It can be difficult to distinguish between an allergic rhinitis and a regular cold when you have runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. While the symptoms of the two disorders are similar, there are notable differences in their aetiology, durations, and therapies. Cause: Common Cold: Caused by viruses, primarily rhinoviruses, which spread via airborne droplets or…
Read MoreA post-infectious cough is a persistent cough that occurs following a respiratory infection, such as a cold, flu, or bronchitis. While the original infection has resolved, the cough may last for weeks or even months, creating discomfort and stress. Causes Post-infectious coughs are often caused by inflammation or irritation in the airways that persists after…
Read MoreHere are common misconceptions between the common cold and the flu: Flu and cold viruses are the same The flu is caused by influenza viruses, but the common cold can be caused by a variety of viruses, most notably rhinoviruses. The flu is just a bad cold Both are viral infections, but caused by distinct…
Read MoreThe flu vaccination is the best way to prevent getting sick with the flu as we approach a season when it is common. Influenza virus (strain A or B type) is the cause of the illness commonly referred to as “flu.” The virus enters your body through your nose, throat, and lungs, where it can…
Read MoreBackground: The air in the atmosphere has 21 % oxygen. When we breathe the oxygen in the air is delivered through the breathing channels called bronchi and absorbed into the blood through tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli. It subsequently is delivered by blood to all the organs of the body. Oxygen is…
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 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 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…
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