Can I know what I am allergic to ?

Yes..
The answer invloves,

Detailed and directed history obtained from patient.
Skin allergy test and
Blood allergy test.

Treatment entails avoidance of the allergen,
General treatment which reduces the symptoms of allergy
Specific treatment that reduces body's hypersensitivity to allergens.


 

Sleep hygiene

The most common cause of un refreshed sleep is  sleep in-hygiene.

You may take following measures to improve your sleep hygiene,

• Try to take your meal at least couple of hours before going to bed.

• Avoid caffeine containing drinks late in the evening.

• Don’t use television and computers in your bedroom.

• Give yourself ample time to sleep (at least 6 hours).

If you already do it and yet have problems, consult a Pulmonologist (chest physician) with interest in sleep disorders as in case you have a sleep disorder for example sleep apnea, it may seriously affect your mental and physical health.

Crying lungs .... please don't insult them

Oxygen is our body's fuel without which we can not survive.

Soul may be defined as " the ability to use oxygen" and when our cells loose this ability (soul leaves body) for whatever reason, we die.
Lungs, one of the vital organs of the body,  have the responsiblity to receive oxygen from the atmosphere which after binding to hemoglobin is delivered to every part of the body by the circulating blood.

Fresh air is the nourishment for lungs. On the contrary, man is the only living subject that will fully smokes cigarette and causes enormous insult to the lungs inviting diseases like COPD and lung cancer.

Don't start smoking if you don't and don't delay quitting if you do.

COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease of lungs caused by smoking.

• Currently it is the 6th leading cause of death worldwide.

• In the year 2020 it is estimated to become the 3rd leading cause of death !!!

 Dont start smoking if you dont and dont delay quitting if you do.

Chronic cough - not easy to live with

Chronic cough is not only a bothersome symptom but a social stigma as well. If one is otherwise healthy and non smoker, it is most commonly secondary to one of the three following conditions namely,

1. Asthma (Cough variant Asthma)
2. GERD
3. Upper airway cough syndrome.

Diagnosis may be clinched with proper history taking and doing few tests usually performed under supervision of a Pulmonologist (Chest Physician). After making the diagnosis effective treatment may be offered.

1st three steps in Asthma management

A recently published study invloving 450 subjects showed

 

• Approximately half of the patients did not receive any

   information about bronchial asthma as a disease, and

• 40.7% did not receive any education regarding how to use

   asthma medication.

• Asthma was not controlled or partially controlled in the majority

   (97.7%) of the patients preceding the admission to emergency

   department.

• No education about asthma and uncontrolled asthma are the

  major factors leading to frequent ED visits (three or more

  visits/year).

 

Remeber the 1st three steps in Asthma mangement are,

 

1. Patient educaiton and counseling,
2. Patient educaiton and counseling and
3. Patient educaiton and counseling

 

I have Asthma - can I play?

Yes, indeed.
The goals of Asthma management are,

§Achieve and maintain control of symptoms

§Maintain normal activity levels, including exercise

§Maintain pulmonary function as close to normal levels as possible.

§Prevent asthma exacerbations

§Avoid adverse effects from asthma medications

§Prevent asthma mortality

With proper assessment, management and adherence to treatment you may lead a normal life including participating in sports activity.

Don't abuse cough syrups

Cough is one of the nature's gift given to us.
It not only draws attention towards the underlying problem but also helps clearing the secretions present in the airways which are not meant to remain inside that may happen if cough is suppressed.
At the same time proper precaution should be taken while coughing to prevent others from catching the disease particles which may possibly be there, "the cough manners".
Most of the time the treament should target the cause of the cough rather than treating the symptom only. However, there are certain conditions where your Pulmonologist (Chest physician) might prescribe a cough syrup for you especially if it is prolonged and dry.

Asthma in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

    Every year in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi & Al Ain) about 150,000 individuals (0.45 million visits) require asthma care, of whom half are  males and 50% are UAE nationals. 50% of cases are under 15 years of age.

    Only few health care facilities use spirometry in assessing asthma.

    Moreover, children less than 5 years defiantly never been tested by the spirometry because it is not prepared and approved for this age group.

Impact of Asthma on daily life

•  The estimate of lost work and school time from asthma is approximately 100 million days of restricted activity.

•    Approximately 500,000 annual hospitalizations (40.6% in individuals aged 18 y or younger) are due to asthma.

•    Each year, an estimated 1.81 million people (47.8% of them aged 18 y or younger) require treatment in an emergency department.

•     For 2010 in US, the annual expenditures for health and lost productivity due to asthma are projected to be $20.7 billion.

 

       With proper diagnosis and treatment an Asthmatic person can lead a normal life.