Lung Disease Diagnosis

How You Can Help Reach the Right Cystic Lung Disease Diagnosis

If you suffer from ongoing shortness of breath or frequent lung infections, there are many possible culprits — including cysts in your lungs that could lead to cystic lung diseases.

The challenge for patients and doctors is to nail down a specific diagnosis. Getting the right treatment depends on it.

Doing so is complicated. There are more than half a dozen categories of cystic lung diseases. They have many potential causes and presentations.

“Some cystic lung diseases are the result of infection in the lung, or an underlying lung disease or disease of the whole body that has manifestations in the lung.

What causes cystic lung diseases?

Some cystic lung diseases relate to other problems in your body. For example, Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome leads to disease in the lung and tumors on the kidney.

Others connect to smoking, too, much like other lung conditions. These include interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary langerhans cell histiocytosis.

But many other causes of cystic lung disease have no link to any particular behavior or cause. There might be a congenital or genetic reason why someone develops a specific condition, instead.

The symptoms vary, too. For example, a cystic lung disease known as lymphangioleimyomatosis (LAM) causes a patient’s lung to collapse. This occurs when a cyst erupts, leading to air leaking out of the lung, Dr. Mazzone explains.
If you experience progressive shortness of breath, frequent lung infections, or any other lung condition that can’t be explained otherwise, see your primary care provider. They may want to order a scan of your lungs.

Why it’s difficult to detect and diagnose

All this variety can make getting a diagnosis challenging. But cystic lung diseases also are rare. That makes it unlikely that patients would be aware of them and bring them up with doctors.

Primary care physicians aren’t always familiar with these conditions, either. They might be able to recognize a cyst on a lung scan but are often limited in their ability to detect and diagnose a manifestation of cystic lung disease.

The steps you can take

Even with these difficulties, you can help reach the right diagnosis. Start by watching for common symptoms.

If you experience progressive shortness of breath, frequent lung infections, or any other lung condition that can’t be explained otherwise, see your primary care provider. They may want to order a scan of your lungs.

If cysts show up on the scan, Dr. Mazzone advises that the primary care doctor refer you to a pulmonary specialist. This doctor would be equipped to detect and diagnose your specific condition so you can get the treatment you need.

Many treatments for many conditions

For cystic lung diseases, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Treatment may involve smoking cessation, medications or surgery, or a mix of these. It depends on your underlying condition.

If you have recurring infections, your doctor may want to remove any cysts, Dr. Mazzone says. Surgery might also be necessary for congenital lung disease if a section of your lung didn’t develop normally and is prone to infection and bleeding.

Specific treatments aren’t always available when the disease is genetic in nature. Still, knowing about the disease is useful to guide screening for other family members who may be at risk.

For patients with LAM, physicians may need to take additional steps to manage the risk of lung collapse. “Some patients progress to the point where they need a lung transplant .

Many cases don’t progress that far, though. Many patients benefit from treatment with the immunosuppressant drug rapamycin, which slows the development of cysts that are part of the disease.

Source : http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/05/how-you-can-help-reach-the-right-cystic-lung-disease-diagnosis/

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Nutrition Guide for Asthma Sufferers

 How to Fight and Relieve Asthma Symptoms Naturally Through Nutrition

 

 Asthma is a respiratory disorder affecting the airways of the lungs. The airways of asthma sufferers occasionally constrict, become inflamed, and start making more mucus, often in response to an allergen (such as cold air, exercise, infection, tobacco smoke, or emotional stress). This may result in symptoms like wheezing, coughing (especially at night), trouble breathing, or a feeling of constriction within the chest. Some asthmatics may have no symptoms for long periods of time but are then suddenly attacked by asthma symptoms, while others experience symptoms more frequently. Asthma has gained much public attention in recent years, as the condition is rapidly becoming more prevalent, afflicting almost 20 million Americans today. The most effective way of controlling asthma is identifying triggers of the attacks and limiting exposure to them. However, if trigger avoidance is insufficient, a number of drugs are available. Moreover, nutritional choices may also help reduce attacks and the severity of symptoms.

2 Servings
You're just five minutes, a blender, and a few healthy ingredients away from a delicious, nutrient-packed smoothie. This smoothie recipe pairs quinoa with bananas and oranges to create a creamy, filling smoothie that will keep you going for hours! The guava nectar and camu-camu powder are added to the mix for an extra vitamin C kick.

The basic recipe below calls for a fresh orange, but if you're planning to treat yourself to a quinoa, banana and guava smoothie on several days this week, you may want substitute another fruit for the orange on some of those days to keep it interesting. Use the Tweak It! section at the bottom of this page for inspiration.
Quinoa Banana Smoothie
Ingredients

    1 small banana
    1 orange
    1/2 cup cooked, cooled quinoa
    1 Tbsp camu-camu powder (get it here)
    1/2 cup crushed ice
    1 1/2 cups guava nectar (get it here)
    Water, as needed


Directions

    Peel the banana and orange, and break them into a few large pieces. Place them in a large-capacity blender, along with the cooked and cooled quinoa, camu-camu powder, crushed ice, and guava nectar.
    Secure the lid, and turn the blender on. Slowly increase the speed. Blend at full speed until smooth and creamy, avout 1 minute.
    Remove the lid, and check the consistency. If the smoothie is too thick for your liking, pour in some additional water, replace the lid, and blend on high for a few more seconds. Pour the smoothie into glasses and serve immediately.

    Tweak It!: Enjoy a slightly different version of this Quinoa, Banana and Guava Smoothie every day the rest of the week by each day replacing the orange in the original recipe with one of the other ingredients listed below.

Source : http://www.healwithfood.org/recipes/quinoa-banana-smoothie.php

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Look After Yourself With Asthma

8 tips to look after yourself with asthma

 

 

As well as taking your regular asthma medication, find out what else you can do to reduce your symptoms and your risk of having an asthma attack.

If you've been diagnosed with asthma and you've been given regular preventive and reliever therapy (usually in the form of inhalers, or tablets), it's important to use the preventive treatment every day even if you're feeling well. Because asthma can't be cured and triggers can't always be avoided, using safe, regular medications is the best way of achieving a normal life.

Here's how you can help yourself to stay well:

Avoid asthma triggers

Everyone's asthma triggers are different. Some people's asthma is triggered by exposure to pet hair or fur; others by pollens, and others by non-allergic irritants, such as perfumes. Some women notice that their asthma is worst just before their monthly period.


Stop smoking

Stopping smoking is the best way to help yourself if you have asthma, according to Dr Mike Thomas from Asthma UK.

“Smoke acts as an irritant and can trigger asthma attacks,” says Dr Thomas. “It makes inhaled medicine less effective. As a result, you're likely to need to take bigger doses of inhaled steroid medication.

“If you have asthma and you smoke, your chances of developing conditions such as COPD or bronchitis increases. Your lungs are already inflamed, and cigarette smoke can have an even more powerful effect."

Airborne "irritants" such as secondhand smoke can be a trigger too. It's important for people with asthma to stay in a smoke-free environment.


Regular exercise helps

Although exercise or physical activity can trigger an asthma attack, it shouldn't happen once you have the appropriate treatment, such as inhalers. “People with asthma should take regular exercise. It’s the healthy thing to do,” Dr Thomas says. “Walking, swimming and cycling are all activities you can do if you have asthma. A lot of top sportsmen and women have asthma.” (Note that scuba divers need to have special medicals before they can dive).

If you find that exercise gives you troublesome asthma symptoms, discuss this with your doctor. You may need more preventive asthma treatments. Sometimes, using your reliever inhaler 20 minutes before planned exercise helps to reduce subsequent symptoms.


Be in control

"It's good for people with asthma to be in control of their condition," says Dr Thomas. "Form a partnership with your GP or asthma nurse. Make sure that you understand your condition, and that you have a personal action plan. Know what to do when things change.

“Sit down with your GP or nurse and discuss your medication, and any changes to your dosage. This could prevent a crisis, such as having to call your doctor. Everyone should have a check-up at least once a year.”


Take care in cold weather

Cold air is a major trigger of asthma symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath. Be especially careful in winter. Stay indoors on very cold, windy days. If you go out, wear a scarf over your nose and mouth. Be extra careful about taking your regular medications. Keep rescue inhalers close by and in a warm place.


Eat healthily

Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and few additives may help with asthma in the long term. It also helps if you stay trim. “Obesity has an adverse impact on asthma, so people with asthma should try to stay a healthy weight,” says Dr Thomas.

Get your jabs

If you take inhaled or oral steroids to control your asthma, you need flu and pneumonia vaccinations to reduce your chances of a serious respiratory illness.

The flu and pneumonia jabs are available free from your GP.

The flu jab is given every year from October. The pneumonia jab is a one-off jab that protects against certain types of pneumonia, septicaemia (blood poisoning) and meningitis. You can have the flu and pneumonia jabs at the same time.

Check your painkillers

If you have asthma and you take aspirin or other painkillers, there's a very small chance that you'll have a bad reaction to the medication. If this happens, stop taking the aspirin and seek advice from your doctor.

 Source :http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/asthma/Pages/Livingwithasthma.aspx

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Your Guide to the Flu Shot

Answers to your top questions about the flu vaccine

A fever, aches, chills and that general worn-down feeling — let's face it, the flu is no fun. But you don't have to stock up on immune-boosting supplements or hide yourself indoors all winter to avoid the flu — you just have to roll up your sleeve. The flu shot is the best way to guard against the virus. However, just 46 percent of people in the United States got the flu vaccine in 2013, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — and it's not simply a fear of needles that's keeping them away. Many people are confused about the vaccine and its potential side effects. We tackle 10 common concerns about the flu vaccine to help you stay healthy and flu-free this winter.


What is the flu shot, anyway?

The flu shot is made up of inactivated (dead) flu viruses. These inactivated viruses cause your body to create flu-fighting antibodies, which help you fend off the virus if you come into contact with it. This year's shot protects you against three strains of the flu, including the H1N1 virus (also known as swine flu).


Why is the vaccine necessary?

The flu is a common respiratory virus that spreads easily — usually by the droplets made when those infected with the virus cough, sneeze or talk. And while it's not typically thought of as a serious illness, complications that stem from the flu can be life-threatening: the flu can develop into pneumonia, or aggravate an existing chronic illness. Each year, around 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu, and the CDC estimates that thousands die from complications associated with the virus each year. The shot is an easy, safe way to protect yourself from the flu — and to prevent spreading the virus to others.


Who should get vaccinated?

The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of six months be vaccinated to reduce their risk of contracting the flu. The vaccination is especially recommended for certain groups considered to be at a higher-risk:

•     All children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years

•     Adults over the age of 50

•     Pregnant women

•     Adults living in nursing homes

•     Health care workers

•     Childcare workers

•     Those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, epilepsy, or kidney or liver disease

Although the vaccine is safe for nearly everyone, there are certain groups who should not receive a flu shot. Those include:

•     Children under the age of 6 months

•     Children and adults with a severe egg allergy (the flu vaccine contains tiny amounts of egg protein)

•     Children and adults who have had a severe (life-threatening) allergy or reaction to a previous flu vaccine.

•     Children and adults who are already sick. If you have a fever, you should not get vaccinated until you're feeling healthy again.

When should I get vaccinated?

It's best to get vaccinated at the beginning of flu season, which usually starts in October and can run through May. The CDC recommends getting your yearly vaccination before December, so that the vaccine can develop protective antibodies before flu season is at its peak.


What are my options for receiving the vaccine?


Most people who choose to get vaccinated against the flu receive an injection into a muscle, typically in the arm. The flu shot is appropriate for everyone wishing to receive the vaccination.

Another option is the intradermal shot, which was first made available in the 2011-2012 flu season. This shot is injected into the skin instead of into a muscle using a shorter needle, and also contains a lower dose of the vaccine. The intradermal shot is only approved for people between the ages of 18 and 64.

A nasal spray vaccine is available for those who are a bit needle shy. The spray is made from a weakened form of the flu virus, instead of a deactivated one. Starting in 2014-2015, CDC recommends use of the nasal spray vaccine (LAIV) for healthy children 2 through 8 years of age, when it is immediately available and if the child has no contraindications or precautions to that vaccine.

Recent studies suggest that the nasal spray flu vaccine may work better than the flu shot in younger children. However, if the nasal spray vaccine is not immediately available and the flu shot is, children 2 years through 8 years old should get the flu shot. Don’t delay vaccination to find the nasal spray flu vaccine.

Work with the doctor or nurse giving you the vaccination to select the method that's most appropriate for your age, health and comfort level with needles.


What should I expect when I get vaccinated?

The vaccine carries a very low risk of side effects. The most common side effect of receiving the shot is a slight tenderness, redness or swelling where the shot was given. This can last a day or two.

You may also experience a slight fever or muscle aches for a couple days after receiving the vaccine as your body builds virus-fighting antibodies.

The nasal vaccine and the intradermal shot can both cause additional side effects. If you choose to receive the nasal vaccine, you may experience a headache, sore throat and a runny nose. The intradermal shot may cause toughness or itching at the site of the injection.

 
Is the flu vaccine safe for pregnant women? What about women who are breastfeeding?

The flu vaccine is safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women — in fact, it can serve as an important source of protection for both moms and their babies. Pregnancy can put added stress on a woman's heart and lungs, as well as her immune system. If you catch the flu when you're pregnant, it can lead to serious complications, like pneumonia and respiratory distress.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women who get the shot are also helping to protect their baby after birth, because children can't get a flu shot until they're six months old. The antibodies that pass through a pregnant or breastfeeding mom's body can help guard her newborn from any danger.

If you get vaccinated while pregnant, make sure you only receive one of the two injection-administered shots — the nasal spray is not recommended for pregnant women.


Will the flu shot make me sick?

No, the flu shot will not make you sick. Because the viruses used in the vaccine injection are inactivated (dead), it is not possible to contract the flu from the vaccine. The nasal spray form of the vaccine does contain weakened viruses instead of dead ones, so it is possible to experience mild side effects after receiving this vaccine. That could include a slight fever, aches, headache or fatigue. If you do feel flu-like symptoms after getting a shot, it's more likely that you were exposed to the virus immediately after being vaccinated — it can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to take effect.


If I got vaccinated last year do I have to get vaccinated again?

Yes. The antibodies your immune system produces to fight the flu virus start to fade after about six months. Even if they didn't fade, flu viruses are adaptable and change from year to year. A new vaccination each year helps keep those antibodies strong enough to fight off the latest version of the virus.


Does the shot really work?

Yes, the flu shot is generally effective in protecting against the flu virus, however the effectiveness of the vaccine varies from year to year. The scientists who develop the vaccine have no way of knowing for sure which strains of the virus will be most prevalent during each upcoming flu season. There are 130 influenza centers around the world that study different flu viruses year round to see which strains are circulating and spreading. Even though a vaccine's effectiveness can't be predicted in any given year, experts still recommend the vaccine as the most effective way to fight the flu and an essential part of keeping yourself — and those around you — healthy this winter.

For More Information : http://www.medhelp.org/healthy-living/articles/Your-Guide-to-the-Flu-Shot/288

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Method 1 of 4: Evaluating the Situation

1.  Recognize early symptoms of an asthma attack. People with chronic asthma may wheeze occasionally and require the use of their asthma medication to control symptoms. An attack is different in that it results in more severe symptoms which last longer and require immediate attention. Early symptoms that an attack may be imminent include: [3]

   (a)  Itchy neck
   (b)  Feeling irritable or short-tempered
  (c)   Feeling nervous or edgy
   (d)  Fatigue
   (e)  Dark circles under the eyes

2.  Recognize the onset of an asthma attack. An asthma attack can deteriorate into a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention. Know how to identify an asthma attack so that you can begin treatment as soon as possible. Although signs and symptoms of an asthma attack vary depending on the person, the most common symptoms include:[4]

(a)     Wheezing or whistling while breathing. Most often the wheezing is heard when a person is breathing out (exhaling) but can sometimes also be heard when they are breathing in (inhaling).[5]

 (b)    Coughing. Some sufferers may cough in an attempt to clear the airway and get more oxygen into their lungs. This may be especially aggravated at night.[6]

 (c)    Shortness of breath. People suffering from asthma attacks will complain of being short of breath. They may be breathing in short shallow breaths that appear to be faster than normal.[7]

  (d)   Chest tightness. Attacks are often accompanied by a feeling that chest feels tight or that there is pain on the left or right side.[8]

 (e)    Low peak expiratory flow (PEF) readings. If the person uses a peak flow meter, a small device that measures the maximum speed of expiration in order to monitor a person's ability to exhale air, and the measurements range from 50% to 79% of your personal best, this is indicative of an asthma flare-up.

3.  Know the symptoms of asthma in a child. Children will often have the same symptoms as adults with asthma, such as wheezing or whistling when breathing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness or pain.

  (a)   In some children a chronic cough can be the only symptom of an asthma attack.[9]

 (b)    In other cases, symptoms of asthma in children are limited to coughing that is made worse with viral infections or when they are sleeping.[10]

4.  Evaluate the specific situation. Assess what is happening to determine if emergency medical attention is needed and what treatment should be done at the scene. Individuals who are having mild symptoms may be able to use their medication which should work immediately. Those individuals in greater distress should be seen by emergency medical personnel. In the case of a severe asthma attack, call or have someone nearby call emergency medical services before proceeding to treat the attack. Know how to distinguish which situation you have on your hands:[11]

•    People with asthma who need their medication but may not require immediate medical attention will

      (a)   be wheezing slightly but not appear in distress
      (b)   may be coughing to clear their airway and get more air
       (c)  have some shortness of breath but able to talk and walk
      (d)   do not appear to be anxious or in distress
       (e)  will be able to tell you they have asthma and where their medication is located

•     People who are in significant distress and will require immediate medical attention will

        have the same symptoms as above but intensified and more severe
 
      (a)   strain their chest muscles to breathe
     (b)    experience severe shortness of breath, which results in short panting breaths
       (c)   wheeze audibly with inspiration or expiration
    (d)     have increased anxiety about the situation
      (e)   possibly be confused or less responsive than normal
    (f)     have trouble walking or talking because of shortness of breath
      (g)   demonstrate persistent symptoms

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Asthma-Attacks

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Prevent an Asthma Attack Naturally

Asthma attacks square measure a nightmare. The panic, fear, associate degreed struggle to regain traditional respiration will build it seem to be an eternity to induce relief.

Most medications and remedies square measure reactive "solutions". Here square measure some preventative actions which will be taken which will provide you with confidence and management over respiratory illness.

1. Optimize digestion

Poor digestion will produce toxins within the body which will result in inflammation.

Add herbs and spices to your diet that promote having additional frequent intestine movements. Garlic, ginger, aloe, sienna, chitin bark, barberry, clove, and turmeric square measure all useful in promoting sensible digestion.

Eliminate foods that cause biological process issues. An honest origin is to get rid of sweetening, refined white flour, and farm as all of them have negative effects on the system.

Add digestive-friendly foods to your day with inexperienced smoothies. one in every of inexperienced smoothie on a daily basis will offer your body a way required boost of vitamins and minerals. Here is associate degree example of my typical daily inexperienced smoothie; water, coconut milk, ginger root, celery, kiwi, parsley, and lettuce lettuce.

Chew your food completely. This one could seem easy; however it had been truly laborious on behalf of me. i have been scarping my food down since i used to be a child. However the advantages square measure too sensible to not keep active. It permits additional nutrients to be absorbed and it permits your abdomen to not work thus laborious since the items of food square measure a lot of smaller.

Try intermittent fast. Simply do not eat generally. i am going to got to admit this one plumbed crazy to Maine, i really like to eat, and that i was positive i'd starve! however one Sunday I went for it. I did not eat for twenty-four hour and that i lived to inform the story, in reality I felt specific throughout the fasting! the main profit to the current approach is it provides the system a lot of required rest.

2. Keep hydrous.

Drink lots of water. this may facilitate the mucous secretion within the respiratory organ from changing into sticky. it is simple to lose track of this step throughout the busy day and with such a lot of alternative drink choices obtainable water may be unnoted.

3. Retrain your respiration.

Breathing ought to be done effortlessly through the nose. If you're a mouth breather or a significant breather it'd profit you greatly to start out active light nose respiration. This was easier aforesaid than in deep trouble Maine as i used to be a significant mouth breather. However with apply and also the  facilitate of some of respiration coaching devices i used to be able to latch on in check and that i am such a lot higher for it!

4. Walk or participate in low impact exercise

having respiratory illness could be a nice excuse for not figuring out, finally you do not need to induce yourself all aroused and induce and bronchial asthma. However you will find that walking or alternative low impact activities like qigong will improve respiratory illness management as a result of they'll be done whereas maintaining light nose respiration.

Avoid the nightmare of associate degree bronchial asthma by mistreatment these natural bar tips in your daily routine.

Have you ever thought,

"What am i able to do to induce eliminate asthma?"

I suffered for years with respiratory illness. Late night journeys to the hospital for respiration treatments, carrying 2 inhalers, making an attempt totally different prescriptions, and wakening within the middle of the night in a very panic making an attempt to catch my breath.

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