Bariatric Surgery Patients Breathe Easier, Use 50 Percent Fewer Prescriptions

[MsJacquiiC]

Another benefit of rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery is a 50 percent reduction in use of prescription breathing medications, according to a study published this month in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

The results of this study bring us closer to determining if weight loss can improve asthma long-term.

"Not only do patients breathe easier, less money is spent on prescription health care costs," said Naveen Sikka, MD, lead author and ACAAI member. "Better quality of life, possible reduction of chronic breathing problems, including asthma, and lower health care costs significantly benefit patients and help to reduce the national health care crisis."

The retrospective study reviewed health records of 320 bariatric surgery patients at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, for one year before and after the procedure. Prescription medication fill rates were determined from patient prescription claims. A total of 324 prescriptions were filled before surgery as compared with 154 after surgery.

"Some obese patients develop asthma, while others are treated for breathing problems with medications typically used for asthma," said Andrew Weinstein, MD, ACAAI Asthma and Respiratory Disease Committee vice-chair. "The results of this study bring us closer to determining if weight loss can improve asthma long-term."

Consumers and patients can take a simple online test to gauge their asthma symptoms and obtain a personalized plan on how to get relief at Allergy and Asthma Relief - Take Test and Find an Allergist.



Source

Bariatrics The branch of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention, and treatment of obesity. The term bariatrics was created around 1965, from the Greek root baro ("weight," as in barometer), suffix -iatr ("treatment," as in pediatrics), and suffix -ic ("pertaining to"). Besides the pharmacotherapy of obesity, it is concerned with obesity surgery.

Obesity Obesity results from the excessive accumulation of fat that exceeds the body's skeletal and physical standards. Obesity has been defined as a weight more than 20% above what is considered normal according to standard age, height, and weight tables, or by a complex formula known as the body mass index. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase in 20 percent or more above your ideal body weight is the point at which excess weight becomes a health risk. CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE JOURNEY BMI CALCULATOR!