If you have asthma, your doctor may prescribe two different inhalers—a rescue inhaler and a maintenance inhaler. Many patients are confused about why they need both. Some believe that if the rescue inhaler relieves their breathing within minutes, there is no need to continue the maintenance inhaler. Others stop using their maintenance inhaler as soon…
Read MoreIf your doctor has prescribed montelukast, you may assume it is simply another allergy tablet. This is a common misunderstanding. Although montelukast is used to treat certain allergy-related conditions, it is not an antihistamine. Instead, montelukast works in a completely different way. It is commonly prescribed for people with asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and…
Read More“Doctor, my CT scan says I have scarring in my lungs. Is that the same as bronchiectasis?” This is one of the most common questions patients ask after having a CT scan. Seeing terms like lung fibrosis, bronchiectasis, or lung scarring on a report can be confusing and understandably worrying. Although both conditions affect the…
Read MoreUnderstanding Bronchiectasis and Why Early Diagnosis Matters World Bronchiectasis Day, observed each year on 1 July, is a global awareness campaign dedicated to improving understanding of bronchiectasis—a chronic lung disease that remains under-recognised despite affecting millions of people worldwide. The day brings together healthcare professionals, patients, researchers, and advocacy organisations to encourage earlier diagnosis, better…
Read MoreUsing the Right Inhaler Can Help You Breathe Better and Prevent Serious Flare-Ups If you have asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), you have been prescribed one or more inhalers. Many patients know the color of their inhaler but are unsure what it does. Others reach for the same inhaler every time they feel…
Read MoreRecurrent Chest Infections: Could There Be an Underlying Cause? Recovering from a chest infection only to develop another one a few months later can be frustrating and worrying. Many people ask, “Why do I keep getting chest infections?” or “Why do I keep getting pneumonia?” While an occasional chest infection is common, recurrent chest infections…
Read MoreQuitting Smoking Is the Best Gift You Can Give Your Lungs Many people who decide to quit smoking ask the same important question: “Have I already damaged my lungs permanently, or can they heal?” The answer is encouraging. Although smoking can cause lasting damage, your lungs begin repairing themselves as soon as you stop smoking.…
Read MoreDoes Dust Make You Sneeze, Cough or Feel Breathless? Do you find yourself sneezing every time you clean your home? Does making the bed leave you with a blocked nose, itchy eyes, or a persistent cough? If these symptoms sound familiar, you may have a dust allergy. Dust allergy is one of the most common…
Read MoreHave you noticed that you are constantly clearing your throat, coughing up mucus, or feeling as though something is stuck in your chest? If so, you are not alone. Many patients visiting a chest specialist are concerned about excessive phlegm production. While mucus is a normal part of your body’s defense system, producing too much…
Read MoreFew medical treatments create as much anxiety as mechanical ventilation, commonly known as being “on a ventilator.” When doctors mention the possibility of mechanical ventilation, patients and families often become frightened. Many believe that being placed on a ventilator means there is no hope of recovery, while others worry that once a person goes on…
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