Pulmonary Function Tests or PFTs are a set of tests that are used to determine, measure or observe the functioning of the lungs. The most common pulmonary function tests used are spirometry, gas diffusion, and lung plethysmography. 

Highlights of pulmonary function tests

A spirometry test is used to measure the amount of air inhaled and exhaled. It also measures the amount of time taken to complete a respiration cycle.
A lung plethysmography measures the amount of air in the lungs after the patient has taken a deep breath. It also measures the amount of air that remains in the lungs after the patient has exhaled as much air as possible.
What does a Pulmonary Function Test measure?
Pulmonary function tests would not only check how well the person is breathing but also how effectively the lungs are able to conduct oxygen to the rest of the body. In addition to air flow, these tests would measure the size and volume of the lung and lung diffusion.

These tests can also be used to measure

Total Lung Capacity   the amount of air present in the lungs after breathing in deeply
Forced Vital Capacity   the amount of air that can be exhaled after breathing in deeply
Minute Volume   the amount of air exhaled per minute
Vital Capacity   the total volume of air that can be breathed out after inhaling as much as possible
Tidal Volume   the amount of air inhaled or exhaled when breathing normally
Maximum voluntary ventilation   the amount of air that can be inhaled and exhaled in one minute
Functional Residual Capacity   the amount of air that remains in the lungs when breathing normally
Forced Expiratory Flow   the flow or volume of air during an exhalation
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate   the rate at which a person can exhale
When are Pulmonary Function Tests recommended?
A physician might recommend a patient undergo a PFT as part of a routine physical check-up. This test would be advised if the patient is experiencing any symptoms associated with lung problems or disorders such as asthma, respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD. A doctor would also use these tests to monitor and check whether a certain treatment prescribed for a lung disease or condition is working effectively.

Pulmonary function tests are safe as they are non-invasive but it is important to follow the instructions of the doctor or technician before, after and during the test. It is important to make your doctor aware of any surgeries, respiratory infections, chest pains or heart attacks that you might have experienced before the test. If you are taking any medications you might need to follow the advice of the doctor as to whether you can take them before the test.

Your doctor would also advice you on how to prepare for the test such as not eating a large meal, avoiding caffeine and wearing loose-fitting clothes. If you have any doubts, concerns or queries discuss them with your doctor.

Pulmonary Function Tests - Why Is It Required?

How to avoid dehydration in any season. 

We assume that dehydration to the body happens only in the summer. And it’s not without a reason - Summers in India are so hot; every ounce of water in the body gets used up in the heat. A body gets dehydrated when it doesn't get enough water intake. In summer there is an added factor of more sweating i.e. losing water. Dehydration happens in all seasons and you need to hydrate yourself adequately according to the loss of water.

In winters our skin is dry, we sweat but it doesn't stay on the skin. The body feels dehydrated even if there is a marginal drop in percentage of water in body weight. We need to stay hydrated to digest food properly and for smooth functioning of all organs. When a body is dehydrated, the blood flowing through its veins become thicker and the heart needs to put a lot of effort to pump it. Irrespective of the weather or season, our body loses a minimum of eight cups of water which must be replenished.

2 ways to keep yourself hydrated:

1. Have lots of fruits: Consume more fruits and vegetables which are rich in water content. Even in winters when it is cold and we avoid drinking water instinctively; eating foods with high content of water will help.

2. Take Your Water With You: The most important thing which should be actually a year-round habit - carry your own water bottle around. Refill when needed, but if you have water available to drink, chances are that you will drink more than otherwise.





Did you know you can be dehydrated in any season?

Cirrhosis is a severe problem of the liver, wherein the liver stops functioning properly due to long-term damage caused by its exposure to toxic substances like alcohol or viral infections. Every time the liver gets affected, it tries to repair itself through the body s natural healing process. Now, due to this continuous healing process, scar tissue gets formed. With the progress of cirrhosis, resulting in the formation of more and more scar tissue, the liver becomes unable to function properly. 

What are the symptoms of Cirrhosis?
Usually, cirrhosis doesn t have signs or symptoms till the time when extensive liver damage has occurred. In those cases, the signs and symptoms which occur include:

One could sense discolouration in the eyes and skin, giving a clear indication of jaundice.
Excess fluid might get accumulated in your abdomen, resulting in utter discomfort.
One may not feel like having any food due to loss of appetite.
You might have uneasiness and discomfort in your upper stomach, provoking you to vomit.
There can be noticeable swelling in your legs, which make it difficult for you to walk properly.
Drowsiness and slurred speech could also be associated as symptoms of cirrhosis.
There might be redness in the palms of one s hands.
So we see that there are numerous signs and symptoms which you could come across, giving a clear indication of the problem of cirrhosis.

Causes which lead to cirrhosis
There are various kinds of diseases and conditions, which can damage the liver and lead to cirrhosis. Some of the most common causes are:

Chronic alcohol abuse over a long period of time can cause severe damage to the liver, hence resulting in cirrhosis.
The virus out of chronic hepatitis B and C attacks the liver and gradually lead to the formation of scar tissue, thereby resulting in Cirrhosis.
Accumulated fat in the liver due to the intake of an unhealthy diet.
Other possible causes can include:

The genetic digestive disorder is another serious cause behind the occurrence of cirrhosis.
Autoimmune hepatitis, where liver disease is caused by one s body s immune system.
Iron is an important part of haemoglobin as it carries oxygen from our lungs to other parts of our body. The problem arises when too much iron gets accumulated in the system, which can poison organs like liver, heart and pancreas. Presence of too much iron in the liver cause cirrhosis.
Poor formation of bile ducts.
Treatment
Treatment mainly depends on the underlying cause and extent of your liver damage. Some of the treatment options which doctors would adopt are:

People should stop drinking immediately if the cirrhosis has been caused due to alcohol consumption.
As one of the reasons for cirrhosis in non-alcoholic persons is obesity, so making a conscious attempt to lose weight is must if they want to get rid of this problem. Loss of weight and keeping blood sugar under check would gradually make the liver healthy.
Damage to liver cells caused by hepatitis B or C can be healed through the specific treatment of these viruses.

Liver Cirrhosis - Possible Factors That Can Lead To It!

Breathing is inhalation and exhalation, where oxygen is inhaled into and carbon dioxide is released from the body. Air passes through the nose, which has fine hair and mucus to filter out suspended particles in the air like pollen. When the person s immunity is weakened or is highly reactive, the mucosa reacts to many substances which are generally present. This is known as allergic rhinitis.

Types: Depending on the occurrence, it can be:

Seasonal: For instance, in spring when there is too much pollen in the air; known as hay fever. This is an acute rhinitis and subsides with a change in weather.
Chronic: This is when the body reacts to some normal substances like eggs, animal dander, extreme cold, dust, mites, etc. via an allergic reaction.
Causes of allergic rhinitis as per Ayurveda

Mandagni   low digestion strength
Kapha vruddhi   increase of Kapha dosha
Allergens   external factors such as pollen, dust etc
Residing with pet animals
Exposure to humidity, dust, cold
Virudh aahara   wrong food combinations
Long term intake of drugs like aspirin, leading to depleted immunity and making the person prone to dust allergies.
Symptoms:

Runny nose for prolonged periods of time
Chronic congestion
Persistent sneezing
Teary eyes
Fever and headache
Ayurveda believes that this is due to excessive kapha dosha. So, in order to manage allergic rhinitis, two approaches should be taken. Foods which increase kapha should be avoided, and elimination of kapha from the body should be targeted.

Non-medical ways to combat allergic rhinitis: 

Prevention has a big role to play in managing allergic rhinitis.

Whether it is animal dander, eggs, tomatoes, or extreme cold, if you know it could cause an attack, stay away from it.
Chew foods properly to ensure through absorption of vitamins and minerals, which are essential for immunity
Boil water with a spoonful of turmeric and a pinch of salt and drink it regularly
Basil and mint leaves can be boiled in water and consumed for improving allergic rhinitis
Clove and pepper can be chewed to get immediate relief
A mixture of crushed clove and pepper mixed with turmeric and honey works wonders for allergic rhinitis
Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables. They are more likely to be chemical-free, are cheaper, fresher, and definitely more nutritious.
Carrots eaten with a bit of fat produce the best defense against allergic rhinitis, as the beta-carotene in it is fat soluble.
Whole grains, green leafy vegetables, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and dairy products, contain a number of vitamins and minerals which help in fighting allergic rhinitis
Ayurvedic remedies like shilajit and guduchi boost immunity function
Neem, Ashwagandha, liquorice, cinnamon, tulsi, and curcumin are proven remedies for allergic rhinitis.
Panchakarma specifically aimed at rhinitis include Nasya, Dhoomapana (medicated smoking) and emesis (vaman ). This helps in eliminating kapha which is believed to cause allergic rhinitis.
Though allergic rhinitis is a very common condition, the treatment is also easy and many home remedies help in managing the condition.

Lifestyle improvement:

Always keep cloves and black peppers with you. Immediately keep two pieces of it in mouth when you feel of attack.
At the pre attack or attack rub Nilgiri oil , Mint oil, or pain balm on chest and get fomentation.
Keep watch on the elements that causes irritation for you and stay away from this.
Use mask while driving vehicle or going through public places.
Always take warm water bath.
Do not expose to hot sunrays.
Regularly take inhalation of steam.
Regularly go for morning walk in warm weather.
Do sufficient exercise.
Do not reside in dark or dump places. Get fresh air.
Do not get sleep at day time or immediate after dinner.
Take sufficient rest.

Diet, Nutrition & Ayurveda Treatment For Allergic Rhinitis!

Interstitial lung disease is an umbrella term that includes a number of conditions that causes scarring of the tissues of the lungs. This scarring can hamper your breathing and therefore cause less oxygen to be present in your blood.

When you are exposed to hazardous materials like asbestos for long periods, you can get interstitial lung disease. Even autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can result in this condition. 

Once the tissues of your lungs are scarred, chances are that it can t be reversed. While medications can slow the progress of the but you won t be able to regain the full functionality of your lungs. In such cases, you can consider a lung transplant.

What are the signs?

You will difficulty in breathing   it may be aggravated when you exert yourself or you may experience shortness of breath during rest periods. A dry cough is another sign of this condition.

What causes it?

Interstitial lung disorders occur when you ve had an injury in your lungs that set off an abnormal healing process. With the healing not happening in a normal way, the tissues around your air sacs tend to thicken and get scarred. The does not allow oxygen to get into your blood.

There are certain triggers for this condition  

If you are exposed to certain pollutants or toxins like silica dust, bird dropping and grain dust for long periods.

Medications like chemotherapy drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs and heart medications.

If you have the following medical disorders   scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis, Sjogren's syndrome and sarcoidosis.

What is the treatment? 

First, a doctor will carry out diagnostic tests to identify the cause of the problem. The following tests are usually performed  

Blood tests to detect autoimmune responses to pollutants

Imaging tests like CT scan and echocardiogram

Tests like oximetry and spirometry to determine your lung s capacity

Surgical biopsy and bronchoscopy to analyse your lung tissue

Once the diagnosis is done, the doctor can suggest any one of them or a combination of the following methods  

1. Medications 

Corticosteroids are used to suppress the immune system. GERD can also damage your lungs, so you may be given medicines to reduce stomach acid if you have an excess of it.

2. Oxygen therapy

Oxygen therapy can help you with breathing and help you sleep better. But it won't stop damage to the lung tissues.

3. Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation can help you perform your daily tasks without any hitch. It includes exercise, breathing techniques, eating healthy and emotional support.

Surgery

If nothing else works, then the doctor may recommend a lung transplant. 

Moreover, there are certain lifestyle remedies that you can adopt  

Avoid smoking as it can aggravate your condition.

Eat a healthy and nutritious diet.

Take vaccines for respiratory infections like the flu and pneumonia.

The best way to deal with this disorder is to not have it at all. But with proper treatment, your symptoms can be reduced.

Interstitial Lung Disease - Know More!

An inflammation of the pancreas is known as pancreatitis. The pancreas is an organ that produces digestive enzymes. Pancreatitis might start any day and continue for long period and it requires immediate medical attention. It is of two types- acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. Although the treatment usually requires hospitalization, pancreatitis can be easily stabilized and the underlying cause can be treated thereafter.

Causes
Pancreatitis may be caused due to various reasons:
1. Gall bladder stone: The pancreatic duct lies next to the bile duct. The gallstones enter the small intestine after passing through the common bile duct. Often the stones that remain in the common bile duct have a negative effect on the pancreas, which causes a hindrance to the normal flow of the pancreatic fluids, causing pancreatitis. Also a back flow of the bile into the pancreas can cause pancreatitis. 
2. Alcohol: Long time alcohol use also causes pancreatitis. Alcohol can damage the pancreas tremendously causing it to get inflamed.
3. Other causes: Hereditary disorders in the pancreas, cystic fibrosis, high level of triglycerides, and a few medicines may also cause pancreatitis.

Symptoms: 
1. The first symptom of pancreatitis is abdominal pain: The pain may be sudden or gradually increasing, but is usually aggravated after eating. It is severe and constant, and may continue for a few days. If you are suffering from pancreatitis, you will feel very sick after a sudden attack and you might require medical assistance immediately.
2. Swollen abdomen: Pancreatitis may cause your abdominal area to swell up and become tender.
3. Nausea: If your abdomen suddenly starts paining due to the onset of pancreatitis, you tend to feel extremely nauseous. You might end up vomiting and may also have violent heaves.
4. Fever: The inflammation will cause you to run a temperature, along with a searing pain in your stomach, which will make you feel extremely uncomfortable.
5. Rapid pulse: Pancreatitis affects the rate, at which the heart beats, causing a rapid increase in the pulse rate.

Causes and Symptoms of Pancreatitis

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