Respiratory and Pulmonary

What tests do you need to have done Medical history and physical examination: The doctor will ask about your family history of asthma and allergy. He will listen to your breathing and look for signs of asthma or allergies. The signs include wheezing, a runny nose or swollen nasal passages, and allergic skin conditions (such as eczema). He may recommend some of the following diagnostic tests: Lung Function test: One example is Spirometry test. In this test, you will take a deep breath and blow…

Types of asthma  Allergic asthma: Allergies can make asthma symptoms worse. So it is best to avoid the things you are allergic to.  Asthma without allergies: Sometimes asthma can be triggered without allergens. For instance, an upper respiratory infection, such as cold and flu, can set off the asthma. Exercise induced asthma: Some otherwise healthy people can develop asthma symptoms only when exercising. Any type of physical exertion or sports leads to coughing, difficulty breathing…

Symptoms include the following: Wheezing: There is a scratchy or whistling sound when you breathe Coughing: Coughing is worse at night or early in the morning, making it hard to sleep Chest tightness or pain: You feel like something is squeezing or sitting on your chest Shortness of breath: This may feel like you can't get air out of your lungs Children may also exhibit the following: Fatigue (your child may slow down or stop playing) Problems feeding or grunting during feeding (infants)…

Are you at risk of developing asthma Are you: Prone to developing allergies (known as Atopy). This is an inherited tendency. Have parents with asthma Had respiratory infections during childhood Exposed to airborne allergens or to viral infections during your chidhood when your immune system was developing Exposed to chemical irritants, industrial dust or pollutants in your workplace What causes or triggers an asthma attack These include: Allergens from dust, animal fur, cockroaches, mould,…

Struggling with air pollution, smog, haze? Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju recommends how you can load up on antioxidants and water to boost immunity and protect yourself. Whether it is air pollution in North India or haze and rising PSI levels in Singapore, air pollution increases the level of free radicals in the body that attack and damage healthy cells.  Here is how you can load up on antioxidants and water to boost immunity and protect yourself. Think of what our immune…

Asok Mitra, 80, used to smoke almost 100 cigarettes a day. He has been smoke-free for 40 years, but tobacco has taken its toll. He tells us why and how he quit.  1. Please tell us a bit about your condition. I am prone to chest infections and pneumonia. My lungs are impaired and do not work at optimum capacity. Years ago, I was told that my lungs were working at 70% of their capacity. 2. How long have you been suffering from this? This has been the situation for at…

Why your child is at risk and what to say to him or her. By Dr Shital Raval Patel. When you think of a smoker, you don’t think of a 10-year-old. But 67% of smokers in India start the tobacco habit between the ages of 9 and 15. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (2006), more than one third of students aged 13 to 15 years (36.8%) reported initiating tobacco use before the age of 10 (Sinha et al., 2008). This could be cigarettes, bidis (which have three times the amount of nicotine and…

Maintaining good oral health is more than just about keeping cavities at bay. Your dental health has far-reaching consequences on your body, with oral bacteria being linked to many life-threatening conditions, like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, renal health and even brain abcess. Oral hygience and overall good health  Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria, most of them harmless. Normally the body's natural defences and good oral health can keep these…

The authors of the MIT study — both Indian origin scientists — have said these viruses contain amino acid changes which can be linked to “enhanced virulence and are potentially antigenically distinct from the current vaccine containing 2009 (Cal0709) H1N1” strain. However Indian scientists have countered and said that the mutations are minor and the report is alarmist http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/swine-flu-may-mutate-to-be-more-dangerous-in-india-mit-study/

By Dr. Shital Raval How to avoid Swine Flu or H1N1 Wear a face mask when stepping out of the house. Avoid crowded places. Stay away from people who have a cough or cold. Practice good hand hygiene, wash hands often. Carry a hand sanitizer with you always. Avoid catching a cold by taking a multivitamin daily, avoiding stepping out early morning and late night Eat healthy.   Drink plenty of water and fluids. Use disposable tissues instead of towels or handkerchiefs. Ask your doctor about…