Do you know about a condition called cystic fibrosis that makes your baby s skin taste very salty after birth? The condition changes over time, in which the body makes sweat and mucus, and also affects the digestive system and lung functioning. The condition generally occurs because of a flawed gene. This is a severe and life-threatening disease that affects different people in different ways.

Causes
The gene, called CTFR is present in all humans. It makes a protein that controls the amount of water and salt, which get moved in and out of your cells. In the case of cystic fibroids, the CTFR gene is broken. This happens when a person inherits two bad copies of this specific gene. One bad CFTR gene may cause your cells to make the wrong or imbalanced amount of water and salt. Because of this, your body becomes unable to get the supply of sufficient nutrients and oxygen that are lost through sweating.

Symptoms
There are several symptoms associated with cystic fibroids that include the following:

It is likely for you to cough up thin mucus, along with shortness of breath, and wheezing.
The development of polyps in your nose is indicated.
Sinus infections, pneumonia, or bronchitis may occur.
Your stool may be oily, bulky, and with a foul odor.
Liver diseases and gallstones may develop later in life because of cystic fibroids.
Treatment
There is no certain treatment for cystic fibroids. However, there are various treatment procedures that are used for providing relief to the symptoms of the condition. This allows an affected patient to breathe easily, feel better, and experience lesser stomach infections. You can opt for airway clearance technique that helps you with your breathing. The procedure involves the clearance of mucus from your lungs. This procedure is carried out in several ways and special devices may be used during the proceedings.

Certain inhaled drugs like steroids, salt solutions, and antibiotics are used for thinning your mucus layers, and for clearing lung infections.
If your pancreas do not work properly, you may be prescribed enzyme pills for the digestion of fats and protein, and for the absorption of more nutrients from the food you consume.
You may also be prescribed vitamin A, D, and E supplements for getting these nutrients, which are not being absorbed by your intestine.
You must consult a doctor on experiencing any symptom of cystic fibrosis in your baby. This will allow the condition to be diagnosed at an early stage, thereby preventing further worsening.

Cystic Fibrosis - 5 Strange Signs You Must Know About!

An allergy occurs when your body s immune system reacts abnormally to certain substances or chemicals (known as allergens) that may actually be harmless.

Respiratory allergies are one of the most common forms of allergy seen in people of all ages. This type of an allergy occurs when the immune system reacts negatively to airborne substances, for example, dust. Although normally these substances do not pose a threat to your body, the antibodies consider allergens dangerous and release chemicals (histamines) to fight it. This response of the body to an allergen is expressed in the form of symptoms like a rash and is known as an allergic reaction.

Causes of Respiratory Allergy-
Some of the common causes of respiratory allergy are-

Dust/pollen- when you are exposed to dust mites that are usually found indoors
Mold- when you inhale mold spores
Pet dander- when you inhale or come in contact with pet dander/saliva
Apart from these, exposure to certain irritants such as fumes and smoke may also trigger a respiratory allergy in individuals.

Symptoms to watch out for-
The symptoms of respiratory allergy in each person may vary from those in another. Usually, the symptoms affect the airway, skin, or eyes.

Coughing/sneezing
Nasal congestion/discharge
Difficulty breathing
Runny/blocked nose
Watery, itchy eyes
Swollen eyelids
Sinus pressure
Severe allergic reactions may also lead to chest tightness, asthma, and conjunctivitis.

How Homeopathy treats Respiratory Allergy-

Homeopathy treatment is based on a paradoxical theory- a substance that triggers a set of symptoms is also capable of curing them. Homeopathy thus aims to evaluate what is causing the illness and eliminate its underlying causes.
As stated above, allergies are the result of an unknown immune response to an otherwise harmless substance. This usually occurs if you have a weak immune system. Homeopathy works to improve and boost your immune system, so you do not encounter allergic reaction to such conditions in future.
Medications and drugs used in conventional treatment methods often lead to side effects, but Homeopathy uses natural ingredients and substances, and hence these are 100% safe for consumption.
Allergies are usually curable, only if one takes prompt action. Allergic reactions, if left untreated for long, can quickly aggravate to cause a life-threatening condition like anaphylaxis. So if you see any of the above symptoms, consult a doctor as early as possible.


Can Homeopathy Treat Respiratory Allergies?

Pulmonary Embolism is a blood clot in the Pulmonary arteries that usually travels from a deep vein in the legs to the lungs. This clot blocks the lungs and creates a life-threatening situation for the patient. With prompt medication and treatment, the risk can be mitigated. 

Symptoms 

The symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism vary with the size and position of the clot. The most common symptoms include pain in the chest and shortness of breath. The patient with Pulmonary Embolism suffers from chest pain occasionally, and it gets worse with physical activity. The pain is deep and feels like a heart attack.

The other common symptoms are: 

  Pain in legs or swelling 

  Fever 

  Irregular heartbeat 

  Fatigue 

  Feeling tired all the time 

  Coughing 

  Dizziness 

  Heartburn 

Causes 

Pulmonary Embolism is caused due to the formation of several clumps or blood clots that enter into the Pulmonary arteries. Typically, these clots are formed from the deep veins of the legs, also known as Deep Vein Thrombosis. The clots block the flow of blood in the lungs, which is fatal to the patients.

These clots gradually build up in the arteries. Some very common causes for the formation of these clots are the release of fats from the broken long bones, the tissue in the bloodstream or air bubble. 

Diagnosis 

The diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism is difficult in patients who are already suffering from heart or lung conditions. However, doctors look for a D-dimer level in the bloodstream to determine the clots. There are various causes for a high level of D dimer, but it gives a starting point to the doctor to investigate further. 

  Blood Test: The blood test checks the level of D dimer in the blood. If the level is high, the doctor may determine the amount of oxygen level in the blood. Generally, the blood clots lower the level of oxygen in the blood. If the oxygen level is low, doctors doubt the presence of blood clots. 

  Ultrasound: The body imaging method helps doctors to check for clots in the blood without performing any operation. This non-invasive way gives the imagery of the veins. Clumps can easily be seen in the images of the Ultrasound report. 

  CT Scan: The spiral CT scan moves around the body to look for clots in the veins. It is a high-tech method through which doctors determined the number, size, and amount of blood clots in the patients. 

Takeaway 

The treatment for Pulmonary Embolism depends upon the size and number of clots in the body. If a person is already suffering from heart or lungs condition, then he/she shall be given medication accordingly. The most common treatment entails medicines, such as blood thinners, which makes the blood thinner. These medications help in dissolving the clots.

Pulmonary Embolism - How To Detect It?

People suffering from pneumonia, postoperative partial or complete collapse of the lungs, chronic respiratory conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Cystic Fibrosis etc as well as people suffering from neuromuscular diseases can get partial relief by respiratory physiotherapy. If a person is suffering from retained secretions, increased effort to breathe or volume loss, he or she may be referred to Respiratory Physiotherapy.

Respiratory Assessment Of The Patient

A Respiratory Physiotherapist will assess the condition of the patient with the help of Respiratory Assessment or Respiratory Examination. It includes:

Auscultation and review chest X-Ray

Interpreting arterial blood gasses test and blood tests

History of present illness

History of past illnesses

Details of cough, breathlessness, sputum, chest pain  

Other symptoms like headache, fever, CO2 retention, heart failure, peripheral oedema, shivering, palpitations, weight loss, Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease, vomiting and nausea etc.

Respiratory Physiotherapy Techniques -

After the Respiratory Assessment the doctor may prescribe the following:

Breathing Exercises

Exercises like Active Cycle Of Breathing Techniques can help in clearing phlegm. Since people in respiratory distress often produce more phlegm than normal, it is essential that this excess phlegm be removed. This can help the person breathe more freely. Removing the phlegm can also help prevent infections in the chest and reduce coughing. It is a set of exercises that together help in establishing breathing control, huffing and deep breathing.

Mobilisation

Early mobilization is one of the most important aspects of chest physiotherapy. It includes positioning, active and passive turning, cycling pedals, standing, stepping etc. 

Manual Techniques

The Physiotherapist may apply pressure on the chest to facilitate airway clearance while keeping the patient in gravity assisted phlegm drainage position. 

IPPB

It employs a device that helps patients take a deep breath, cough and clear lungs. The device offers short-term and intermittent mechanical ventilation of a positive pressure set by a physiotherapist. The device pushes a mixture of oxygen through a facemask.

Suction

Here too the physiotherapist uses a device to suck out excess mucus from the chest and facilitate breathing. Here the cough is stimulated by a catheter and phlegm is sucked out using another catheter.

MHI

It is the acronym for Manual Hyperinflation. This procedure is carried out by a Respiratory Physiotherapist to give volume to partially or completely collapsed lungs.

BiPAP or CPAP

The device delivers pressurized air into the patient's airways through a facemask. The pressure of air prevents collapse of the throat muscles and reduces airway obstructions. In essence, they allow patients to breathe more freely and regularly. 

Conclusion

Right Respiratory Assessment or Respiratory Examination is crucial to applying the right physiotherapy techniques. Right techniques may help patients breathe more freely and avoid respiratory infections. 

Know More About Respiratory Examination!

Interstitial lung disease includes a large group of disorders like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sarcoidosis and asbestosis. These cause progressive fibrosis or scarring of the tissues surrounding the air sacs in your lungs. The scarring causes your lungs to stiffen which makes it difficult for you to breath.

What are the symptoms to look out for?

  Dry cough
  Shortness of breath at rest or due to exertion
  Loss of weight
  Loss of appetite
  Weakness
  Chest discomfort

What are the causes?

Normally, your lungs will regenerate tissue to repair any damage. But in interstitial lung disease, the normal repair process does not occur due to injury to the lungs. The tissue around the air sacs gets scarred and thickened, causing difficulty in breathing.

Your lungs may get injured due to long-term exposure to airborne toxins and pollutants like  

  Asbestos
  Silica dust
  Coal dust
  Grain dust from framing
  Radiation
  Indoor hot tubs
  Bird and animal droppings
  Bird proteins from chicken or pigeon

Sometimes, certain drugs can cause chronic damage to your lungs, like-

  Chemotherapy drugs
  Heart medications
  Antibiotics
  Anti-inflammatory drugs

Lung disease can also be caused by autoimmune disorders like-

  Rheumatoid arthritis
  Sjogren s syndrome
  Scleroderma
  Dermatomyositis
  Polymyositis
  Mixed connective tissue disease

Why homeopathy?

Homeopathic remedies are customized according to the effects that the disease has on your body. It will relieve symptoms like sharp pain in the lungs, hemorrhaging in the capillaries and coughing with mucus. It will also slow down the progression of the disease. Homeopathy induces your immunity system to restore the damaged tissues and heal itself. There are no associated side effects of homeopathic remedies to your body. 

Homeopathic medication and therapy also help you to treat the damage from the side effects caused by conventional treatment.

If you visit a pulmonary specialist, he/she will prescribe medications like corticosteroids, medications that will slow down fibrosis and that reduce stomach acid or you might be given artificial oxygen to make breathing easier. The last option is surgery. All of these treatment options will not reverse the scarring in the lungs. In most cases, they do not stop the progression of the disease.

The life expectancy for someone with any of the types of interstitial lung diseases is 3 to 5 years. Homeopathy has proven to be a safe and effective treatment option with no side effects that can slow down the progression of your disease. It is important that you treat it early if you want to prevent severe health complications.

Interstitial Lung Disease - Why Should You Choose Homeopathy For Treating It?

Lungs are part of the respiratory system, and their main job is to bring fresh air into the body and remove waste gases from the body.

What do the Lungs do?

Lungs have a basic function of maintaining the process of gaseous exchange. The blood vessels in the lungs carry oxygen (O2) in the air we breathe to the cells and exchange it for the waste gas carbon dioxide (CO2). This exchange is needed for all our body cells to live.
Lungs help to bring air we inhale to the proper body temperature and moisturizes it to the right humidity level.
By coughing, sneezing, filtering or swallowing them, lungs protect our body from infections, pollutants and other harmful substances.
Lungs also support our sense of smell.

Now that we know the major role of our lungs play in keeping us healthy, it is important that we know the ways to keep them in best of health to lead a problem-free life.

Do not smoke: Smoking increases the risk of lung cancer. Every time one smokes (cigarette, cigar, beedi) toxins like nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar cause damage to the lungs. Over time these toxins irritate and inflame tissues leading to narrow airways which make it difficult to breathe. Smoking is also related to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), pulmonary fibrosis and asthma. It is also advised to avoid passive smoking as it may damage the lungs as well.
Exercise more: Exercising will make the heart beat faster and lungs work harder, making them more efficient. During aerobic exercise, our breathing increases from 15 times a minute to about 40 - 60 times a minute, thus stepping up the exchange of O2 and CO2
Avoid exposure to pollutants: air pollutants can damage the lungs and accelerate aging. Reduce your exposure by avoiding:
Exercising near heavy traffic, as one tends to inhale the exhaust.
Pollutants at work by taking appropriate precautions.
Keeping indoor spaces well ventilated, clean (free from molds, dust, pet dander) and appropriately humid 30-50% relative humidity also helps.
Deep breething: Breathing deeply helps the lung to reach its full capacity.
Wash your hands regularly: Washing hands properly can help prevent a majority of infectious respiratory diseases like cold and flu.
Importance of diet in maintaining lungs health:
Eat right and keep yourself hydrated is essential for keeping your lungs healthy. Mentioned below are a few foods that are great for the lungs:

Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, kale. A review by Lam TK in 2009 stated that cruciferous vegetable intake may reduce lung cancer incidence.
Bright orange and red vegetables-like carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, are rich in carotenoids, known to reduce the risk of developing cancer in the lungs.
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects on human lung cells.
Spices like turmeric, ginger and garlic contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which are good for lung health.
Water keeps the blood flowing to and from the lungs. It also keeps mucous flowing and the lungs hydrated.

How You Can Keep Your Lungs Healthy?

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