Why Is Tuberculosis Still Prevalent and Taking Lives?

Tuberculosis or TB is one of the oldest Lung Diseases known to human kind. It has been present, in its latent or active form, since ancient times. Although the terror, which this disease had stroked in the earlier times, has been reduced drastically, TB was still associated with 1.5 million deaths worldwide in 2013. So, what is it about TB that even the availability of treatment is not able to stop it from causing deaths?

One of the prominent reasons, for the above failure to prevent Tuberculosis from taking lives, is the low reporting rate of TB cases. Estimates, of the total number of people infected with TB, are much lower than the actual figures. The symptoms of TB, it its early stages, are very similar to common cough and cold. The fact, that the TB Bacterium can lie dormant for years before becoming active, is another major hindrance in its control. The untreated cases of Tuberculosis play a big role in the total number of TB deaths as 50% of them end up in the death of the patient.

Another major reason, for TB’s effective turn into the fatal category, is the multi-drug resistance developed by various strains of mycobactria, the bacteria responsible for causing Tuberculosis. It requires an expert Tuberculosis Doctor to diagnose and treat Tuberculosis effectively.

The associated symptoms of TB, like chronic cough, night sweats, fever, weight loss, infection, etc., should be immediately put under the doctor’s scanner. This is because Latent Tuberculosis responds to medicine far more easily than Active Tuberculosis in its later stages. One, of the top clinics with Tuberculosis Doctors in Gurgaon & Delhi, is Respiratory & Sleep Cure Solutions. If you notice any of the symptoms of Tuberculosis, it is in your best interests to fix an appointment as soon as possible.

How to Lead a Normal Life with Asthma?

Asthma is a condition of obstructive respiratory disorder, marked by the inflammation of the airways or bronchial tubes. It is characterized by repeated cases of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and breathlessness. If left untreated, Asthma can severely affect the normal running of life. Although Asthma is not completely curable, taking care of the following can go a long way in ensuring that you can carry on with the daily tasks in life in a smooth manner.

Medical Consultation

This is the most important step for patients of Asthma. Untreated cases of Asthma have been known to cause death. A World Health Organization Fact Sheet, published in 2011, stated that 235-300 million people were diagnosed with Asthma worldwide among which 250,000 deaths occurred. Thus, if you have been wheezing, coughing or feeling breathless for more than a week, the next priority in your things-to-do list should be a visit to an Asthma Specialist. A strict adherence, of the recommendations of the Asthma Specialist, is a must to ensure a trouble free life.

Stay Away from Stimulants

Genetic and allergic reactions are the 2 major causes of Asthmatic Attacks. Of them, avoiding environments and situations which lead to the attacks can go a long way in preventing them. Major stimulants include cigarette smoke, volatile organic compounds, phthalates, dust mites, cockroaches, etc. Maintain hygiene at both home and work place to bring Asthma under control.

Exercises

Regular exercises are another way of leading a normal lifestyle after being infected with Asthma. However, it is very important to consult an Asthma Specialist on the exercise regime as it depends on the level of the disease.

Since Asthma demands a long term association with an Asthma Specialist, be sure to select one with the optimum qualifications and experience. A top Asthma Specialist in Gurgaon & Delhi, for example, is Dr. Himanshu Garg, with one of the best success rates in Asthma cases in India.       

Lung Care – How to Fight the Cravings for a Smoke?

Let us start with a well-known fact. 90% of the total cases of Lung Cancer result due to smoking. We all know that, along with the fact that 1 out of 7 people who smoke 2 or more packets of cigarettes will die due to Lung Cancer. There are also the countless images and videos, easily available, which present the horrifying state of a smoker’s lungs. In such a scenario, it almost always bemuses a non-smoker or a non-addict that most smokers still continue with the deadly habit. However, to be fair to those trying to quit, quitting is not half as easy as may be presumed by the non-addict. Here are a few things which you can do, while trying to quit, that can help you cross the bridge to the smoke-free zone.

Prepare Psychologically

The reason why most attempts to quit end up in relapses is that you are not prepared for the withdrawal symptoms. Though, once you have quit, it takes just about a fortnight for nicotine to completely leave your body, the urges to smoke again will continue much beyond that. The urges are driven by the withdrawal symptoms like nausea, headaches, cramps, anxiety, tension, loss of appetite, etc. They are the biggest hurdles which someone trying to quit has to overcome. The fact that these symptoms worsen by the hour, before they start to abate, also do not help the cause. Prepare yourself for these hardships from day one. This will help you stay strong and not give up the fight.

Medical Help

Heavy smokers are very likely to experience heavy withdrawal symptoms. If the cravings turn too severe or the physical symptoms make it difficult to go through the normal dealings of the day, there is a better alternative to going back to smoking. Consult a Lung Specialist and get medication for those crucial days when relapse is most likely to occur.

Consulting a Lung Specialist, while quitting cigarettes, is in fact, the best possible way of starting your journey to a healthier life. When expert help is available to aid you get off the road of Lung Diseases, it is always a smart idea to take it. One such Lung Specialist in Gurgaon & Delhi, who has been successfully aiding smokers kick the habit, is Dr. Himanshu Garg of Respiratory & Sleep Cure Solutions.

Symptoms of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a kind of obstructive lung disease. It is caused when the airways become narrow and the lung tissue breaks down. The primary cause for COPD is long exposure to external irritants like tobacco smoke and air pollutants. A small percentage of COPD cases also occur due to hereditary reasons. The following are some of the symptoms of COPD:

Productive Cough

A productive cough is the most common symptom of COPD. Productive cough is categorized as cough which produces mucus and is also called wet cough. Since such a cough also results from the common cold, patients often wait beyond the recommended time, often resulting in disastrous consequences. Any productive cough which is more than a week old may be a symptom of COPD and should be immediately seen by a Lung Specialist.

Chronic Cough

The medical jargon diagnoses any cough, which stays for more than 3 months every year for 2 consecutive years, as chronic bronchitis. Most cases of COPD are preceded by cases of chronic bronchitis. Such cases of COPD are often mistaken as “smokers cough”.

Breathlessness

Feeling short on breath is another symptom noticed in those suffering from COPD. This condition is usually the most irritating for the COPD patients as they are short on breath and energy for carrying out the daily activities. 

Wheezing

Wheezing is defined as a low whistling sound which accompanies breathing. Typically seen in asthmatic patients, wheezing should not be taken lightly as it is another major symptom of COPD. The sound is produced due to the obstruction of the airways.

COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide and claims more than 3 million people annually. Any of the above symptoms should promptly lead to an appointment with a Lung Specialist. One of the top COPD Treatment Centers which you can visit is Respiratory & Sleep Cure Solutions in Gurgaon.

How to Prevent Lung Diseases?

Lung Diseases are very often fatal diseases. The lungs are important parts of our vital organ systems. They are responsible for the most primary need to sustain life – breathing. Lungs provide the surface area which is required for the exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood stream. Thus, it goes without saying that taking care of your lungs is important for a long and healthy life.

Unfortunately, modern lifestyle is not exactly sympathetic to the lungs. With vices like smoking, and an environment full of toxic fumes, most of what goes inside the lungs is not what’s meant for it. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is of utmost importance. Stay away from tobacco in any form and those, who are already habituated smokers, need to start their steps towards quitting. Though it is not a very easy task to free your lungs from tobacco smoke once you have tagged yourself a chain smoker, it is a necessary pain to go through when you consider the number of fatal diseases associated with tobacco. According to WebMD, the use of tobacco is responsible for 90% of the total cases of Lung Cancer. It is further estimated, that among every 7 smokers who consume 2 or more packets daily, 1 will die of Lung Cancer.

Carbon monoxide and other toxic gases released into the air by the vehicles and industries are the other major causes of Lung Diseases. Such areas should be avoided when possible and adequate protection should be taken otherwise. We can also contribute to a pollution free environment by using non-polluting vehicles, pooling cars and taking other environment friendly steps.

Regular checkups of the lungs and the respiratory system should feature in your tasks to do. Some of the Lung Diseases like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) can go undetected before they take a severe form. Top clinics like Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, with a Top Lung Specialist like Dr. Himanshu Garg, provide easy access to such Lung Tests and the necessary treatment if diagnosed with a Lung Disease. Take care of your lungs – Yes you get 2, but you mostly get them only once!