Respiratory and Pulmonary

A bedridden patient becomes vulnerable to various health complications like painful bed sores, circulation and respiratory problems, depression and contractures, due to lack of activity for long periods. Usha Ravi suggests steps to ensure proper nursing and caring for your loved one confined to the bed. There are a host of challenges which arise if one is confined to bed because of sickness, disability or frail age. The burden is felt not only by the individual but also by the carers.  It…

Quitting smoking can be extremely challenging, but it can be achieved if you stay mentally strong. We bring you two smoking cessation success stories of Gavin and Anu who woke up one day and decided not to smoke any more. Find out why and how they quit. Gavin: I was a smoker for almost 13 years. I started smoking when I was at university in the US. Like most smokers, it started nonchalantly with the 'have-a-drag' while you were having a drink at the bar. At first it was only when I went out,…

Dr Prakash C. Gupta, Director of Healis-Sekhsaria Institute of Public Health, has researched public health in India extensively over decades and shares with us his valuable opinions on tobacco use and cessation. Scroll down to sign the pledge The Age when it all begins Even when it may be difficult to ascertain the age in which people start smoking, the mean age of initiating tobacco use in any form in India is determined at 17.8 years: 18 for males, 17.1 for females. For smoking, it is 17.9 (…

Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju shares tips on foods that helps fight asthma triggers and foods to avoid. Asthma, can be defined as a "chronic inflammatory disease of the airway" that causes the following symptoms: Shortness of breath Tightness in the chest Coughing Wheezing When the airways get narrow as a result of swelling, extra mucous is produced. This makes breathing difficult and triggers coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Asthma can be either allergic or non-allergic. For…

#WorldLaughterDay A good, hearty laugh comes with myriad health benefits. We speak to Dr Mahesh Parikh, founder of the Laughing Club at Mahemdavad, the 321st Club in Gujarat, who has witnessed people recover from severe respiratory problems, high blood pressure, and other health complications with laughter yoga. Why do we need a Laughter Club? A club means an association of people with common interest. The Laughter Club is a gathering of persons interested in maintaining their health, because…

In India, nearly 80% of asthma patients are on oral medications due to fear and stigma associated with the inhalers. Dr Shilpa Nayak, an allergist and immunologist, dispels misconceptions about inhalers and shares tips to manage asthma well to lead a full and active life. WORLD ASTHMA DAY #WorldAsthmaDay Which are the 5 most common asthma triggers in India? Asthma is triggered most commonly by – Viral flu and cold Outdoor and indoor pollution Cigarette smoking Allergen exposure Strenuous…

Do you or your loved one have COPD(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Do you understand the various types of COPD and medications? Would you like to know what accessories/devices you need to keep at home? How to handle pollutants? What exercises are useful in managing COPD?  How will COPD progress? What questions should you ask the doctor? Are you prepared for emergencies? We have pulled all of the above and an action plan into an ebook that you can download and print. Download your…

Kailash Ashutosh Mehta,76, quit smoking after Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) disabled him. He fought his disease with exercise and pulmonary rehabilitation that helped him improve his breathing, fitness and quality of life. I had been smoking for 50 years. One day, when I could not walk even two steps without suffering from acute breathlessness, I was severely jolted. I realised I had damaged my lungs irreversibly and developed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. I had to quit…

Ramesh Koppikar, a heavy smoker for 35 years, made several unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking. It finally took a heart attack for him to break the nicotine addiction and kick the habit for good. Read and share his experience. I started smoking cigarettes at the age of 23 when I was studying engineering at BHU, Varanasi. I was staying in the hostel on campus and my friends and I would go for a walk after dinner. The BHU campus is large and green, hence our walks would be…

Your doctor may recommend the following tests: Spirometry: This measures the amount of airflow obstruction in COPD patients and it is a commonly used test to diagnose these conditions. This test is performed with a hand- held device, called a spirometer. The patient is asked to inhale deeply, then rapidly blow out the air. Based on the amount of exhaled air, the stage of COPD can be diagnosed. Chest X-ray Complete blood count: This is to exclude the presence of other…