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1Jun

Breathe easy with pursed lip breathing: A step-by-step approach

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Simple yet effective, pursed lip breathing has a significant positive effect on general well-being. You can enjoy a variety of benefits for your physical and mental health by actively managing your breath using a certain technique.

It's simple to forget the basic but profound act of breathing in the flurry of daily life. However, you can avail a multitude of health benefits by harnessing the power of breath through practices like pursed lip breathing.

Pursed lip breathing technique

It improves respiratory function. (Image via Unsplash/Joey Nicotra)
It improves respiratory function. (Image via Unsplash/Joey Nicotra)

It's crucial to comprehend and practice the pursed lip breathing method to effectively utilize the power of breath. You can quickly implement this method into your daily activities.

To assist you in mastering the method, below is a step-by-step manual:

  • Look for a peaceful location where you can sit or lie down.
  • The body should be at ease when you inhale deeply through your nose and fill your lungs with air.
  • Puck your lips as if you were about to extinguish a candle.
  • Exhale gradually through pursed lips, letting the breath leave the body easily and gently.
  • Focus on keeping a steady and regulated flow of breath as you continue to exhale for longer than you inhale.
  • For several minutes, go through this cycle again to give yourself time to settle into a rhythm.

Purpose of pursed lip breathing

This breathing technique serves several important purposes that contribute to better health and well-being. Let's examine in more detail:

1) Enhancing respiratory function

It increases air exchange during each breath, which enhances respiratory function by increasing lung capacity and efficiency. This method aids in keeping the airways open, reducing build-up of stale air and improving oxygenation.

2) Promoting relaxation and stress reduction

Pursed breathing helps in relieving stress. (Image via Unsplash/ Eli Defaria)
Pursed breathing helps in relieving stress. (Image via Unsplash/ Eli Defaria)

It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which causes a relaxation response. That promotes relaxation and reduces stress, which lessens tension and anxiety while fostering a calm and healthy state of mind.

3) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptom management

People with COPD can benefit greatly from this breathing technique. Breathlessness, labored breathing and symptom management can all be helped by slowing the breath and lengthening exhalation.

4) Supporting exercise performance and endurance

People who are physically active, like athletes, can gain benefits from this breathing technique. Limiting fast breathing and assisting in maintaining adequate oxygen levels for longer endurance, regulates breathing during exercise.

5) Facilitating better sleep and managing sleep disorders

It can be a helpful strategy for people who struggle with sleep disorders like sleep apnea in terms of promoting better sleep and managing sleep disorders. It can lead to greater sleep quality by enhancing relaxation and respiratory function.

Benefits of pursed lip breathing

This breathing technique improves oxygenation. (Image via Unsplash/Lutchenca Medeiros)
This breathing technique improves oxygenation. (Image via Unsplash/Lutchenca Medeiros)

Pursed lip breathing has numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Let's examine a few of them:

Increased oxygenation: This breathing technique increases the effectiveness of oxygen exchange in the lungs, resulting in greater oxygenation of body tissues and improved general vigor.

Nervous system calming: Pursued lip breathing, which controls breath, activates the vagus nerve, inducing relaxation response and lowering stress and anxiety level.

Alleviating breathlessness and shortness of breath: Pursed lip breathing reduces the sensation of air hunger and slows down breathing rate. That makes it easier to engage in physical activity and lessens the discomfort connected with breathlessness.

Pursed lip breathing is a straightforward technique that has several benefits, including calming thoughts and lengthening exhalations.

You can use as many repetitions as you'd like. The need to exhale more frequently could indicate a respiratory disorder. In this situation, speak with your doctor for the next course of action.




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28May

asthma attack|bronchoconstriction | Gesundheit-Aktuell.de – Breaking Latest News

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A severe, prolonged asthma attack can create a life-threatening situation. The bronchi are then narrowed so much that the lungs are no longer able to absorb enough oxygen – the asthmatic threatens to suffocate.

At the beginning of a violent attack, those affected usually still have the strength to fight against the strong resistance when exhaling with the help of their abdominal and respiratory muscles. With increasing duration, the muscles become exhausted and the condition deteriorates rapidly. The spasm of the airways must be eliminated as soon as possible.

Even with optimal therapy, every asthmatic must expect to suffer an acute attack from time to time. Therefore, both the patient and parents and other close people should know what to do in the event of an asthma attack. Every asthmatic should draw up an appropriate emergency plan in cooperation with the doctor. When an acute attack occurs, the first remedy is an immediate inhaled bronchodilator. As a result, on the one hand, a higher dose is administered and, on the other hand, an additional moistening of the bronchial tubes is achieved. In addition, there is a controlled breathing technique, such as pursed lips, to reduce shortness of breath. Because breathing out with pursed lips and puffed out cheeks prevents the airways from collapsing in severe breathlessness. In the case of an acute, life-threatening asthma attack, cortisone must be administered as a suppository or tablet. These medications should be in every asthmatic’s first aid kit. The sooner countermeasures are started, the better the chances of avoiding a really serious attack.

After administering the emergency medication, it is still very important to remain calm and to calm the person concerned. Help them adopt a posture that helps them breathe, such as the coach seat. This allows the auxiliary respiratory muscles to be used. Remind the person affected to use pursed lips, as this prevents the alveoli from collapsing. Tight clothing should be opened or taken off, opening the window improves the supply of fresh air.

If, despite the immediate measures, the symptoms do not improve significantly within a few minutes, the emergency doctor must be called. And even if the shortness of breath subsides, it almost always makes sense to go to the doctor or to the hospital, because a mild attack is often only the harbinger of a much more severe one.

Not only adults but also the sick child should be prepared for an acute attack. On the one hand, the older you get, the better it can help you on your own, and on the other hand, knowing about the disease helps you deal better with crisis situations.

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27May

Could There be Another Reason for Breathlessness in COPD?

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The common practice of treating the respiratory symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), such as breathlessness, was a frequent topic addressed at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2023 International Conference in Washington, DC, with key opinion leaders urging healthcare professionals to look beyond symptoms.

A session led by Victor Kim, MD, Professor, Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Director, Pulmonary Outpatient Clinic, Temple University Hospital, illuminated the prevalence of various comorbidities in individuals with COPD, with a focus on anxiety and depression.

“In routine visits sometimes it's hard as a pulmonologist or a specialist trying to see a patient with advanced lung disease,” Kim said, “they'll have breathlessness and that may be one of your primary tasks–you sort of deprioritize other mood disturbance in your focus with the patient.”

Other conditions can cause shortness of breath, like cardiac disease and even mood disorders, which he explained have been proven to coexist more frequently in patients with COPD and therefore, should be investigated.

“We as healthcare practitioners often focus on the most pressing issue and for some patients it’s their respiratory symptoms of breathlessness,” Kim said. “So when patients are diagnosed with COPD, they are getting respiratory medicines, but sometimes it's not always adequate in controlling the symptoms.”

Breathlessness can be a manifestation of cardiac disease or pulmonary disease, and it’s also a primary somatic symptom of depression or anxiety, which can create a symptomatic feedback loop.

“If you're always breathless, you might always be anxious just because it's anxiety-provoking–there is a relationship there,” he said. “Sometimes that makes screening for mood disorders much more difficult, because the symptoms that the patient may be complaining about may be a representation of a mood disorder."

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26May

How severe is ‘severe asthma’? Looking out for its signs and symptoms

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By Dr. Rahul Sharma

Ramesh (46, name changed) had been suffering from asthma for the past 6 years. He was on inhaled medication for maintenance of his condition and quick relief from symptoms when there was a flare-up. Though he had been taking his medication regularly, he was waking up more often at night with severe bouts of cough, making him reach out for his quick-relief inhaler. Things came to a head when he had to be hospitalised last month due to a severe escalation. On consulting a specialist (pulmonologist), he was diagnosed with severe asthma.

Asthma is a life-long inflammatory disease affecting airways and interfering with one’s ability to breathe. Asthmatic attacks are usually triggered by exposure to certain allergens such as pet dander, moulds, or pollen. Severe asthma is commonly confused with milder forms but can be life-threatening and may require emergency medical care. As an asthmatic patient, if you experience any signs of worsening health or struggle to find relief from your current medication, it may be time to talk to the doctor.

Signs of severe asthma

Severe asthma attacks are chronic and can interfere with your life. Even breathing or talking can become difficult. Some of the common symptoms include coughing, wheezing, tightness around the chest, and breathlessness.

Besides experiencing recurrent symptoms, severe asthma can be deduced if you experience:

  • Exacerbation of symptoms despite optimal medication use
  • Increase in symptoms and flare-ups during the night
  • Need for quick-relief medications more than twice a week
  • More than two hospital visits or admissions in a year due to flare-ups

Understanding what causes your severe asthma

Patients with severe asthma may continue to exhibit symptoms in spite of optimal inhaled treatment and lifestyle modifications.Most patients, in consultation with their doctors, are treated with oral corticosteroids which result in several detrimental side effects. However, recent research studies show that several mechanisms are at work in severe asthma. Depending upon the underlying causes of the inflammation, severe asthma can be divided into allergic, eosinophilic, or non-eosinophilic asthma. Hence, it is important to identify the root cause and customise the treatment accordingly.

Targeted treatments such as biologics are now available and may be added to the existing therapy by the clinician after assessing the patient. Biologics are specific injectable therapies that offer relief from persistent symptoms in severe asthma and reduce the need for oral steroids.

Assessing asthma control

There are several asthma control tests that a patient can avail of to judge their condition. An online asthma control test is a simple test that measures the impact of asthma on the patient’s daily life and generates an appropriate score. Even patients undergoing treatment are advised to take frequent self-assessment tests.

Do not ignore your symptoms and seek treatment

The key target of any treatment is to reduce symptomatic flare-ups and improve a patient’s quality of life. Reviewing inhalation techniques and limiting triggers while regularly consulting a physician is also advised for better asthma control. As patients with severe asthma are already on high-dose inhalers, oral corticosteroids are often suggested by physicians to manage episodes. Newer and more advanced therapies are now available, in the form of add-on oral medications and biological therapies. Consult your doctor today to understand your symptoms better and seek the right kind of treatment for your condition!

(The author is the Additional Director Pulmonology & Critical Care, Fortis Hospital, Noida. The article is for informational purposes only. Please consult medical experts and health professionals before starting any therapy, medication and/or remedy. Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of the FinancialExpress.com.)



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26May

Breathlessness and Possible Underlying Conditions: Understanding the Signs

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Experiencing breathlessness and difficulty breathing while climbing stairs may indicate an underlying health condition. While temporary symptoms can be attributed to aging, stress, or lack of exercise, persistent or worsening breathlessness may suggest specific disorders. Let’s explore some conditions associated with breathing difficulties.

Cardiovascular Disorders: If you feel breathless and experience chest pain while climbing stairs, it may indicate angina, a condition caused by impaired blood flow to the heart due to factors like arterial sclerosis, blood clots, or coronary spasms. Physical exertion, such as climbing stairs or brisk walking, puts additional strain on the heart, leading to breathlessness and chest pain. Angina can be managed through medication (antiplatelet agents, lipid-lowering drugs), stent placement, or coronary artery bypass surgery. Other cardiovascular conditions, such as constrictive pericarditis or pulmonary embolism, can also cause chest pain and breathlessness.

Respiratory Conditions: Respiratory disorders like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma can also contribute to breathlessness, accompanied by coughing and phlegm production, especially during stair climbing. COPD typically manifests as breathlessness during physical exertion due to factors like smoking. Treatment options include inhalers to relieve symptoms, oxygen therapy, or lung transplantation. Asthma, characterized by airway constriction due to allergic inflammation, can be managed with medication and immunotherapy. Other respiratory conditions, such as respiratory muscle weakness, Guillain-Barré syndrome, interstitial lung inflammation, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, may also lead to breathlessness.

Anemia and Obesity: Anemia, a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells, can cause breathlessness even during mild physical activity. When fatigue and breathlessness persist, considering anemia is crucial. Obesity can also contribute to breathing difficulties. Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30kg/m² or higher may experience obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, a condition where inadequate breathing persists. Symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, and excessive sweating. As the condition worsens, it can lead to impaired cardiac function and liver cirrhosis, highlighting the importance of early medical intervention.

Recognizing the signs of breathlessness during stair climbing is essential for identifying potential underlying conditions. If you experience persistent or worsening symptoms, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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25May

Better breathing with a new device

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LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - It’s a condition that literally takes someone’s breath away. An estimated 12.5 million Americans have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Less air flows in and out of the airways. The tiny air sacs in the lungs are damaged and cannot stretch and shrink. But a team of physicians and scientists have developed a non-invasive device to help patients breathe.

“The main cause of breathlessness in COPD is something called air trapping, or dynamic hyperinflation. What that is, is an inability to exhale all of the air that one takes in,” said Dr. Ralph Panos. “They learned something called pursed lip breathing, which is breathing out through pursed lips to create that back pressure.”

Panos and his colleagues developed a hands-free device that helps patients simulate pursed lip breathing. The device is called the positive expiratory pressure, or PEP Buddy.

“It’s just simply placed in the mouth, one breathes in through the nose, and then out through the device,” Panos said. “That resistance to airflow creates the back pressure, which relieves the air trapping and dynamic hyperinflation.”

The researchers said there are many benefits of slow breathing and exhalation.

Panos and his colleagues developed the PEP Buddy with help from a University of Cincinnati department that provides support for entrepreneurs.

The researchers are in the process of obtaining a Class One Approval from the FDA, which is for medical devices that are considered low-risk for consumer use.

More: Your Health

Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every morning.

Copyright 2023 WILX. All rights reserved.

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25May

Ground-breaking Study Provides Clear Definition

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For those who have had COVID-19, long COVID, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), has become a major worry. Long after their initial illness has subsided, many patients still experience a variety of symptoms and repercussions of the infection. Researchers claim to have identified a set of 12 symptoms after spending more than two years and about $1.2 billion on the project.

With more people becoming aware of long-COVID, professionals are better able to diagnose and treat individuals.

What Does the Study Say about Long COVID?

The RECOVER initiative, which stands for Researching Covid to Enhance Recovery, was launched by the National Institutes of Health, and the study, which was published on Thursday, May 25, in the medical journal JAMA, is the first to come out of a significant effort that involved more than 13,000 adults at more than 200 study sites.

Long-COVID is defined by the World Health Organisation and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention as any symptoms, signs, or problems that persist or emerge following a Covid-19 infection.

The study has listed 12 key symptoms. (Image via Pexels/ Anna Shvets)
The study has listed 12 key symptoms. (Image via Pexels/ Anna Shvets)

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has infected more than 100 million people in the United States as of May 2023, with doctors estimating that 6% of those infected with the virus still experience the numerous symptoms collectively known as long-COVID. Post-COVID disorders are linked to more than 200 symptoms that impact every organ system in the body.

12 Key Symptoms of Long COVID

The study has listed the following 12 key symptoms:

Fatigue: Prolonged, intense fatigue that is crippling and does not improve with rest.

Breathlessness: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, even with little physical effort.

Brain fog: Cognitive issues, such as memory, concentration, and attention issues.

Joint and muscle pain: Constant aches and pains in the muscles and joints.

Chest Pain: Persistent discomfort or tightness in the chest that is unrelated to cardiac problems.

Headaches: Frequent headaches that are more often than not very bad.

Taste and/or smell loss: A persistent or ongoing loss of taste and/or scent.

Sleep issues: Disrupted sleep patterns, such as insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness, are sleep issues.

Digestive issues: Consistent gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, are a sign of digestive issues.

Mood disorders: Anxiety, despair, or mood fluctuations are examples of mood disorders.

Heart palpitations: A rapid or irregular heartbeat that is frequently accompanied by discomfort.

Skin rashes: Undiagnosed lesions or rashes on the skin.

Long COVID Impact

Long COVID can have a significant effect on people's lives. The limits and ongoing symptoms can have a serious impact on one's physical, mental, and emotional health.

Lower quality of life, issues with everyday tasks, difficulties returning to work, and social isolation are common for those suffering from this condition. The wide-ranging effects of Long COVID on people's general functioning and quality of life must be acknowledged and addressed.

Treatment of Long COVID

Tailored treatments can reduce symptoms and enhance long-term results. (Image via Unsplash/ Mufid Majnun)
Tailored treatments can reduce symptoms and enhance long-term results. (Image via Unsplash/ Mufid Majnun)

Since long-COVID is a relatively recent diagnosis, treatment strategies are currently being developed. The current emphasis is on symptom management and well-being enhancement.

A multidisciplinary strategy comprising medical experts from many specialties, such as primary care, pulmonology, cardiology, neurology, and mental health, may be used in treatment regimens. These could consist of drugs to treat particular symptoms, physical and occupational treatment, cognitive rehabilitation, psychological support, and individualized lifestyle changes.

Working together with medical professionals to create a specialized treatment plan that takes into account each patient's particular symptoms and concerns is crucial for those with long COVID.




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25May

Seventy per cent of Bermudians may suffer night breathing problems – The Royal Gazette

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Created: May 25, 2023 07:52 AM

Tinashe Johnson (Photograph supplied)

The majority of Bermudians likely suffer from problems breathing during sleep, it was revealed this week.

Tinashe Johnson, a dentist who specialises in sleep-related breathing problems, said that 70 per cent of Bermudian adults suffered from breathing problems ranging from snoring to obstructive sleep apnoea.

She added that, while these problems may seem benign, they can lead to wider health problems down the line.

Dr Johnson said: “Just based on what I see, I’d say it’s 70 per cent in adults. In children, because of the environmental issues — and some grow out of it, but some don’t — it’s about 50 per cent.”

She added: “As my colleagues can attest, it is under-diagnosed in Bermuda.”

Dr Johnson was speaking during a meeting with the Hamilton Rotary Club on Tuesday.

She moved to the island with her Bermudian husband in 2015 and runs the Dental Lodge in Paget.

Dr Johnson said that sleep-disordered breathing included a wide variety of problems that tended to blend together.

The most common are snoring, open airway restriction and obstructed sleep apnoea, followed by central sleep apnoea, sleep-related hypoventilation and sleep-related hypoxaemia disorder.

Dr Johnson said that snoring, or vibrations cause by the relaxation and folding of throat tissue, affect about half of the world’s men, as well as 40 per cent of women and 20 per cent of children.

She added that, while it is often ignored, snoring could point to signs of greater breathing problems.

Dr Johnson explained: “It’s quite common for people to ignore this because they find it either cute or funny, but unfortunately it’s also associated with obstructed sleep apnoea.”

Obstructed sleep apnoea is caused by relaxed throat muscles collapsing on themselves and can often lead to moments of breathlessness that can last from a few seconds to a minute before waking up.

Dr Johnson said that the disease affected about one billion people in the world and was often caused by weight problems.

She said that the disorder could cause symptoms such as constant headaches in the morning, high blood pressure, forgetfulness and struggling to stay awake throughout the day.

Dr Johnson added that, if left untreated, it could lead to uncontrollable high blood pressure, heart and weight problems, including strokes, cognitive diseases such as dementia, a weak immune system, and depression and anxiety.

Dr Johnson said that these problems could be treated by losing weight, changing one’s sleep position and avoiding alcohol before bed.

Aggressive forms of the disorders can be helped with appliances, such as a Cpap machine, or with surgery, such as liposuction or a tonsillectomy.

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25May

FenomPro Breath Analyser By GenWorks Makes Asthma Diagnosis and Screening Simple

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Source Name : GenWorks

Category Name : General

FenomPro Breath Analyser By GenWorks Makes Asthma Diagnosis and Screening Simple

Updated: 25/05/2023

GenWorks makes testing Asthma easy with FenomPro point-of-care breath analyser that allows patients to get diagnosed and treated for Asthma easily.

New Delhi (India), May 25: COVID-19 increased the risk for incident respiratory symptoms vs matched patients without COVID-19 at a rapid rate. The researchers found patients with asthma post-acute COVID-19 had a significantly higher risk for cough, bronchospasm, shortness of breath, and wheezing vs patients without an asthma history. As a result, it was advised for people to be more cautious if they experienced any Asthmatic symptoms. 

Asthma is an allergic response in our airways or breathing passages due to any kind of stimuli that may trigger a reaction in our breathing passages leading to cough, breathlessness, chest tightness, and other such kinds of symptoms. The diagnosis and treatment of Asthma are done by a Pulmonologist or doctors who specialize in Pulmonary medicine. Pulmonologists saw an increase in people coming with lung-related problems after 2020 and 2021. 

A simple and straightforward clinical application for testing Asthma came up called FeNO test. FeNO stands for Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide. It is a test done to mark the airway inflammation eosinophil which is a blood cell that gets increased in allergic inflammation such as allergic Asthma. Eosinophils release a certain chemical known as nitric oxide which can be measured in the patient’s breath by a test called FeNO. This test can be done in people suggestive of Asthma. If the FeNO value is elevated, it indicates that the patient will show an excellent response to a special group of medicines called inhaled corticosteroids. 

We spoke to Dr. SK Chhabra, a leading Pulmonologist spoke to us about the importance of FeNO Testing “FeNO is excellent for differentiating if a person has normal airways or inflamed airways. The cutoff between a normal person and an asthmatic is 25-50. Above 50 is surely asthmatic and less than 25 may be a normal person or an asthmatic patient who has been adequately treated. FeNO also helps in deciding if the person will respond to some medicines and comply with a treatment which is helpful in figuring out the correct action plan. In case the patient is not responding to treatment then the drugs may be inadequate. In my opinion, FeNO testing is an excellent method for screening and monitoring Asthma. Based on the seriousness of the patients, correct measures can be taken in terms of prescribing medications, and probable treatment to the patients.”

Talking to Dr. Atri Gangopadhyay about the number of cases reported after COVID, he shared “The peculiarity noticed was a marked increase in cases of Asthma after COVID. The first category of people were the ones who had a history of asthma in their families and the second category of people were the ones who had neither any self-history nor any family history of Asthma in the past. Some of these cases required severe treatment while some needed an admission also. This was a direct association that I found after COVID as the cases, severity and frequency of Asthma attacks increased.”

GenWorks has launched a product called FenomPro which is a breath analyzer user for testing the FeNO levels of patients. The FenomPro is used for simple clinical applications and it comes with a rechargeable battery for easy portability. It has a user-friendly interface and gives the test results in just 28 seconds. The FeNO test is accurate for understanding if the patients require treatment and prescription of inhalers or not. 

Talking about FeNO, Dr. Atri said “FeNO is an excellent method for testing the eosinophil levels in patients. Sometimes when people are prescribed inhalers, they may be reluctant to take them fearing some kinds of side effects but if the FeNO is high then you should know that inhaled corticosteroids can be extremely helpful. Once the treatment of Asthma is started, people may start benefitting within two or three days. Within one week they may start experiencing no symptoms at all. However, this is not when you should leave the medicine because if you leave it at this point then there can be a genuine problem and again an attack of asthma may get triggered which can actually be very serious. So the right time to reduce the medicine is after three months which means that if a patient with asthma maintains a reasonable control of symptoms for three months then the patient can get a FeNO to know if the value has decreased as compared to the previous test and if it is favorable then the treatment can be stopped.”

 

Asthma cases have increased manifold after COVID and they should be diagnosed and treated properly. GenWorks introduced FenomPro to help more and more patients know if they are suffering from Asthma. FenomPro ensures efficient testing of FeNO as it is a simple tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of Asthma.

www.genworkshealth.com

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.)


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25May

Heart Failure : Common myths about heart failure that many believe to be true – Times of India |

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Heart failure (HF) is a medical condition in which the heart muscle does not pump enough blood. One of the major causes of reduction in heart’s ability to pump blood is coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart attack. However, faulty heart valves, chronic blood pressure, or genetic disease can also be a cause of HF.
Dr. Daljeet Kaur Saggu, Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, AIG Hospital, Hyderabad says, “The body depends on the heart’s pumping action to deliver oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the body’s cells. With HF, the weakened heart can’t supply the cells with enough blood. This results in fatigue and shortness of breath, and some people experience excessive coughing. Everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries can become very difficult. According to the Indian Heart Association, 50 percent of heart failure in Indian men occurs under 50 years of age and women have high mortality rates from cardiac disease.”
To efficiently manage the condition, it is crucial to be aware of several misconceptions about heart failure that must be busted.
Myth 1: heart failure means your heart has stopped working
HF does not imply that the heart will stop beating suddenly and without any prior symptoms. In fact, there are several signs and symptoms associated with HF. Breathlessness is one of these symptoms, which can occur when exercising or even just lying in bed. Other symptoms include ankle swelling and abdominal bloating. While some people might also experience fatigue or loss of appetite. Nowadays, an armamentarium of medicines and devices are present to manage HF and improve outcomes.
Myth 2: it is same as heart attack
“Both HF and heart attacks are types of cardiac disease. While they share similar causes, they differ in many ways. HF is the inability of the heart muscles to pump blood efficiently to meet the body’s needs, while a heart attack occurs when there is a blockage of the blood supply to the heart,” says Dr. Saggu.
Myth 3: there's nothing you can do to get better after being diagnosed with heart failure
Although heart failure is a serious condition, it can be managed with the right treatment and regular cardiologist consultations. Additionally, with the advancement in medical technologies patients with severe HF can also be treated. When a patient is experiencing abnormal heart rhythm which can be life threatening, implantable defibrillators, or ICDs give an electric shock to the heart to save the patient's life. Some patients may also experience HF with abnormal conduction of the electrical system of the heart, which alters how efficiently the heart beats. In such a situation, Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), also known as biventricular pacing, may be recommended. A particular pacemaker is used in this treatment to make the ventricles contract more properly and in synchrony. This therapy can enhance cardiac function, lower the risk of hospitalisation, and increase survival.
According to Dr. Saggu, “Heart transplants are performed when other treatments for heart problems haven't worked, leading to heart failure. For some people who cannot have a heart transplant, another option may be a ventricular assist device (VAD). A VAD is a mechanical pump implanted in your chest that helps pump blood from the lower chambers of your heart (ventricles) to the rest of your body.”
“The information in this article is for educational purposes only and not meant to provide any medical or clinical advice. Please consult your doctor for more information.”



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25May

CBBC Star Goes Through A Severe Asthma Attack That Left His Lungs ‘Encased In Cement’

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Raphael Olaiya

Raphael Olaiya, CBBC presenter, recently opened up about the time he thought that an asthma attack was about to kill him. (Photo credit: Raphael Olaiya/Instagram)

New Delhi: Raphael Olaiya, CBBC presenter, recently opened up about the time he thought that an asthma attack was about to kill him. Although he had been asthmatic since childhood, this particular episode, he said, felt like his lungs had been ‘encased in cement’. The 30-year-old recalled fighting for life with every breath. Although he had no history of asthma, he first noticed the symptoms when he was 6-years-old and was left panting at a friend’s birthday party while sitting next to a parent who was smoking.

Later, Raphael Olaiya was left struggling with breath at his grandmother’s place in Berkshire. But the time when he felt like his lungs were encased in cement, he reported finding it incredibly hard to get air in the body, feeling sick and clammy and being incapable of speaking. But it was then that his grandmother put him on a nebuliser to open up the inflamed airways.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a common disorder of the lungs characterised by occasional breathing problems. It can occur at any age and often starts in childhood. Asthma can also be caused by swelling in the breathing tubes which can either happen randomly or after exposure to triggers like smoke, pollen, exercise, dust mites, animal fur or the cold or flu.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

The symptoms of asthma include:

  1. Chest tightness
  2. Wheezing – whistling sound while breathing
  3. Breathlessness

An asthma attack can involve the symptoms temporarily getting worse. Although asthma has no cure, some forms of treatment can help patients get relief from the symptoms. These include use of inhalers or tablets or nebulisers.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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24May

New device may help with COPD

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CINCINNATI, Ohio (Ivanhoe Newswire) – About 12.5 million Americans have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. With COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways. The tiny air sacs in the lungs are damaged, and unable to stretch and shrink. Now, a team of physician-scientists have developed a non-invasive device that can help patients with their breathing.

University of Cincinnati College of Medicine pulmonologist, Ralph Panos, MD explains, “The main cause of breathlessness in COPD is something called air trapping, or dynamic hyperinflation. It’s an inability to exhale all of the air that one takes in.”

Treatments include a rescue inhaler and steroids. Patients are also taught to practice a special method of breathing.

Dr. Panos says, “They learned something called pursed lip breathing, which is breathing out through pursed lips to create that back pressure.”

Dr. Panos and his colleagues developed a hands-free device that helps patients simulate pursed lip breathing. The device is called the positive expiratory pressure, or PEP Buddy.

“It’s just simply placed in the mouth, one breathes in through the nose, and then out through the device. That resistance to airflow creates the back pressure, which relieves the air trapping and dynamic hyperinflation,” Dr. Panos demonstrates.

The researchers say there are many benefits of slow breathing and exhalation. Now, a tiny tool can help.

Dr. Panos and his colleagues developed the PEP Buddy with help from a University of Cincinnati department that provides a launchpad for entrepreneurs. The researchers are in the process of obtaining what’s called class one approval from the FDA, which is for medical devices that are considered low-risk for consumer use. Since the device is considered low-risk, it can be available for purchase before it gets FDA-approval. The PEP Buddy is currently being sold for $25 and is not covered by insurance.

Contributors to this news report include Cyndy McGrath, Producer; Kirk Manson, Videographer; Roque Correa, Editor.

Copyright 2023 KPLC. All rights reserved.

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24May

Fondazione Prada exhibition is an ode to a vanishing Venice

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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The Grand Canal laps at the steps of Fondazione Prada’s 18th-century palazzo, leaving strata tidemarks charting the rising lagoon. This waterside entrance was once used not only to deliver dignitaries and guests who then climbed the grand staircase to the richly decorated Piano Nobile, but also materials and goods which were then stored in the somewhat less-grand ground floor spaces. ‘Everybody Talks About the Weather’, the venue’s new exhibition curated by Dieter Roelstraete and coinciding with the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, spreads across both floors, filling it with aesthetically beautiful if potentially cataclysmic images.

A ground-floor, low-ceilinged store is transformed through the blue hue of a sub-aqua video from Raqs Media Collective. Deep Breath (1999/2002) follows three divers in the Aegean Sea on a situationist quest to find distributed letters to spell out ‘the forgetting of air’ – a fragment of ancient Greek aphorism which references a study by Martin Heidegger, but perhaps now also speaks to our taking-for-granted of elemental forces and a collective lack of care for them. The work was filmed the summer before Covid, though the divers’ heavy breathing through back-strapped air tanks acts as a haunting premonition of the sounds of breathlessness and intubation which followed.

Exhibition view of “Everybody Talks About the Weather” Fondazione Prada, Venice

Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, You Don't Need a Weatherman (Version 3), 2017. Exhibition view of 'Everybody Talks About the Weather' at Fondazione Prada, Venice

(Image credit: Photo: Marco Cappelletti Courtesy: Fondazione Prada)

The ground floor stores of palazzos such as Fondazione Prada’s Ca’ Corner della Regina are designed to survive Venice’s annual flooding, allowing high waters to pass under, while architecture and artworks of greater value are safe on higher floors. However, half of Venice’s intense high-water events since 1872 have occurred within the past three decades, so Raqs’ footage of divers floating through the palazzo could be read as another foretelling.

‘The scientific community is largely agreed that in 75 years Venice will exist no more, it will have been drowned … so this building will be lost,’ Roelstraete tells me. This risk of flooding can be read in his curation: the floodable ground floor predominantly presents video and quickly-demountable wall works – including Plastic Horizons (2014), a series in which Dan Peterman layers strips of recycled plastic as if documenting anthropogenic chronology – alongside ten high-resolution but relatively low-value printed reproductions of famous historical paintings.

Exhibition view of “Everybody Talks About the Weather” Fondazione Prada, Venice

Exhibition view of 'Everybody Talks About the Weather' at Fondazione Prada, Venice, featuring reproductions of Giorgione's The Tempest, c.1502 (left) and another copy of Pieter Bruegel's Hunters in the Snow (Winter), 1565

(Image credit: Photo: Marco Cappelletti Courtesy: Fondazione Prada)

At first, it seems odd for the curation to so heavily rely on these reproductions. The originals could obviously not be presented in such an at-risk, non-climate-controlled space, but their inclusion invites us to question what (and who) else is at such risk from environmental changes, or indeed to imagine what if culture we cherish now might only exist in the future through mechanical reproduction.

The function of the reproductions – including Bruegel’s Hunters in the Snow, Turner’s Rain, Steam, and Speed, and Monet’s Impression, Sunrise – is not to add historic gravitas, but invite reconsideration of masterpieces through the lens of climate breakdown, reinterpreting them as documents of a changing ecosystem. ‘Venice is a very dramatic backdrop for this argument, because it's kind of a celebrity victim,’ Roelstraete suggests.

Exhibition view of “Everybody Talks About the Weather” Fondazione Prada, Venice

Vivian Suter, Untitled, 2023. Exhibition view of 'Everybody Talks About the Weather' Fondazione Prada, Venice

(Image credit: Photo: Marco Cappelletti Courtesy: Fondazione Prada)

Exhibition view of “Everybody Talks About the Weather” Fondazione Prada, Venice

Vivian Suter, Untitled, 2023. Exhibition view of 'Everybody Talks About the Weather', Fondazione Prada, Venice 

(Image credit: Photo: Marco Cappelletti Courtesy: Fondazione Prada)

Information panels present contextual scientific data and research. Monet’s coalsmoke yellowness, blue morning light, and red rising sun are explained as a record of early industrial environmental impact, while diagrams illustrate the social and health impacts of the Little Ice Age Breugel painted through. The visitor can dive into this analysis as much or little as they wish, supported by a wide library of further reading.

Upstairs, the ornate portego is dominated by Vivian Suter canvases draped from a framework, playing against the colours and Renaissance clothing in surrounding frescoes. When Suter’s work overlooked the Acropolis at Documenta 14 her canvases flitted in open breezes, here their sway is more subtle as visitors walk by and Nick Raffel’s balsa wood Fan (2022) lightly circulates air from above.

Nick Raffel (1982) Fan, 2022

Nick Raffel, Fan, 2022. Exhibition view of 'Everybody Talks About the Weather', Fondazione Prada, Venice 

(Image credit: Photo: Marco Cappelletti Courtesy: Fondazione Prada)

Rooms on each side of the portego consider thematic climactic conditions including rain, clouds, and melting, using a variety of historic and contemporary works: Venetian Giorgio Andreotta Calò’s 2014 core samples of Lagoon mud provide more strata, utilising a process used by both environmental and extractive industries; an anonymous naïve 1709 painting captures Venetians comedically slipping across the frozen lagoon; a photograph by Hans Haacke documents the freezing, melting, and evaporation of snow on his studio roof; while diptychs from Chantal Peñalosa photograph a cloud from each side of the Mexico-US border as it innocently crosses the hard division. ‘The cloud is kind of like the archetypal figure here because it's the sublime object of detached aesthetic contemplation,’ Roelstraete suggests, before adding ‘but it can also be a portal of disaster.’

The dialectic between beauty and fear, as illustrated by the cloud, is present throughout ‘Everybody Talks About the Weather’, but might aestheticisation and beautifying unimaginably horrific outcomes soften fear, feeling, and potential action? ‘Yes, to a certain extent, but to a certain extent, aestheticising might also help mobilise,’ the curator says, before adding ‘though most of the people who will come see this are, of course, already aware.’

Exhibition view of “Everybody Talks About the Weather” Fondazione Prada, Venice

Chantal Peñalosa, Untitled, 2018, Exhibition view of 'Everybody Talks About the Weather' Fondazione Prada, Venice

(Image credit: Photo: Marco Cappelletti Courtesy: Fondazione Prada)

Exhibition view of “Everybody Talks About the Weather” Fondazione Prada, Venice

Exhibition view of 'Everybody Talks About the Weather' at Fondazione Prada, Venice

(Image credit: Photo: Marco Cappelletti Courtesy: Fondazione Prada)

'Everybody Talks About the Weather', until 26 November 2023. fondazioneprada.org



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23May

Give breathlessness patients diagnosis and care plan within six months, says NHS England

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Most patients presenting with breathlessness should have a diagnosis and comprehensive plan in place with six months, a support tool published by NHS England to reduce variation in care says.

Breathlessness is associated with high use of healthcare services accounting for 4% of GP consultations and 5% of emergency department attendances, NHS England said.

Yet despite the burden to the patient and the NHS, delays to diagnosis and misdiagnosis are common, the toolkit notes.

This includes 58% of patients with COPD who present with respiratory symptoms for over five years before diagnosed as well as 41% of patients with heart failure.

Patients with chronic breathlessness are likely to need multiple investigations and should be provided with self-management advice, have lifestyle issues addressed and support for mental health from the first presentation, the guidance states.

Timeliness is key with a proactive approach to reassessment rather than waiting for patients to keep highlighting their breathlessness, it says, and in a third of patients the cause will be multifactorial.

The guidance sets out diagnostic pathway for initial investigations of chronic breathlessness lasting more than eight weeks including ECG, spirometry and FeNO with suggestions for further tests should be diagnosis be unclear.

Referral to respiratory physician or cardiologist is the third step should other investigations provide no explanation, the pathway says.

‘If there is no obvious cause(s) for breathlessness after robust investigation, fitness and lifestyle factors should be addressed,’ the toolkit continues.

‘Consider referral for therapeutic interventions for alcohol reduction, weight management, physical activity improvement and psychosocial support.’

It notes the guidance is not intended to override clinical judgment in individual cases.

The toolkit follows calls for breathlessness hubs to be set up to improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis for COPD.

In its annual report on COPD care, Asthma and Lung UK said almost a quarter of patients wait five year or more before their condition is diagnosed and 12% of 6,500 patients surveyed had waited more than a decade. 

Some community diagnostic centres have been piloting the use of a pre-diagnosis breathlessness pathway, the charity said, but this approach now needs to be rolled out nationally as a matter of urgency.

The goal would be for any patients presenting with breathlessness with no obvious diagnosis to be referred to a diagnostic hub to have an assessment by heart, respiratory and mental health experts before onward specialist referral and treatment where necessary. 

Dr Daryl Freeman, Primary Care Respiratory Society committee member and associate clinical director at Norfolk Community Health & Care said: ‘The NHSE breathlessness pathway is an opportunity to fine tune primary care diagnosis of breathlessness and look at how they can develop their PCN hublets or refer into community based diagnostic hubs if they exist.

‘The algorithm is useful I feel and is particularly useful for allied health professionals looking after patients with new onset breathlessness.’

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23May

Ask the Doctor: ‘How can my elderly father reduce his symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?’

Posted by: admin Categories: PHYSICAL REHABILITATION
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“My elderly father has just been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). I have managed to get him to reduce his smoking from 40+ per day to 10 per day and am hoping to soon get him off them altogether. Is there anything we can do to help him repair any damage from smoking or anything we can do to keep the symptoms of COPD at bay to give him a better quality of life?”

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Answer from Dr Abhilash Sahadevan, Consultant in Respiratory Medicine and General Internal Medicine, Beacon Hospital

The diagnosis of COPD will be a shock to your father. Congratulations to both of you for
taking the most critical step for his future by tackling the root cause: smoking. Reducing the number of cigarettes smoked shows that your father is keen to stop the progression of his COPD and mitigate its symptoms. The benefits of reducing cigarettes compared to completely stopping smoking are unclear and likely only of minimal benefit.

Family support is crucial, as your father could feel isolated while dealing with his nicotine dependence. Ingrained over a lifetime, reducing smoking will incur withdrawal symptoms (irritability, anxiety and intense cravings).

He must also be encouraged to form new routines and ways to cope with stress. Quitting will immediately benefit his symptoms. Breathing, coughing and wheezing will improve as the lungs start healing immediately. The risk of hospital admissions or COPD exacerbations is significantly reduced with time.

Taking nicotine replacement in combination (e.g. patch and gum/inhaler) has a higher chance of success than in isolation. Hypnotherapy alone or combined with nicotine replacement should be considered to help quit.

Regardless of age, every COPD patient can be empowered to self-manage their symptoms. Get guidance from his medical team on a personalised treatment plan and managing breakthrough symptoms at home and outside. Watch for difficulties with inhaler technique at home. Using the inhaler name, you can easily find simple YouTube videos to reinforce the technique.

Meanwhile, you can invest in medical devices like an accurate pulse oximeter that can reassure and alert the need for further medical help. Air-driven nebulisers can help during exacerbations. Airflow directed at the face from a hand-held fan reduces the perception of breathlessness. The ideal fan has at least 3 blades and an easy-to-use switch.

Ensure he practises diaphragmatic breathing and pursed lip breathing daily. A daily minimum water intake can help mucus expectoration, and frequently check his weight so as to get a reasonable dry weight estimate.

Do not let symptoms lead to reduced physical activity. Help him enrol in community group exercises and pulmonary rehabilitation. Staying active, even with just regular walking, can allow the body to compensate for damaged lungs.

Discuss the need for portable oxygen and low-dose morphine to maintain his independence outside the house, if necessary, with his healthcare team. Most COPD patients can lead fruitful lives with good support and management.

Have a question for the professionals you’d like answered? Get in touch with [email protected] with the subject headline ‘Ask The Doctor’.

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23May

I have long COVID. Here’s what my life is like

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There is one thing people with long COVID should never say: “I have long COVID.” Most people don’t know what it is, a good percentage will think you have COVID itself and have had it for a “long” time, and the rest will rise to offer you a seat on the subway.

People with long COVID don’t want a seat. What they want is a couch with plumped-up cushions, a cool breeze on their face, Taylor Swift on low, and two hours of alone time.

As I, fully vaccinated, recover from a year of post-COVID syndrome, I dream of a summer in a Swiss sanatorium — they still exist — breathing hyper-oxygenated air vented past candytuft clouds over the Alps. A nurse brings a restorative tisane, a posset.

You can’t get that kind of thing on the TTC. People will take you for a vagrant, or worse, a bore. I will bore you now about the state of the long COVID cohort, the club no one ever dreamed existed or wished to join. Someone has to do it.

People who developed the illness some time after getting short COVID deserve only the best advice. But few journalists cover long-form COVID. Doctors tune out when you mention it because they are as mystified as you are.

But more than 1.4 million Canadians — about 15 per cent of adults who contracted COVID-19 — have symptoms three months or more after their initial infection. That’s a huge iceberg. Children get it. Men get it, although not as often as women do. By different paths and degrees, it flattens them all.

Long COVID has a wide range of symptoms, including post-exertional malaise (sudden and extreme fatigue), breathlessness, coughing, chest pain, brain fog, insomnia, muscle pain, headaches, and a loss of taste and smell that makes eating a chore. Wine tastes like wire. Meat reeks.

My symptoms are milder than most people’s, but they wax and wane. You feel tubercular, then spring back. So far, there is almost no medical care for long COVID, and the Ontario government still has no strategy for this quiet condition. But there is some advice on managing the weight of the albatross.

You plan each day with Presbyterian care, hoping for productiveness but pacing yourself, shunning crazy ambitions like shovelling snow or hauling groceries.

This increasingly chaotic world is full of strange and entertaining concepts like Rep. George Santos and Pierre “Skippy” Poilievre, but you watch political events unfolding from behind a thick pane of glass. You are distant and preoccupied.

You can work from home, say, but if you overextend, you’ll crash, sending you back into hibernation.

Crucially, long-haulers don’t look ill. Just as disabled people are upbraided for not looking sufficiently hobbled for their free parking pass, it’s difficult to convince people that you’re running on fumes.

The tiredness inside us is like a cave unvisited by humans, a great hollowness. You are the thing that holds the tiredness, yet it’s still bigger than you.

Ongoing research into causes and cures has many threads. It might be that mitochondria, the body’s power plants, are being starved of fuel or that microclots, invisible in scans, are clogging blood flow. Or the virus is still inside you, or the immune system remains on constant high alert which causes inflammation.

One scientist calls it a “deceitful virus,” meaning that just when we think we understand it, it keeps changing, keeps surprising us.

Like all long-haulers, I had many things planned for the year. I wanted to renovate the house (my first place), go back to work in the office (second place), find a local hangout (third place), and visit Japan (distant place). By restricting where I go, I am gradually improving. But at what cost? Stasis.

What helps? Comedy. Pie. Reading. The scaffolding of work. People, mainly toddlers. The usual.

Many people with long COVID don’t have the option of working from home, or working at all, or help from family and friends, or an emergency financial cushion. They have been accused of malingering, have lost tenancies and houses. They feel they have no allies. Imagine being elderly or a newcomer to Canada, already short of defences, and coping with this.

I write this to tell long-haulers that they’re not alone. Ask anyone. They’ll have heard stories, they know someone, they will help.

After eight months, I finally was accepted into a virtual clinic offering two months of twice-weekly sessions on coping with long COVID, a series of Zooms beamed into our crowded lifeboat.

We all feel absolutely dreadful. We have hope though. This is one of the strangest things that has ever happened in our lives and we, Canadian and cautious, talk openly about the shabby aftermath of having been hit by a stray bullet from a long gun.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Conversations are opinions of our readers and are subject to the Code of Conduct. Metroland
does not endorse these opinions.

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23May

CBBC star Raphael Olaiya shares ‘terrifying’ diagnosis that left his ‘lungs encased in cement’

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CBBC presenter Raphael Olaiya has shared the terrifying moment he thought he might die during an asthma attack.

The kid's TV star has suffered with the common breathing condition since childhood - though he had no idea at the time.

CBBC star Raphael Olaiya suffered several terrifying asthma attacks as a child

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CBBC star Raphael Olaiya suffered several terrifying asthma attacks as a childCredit: @drraphaelll/Instagram
The TV presenter and GP said he felt like his lungs were 'encased in cement'

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The TV presenter and GP said he felt like his lungs were 'encased in cement'Credit: @drraphaelll/Instagram

Recalling one episode when his lungs felt like they had been "encased in cement", Raphael told The Mirror: "That feeling of impending doom was visceral.

"I will never forget the awful sensation of fighting for every breath. It was terrifying."

The 30-year-old, known as Dr Raph on CBBC comedy series Operation Ouch! which he hosts with his twin brother Daniel, had no history of asthma when he first noticed some worrying signs.

Aged six, he began panting after a friend's birthday party where he had been sitting next to a parent who was smoking.

A short time later, he found himself struggling to breathe while at his grandmother's in Reading, Berkshire.

The youngster felt so bad he lay on the sofa with his head buried in his hands, but kept his concerns to himself.

Raphael, from Torquay, Devon, said: "I was fighting so hard just to get air into my body, and I can remember feeling incredibly clammy and sick.

"It was as if my lungs had been encased in cement. I didn’t know what to do as I couldn’t even speak."

He said looking back, he can now see he was having an asthma attack and was in "extreme respiratory distress".

But as a young boy, he was "too proud to make a fuss".

Fortunately, his grandmother clocked that he needed help and rushed him to A&E where he was put on a nebuliser to open up his inflamed airways.

Once his breathing had returned to normal, he went home - but wasn't given an inhaler or any guidance in case the same thing happened again.

Raphael, who makes television appearances alongside his job as an NHS GP registrar, said it was no surprise he had another "awful" attack a couple of years later.

It was only then that he was given a formal asthma diagnosis and two inhalers to manage and prevent his symptoms.

Scarred by two traumatic childhood experiences, Raphael is supporting Asthma + Lung UK’s campaign to help parents understand the triggers and get their kids regularly checked.

He said: "Asthma isn't taken seriously enough, and I know from working in a hospital it can be incredibly dangerous, even fatal."

Raphael with his brother and Operation Ouch! co-host Daniel

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Raphael with his brother and Operation Ouch! co-host DanielCredit: Getty
Raphael, 30, had no history of asthma when he first noticed some worrying signs

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Raphael, 30, had no history of asthma when he first noticed some worrying signsCredit: @drraphaelll/Instagram

What is asthma?

ASTHMA is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties.

It affects people of all ages and often starts in childhood.

It is caused by swelling of the breathing tubes. This may happen randomly, or after exposure to a trigger like dust mites, animal fur, pollen, smoke, exercise and infections like cold or flu.

Symptoms of asthma include:

  • A whistling sound when breathing (wheezing)
  • Breathlessness
  • A tight chest

An asthma attack happens when symptoms get temporarily worse.

While there is no cure, treatments for the condition include reliever inhalers and preventer inhalers. Some people also take tablets.

Data from Asthma + Lung UK suggests NHS hospital admissions for children with asthma have soared by 149 per cent across England and Wales in the last year.

Around eight million people - or 12 per cent of the British population - have been diagnosed with asthma.

Source: NHS and the British Lung Foundation



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22May

Severe Asthma and Lung Cancer: What’s the Link?

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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May 22, 2023 – Did you know that cutting-edge research is highlighting the link between heavily symptomatic asthma and lung cancer? 

About 25 million Americans have asthma,  a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that makes the inner lining of your lungs swell. Between 5% and 10% of Americans with the disease have severe asthma. Severe asthma is categorized by needing medium- to high-dose corticosteroids and other long-acting drugs. Often, these drugs won’t control asthma symptoms, which people with asthma have every night and most days of the week.

 The inflammation that is caused by asthma triggers attacks when patients breathe in allergens like pollen, dust, or pollutants. 

Lung cancer is also driven by inflammation in the respiratory tract, which can contribute to the development of tumors. 

“Inflammation does appear to be linked to malignancies,” said William L. Dahut, MD, chief scientific officer of the American Cancer Society. “Inflammation from asthma may be one of the reasons why people with asthma are more likely to have lung cancer.”

Severe asthma is also characterized by fibroblasts, cells that can further promote inflammation. Researchers also link fibroblasts to lung cancer.  

“In a basic lab study, the investigators found invasive bronchial fibroblasts derived from asthmatic patients can activate lung cancer cells,” said Yi Guo, PhD, an associate professor of health outcomes and biomedical informatics at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville. “More studies are needed to explore this relationship in real-world patient populations.” (Guo has also co-authored a new study that found patients with asthma are almost one-and-a-half times more likely to get cancer than those in good respiratory health.)

Researchers in the United Arab Emirates have found that severe asthma patients are often diagnosed with lung cancer after it has developed over 3 decades. This is important because it shows that inflammation from severe asthma may contribute to long-term low-level damage to lung tissue. Authors of the study working with Canadian researchers further found that severe asthma patients are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive stage III or IV lung cancer, and that doctors may want to consider severe asthma as a predictor of risk for the disease. 

Read on for a look at the things that could put people with severe asthma at a  higher risk for lung cancer, as well as how to reduce those chances.  

What Are the Symptoms of Severe Asthma? 

The  symptoms of asthma are: 

  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Tightness in your chest 

People with severe asthma may also breathe rapidly, have changes in their heart rate, and can strain their head and neck muscles from the stress of coughing or trying to get more air.

What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer? 

There are two types of lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma occurs in up to 85% of patients and is also related to a subtype called squamous cell lung cancer. Small-cell lung cancer, which occurs in only 15% of patients, grows and spreads faster.  For severe asthma patients, “the increased lung cancer risk does not occur in adenocarcinoma, but is more common in small cell and in squamous cell,”  Dahut said. 

Lung cancer symptoms include:

  • A  worsening or persistent cough
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Coughing up blood
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss

Some of the symptoms of lung cancer overlap with signs of severe asthma. It’s important that people with severe asthma tell their doctor about anything new that's concerning. 

Should You Be Screened for Lung Cancer if You Have Severe Asthma? 

At this, time, the recommendations for lung cancer screening apply to patients who: 

  • Have a 20 pack-year or more smoking history, and
  • Smoke now, or quit within the past 15 years, and
  • Are between the ages of 50 and 80

That said, risk can be very specific, so it's important for people to do what's right for them on an individual level.  

“It’s important to abide by what your doctor recommends,” said  Albert Rizzo, MD, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association. “If you have a family history of lung cancer, it’s also important to review that with your doctor.” 

How Can You Lower Your Lung Cancer Risk if You Have Severe Asthma? 

To reduce the risk, it's important to: 

  • Keep on top of your symptoms. Researchers in Norway recently found that patients with only partially controlled lung cancer symptoms have a higher risk of lung cancer. If your asthma symptoms are controlled well, there’s much less chance of damage to your lung tissue. 
  • Ask about adjusting your medication.
    “Some studies have also shown that patients who used inhaled glucocorticoids decrease the risk of lung cancer,” said Dahut. (Glucocorticoids not only fight inflammation in severe asthma, but also in cancer.)
  • Don’t smoke, and avoid all secondhand smoke. 
  • Make your living space safer.
    “Get your home tested for radon gas, which can raise your risk for lung cancer,” Rizzo said. 
  • Avoid cancer-causing chemicals where you work. Diesel fumes, for example, have been linked to a higher lung cancer risk. Avoid exposure to them as you commute as well by rolling up your windows in traffic. 
  • Eat more fruits and veggies. These foods contain powerful compounds that can have a protective effect. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy, and Brussels sprouts contain sulforaphane, which can cut cancer risk. Leafy greens are packed with folate, which also can help prevent the disease. Plus, think orange: Foods of that color, such as oranges, tangerines, peaches, papayas, red bell peppers, and carrots, contain beta-cryptoxanthin, a pigment that’s a known cancer fighter.
  • Exercise as much as you can. Ask your doctor to recommend low-impact workouts that won’t cause breathlessness. 

“The more control you have over your risk factors for lung cancer, the more your odds may decrease,” Rizzo said.  In short: There’s a lot you can start doing today to live a longer, healthier life. 

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22May

6 Home remedies to help treat asthma

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From struggling with breathing issues to carrying an inhaler all the time, asthma patients know how difficult it is to live with the disease. And increasing pollution is simply adding to the woes of asthma patients. And those who suffer from it might know how difficult it is to live with asthma at times. So, if you are among those who have come looking for a genuine suggestion to get rid of asthma, well you are just in the right place.

We understand your concern about the issues that you face because of your asthma and how stressful it makes you. The concern tends to get in your head, making you feel sick about it and hampering your day-to-day life. Well, not anymore because here we have listed six home remedies that may help you to get rid of the prevailing asthma. 

Honey does an excellent job!

6 home remedies to get rid of asthma
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Honey is an easy availability in every household. But did you know that it can act as a miraculous ingredient in treating your asthma? Well, you know now. Since childhood, we all have faced certain conditions when our mothers used to feed us one spoonful of honey to treat our colds. In the same way, honey is also useful in treating your asthma as well. It works by minimising the swelling of our air tracts and also reducing our chest congestion. It’s a powerful ingredient and if consumed one spoonful daily, it might keep your asthma or any health issues related to it at bay. 

Yoga and meditation

6 home remedies to get rid of asthma
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Yoga and meditation are the two most powerful pieces of equipment to combat your asthma problem. While yoga helps in increasing your immunity and regularising blood flow and oxygen in every nook and corner of your body, meditation especially Pranayama helps in opening your lungs thus minimising chest congestion. Deep breathing from each nostril makes sure to open up any blockage caused by cold and also reduces your frequent asthma attack. Incorporating meditation and yoga into your daily routine will make sure to keep your body healthy and prevent any diseases to harm you. 

Have control over your stress

6 home remedies to get rid of asthma
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It’s seen that often stress from certain happenings increases our chances of experiencing an asthma attack. Any external agent like dust pollutants or any phobia-related stress, triggers our prevailing asthma making us prone to having asthma attacks frequently. We suggest that you reduce your stress by diverting your mind to something else like listening to music, engaging in certain activities, watching a movie etc to help with your stress. Stress plays a huge role in arousing your asthma by a lot of per cent and worsens the symptoms to a great extent. So stop stressing and try to reduce your asthma without undergoing any medications.

Take regular steam

Another very effective measure that you can take to combat your asthma is by taking in regular steam. The vapour released from the boiling water helps any prevailing inflammation in your lungs and clears the mucus in your chest that makes your normal breathing difficult thus making you feel relieved. It’s a great home remedy that is easy to execute and is a genuine way to make you get rid of your asthma.

Caffeine to your rescue

6 home remedies to get rid of asthma
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Yes, you heard us right. Caffeine helps in clearing up the passage leading from your nose to your lungs and thus relieves you of your asthma issues. Apart from coffee, you can also opt to take green tea which also is beneficial to a great extent in reducing any kind of inflammation in your chest and the breathlessness that you suffer from during your asthma attack. So prepare your cup of coffee or green tea now.

Essential oils are essential

6 home remedies to get rid of asthma
Pexels

When it comes to treating asthma, essential oils come to your rescue with their amazing benefits of relieving you of your breathing problems. One such essential oil is the one that is extracted from the eucalyptus plant. It directly works on symptoms like wheezing, any kind of chest pain due to it and difficulty caused by breathing. It’s a great reliever for asthma problems and you can definitely go for it. 

 

While the above-mentioned tips are generally harmless, it is important to seek immediate medical help if you face any issues while implementing them. Also, these should not be used as a substitute to professional medical advice and should be used for reference purposes only.

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20May

Shropshire: Pupils come together for ‘Big Sing’

Posted by: admin Categories: PULMONARY DISEASES
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The event took place in the Holroyd Community Theatre in Weston Rhyn and the independent school, Moreton Hall worked closely with North Shropshire Music and national charity Asthma + Lung UK, to organise the event.

The organisers wanted to show how singing and playing a musical instrument can actively promote good breathing technique and positively support those with lung conditions such as asthma.

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Pupils from Moreton Hall Prep School, Selattyn School, St Martins Primary School, Weston Rhyn and Penley Madras took part in a variety of practical sessions delivered by Moreton Hall’s head of vocal studies, Ellie Diack who works for the NHS and is one of their highly regarded 'Singing for Lung Health' practitioners.

Border Counties Advertizer: The event was held in the Holroyd Community Theatre in Weston Rhyn.The event was held in the Holroyd Community Theatre in Weston Rhyn. (Image: Moreton Hall)

Ellie said: "In my capacity as an NHS practitioner, I have first-hand experience working with those with breathing and lung conditions.

"Some conditions can be highly debilitating, but it is heartening to see how regular weekly singing sessions can benefit patients and improve their quality of life."

Ellie and the rest of the team were joined by Sally Heywood from Asthma + Lung UK.

Sally said: "More than 12 million people in the UK will get a lung condition during their lifetime and have to deal with breathlessness which can be terrifying.

"Many people with lung conditions say that singing helps them to feel less short of breath and more in control of their breathing, so it’s great that pupils will be using the power of their voices to raise awareness and funds for the charity.

"We are so grateful to Moreton Hall Music staff for organising the Big Sing with Asthma + Lung UK which saw pupils sing for lung health, an amazing achievement."

Moreton Hall's director of music, Helen Raynor hailed the day.

She said: "What an event. 

"It was a fascinating day.

"Everyone learnt something. 

"I had no idea that Beethoven was asthmatic. 

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"A super day for creative thinking and learning and a refreshing way to raise awareness for such an important issue.

Border Counties Advertizer: A number of different schools took part.A number of different schools took part. (Image: Moreton Hall)

"The event was not just a great opportunity to bring young people together through song, but it has raised awareness that engaging in singing and playing a musical instrument can positively benefit sufferers, and help to promote a better way of life for those struggling with lung conditions."

 

 

 



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