Tuesday 24 March 2015

Tips to Reduce Your Exposure to Asthma Attacks



Asthma attacks are quite bothersome for the period they stay. Every asthmatic patient will agree that they will go to great lengths in order to keep away from the excruciating asthmatic attacks. For many, knowing the ways to minimize these attacks is nothing short of a blessing. We present a few of ways which have been known to keep Asthma attacks at bay.

Know the Triggers

Asthma attacks are triggered by different agents in different persons. It is important to know the triggers in your case. Make positive efforts to stay away from these triggers. This has been reported to have helped thousands of asthmatics in preventing Asthma attacks.

Cleanliness is Your Weapon

Most Asthma attacks occur due to allergies to dust and polluting particles. Keeping your house and environment clean will go a long way in reducing the probabilities of allergies which lead to asthma. Regular washing of bed sheets, curtains, etc. should also be practiced.

Keep Your Pets off Sofas & Beds

Love your pets but keep them off sofas and beds. Pet dander is a common trigger of asthma and it should be kept in mind while showering your pet with love.

Stay Smoke Free

Staying smoke free not only includes not smoking yourself but also being free from second hand smoke. Avoid areas where people smoke and ask for those no-smoking spaces in hotels and restaurants.

Say No to Harsh Cleaning Agents

The fumes from harsh cleaning agents and chemicals are also known to kick off Asthma attacks. Refrain from using them.

Apart from the above, exercising regularly and keeping your life stress free, also help in warding off chances of asthmatic attacks. Remember to consult your Asthma Specialist at regular intervals to keep track of the results of the treatment. Do not let Asthma prey on you silently!

Wednesday 18 March 2015

How to Overcome the Challenge of Tuberculosis in India?



Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadliest diseases in India. It claims around 1000 lives in India on a daily basis and it is a tragedy that we are yet to bring it under control. A WHO (World Health Organization) report in 2012, stated that India shared the highest burden of Tuberculosis in the world. There were 2.2 million new cases of TB in India out of the total 8.7 million cases in the world. Thus, India, with 17% of the global population, carries 26% of the global burden.

One of the reasons, which are creating complications in effecting a better control over Tuberculosis in India, is the emergence of drug resistant variations of TB in India. Both the public and private health sector will have to play important roles in order for India to overcome the challenge of TB. The public sector needs to include newer technologies and testing methods which would increase the rate of detection. Sputum microscopy, currently being used as the primary tool of diagnosis, is notorious for missing out on half of the cases. These cases, when detected in their later stages, are much more difficult to treat. The private sector mostly gets the blame for inaccurate and expensive diagnostic tests. There are very few private Tuberculosis Treatment clinics which have the requisite infrastructure and technology to accurately diagnose TB. 

Both the sectors also need to take proper steps to generate awareness regarding Tuberculosis. The period of treatment is also crucial, as appropriate control of infection and better nutrition ensures better response to the medicinal course. “The medical fraternity is also eagerly waiting for the research on better vaccines against Tuberculosis to yield results. This would bring down TB cases in India”, says Dr. Himanshu Garg of Respiratory & Sleep Cure Solutions, a leading center for Tuberculosis Treatment in Gurgaon & Delhi.