(March 13, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Taking a low dose of aspirin may help protect adult women from developing asthma, according to research published in Thorax.

Here are some facts about asthma:

•    It is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing. For some people it can be a minor annoyance while for others it is life threatening.

•    There is no cure for asthma, but there are effective treatments, most of which are delivered in the form of a puffer or inhaler. 

•    Taking your medications as prescribed, even if you feel well, can reduce the frequency of asthma attacks, as can avoiding things you know trigger your asthma, such as pet dander, dust, or cold air.

As part of the Women's Health Study, conducted out of the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, nearly 40,000 women were given either aspirin every other day or a fake placebo pill.

The women were followed for 10 years to see if the medicine lowered heart disease and cancer. But the researchers also followed them to see if aspirin lowered the chanced of developing asthma.

Overall, women taking aspirin were about 10% less likely to be diagnosed with asthma during the study period than those taking a placebo. But aspirin can also worsen symptoms in one in 10 who are already known to have asthma.

Today's study highlights the potential that a low dose of aspirin has for reducing the risk of developing asthma in adult women. Similar findings have been seen in men using higher doses of aspirin.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Essie Heinrich.