Pulmonology - Best Private Hospital in Dubai Al Mankhool | IMH Dubai

Be Smart. Don’t Start.

31st May of every year is observed as No Tobacco Day. In present world where everyone talks about COVID, let’s look in to some of the aspects related to smoking which is connected to COVID-19.

Tobacco smokers (cigarettes, waterpipes, bidis, cigars, heated tobacco products) may be more vulnerable to contracting COVID-19, as the act of smoking involves contact of fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) with the lips, which increases the possibility of transmission of viruses from hand to mouth. Smoking waterpipes, also known as shisha or hookah, often involves the sharing of mouth pieces and hoses, which could facilitate the transmission of the COVID-19 virus in communal and social settings.

Smoking any kind of tobacco reduces lung capacity and increases the risk of many respiratory infections and can increase the severity of respiratory diseases. COVID-19 is an infectious disease that primarily attacks the lungs. Smoking impairs lung function making it harder for the body to fight off coronaviruses and other respiratory diseases. Available research suggests that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Using smokeless tobacco often involves some hand to mouth contact. Another risk associated with using smokeless tobacco products, like chewing tobacco, is that the virus can be spread when the user spits out the excess saliva produced during the chewing process.

Given the risks to health that tobacco use causes, WHO recommends quitting tobacco use. Quitting will help your lungs and heart to work better from the moment you stop. Within 20 minutes of quitting, elevated heart rate and blood pressure drop. After 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in the bloodstream drops to normal. Within 2-12 weeks, circulation improves and lung function increases. After 1-9 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease. Quitting will help to protect your loved ones, especially children, from exposure to second-hand smoke.

Precautions

• Do not share devices like waterpipes and e-cigarettes.
• Spread the word about the risks of smoking, using e-cigarettes and using smokeless tobacco.
• Protect others from the harms of second-hand smoke.
• Know the importance of washing your hands, physical distancing, and not sharing any smoking or e -cigarette products.
• Do not spit in public places

#TobaccoExposed

• Tobacco products kill more than 8 million people every year. Tobacco and related industries must continuously find new consumers to replace the ones that their products are killing to maintain revenue.
• Tobacco companies spent over USD 9 billion in marketing and advertising and the world lost 8 million lives from causes related to tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke.
• We want to create a generation that is free from tobacco and second-hand smoke and the death and disease that they cause.
• Break free from the tobacco and related industries’ manipulation by becoming educated on their tactics and the harm caused by their products.
• Tobacco use is responsible for 25% of all cancer deaths globally. Use of nicotine and tobacco products increases the risk of cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.
• Over 1 million people die from second-hand smoke exposure every year.
• Children and adolescents who use e-cigarettes at least double their chance of smoking cigarettes later in life.
• E-cigarette use increases your risk of heart disease and lung disorders.
• Nicotine in e-cigarettes is a highly addictive drug and can damage children’s developing brains.
• Smoking shisha is just as harmful as other forms of tobacco use.

Pneumonia is fourth leading cause of death globally

Beware of Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a leading cause of hospitalization in both children and adults in the United Arab Emirates. It is a major cause of death among all age groups and is the 4th leading cause of death in the world.

1) What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a common lung infection caused by bacteria, a virus or fungi.
The infection causes inflammation of the lungs' air sacs, leading to collection of
fluid or pus there.
2) What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to severe, and include cough with phlegm, fever, chills, breathing difficulty and chest pain. With pneumonia, you may cough up phlegm that is yellow, green, or sometimes bloody.

3)  What are the risk factors?
The people most at risk to develop pneumonia are:

  • Infants and young children
  • Adults 65 or older
  • Pregnant women
  • People taking medications that suppress the immune system
  • People with diseases that weaken the immune system, such as cancer, HIV, and AIDS
  • People with lung and respiratory conditions, such as asthma.

4) How is pneumonia transferred from person to person?
Pneumonia can be spread by way of someone sneezing or coughing. When a person sneezes or coughs, little droplets spread throughout the air. These droplets contain the infectious organism. They are then inhaled and may, in some instances, cause pneumonia.

5) How Is Pneumonia Diagnosed?
Pneumonia is diagnosed based on your medical history, a physical exam done by doctor, and some tests. Investigations include blood tests- to confirm the infection and to try to identify the germ that is causing your illness. Chest X-ray to look for the location and extent of inflammation in your lungs. Sputum tests are done on a sample of phlegm taken after a deep cough; to look for the type of the infection. In some special circumstances additional tests may also be performed. This includes, CT scan of the chest to get a better view of the lungs and look for complications. Arterial blood gas test, to measure the amount of oxygen in a blood sample also performed. Bronchoscopy is a procedure used to look into the lungs' airways to see whether something else is affecting your airways, such as a blockage. They may also take fluid samples or a biopsy of lung tissue via bronchoscope.

6) How Is Pneumonia Treated?
Because pneumonia comes in different forms, treatment plans vary widely. Some people may only need bed rest, while others may require hospitalization. If your pneumonia is so severe that you are treated in the hospital, you may be given intravenous fluids and antibiotics, as well as oxygen therapy, and possibly other supportive treatments.

7) What are the Complications of pneumonia?
Severe pneumonia may cause, spread of infection to other parts of the body, collection of fluid around the lungs, respiratory failure and death.

8) How to Prevent Pneumonia?
You can reduce your risk of getting pneumonia by vaccination, following good hygiene practices, quitting smoking and staying away from sick people, if possible.

Dr. Muhammed Aslam
Specialist Pulmonologist
International modern hospital Dubai

Myths and Facts about E- Cigarettes

Myths and Facts about E- Cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes are devices that heat a liquid producing a vapour that the user inhales. Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology recently has announced new standards for the components and sale of electronic cigarettes in UAE. This article is to highlight some myths and fact about e-cigarettes.

Myth 1: E-cigarette vapour is pure and safe.
Fact 1: It is not pure and safe.
The main components of e-cigarettes are nicotine and a base (propylene glycolor glycerol). Other ingredients are unknown flavourings, colourings and chemicals such as formaldehyde and acrolein, which can cause irreversible lung
damage. At high temperatures, propylene glycol decomposes and may form propylene oxide, a probable human carcinogen. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm brain development in adolescent, causing damage of the brain areas that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. The Ministry of Health and Prevention recently issued a warning notice against e-cigarettes after seizures reported in young adults. It can cause Preterm deliveries and stillbirths in pregnant women. Other major issue is that mid-to-long-term consequences of
e-cigarettes are not yet known.

Myth 2: E-cigarettes can help you quit smoking.
Fact:  Using e-cigarette is not a proven method for quitting smoking.Whether e-cigarettes can offer an effective option for smokers who intend to quit the habit is controversial. The nicotine contained in e-cigarettes may
actually perpetuate addiction, in some cases making it even harder to stop smoking. E-cigarettes may be considered as an alternative to combustible tobacco products when used exclusively as a replacement and only among
smokers who have been unable to stop smoking using proven, medically approved methods.

Myth 3: E-cigarettes don’t produce public health concerns.
Fact: There are public health concerns also.
Major concern is about potential use by children and young adults as a gateway to subsequently using combustible tobacco products.

Conclusion:
Recent Legalisation by EASM is an important step towards the necessary regulation and monitoring of this growing market in UAE. It will help to stop
the illegal sale of e-cigarettes.

Dr Muhammed Aslam MD
Specialist Pulmonologist
International modern Hospital Dubai

 

You Can Control Your Asthma

Asthma affects more than 300 million people worldwide. It is characterized by recurrent difficulties with breathing, including symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. Asthma symptoms vary over time, and also from individual to individual. Although asthma cannot be cured; it can be treated and controlled. Good asthma control means no, or very minimal, symptoms, and a low risk of asthma attacks or other poor outcomes. A person whose asthma is under good control can go to work or school, exercise, and participate fully in life.WAD-2016-Logo-01-1

What can I do to prevent my asthma from getting out of control?

Medications: Take your asthma medication exactly as your doctor tells you. Work with your doctor to find a treatment plan Carry your relief/rescue inhaler with you at all times and follow the directions on your Action Plan for when to use it.

Regular visits to your doctor: Keep your regularly scheduled visits with your doctor so that your asthma can be monitored and treated before it gets out of control. Be sure to know how to contact your doctor and know what to do in case of an emergency.

Stay healthy: Eat nutritious foods and get regular exercise. Avoid people who smoke and those that may have an infection, especially a cold or the flu.

Prevent the flu and pneumonia: Get a yearly flu shot (vaccine) and a vaccine for pneumonia, as recommended by your doctor.

Cope with stress: Learn new ways to cope with stress. Coping with stress can help prevent and control your asthma.

By taking an active role in the management of your asthma by partnering with your doctor, you can breathe easier and live a healthier life

Could It Be COPD ?

Do you know what COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is? This chronic lung disease is a major cause of illness, yet many people have it and don’t know it. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. “Progressive” means that the disease gets worse over time.

If you answer these questions, it will help you find out if you could have COPD:

1. Do you cough several times most days?
         Yes                          No

2. Do you bring up phlegm or mucus most days?
         Yes                          No

3. Do you get out of breath more easily than others your age?
         Yes                          No

4. Are you older than 40 years?
         Yes                          No

5. Are you a current smoker or an ex-smoker?
         Yes                          No

If you answered “YES” to three or more of these questions, ask your doctor if you might have COPD.

Finding COPD early gives the best chance to prevent further lung damage. However, treatments are available to help people at all stages of disease feel better and live a more active life.

It’s not too late to get help for COPD!

COPD is a leading cause of death worldwide, ranking behind ischemic heart disease and stroke. It kills nearly 3 million people a year worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. And yet perhaps one-quarter to one-half of people with the disease don’t know they have it. It is COPD, which means Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a life-threatening disease that progressively robs people of breath. Yet there is good news. There is help for COPD. COPD can be diagnosed with a quick, painless lung function test called spirometry—it’s almost as simple as blowing out the candles on a birthday cake.And for people diagnosed with COPD, there are medications and treatments available to help them feel better and live longer.

Today is World COPD Day!

So, if you are a current or ex-smoker, are over age 40, and you have symptoms like a chronic cough, bringing up phlegm, and breathlessness, it’s time for a checkup. It’s not too late to get help for COPD!

Asthma

What is asthma?

People with asthma have sensitive airways in their lungs. When exposed to certain triggers their airways narrow, making it hard for them to breathe.

Pathology of Asthma

Causes

Asthma is caused by a combination of complex and incompletely understood environmental and genetic interactions

  • The inside lining of the airways becomes red and swollen (inflammation)
  • Extra mucus (sticky fluid) may be produced
  • The muscle around the airways tightens (bronchoconstriction)

How do you recognise asthma?

Asthmatics usually experience these symptoms most frequently during the night and the early morning or in response to exercise or cold air.  Sputum may be produced from the lung by coughing but is often hard to bring up. During recovery from an attack, it may appear pus-like due to high levels of white blood cells called eosinophils

Asthma Symptoms Word Circle Concept with great terms such as coughing wheezing and more.

Common triggers include:

  • Colds and flu
  • Cigarette smoking/ Exposure to cigarette smoke (passive smoking)
  • Inhaled allergens (e.g. pollens, moulds, animal dander and dust mites)
  • Environmental factors (e.g. dust, pollution, wood smoke and bush fires)
  • Changes in temperature and weather
  • Certain medications
  • Chemicals and strong smells
  • Emotional factors
  • Some foods and food preservatives, flavourings and colourings.

asthma causes

Diagnosis

  • Medical and family history
  • Physical examination
  • Lung function tests
  • Response to medication

Can Asthma be Cured

Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Most people with asthma can carry out their daily activities without asthma symptoms.  Good asthma management allows you to lead an active, healthy lifestyle.

  • Avoid asthma triggers
  • Medicine to be taken every day

Medications

Management Of Asthma Drug Therapy

 

There are three main groups of asthma medications:

  1. Relievers Relievers provide relief from asthma symptoms within minutes by relaxing the muscles around the airways for up to four hours.

 

  1. Preventers – Preventers make the airways less sensitive, reduce the redness and swelling inside the airways and dry up the mucus. It may take a few weeks for preventers to reach their full effect.

 

  1. Symptom Controllers Symptom controllers (also called long acting relievers) help to relax the muscles around the airways for up to 12 hours. They are taken daily, usually at morning and night, and can only be prescribed for people who are taking regular inhaled corticosteroid preventers and are still experiencing asthma symptoms.

 How do I know if asthma is under control?

Asthma is under control if you can:

  • See your doctor every 6 months
  • Follow your asthma action plan
  • Have refills for your medicine
  • Share your asthma plan with school and daycare
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