The loss of consciousness (syncope), following an episode of coughing is called cough syncope. It occurs for a brief period and recovery is within seconds to minutes. This can occur in any individual suffering from cough due to multiple reasons. Why does this happen? There have been various proposed mechanisms used to describe…
Read MoreIt is a common misnomer used by the people “I have flu”. Cold/common cold and Flu are two separate illnesses caused by different viruses. As the symptoms for both illnesses are mostly similar, it is rather difficult to diagnose on the basis of symptoms. Flu causes intense symptoms and can lead to development of some…
Read MoreHow does smoking affect the lungs? Around 500 million microscopic air sacs called alveoli are found in your lungs. These alveoli are reservoirs of the air you breathe and draw oxygen from the air you breathe and expel carbon dioxide. Smoking kills the cells that line these air sacs, which causes them to collapse.…
Read MoreTips on Using an Inhaler for Asthma or COPD The use of a metered-dose inhaler’s (MDI) commonly known as an inhaler appears easy. However, a lot of people end up not using them properly. This leads to less effective treatment and less than optimal relief of symptoms. When you use your inhaler or MDI incorrectly,…
Read MoreIf you have a first- degree family member with asthma, it is more likely that you might develop asthma than someone who has no family history of this beathing disorder. A child is twice as likely to get asthma as someone who does not have a history of the condition in the family. A child’s…
Read MoreWhat are CPAP machines and why are they used in the treatment if Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)? A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is the most frequently prescribed device in the management of obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a medical disorder that is not caused by anxiety or insomnia. However, sleep apnea when…
Read MoreWhy are Pulmonary Function Tests Performed Your doctor might arrange for Pulmonary Function tests (PFT) to evaluate how well your lungs are functioning. These are not blood tests but rather tests that are done by a trained technician in the clinic. You will be explained and demonstrated on how to perform the test. If you…
Read MoreHow Do Allergies Cause Asthma? An allergic response occurs when the body’s immune system proteins also called antibodies mistakenly identify a harmless substance, such as tree pollen or animal dander, and considers it as an invader (allergen). This misrecognition causes an allergic reaction to result. Antibodies formed by the body bind to the allergen in…
Read MoreAre allergies and asthma treated differently? Most treatments are designed to treat either asthma or allergic rhinitis. But a few treatments help with both conditions. The main treatment modalities include Antihistamine: They are a class of drugs that are commonly used to treat the symptoms of allergies including sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, rhinorrhea (runny…
Read MoreWhat is Monkeypox? What are common monkeypox symptoms? According to the CDC, monkeypox infections often last two to four weeks and start with flu like symptoms. Symptoms common in monkey pox are fever, headaches, muscle pains, and fatigue. Over time, fluid-filled pimples, sometimes known as “pox,” blisters or vesicles appear all over the skin. Health…
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