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Subscribe to RSSFacebook takes the blame for many modern problems: shortening attention spans, boosting the use of annoying text-speak and, of course, eroding our quaint notions of privacy. But a just-published case study appearing in The Lancet introduces a brand-new issue laid at the feet of the social networking giant -- asthma attacks.
The report tells the tale of heartbreak in the age of Facebook: An 18-year-old man is dumped and "unfriended" by his girlfriend, who starts "friending" several new young men sooner than he can handle, writes Dr. Gennaro D'Amato, of the High Specialty Hospital A Cardarelli in Naples, Italy. The patient, who isn't named in the report, is clearly a savvy Facebook stalker: When he could no longer access his ex's profile, he created a new nickname for himself on the social networking site and added her once again. What he saw took his breath away. Literally. Every time he looked at her profile -- paging through her pictures, scrolling through her status updates -- he had an asthma attack.
He was no stranger to asthma, but until then his symptoms had been under control with the help of medication. Here in the U.S., an estimated 17 million adults and 7.1 million kids under 18 have asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and anxiety or psychological stress is a common cause of non-allergic asthma, experts say.
"Somehow, when the mind is under pressure or stress, some people are prone toward asthma attacks; these are people who really are susceptible to stress,"says Dr. Neil L. Kao, an allergist in Greenville, S.C. Kao didn't treat this particular young man, but he sees many patients whose asthma is caused by stress-outs about school, sports or social situations, which is what might be happening to this young man.
"To me, for that man, social stress triggers an asthma attack," Kao says. "I’ve never heard of Facebook causing it, but I could see that happening." Because while Kao's own Facebook page has been hijacked by his Farmville-addicted wife, for many people, Facebook is an extension of their real-life social network, with real-life social implications. And D'Amato said in an e-mail that while this is the first recorded case of Facebook-induced asthma, there easily could be more cases.
The 18-year-old patient was able to manage his symptoms only after he resolved to keep off of Facebook, after consulting with his doctor and a psychiatrist. And that's just about all you can do, if your asthma attacks are triggered by stress -- try to limit the amount of stress you encounter. "We advise every patient with asthma to know their triggers and to be prepared for the unexpected exacerbations. That's life, so be ready. When their asthma is active, rule one is always stay calm and think," Kao says.
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Leave a Comment:
It's good that he followed his doctor's advice. Leave the past behind and move ahead. Why put yourself through this?
The important thing for kids to learn from this story is that being a stalker and dating whores are both bad for your health.
I'm sorry, but that is funny!
hi plz tell this guy to get a life
thank you
What kind of girl friends somebody she doesn't know? Why, on Facebook, are people "friends" with somebody they wouldn't give the time of day to if they saw them on the street?
Maybe she friending anyone to see what the benefits package would be
You don't understand, she dumped her old boyfriend and started new relationships in this case two new guys to replace one.
Lawrence - The article stated that when the guy was 'unfriended' by his ex, he created a fake profile for himself and 'friended' her again. I think this is what Misty is referring to, not the new guys.
Oh for Gods sake, Facebook is not responsible for the lack of maturity in some of its users! I am so sick of seeing all these articles saying Facebook is responsible this, that and every single thing that happens on it. Let's all blame Facebook, the internet and every other thing BUT the person/people actually responsible for their actions.
Two words here, folks,
Personal Responsibility.
No one was blaming facebook for this. The headline was written that way to attract attention. It worked for us didn't it?
The article made it clear that stress was the cause of his asthma attacks, and the stress was caused by his ex-girlfriend's exploits on facebook. Way, way back when I was young, all the relationship drama was carried out in person or over the phone (landline). I can still remember the day my best friend had an asthma attack after having a fight with her boyfriend on the phone. People stay the same - technology changes. I kind of feel sorry for young people these days - everything is carried out in such a public way. It's all they know.
Blue Rose you took the words right out of my mouth. We had the
The Stone Age,
The Dark Ages, The Age of Enlightenment, and now we are slap in the middle of The Age of Excuses. Humanity is certainly in decline.
Agreed with "wlockridge" and "Blue Rose". Facebook isn't responsible for this idiot's problems and we are certainly living in the "Age of excuses".
Idiots like the guy in this story don't deserve the web space msnbc gives them.
i agree with everyone that commented to blue rose of Texas, he just couldn't handle being dumped maybe he shouldn't have a girlfriend in the long run he will probably turn out to be a stalker suicidal freak' the next time he gets dumped. it all just bull@!$%# i'am a Face book user and i also have asthma and i probably have twice as much stress as this little kid and i have not once had an attack.
The real person to blame are his parents who allowed him to think that his actions were okay. I am tired of seeing how many people in my generation are unable to interact with reality in a healthy way because of the way they were raised. We are the first generation to experience growing up in a world where there are no losers; where everyone receives a trophy and a good grade just for showing up; where teachers are not allowed to use red pens when marking answers wrong; and where spanking a child to help them realize when they do something wrong is somehow child abuse.
We all must remember that our actions have consequences. My generation is screaming for attention and a challenge, but they aren't getting it which is why we are seeing them begin to act out in other, scary ways where they are challenged and recognized for doing something where there are winners and losers (eg Columbine.)
Please, someone, take this kid and help him to realize that it is his actions which are wrong and that there is no reason for him to cause panic attacks about something which he can choose to move on from. No it is not easy and no it is not fun, but for goodness sake it's a part of life which one cannot be sheltered from if they are to be a real, functioning member of society!
AMEN!
@freak on a leash I've had asthma my whole life and can tell you that emotional stress for me can cause an attack. I mean it has to be something really really major but it does and has happened. So just because it doesn't happen to you don't be so quick to judge. As for the dumbass 18 yr old she dumped him obviously for a good reason he shouldn't have been fb stalking her.
It's George Bush's fault. ;>D
Frustrated,
Can I adopt you?
I'm sorry but how can you people blame parents!! They are of the age to know right from wrong and should know how to handle themselves. He's 18 not 8. GROW UP!!
I don't know about Facebook triggering athsma but I know this new myspace is definitely causing me headaches just as soon as I look at their new Home page. Maybe I should get a lawyer as well.
more reasons I'm glad I'm not a FB user.....makes people stupid and stalkers.
I called a congressman, My child cant even face friends on face book!
its horrible. Please help us make some laws againt these book bullyisms!
pass the bill please "can we all just get along" and stamp out unexpected exacerbation's.
To Aliasjb
I hope you are kidding about calling your congressman, WTF can't we as people raise out own children without having to call for more laws more government control. People raise your children don't rely on everyone else to do your job or quit having children period.
To AliasjB,
You really think the only solutiuon is to spend money on passing anti-bullying laws? As if they would actually stop children from bullying eachother? How about you teach your children to deal with bullying, as it is not something that stops when you leave high school. Otherwise your kid is going to eb as big of a loser when he or she is grown up as they are now. Teach them how to deal with problems, don't teach them that the only way to deal with things is by waiting for the government tio pass some sort of ridiculous law that will never work.
Or, you can have your child avoid FB, and instead enroll her an activity she has interest in to help her meet new, positive friends, and build her self-confidence. Try dance classes, a sport, art class, most libraries have game board nights.
Enacting anti-bullying laws won't do anything. Act like the parent and put a stop to her going on FB and put your energy into finding something positive for her.
I was bullied - to the point of getting my nose broken, depression, the works. I hated my parents for it at the time, but they took away my computer (due to emails), only let me use it when they could monitor me, and they enrolled me in violin lessons. There was more to it than just this, obviously, but that was the foundation for getting me to stop exposing myself to the bullying, and start building my self confidence. If you can't do that as a parent, why did you have a child?
alias is being sarcastic.
Observation ~ This entire social networking phenomena of the past few years has half the planet running around with their panties in a bunch. We all go through life with just a handfull of REAL friends ... people who will be there for you no matter what, no questions asked. All of the rest of the so-called 'friends' are nothing but people who want to have their 15 minutes of fame for everyone else to see. I just wish all of the trolls would actually leave the ethernet for a while and go out into the real world, get a life and get a few REAL friends.... just saying what really needs to be said. Peace to all.
Prometheus
good eye!
If they could get real friends, they wouldn't be trolls.
ha ha!! true dat
the main issue here shouldnt be that facebook "caused" an asthma attack, it should be that this guy is a creeper and had to cyber stalk his ex. he obviously has bigger issues then asthma.
Yeah, its never my fault. Always blame someone or something. The American way of living.
Does the term "dumb @!$%#" seem appropriate?
His behavior more than justifies his getting dumped by his "girl friend."
Asthma seems to be a very small part of this jerk's problems. He likely needs a restraining order as well as medication.
I feel for him but its kinda confusing. Maybe FB is not responsible for this but it is certainly responsible in breaking long term relationships in here(my friends I meant..lots of them broke up cuz found a new partner in FB)..Shouldnt be sharing too much on FB,there is a difference between real life and social life on net.
 So "stress" and "anxiety" can trigger an asthma attack? How earth shattering. Wow....can't get anything past those Docs.Â
Why facebook is in the main picture?... Where is personal responsibility? Why media is pointing fingers to a platform that helps people communicate?
As you see facebook doesn't cause asthma, the guy already had asthma and for a good reason he was dumped because was a foolish stalker. If someone unfriend you and you keep finding ways to looking for a heart attack then is your problem not facebook's.
If this is the case then in the past letters caused asthma as well as cell phones because if a GF dumped you back then they would not answer either your letters or phone.
is crazy what people would accuse you of to try to get money from you ,frivolous,frivolous,frivolous period !
I guess they are going to blame this asthma attack on smoking too??????
FB breeds insecurity and anxiety and of course the world revolves around me me me attitude. I went off a few months ago and am soooo much happier. Your "friends" are diminished to tiny thumbprint pictures and self centered update/posts sometimes quicker than you can keep up with. Then you spend your whole day checking to see if people you usually don't care that much about, are commenting on your own lame self centered post. I finally realized my baby and husband were more important. The "celebrities" are realizing too how desperate for attention and what a no-life it looks like you "have" and are going off FB. HOpefully others will see their trend. Like the producer of the FB movie said, FB is to friends and relationships what "reality tv" is to reality. Get back to writing notes in the mail and talking on the phone people and MAILING pictures, so much more personal and meaningful and I don't know, NOT LAZY!
I couldn't agree more. Friends talked me into joining FB and what a waste of time. I really don't need or want to know what you are having for dinner tonight or what you bought at the mall. Yikes! At least none of my friends are stalkers, that would be even worse...they are just boring. I haven't checked my page in months and probably never will again. I get "friend requests" in my e-mail account from people I don't even know! Why would some total stranger want to be my friend?
Exactly! All that too! And it's like I'd see someone out in town I hadn't really "seen" or talked to in months yet I'd know everything they'd done, thought, had for dinner, was upset or happy about etc. , for the whole last month. Something about that just seemed odd and creepy to me. Also, reuniting with old friends is fun for a short while but then when you catch up and keep with them "too much" it takes away the mystique and "beauty" of old school memories like "whatever happened to so and so??" and like keeping those memories in their special "when I was a kid" place. I dunno maybe it's just me. But I am SO glad my darling husband (30 yrs old) has never had a FB acct or desires to have one, he's just cool like that ;) Thanks for your feedback!
well said
This is hilarious! There are a few short paragraphs here outlining something that happened in real life. There is no way to know from the story what the real details are; what really happened between the couple, etc. Yet from this story people here are calling the boy a troll, somehow misconstruing the story into an accusation that Facebook is the cause of his condition, talking about frivolous lawsuits when there is nothing in the story about a lawsuit, and drawing many other unsubstantiated conclusions.
The reason I say this is hilarious is that AT LEAST HALF of the people who post here on these stories are acting as trolls, yet they are judging the boy for what they perceive is the same behavior. The comments on these stories are usually funnier than the stories themselves because people go off on the most ridiculous tangents time and time again.
@ Eileen: "Yet from this story people here are calling the boy a troll, somehow misconstruing the story into an accusation that Facebook is the cause of his condition"
The boy made up a fake name and profile and re-friended his ex. That makes him a "troll" / stalker. I haven't seen any post yet that claimed Facebook is responsible for his asthma. I haven't yet seen any trolls on this board, but I'm still reading so maybe.
@PJBwhatever: "I haven't seen any post yet that claimed Facebook is responsible for his asthma"
Half of the posts here talk about this story as if it states that Facebook caused the asthma, and another few talk about lawsuits. What have you been reading?
@PJBwhatever: "The boy made up a fake name and profile and re-friended his ex. That makes him a "troll" / stalker"
Your real name is PJB7689? How does your posting here anonymously make you less of a stalker? It is not as if people live on Facebook, even though it might seem so. It is an artificially made-up world. That girl had to accept his new personna as a 'friend'. If somebody was stalking you in real-life, would you 'accept them as a friend' and welcome them into your home? If she accepted him as a 'friend', he was not a stalker. You can make up anything you want on Facebook, there is no verification whatsoever that you are who you say you are. Making up something fake in an artificial world does not make somebody a 'stalker'. Give me a break. What do you think the percentages are of logins to Facebook that have something artificial - name, description, picture, etc? It is pretty high. Does that make them 'stalkers'? No. If you don't allow people you don't know as 'friends' on Facebook, they don't see the crap you post there. Pretty simple.
Facebook caused his asthma?
REALLY?!?
Sounds to me like this jack wagon is having a hard time adjusting to being dumped. Yes, being dumped by the woman you love is emotionally and physically draining. But let's be serious and not blame FB for this. This is another case of wanting to shoot the messenger.
Move on with your life, you dope. NEXT!
Haha jack wagon ... nice touch Micheal-1966985!
Some people just aren't ment to walk the earth.
I wasn't the brightest bulb in the in the lamp when I started reading this article. After finishing the article and reading the comments I feel as though I've lost a few thousand brain cells. I graduated from not too bright to burned out.
Ok...a couple of things. (1) Why would you want to be with someone that doesn't want you? Walk away. Learn from the experience. (2) Facebook is not the way to "manage" your life. Keep it simple. (3) Seriously, maybe you shouldn't have a relationship with anyone until you grow up. Stalking is a crime.
I agree. I think it's a problem of being obsessed with someone who dumped you...like O.J. Simpson, and we all know how bad that can turn out. If someone doesn't want you, the worst thing you can do is follow them around to see what they "might" be doing with other people. Apparently O.J. thought his ex was dating the guy that she was with when "somebody" killed them both, but he was just a friend returning her glasses to her that she left in a restaurant. At least this kid is under psychiatric care, so I hope he is working on his problems before they get worse. Asthma may be the least of his problems.
Wow, PJB, you are making a lot of assumptions based on a scant few paragraphs of information. It sounds like you also read some 5-paragraph summary of the O.J. Simpson case so now you are an expert on that too. Amazing, I will have to be careful what I write in a 5-paragraph summary to ensure people like you aren't jumping to conclusions based on it.
I'm just saying he's obsessed with his ex....his actions prove it (by creating a fake profile and stalking someone who dumped him). And I pointed out how distructive obsession can be, which it can. I haven't made any assumptions. I do agree with you (from your previous post) that she should not have friended someone she does not know.
It completely amazes me as to how cold hearted a woman can get.
According to psychology today, divorce is as stressful as a death in the family. I assure you, so can breaking up be similar to many, especially men.
As in death, the ethical thing to do would be to wait a while before getting remarried. To do otherwise would draw attention to gossip of, "He isn't even cold in his grave yet."
In breaking up, it is extremely similar. Give it a chance for the relationship break-up to smooth a bit. For crying out loud, this is a very painful moment for some. Don't be a stone-heart. Worse yet, many people go through stages of 'rebound' and it could very well be difficult to tell if the new relationship is sincere or is a rebound effect.
So for your own sake, as well as respect for your ex, have some decency for yourself and others and just wait a bit before starting to go out again. Otherwise, you tend to look like a who*e, and will probably be treated that way.
Just dont bother with the damn site. Just like twitter, It's a waste of time.
Hold on, feel a bowel movement coming on...got to tweet.
You are correct. We've created a county of morons that are getting fatter by the minute, have only virtual friends, and get burned by real sunlight because they live in their darkened rooms like vamires wasting their lives on FB and Twitter. When they're not farming virtual veggies, they're watching reality TV and shopping on QVC.
Oh, how our founding fathers would be ashamed.
Well put.
agree with u,its just a waste of time
This is true. How dare people use facebook for being fat, useless oxygenthiefs. Genetic problems, glandular problems... They don't make you eat at McDonalds.
Crazy, Crazy, Crazy. Why are people so stupid sometimes?
its called sarahpailinditis!!lol i knew it!!:-)
They're called panic attacks you moron. Get a life and quit blaming everybody else for your issues.
It's facebook fault that cause me has an accident while laughing at my friend post a joke on facebook!