Respiratory and Pulmonary

A bedridden patient becomes vulnerable to various health complications like painful bed sores, circulation and respiratory problems, depression and contractures, due to lack of activity for long periods. Usha Ravi suggests steps to ensure proper nursing and caring for your loved one confined to the bed. There are a host of challenges which arise if one is confined to bed because of sickness, disability or frail age. The burden is felt not only by the individual but also by the carers.  It…

Quitting smoking can be extremely challenging, but it can be achieved if you stay mentally strong. We bring you two smoking cessation success stories of Gavin and Anu who woke up one day and decided not to smoke any more. Find out why and how they quit. Gavin: I was a smoker for almost 13 years. I started smoking when I was at university in the US. Like most smokers, it started nonchalantly with the 'have-a-drag' while you were having a drink at the bar. At first it was only when I went out,…

Dr Prakash C. Gupta, Director of Healis-Sekhsaria Institute of Public Health, has researched public health in India extensively over decades and shares with us his valuable opinions on tobacco use and cessation. Scroll down to sign the pledge The Age when it all begins Even when it may be difficult to ascertain the age in which people start smoking, the mean age of initiating tobacco use in any form in India is determined at 17.8 years: 18 for males, 17.1 for females. For smoking, it is 17.9 (…

#WorldLaughterDay A good, hearty laugh comes with myriad health benefits. We speak to Dr Mahesh Parikh, founder of the Laughing Club at Mahemdavad, the 321st Club in Gujarat, who has witnessed people recover from severe respiratory problems, high blood pressure, and other health complications with laughter yoga. Why do we need a Laughter Club? A club means an association of people with common interest. The Laughter Club is a gathering of persons interested in maintaining their health, because…

Do you or your loved one have COPD(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). Do you understand the various types of COPD and medications? Would you like to know what accessories/devices you need to keep at home? How to handle pollutants? What exercises are useful in managing COPD?  How will COPD progress? What questions should you ask the doctor? Are you prepared for emergencies? We have pulled all of the above and an action plan into an ebook that you can download and print. Download your…

Kailash Ashutosh Mehta,76, quit smoking after Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) disabled him. He fought his disease with exercise and pulmonary rehabilitation that helped him improve his breathing, fitness and quality of life. I had been smoking for 50 years. One day, when I could not walk even two steps without suffering from acute breathlessness, I was severely jolted. I realised I had damaged my lungs irreversibly and developed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. I had to quit…

Ramesh Koppikar, a heavy smoker for 35 years, made several unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking. It finally took a heart attack for him to break the nicotine addiction and kick the habit for good. Read and share his experience. I started smoking cigarettes at the age of 23 when I was studying engineering at BHU, Varanasi. I was staying in the hostel on campus and my friends and I would go for a walk after dinner. The BHU campus is large and green, hence our walks would be…

Your doctor may recommend the following tests: Spirometry: This measures the amount of airflow obstruction in COPD patients and it is a commonly used test to diagnose these conditions. This test is performed with a hand- held device, called a spirometer. The patient is asked to inhale deeply, then rapidly blow out the air. Based on the amount of exhaled air, the stage of COPD can be diagnosed. Chest X-ray Complete blood count: This is to exclude the presence of other…

Anjali Sen, 78  has had Asthma almost all her life and she recounts how she has grappled with this chronic and nagging affliction. She is a homemaker, an avid reader, a cricket enthusiast and lives in Kolkata. Can you explain your condition in a few words? The attack starts as a slight breathlessness and quickly develops into panting, gasping and choking. I have to admit that I have not had any severe asthmatic attack for the last 12 to 15 years as I am now able to…

Tai Chi, the ancient martial art from China, may be widely known as a self-defense art, but has abundant health benefits that can help cure ordinary ailments to life threatening diseases, says Tai Chi guru Carlton Hill.  What is Tai Chi? How is it different from other martial arts? Tai Chi Chuan or Taijiquan is a five thousand year old martial art practised in China. Though, in present times, it is mostly practised for its health benefits. Tai Chi Chuan is unique because one can…