Major asthma breakthrough for women

Asthma sufferers may soon be breathing a little easier after a group of Melbourne scientists discovered a new breakthrough in their quest for a cure.

The team of Aussie researches paired up with a medical team in France to try to understand why so many more women fall victim to asthma than men.

In 2015, 267 women died from asthma compared to 143 men.

They discovered that women are twice as likely to suffer from asthma than men due to their low levels of the male hormone testosterone. The hormone kicks in for boys during puberty and helps protect them for life from the condition.

Now, armed with this new information, scientists are working to develop a synthetic testosterone that will help protect women against the respiratory illness.

“That’s when the increase in testosterone occurs in children and that stops the asthma occurring, whereas oestrogen doesn’t have the same affect in girls,” Professor Gabrielle Belz from the Walter and Eliza Institute told 7 News.

“Our aim is to develop targeted therapies that would have an impact on the community,” she said.

At present, most people with asthma are treated with steroids, which are often administered through an inhaler or in tablet form.

However, past studies have raised concerns about steroid use with some patients reporting dizziness and heart palpations.

Concerns have also been raised over the effects of steroids on children while their bones are still growing gaining density.

It’s hoped this new breakthrough could lead to a safe alternative treatment without any side effects.

Do you suffer from asthma? How do you treat it?