings stayed in the normal range after 12 months for more of the Tai Chi participants.
While the direct cause is not clear, the slow and flowing movements of Tai Chi may increase a sense of calmness, helping to lower blood pressure.