Medical App & Medical Advice with Hello Doctor

Achooo! Are you allergic to your home?

Did you know that where you live is one of the main contributors to seasonal allergies? It’s true. So, how can you fight this? Well, you could move to another area – unfortunately, not all of us have this luxury.

You can’t always run away from your problems, but you can fight them off! With a few simple solutions, you can prevent those pesky allergens from invading your home! Let’s take a look at your battle plan for allergen annihilation.

Simple solutions for your home

Your bedroom: Do you allow your pets to sleep on your bed with you? We know that the thought of locking them in a back-room feels a bit cold, but we need to remember that:

  • Many of the allergens in your room come from your pets. They bring in dander and pollen from outside.
  • Solution: Invest in a dust mite-proof mattress and don’t allow your pets on your bed. We know that this might be difficult at first, but get a nice basket or pet-bed instead.

The Kitchen: Do you suffer from asthma? Make sure your kitchen is cockroach-free! The excrement from these guys can cause an asthma attack.

  • It’s best to either fumigate your home every few months or call an exterminator if the problem persists.
  • If you hate cleaning, start now! Leftover food attracts cockroaches

Bathroom: Mould thrives in a warm, damp environment. It’s one of the main causes of allergies.

  • Use an extractor fan. If you don’t have one, get one installed because this reduces moisture in the air. If you can’t afford one, open windows and dry the bathroom out.
  • If you see mould, remove it immediately!
  • Wash towels and cloths at least once a week

Also, if you have air-conditioning in your home, use it to reduce moisture. It is also essential to keep your windows free from mould and mildew. Remember to keep them closed during the early afternoon – this is the peak time for air-born pollens and spores.

If you’re still suffering from allergies, you may need to consult your doctor about medication to reduce the symptoms. You will probably find that you have a strong case of:

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, commonly known as Hay-fever

As the name suggests, a change in season is the cause, especially in Spring. Each season brings different types of pollen. They get spread by the wind and cause the lining of the nasal passages to swell, producing excess amounts of mucus.

Symptoms include:

  • Sessions of sneezing
  • Itching of the nose
  • Teary eyes

Treatments include: Antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays. You should feel relief after a couple of days.

Do you want more information about effective solutions for treating allergies? Well, why not give us a call! By downloading the Hello Doctor app and signing up. One of our doctors is just a text message or phone call away!

Any advice you receive remains private and confidential and we are here to help you answer any question you may have. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

References:

How does your doctor diagnose and treat TB?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that spreads from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they spread the TB germs into the air. Inhaling only a few of these germs can cause an infection in another person.

Having a strong and healthy immune system can prevent you from becoming sick.

There are two types of TB:

1. Latent TB: Also called inactive TB. This isn’t contagious. The bacteria remains in your body in an inactive state and causes no symptoms. Treatment is important if you have latent TB to help control the spread of the disease, as it can turn into active TB.

2. Active TB: This type makes you sick, and in most cases can spread to others. It can develop either in the first few weeks after being infected with the TB bacteria, or many years later.

Signs and symptoms of active TB include:

  • A cough that lasts three or more weeks
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Night sweats
  • Chills
  • Loss of appetite

TB can also affect other parts of your body, including your kidneys, spine or brain. When it develops outside your lungs, signs and symptoms differ according to the organs involved.

For instance, TB of the spine may give you back pain, and TB in your kidneys might cause blood in your urine.

Tests used to screen for TB:

There’s no single test that can be used to test for TB in all circumstances.

1. A chest X-ray (best used to screen for active TB) is taken to look for changes in the lungs that could show signs of active TB or scars from a previous TB infection.

2. A tuberculin skin test is done by injecting a solution containing a protein made from tuberculosis bacteria just under the top layer of skin on the forearm. If after 48-72 hours the skin at the injection site develops a raised red bump, it indicates that you may be infected with TB.

If a skin test is positive, doctors will consider your risk factors and order additional testing to determine the best course of treatment. For this reason, doctors don’t rely on the skin test alone to confirm a diagnosis.

3. Blood tests may be ordered on their own or after a positive skin test. The different blood tests offer ways to measure the body’s immune response to the presence of bacteria.

4. Imaging tests

If you’ve had a positive skin test, your doctor will likely order a chest X-ray or a CT scan. This may show changes in your lungs caused by active tuberculosis. CT scans provide more-detailed images than X-rays do.

5. Sputum tests

If your chest X-ray shows signs of TB, your doctor may take samples of the mucus that comes up when you cough. The samples are tested for TB bacteria.

Sputum samples can also be used to test for drug-resistant strains of TB. This helps your doctor choose the medications that are most likely to work. These tests can take four to eight weeks to be completed.

Treatment

TB treatment takes much longer than treating other types of bacterial infections.

For active tuberculosis, you must take antibiotics for at least six to nine months. The types of medications and duration of treatment will depend on your age, health, possible drug resistance and the infection’s location in the body.

Preparing for your appointment

If you suspect that you have TB, see a doctor. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there’s anything you need to do in advance. In addition,

  • Write down any symptoms you’re experiencing
  • Write down key personal information; include any recent life changes or international travel.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you’re taking.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What’s the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Do I need any tests?
  • What treatments are available? Which do you recommend?
  • What if the treatment doesn’t work?
  • How long do I have to stay on the treatment?
  • How often do I need to follow up with you?
  • I have other health problems. How can I manage these conditions together?

References:

This form of TB cannot be treated!

Commonly known as TB, Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

It’s caused by bacteria that spreads from person to person, usually through the air. This condition usually affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body like the kidneys and spine.

With the correct care and treatment, TB can be cured. However, a form of TB called multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) cannot be treated.

What is MDR TB?

Multidrug-resistant TB is usually caused when the TB bacteria become resistant to even the strongest TB drugs called isoniazid and rifampicin.

This means, the drugs become ineffective and can’t treat the condition. MDR commonly develops as a result of the mismanagement of TB treatment and the continual spread of TB from person to person.

In some countries where MDR TB is common, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to treat the disease. This is because either treatment options are too expensive or some medicines aren’t available.

MDR TB is most common in people who:

  • Don’t take their TB medicine regularly
  • Take their TB medications incorrectly by not following their doctor’s instructions
  • Develop TB disease again, after having taken TB medicine in the past
  • Come from areas of the world where drug-resistant TB is common
  • Have spent time with someone known to have drug-resistant TB disease

Can you prevent MDR TB?

In 2017 alone, MDR TB was detected in 161 000 TB patients globally. Since there’s no available treatment for MDR TB, prevention is better than cure.

If you have TB, take all your medication exactly as your doctor prescribed it. Don’t miss any doses and don’t stop your treatment earlier than you should, even if you feel better.

Stay on top of your medication refills. If you’ll be travelling, check with your doctor to ensure that you have enough to last your entire trip.

If you don’t have TB, steer clear of those infected with TB and particularly MDR TB. Exposure is especially a risk in crowded places with TB patients like hospitals and clinics.

When to see your doctor

If you think you’ve been exposed to someone with TB or you suspect you have developed the condition yourself, see your doctor immediately. Tell him/her exactly when and where you spent time with anyone infected with TB.

Pay attention to the most common symptoms:

  • Weakness
  • Weight loss
  • A fever
  • Night sweats
  • Coughing and chest pain
  • Coughing up blood

If your doctor thinks your symptoms point to TB, you may be given a TB skin- or blood test. The faster you are diagnosed, the faster you’ll be treated. If you follow your treatment by adhering to your doctor’s orders, your risk for MDR TB is lowered significantly.

References:

Get control of your asthma this spring

Ah, spring! Flowers are in bloom; warmer weather is here, and the skies are blue. Unfortunately, so are spring allergies. If you have asthma, these affect you even more. Asthma is a chronic condition where your airways are narrowed and swollen. This makes breathing difficult and can cause coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Asthma flare-ups are particularly common during spring.

Common triggers for an asthma attack include:

  • Cold air.
  • Exercise.
  • Outdoor allergens: spores and pollens from flowers and trees, air pollution.
  • Indoor allergens: dust mites, mould, pets and smoke
  • Changes in temperature.

There’s no cure for asthma, but there are ways to manage the condition. Talk to your doctor about getting tested for common allergens. This is usually done with a blood test or skin prick test. Allergy testing can help you identify triggers so you can avoid them or manage your treatment when you’re around them.

Aim for prevention

Avoid allergens as much as you can. If you’re indoors, steer clear of indoor allergens like pet dander and dust mites. Vacuum regularly to get rid of both. If you’ve been outdoors, wash your hair and clothes to get rid of allergens like pollen. If possible, use an air conditioner in your house and car to limit pollen exposure. Lastly, use a nasal wash to clear out your nasal passages.

Keep your inhaler handy

Your inhaler is your best friend when it comes to managing your asthma. Always know where your inhaler is. Keep track of how much medicine it contains and when it will need to be replaced. Using it properly is important for getting medicine into your lungs. If you don’t know how to use it properly, ask a doctor or a pharmacist.

Some inhaler guidelines:

  • Shake the canister for 10 seconds and take off the cap.
  • Attach a spacer device to the inhaler to get more medicine into your lungs.
  • Breathe out completely and then take a slow, deep breath just after you press down on the canister. Hold your breath for 10 seconds. After 30 seconds, repeat with a second puff and a third, if needed.

Keep treatments handy

To minimise your allergic reaction, you need to be prepared with proper medication. Keep antihistamines (treatment for allergies) and nasal sprays handy. If your symptoms are particularly bad, talk to your doctor about a prescription medication that can help ease your asthma. You should start your allergy medication at least two weeks before you expect allergens to become a problem.

Minimise your local pollen count

Maintaining your garden is important, especially during spring, but it can trigger your symptoms. Try gardening in the early morning or evening when the pollen count is at its lowest. Consider asking someone to help you. Freshly cut grass and fertiliser can worsen your asthma symptoms. Wear a mask to prevent yourself from breathing in harmful particles.

When to see your doctor

Although you can take certain steps to manage your symptoms, for severe asthma, you need to see your doctor immediately.

Signs of an asthma emergency include:

Breathe out completely and then take a slow, deep breath just after you press down on the canister. Hold your breath for 10 seconds. After 30 seconds, repeat with a second puff and a third, if needed.

Keep treatments handy

To minimise your allergic reaction, you need to be prepared with proper medication. Keep antihistamines (treatment for allergies) and nasal sprays handy. If your symptoms are particularly bad, talk to your doctor about a prescription medication that can help ease your asthma. You should start your allergy medication at least two weeks before you expect allergens to become a problem.

Minimise your local pollen count

Maintaining your garden is important, especially during spring, but it can trigger your symptoms. Try gardening in the early morning or evening when the pollen count is at its lowest. Consider asking someone to help you. Freshly cut grass and fertiliser can worsen your asthma symptoms. Wear a mask to prevent yourself from breathing in harmful particles.

When to see your doctor

Although you can take certain steps to manage your symptoms, for severe asthma, you need to see your doctor immediately.

Signs of an asthma emergency include:

  • Rapid worsening of shortness of breath or wheezing.
  • No improvement in symptoms even after using your quick-relief inhaler.
  • Shortness of breath after minimal physical activity.

References:

What is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of lung disease that results in scarring (fibrosis) of the lungs for an unknown reason. Over time, this scarring gets worse making it hard to and it becomes hard breathe effectively.

IPF affects approximately three million people worldwide. The disease mostly affects patients over the age of 50 and more men than women.

Risk factors may include:

  • Smoking.
  • Lung injury.
  • History of smoking.
  • Genetics.
  • Abnormal acid reflux.
  • Environmental exposure like working around dust or fumes.
  • Chronic viral infections.

Symptoms of IPF usually develop gradually and may not be noticed until the disease is well-established.

Symptoms include:

  • Dry cough.
  • Shortness of breath, especially during or after physical activity.
  • Fatigue.
  • Weight loss.
  • Clubbing; a widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers.
  • Swelling of the legs.

Diagnosis


Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) can be difficult to diagnose. Many lung diseases can cause breathlessness and cough, and some of these diseases have similar symptoms and X-ray results. You may have to see more than one specialist, including a respirologist, to help with the diagnosis.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your home and work environment, as well as your smoking and medical history.

Although no single test can diagnose IPF, your doctor may recommend a few different tests. A physical exam of your lungs will be done to assess other parts of your body including your heart, joints, fingernails, skin and muscles.

Tests include:

  • Pulmonary function test (PFT): A PFT, or breathing test, measures how much air you can blow in and out of your lungs and how well your lungs can absorb oxygen.
  • Six-minute walk test: This helps determine your physical fitness, and the amount of oxygen in your blood at rest and with physical activity.
  • Chest X-ray: Chest X-rays are images that can screen for interstitial lung disease and can sometimes be useful to help monitor progression.
  • Blood tests: Your doctor may request several blood tests to help identify other causes of interstitial lung disease.
  • Computed tomography (CT scan): The radiology images will determine if there’s scarring in your lungs and help identify the subtype of interstitial lung disease.
  • Bronchoscopy: Bronchoscopy is a procedure where a small flexible tube called a bronchoscope is inserted through your mouth or nose and into your lungs. Some patients with possible IPF undergo this procedure to help identify the presence of infection or to look out for other subtypes of interstitial lung disease.
  • Surgical lung biopsy: When a patient has an unclear diagnosis, they may undergo a surgical lung biopsy. This test involves small incisions in the side of the chest, and the removal of lung tissue for an examination under a microscope.

Treatment 


Work with your family doctor or pulmonologist (lung specialist) to find the best treatment for you. There’s no cure for IPF and there are currently no procedures or medications to remove the scarring from the lungs. Treatments are used to slow the progression of the lung and manage the other symptoms of the disease.

There are currently two medications approved for use in IPF.

Pirfenidone, an antifibrotic compound approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis that slows the progression of IPF. Some patients who take Pirfenidone have side-effects, most commonly stomach upset and skin rashes, particularly with exposure to the sun.

Nintedanib, an anti-scarring (anti-fibrotic) medication that slows the progression of IPF. Some patients taking Nintedanib have side-effects, most commonly including diarrhoea.

Lifestyle changes


IPF is an irreversible and progressive disease. It will be crucial to learn good coping skills and educate yourself about the disease as much as possible.

  • Quit smoking. It will help slow down the progression of any lung disease.
  • Get a flu shot each year.
  • Ask your doctor about getting a pneumonia shot.
  • Keep away from people with chest infections and colds.
  • Wash your hands properly and regularly.
  • Stay active and fit.

References:

Is mould causing your asthma?

Mould spores are extremely small and can only be seen if enough of them grow together. Clumps of mould spores appear in different colours, like white, yellow and green, depending on the age of the spores. They look fuzzy or rough and give off a musty smell.

Mould blooms in dark, moist places. Common indoor places for it to grow is on wallpaper, flooring, tiles and window frames. Outside, it’s common for it to grow on rotting wood, fallen leaves, grass and grains.

Although mould seems harmless, research shows that it can have a big impact on those with asthma. that’s because individual mould spores are so small they can be spread into the air and inhaled.

If you notice that your asthma symptoms get worse around mould, you may be allergic to the spores. Here’s what you need to know.

How does mould affect asthma?

Asthma is when the airways of your lungs become inflamed and narrow. This causes symptoms like coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. If you have a mould allergy and are asthmatic, breathing in mould spores could cause your immune system to overreact. This can cause sneezing, coughing and watery eyes. It can also make your asthma symptoms worse.

On the other hand, if you aren’t allergic to mould, you won’t react to it at all.

Protect yourself from mould

  • With a mould allergy, your safest bet is to avoid it completely.
  • Stay away from areas where there is visible mould.
  • Manage your asthma symptoms. Take your preventative medicine as prescribed and your inhaler when needed. Carry it with you when you go out.
  • Check for water leaks under your sinks, fridge, dishwasher, bathtub and shower.
  • Keep your home well-ventilated by opening the windows regularly. This will prevent mould build-up.
  • Rake your garden to get rid of loose leaves.
  • Avoid storing clothes in damp cupboards, packing clothes too tightly together and drying clothes indoors.

Good to know

  • If you think you have a mould allergy, talk to your doctor immediately. Tell him about your symptoms.
  • If you have a mould allergy, you should get any mould indoors or outdoors removed with the help of a professional. You shouldn’t do this on your own.
  • Get advice from mould inspectors. For example, from Home Inspection Services South Africa. This is particularly important if mould covers more than one metre squared or is caused by rising damp.
  • When mould is being removed indoors, keep your windows open to get rid of any spores.

References:

New asthma treatments for better control

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways, making it difficult to breathe. With asthma, your air passages are temporarily narrowed, either by inflammation or increased mucus production. This affects the amount of oxygen that travels in and out of your lungs. Common symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness.

Triggers for asthma include sinusitis, cold and flu, allergens like mould and spores, tobacco, weather changes (e.g. cold air), irritants like perfumes, strong emotions like stress and anxiety, and medication like aspirin.

With treatment, you can live with this condition, but asthma that’s not treated properly may lead to severe, uncontrolled asthma. This includes an asthma attack. An asthma attack is when symptoms of asthma suddenly worsen. For example, your chest will tighten more, it may fill up with mucus, swell up and cause you pain. If asthma isn’t controlled properly, you could land up in the hospital.

The common treatment for asthma includes inhalers, steroids and anti-inflammatory medication, bronchodilators to open your airways and a nebulizer (breathing machine).

New asthma treatments

Scientists are always working to improve medication. The latest asthma medication in the works is called monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are targeted medicines that can help if you have severe asthma. They help block the activity of some immune system chemicals that trigger inflammation in your airways.

This lowers your risk of an asthma attack and prevents your airways from becoming inflamed, resulting in milder asthma symptoms. If you have severe asthma and the usual treatment options haven’t been working for you, then monoclonal antibodies may help you.

Here are a few monoclonal antibodies, as well as other new treatment for severe asthma.

Xolair

Also known as omalizumab, Xolair helps treat severe allergic asthma. This type of asthma Is triggered by allergens like pollen. When you encounter an allergen, your body makes immune system chemicals called antibodies. These antibodies play a role in how inflammation triggers your asthma symptoms. Xolair helps regulate this.

Mepolizumab

Mepolizumab (Nucala), is used to treat a type of asthma caused by a white blood cell called eosinophil. The treatment involves lowering the number of cells causing the inflammation. The symptoms of people with this kind of severe asthma aren’t triggered by allergens. This makes it an effective, targeted treatment.

Reslizumab

Also known as Cinqaero, Reslizumab is another treatment for asthma that’s caused by the eosinophil white blood cell. It lowers the number of cells that cause inflammation, making your symptoms milder and easier to control.

Bronchial thermoplasty

If medication doesn’t work, a surgery may be necessary. Bronchial thermoplasty is a surgical technique that applies radio frequency to your airways. The heat from the radio frequency destroys some of the smooth lining tissue in your airways which helps to prevent some of the narrowing. It isn’t a cure for asthma, but research says it helps reduce symptoms.

Leukotriene modifiers

Leukotriene is a chemical that tightens and narrows your airways when you have an asthma attack caused by allergens. A leukotriene modifier blocks this from happening. It comes in the form of oral medication to prevent and treat asthma attacks.

Good to know

  • To choose the right treatment, ask your doctor about your triggers. You can help by keeping track of these when you have an asthma attack.
  • Severe asthma treatments like monoclonal antibodies aren’t available over the counter at pharmacies.
  • Research new asthma treatments and ask your doctor if they’re available locally. Also ask if you’re a good candidate to try the new treatment.
  • Nucola hasn’t been approved in South Africa yet. It’s been approved in Canada, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, Chile, South Korea and Taiwan.

References:

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an umbrella term we use to describe any progressive lung disease. It includes chronic bronchitis, stubborn, unmanageable or severe asthma and emphysema.

  • Chronic: It’s a long-term condition and doesn’t go away.
  • Obstructive: Your airways are narrowed, which makes it harder to breathe out quickly.
  • Pulmonary: It affects your lungs.
  • Disease: It’s a medical condition.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of COPD are breathlessness (a “need for air”), chronic cough, and mucus production. COPD develops slowly and becomes apparent after the age of 40 or 50 years. As the condition gradually worsens, your usual activities like going up a flight of stairs or carrying a suitcase can become very difficult. You may often also experience serious episodes of increased breathlessness, coughing and mucus production that last for several days to a few weeks.

Causes

COPD is usually caused by long-term exposure to lung irritants like tobacco smoke (either active or secondhand smoking) that damages your lungs. This results in narrowing of the airways which ultimately makes it harder to move air in and out as you breathe. Your lungs become less capable of taking in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide.

Other risk factors include exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution and occupational dust and fumes.

It’s a global issue

  • According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, there were over 250 million cases COPD globally in 2016.
  • Estimates show that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030.
  • More than 90% of COPD deaths happen in low and middle-income countries.

Risk factors

  • Indoor air pollution (like solid fuel used for cooking and heating).
  • Outdoor air pollution.
  • Dust and chemicals (like vapours, irritants, and fumes).
  • Frequent lower respiratory infections during childhood.

Your airways are lined by muscle and elastic tissue. In a healthy lung, the tissue between the airways acts as packing and pulls on the airways to keep them open. With COPD, the airways are narrowed because:

  • The lung tissue is damaged so there’s less pull on the airways.
  • The elastic lining of the airways flops.
  • The airway lining is inflamed.

When to see your doctor

COPD is a progressive and incurable disease, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, you can manage your condition and breathe easier. You can live a healthy life for many years with COPD.

If your doctor thinks that you may have COPD, she’ll likely refer you to a pulmonologist; a doctor who specialises in lung disorders. The specialist may give you medication that usually comes in the form of an inhaler to help relax the muscles around your airways. This could range from bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, combination inhalers, oral steroids, and antibiotics. These will help relieve coughing and shortness of breath which will make breathing much easier.

References:

The differences between TB and pneumonia

These two conditions have similar symptoms, but they are very different! Here’s what you need to know.

Signs and symptoms

It’s not possible to diagnose TB or pneumonia, without some investigations, like x-rays and sputum tests. They can look very similar, with coughing, weakness, and fever, but here are some of the main symptoms to look out for in each condition:

Tuberculosis Pneumonia
Chest pain, or pain with breathing and coughing Sweating
A fever higher in the afternoon Chest pain
Sweating excessively at night. Tiredness
Night chills Shortness of breath
Tiredness that gets worse as the day goes on Cough
Weight loss Increased heart rate
Loss of appetite Rapid breathing
Coughing that lasts three or more weeks with bloody sputum after a few days Chills
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
Confusion or mental changes in elderly patients

 

Tuberculosis is contagious, while pneumonia is not. This is because different bacteria cause each complication.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for TB, while many bacteria, including and most usually, Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause pneumonia. The good news is that there are vaccines for both diseases, but the TB vaccine is most useful for children, so it’s often used only in developing countries.

The tuberculosis bacterium spreads through droplets of moisture that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, speaks or laughs. The disease spreads among people who live or work closely together. If you’re on treatment, you generally stop being contagious after about two weeks.

Pneumonia, on the other hand, usually happens when your immune system is weak and the bacteria in your respiratory system start to breed (grow). Smoking or being in the hospital increases the likelihood of developing the disease. Sometimes, pneumonia happens when a particularly strong strain of a bacterium is present and your body simply can’t fight it off.

Tuberculosis also shows symptoms slowly over time, while pneumonia comes on quickly, but elderly patients, or those with diabetes or HIV may not show symptoms of pneumonia. This is when it becomes difficult to tell apart the infections.

While many believe TB only infects the lungs, the disease can affect the kidneys, spine or brain. The symptoms will be different according to which part of your body is infected. Infected kidneys can cause bloody urine, while a spinal infection can cause back pain. The bacterium can spread throughout the body in the bloodstream. Pneumonia is restricted to your respiratory system.

There are two types of TB, latent and active. Latent TB is when the disease exists but there are no symptoms and it’s not contagious. Latent TB can become active TB, which is contagious and causes symptoms. Active TB can also show symptoms only years after infection.

Diagnosis and treatment

Tuberculosis is diagnosed if a patient reacts to a skin test. If a hard bump develops under the skin after 48 hours, this is a sign of TB. It’s important to know that the skin test is not always reliable, so there are blood tests as well.

For pneumonia, doctors use blood tests and chest X-rays.

Your doctor will give antibiotics to treat both the diseases. Patients only need to take medication for around eight days, and symptoms can clear up within three to four days.

TB takes time to treat. The length of treatment depends on your age, strength, and the location of the disease, amongst other factors. Patients will only show signs of improvement after three or more days, while a fever can take weeks to come down. Tuberculosis patients have to take their medication for six months at least. Finishing the full course of antibiotics can cure the majority of TB patients.

References:

These foods can make your asthma worse

If you have asthma, it’s important to always be aware of your triggers and find ways of avoiding them. Your triggers aren’t limited to just your environment. It’s worth taking a look at your diet. Having asthma puts you at an increased risk of having a food allergy which can cause asthma symptoms. In some people, exercising after eating an allergy-causing food leads to asthma symptoms.

Not everyone will react the same way to the same foods. So, watch your reaction to particular foods and avoid them if necessary.

Some of the foods that may cause an allergic reaction:

  • eggs
  • peanuts
  • sesame
  • tree nuts.
  • wheat
  • shellfish

Avoid foods that contain:

Sulphites: A substance that’s found naturally in some foods. It’s used to give food colour, add to shelf life and prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria. Sulphites are found in wine, canned fruit and vegetables, jams and dried fruit.

Gas: Beans, cabbage, and onions can cause gas. Eating big meals or foods that cause gas will put pressure on your diaphragm, especially if you have acid reflux. This may cause chest tightness and trigger asthma flares.

Chemical preservatives and flavourings: Food colourings rarely trigger asthma attacks. Usually, if a person with asthma reacts to one food colouring, they need to avoid eating any food colourings.Some people with asthma may be sensitive or allergic to artificial ingredients.

Avoid these foods:

Packaged potatoes
Frozen fries, hash browns and dehydrated potatoes have sulphites. A healthier substitute would be a baked sweet potato or roasted potatoes.

Beer, wine, juice and tea
Sulphites in these drinks can give off sulphur dioxide that irritate the lungs which aggravate wheezing and cause breathing difficulties.

Salt
Salt can cause fluid retention.

Milk
For the longest time it was believed that dairy products like milk and ice cream worsen asthma symptoms because they increase the production of mucus in the lungs. But, there’s little scientific evidence to support the idea. Rather, limit or avoid milk altogether.

Take action against asthma!
Asthma can be life-threatening and prevention can go a long way in controlling symptoms. It’s important to identify (and avoid) your triggers.

Food allergies and food intolerances happen when your immune system overreacts to specific proteins in foods. In some cases, this can result in asthma symptoms. Eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight to manage your condition better.

Asthma diet

Fill up on fruit and vegetables. These are good sources of antioxidants like Vitamin C and E and beta carotene, which may help reduce lung swelling and irritation caused by cell-damaging chemicals known as free radicals.

Foods that contain quercetin could reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. To get your dose of quercetin, add these to your grocery-list to give the best support for your lungs:

  • apples
  • broccoli
  • sprouts
  • tomatoes
  • peppers
  • spinach
  • kale
  • citrus fruits

References

How to prevent lung infections

Our lungs are incredible organs: they allow us to inhale oxygen, literally filling our blood with the breath of life. Oxygen is the one thing we need to keep the cells in our body alive. We can only get oxygen through our lungs, so if we have any lung-condition, from asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis to pneumonia, it can become very dangerous – even fatal – if not treated.

How do you get it?

The natural environment of your lungs is moist which makes it easy for bacteria and viruses to get in. Whether you’re catching public transport or driving along the highway, you’re inhaling everything from air pollution, to smoke, to chemicals, and the air someone else exhaled or coughed out. Bacteria and viruses can enter your lungs as you breathe through your nose and mouth.

But, there are ways to prevent this.

1. Take in carotenoids

Carote…what? Foods with carotenoids help fight free radical damage and provide important nutrients to assist in keeping diseases at bay and lower inflammation.Tomatoes, carrots, kale, red pepper, and sweet potatoes are good sources of antioxidants to boost lung health.

2. Go for Omega-3

Omega-3 foods help reduce inflammation in the body. Eat only oily fish like mackerel and salmon, seeds and nuts, and eggs.

3. Gulp some garlic and ginger

Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which acts as a powerful natural antibiotic agent in the body and can help kill off respiratory infections. Ginger is a natural cleansing food that has anti-inflammatory properties. The power of ginger can reduce inflammation that will help speed up the recovery of a respiratory infection, and reduce the amount of mucus clogging your bronchial tubes.

4. Wash away the germs

Wash your hands often and use a hand sanitiser to kill germs and bacteria.

5. Breathe freely and easily

Wear a face mask when necessary to avoid the spread of germs. Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoking. Another way to strengthen your lungs is with regular exercise. Exercising improves blood circulation, strengthens your heart, improves your resistance to infections and strengthens your lungs.

References

What exactly is TB? Here are the basics

In the past, TB was called ‘’consumption”, because of the way it literally consumed infected people from the inside. Luckily for us, today TB is treatable. Here’s what you need to know about it.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. While it mostly affects the lungs, it can also affect organs in the central nervous system, lymphatic system, gastro-intestinal system and circulatory system.

TB is classified as being either latent or active. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria are present in the body, but this state is inactive and presents no symptoms. Latent TB is also not contagious. Active TB is contagious, and it’s this type of TB that makes you sick with symptoms.

What Causes TB?

TB is caused by bacteria that are spread from person to person through airborne particles.

While some people have immune systems strong enough to quickly destroy TB bacteria when they enter the body, others will develop latent TB, and a fair number of people will become immediately ill and contagious with active TB. Anyone with a weakened immune system, including people with HIV, are more prone to developing active TB.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out for

A lot of people who become infected with the TB bacteria don’t actually show symptoms, but when symptoms are present, they include:

  • Sudden weight loss and loss of appetite
  • Tiredness or fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • A cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chest pain
  • Pain when breathing or coughing

Can TB Be Treated?

If you’re at high risk for TB, there are anti-TB drugs that stop it from progressing to active TB.

People with active TB are usually treated with several anti-TB drugs to kill all the bacteria and stop them from becoming drug resistant. This usually means daily oral doses of medication for six months.