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Saturday, January 11, 2014

Keeping asthma symptoms at bay

Asthma symptoms, which include coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness, are common in an asthma attack. Sometimes reffered to as bronchial asthma or reactive airway disease, asthma can be controlled with proper treatment. In severe cases, an untreated asthma attack can be life-threatening
Dr Kazi Saifuddin Benoor n
Asthma is a disease of the airways in the lungs. Its symptoms are caused by inflammation, which makes the airways red, swolhealth len, narrower and flash extra-sensitive to irritants. Asthma symptoms range from minor to severe and vary from person to person. tisation (often called allergy vaccination) is unhelpful for most people.

qUick TIPS

A first-aid kit at your home and office

Avoiding triggers
The first step in controlling asthma is to identify and avoid your triggers. The most effective way to fight allergens in the home is to remove the source, which may include pets, carpets, and upholstered furniture. Dust regularly and use a vacuum cleaner.

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Long-term medication
It is virtually impossible for people with asthma to avoid all their triggers all the time. For this reason, many people need to take daily medication to prevent asthma attacks. Inhaled corticosteroids are the most common medication for the long-term control of asthma.

Symptoms of an asthma attack include:

l Wheezing,

a whistling sound when exhaling l Coughing that wont stop are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu l Shortness of breath and tightness in the chest

Who gets asthma?

It isnt clear why some people get asthma and others dont, but its probably due to a combination of environmental and genetic (inherited) factors. Asthma can appear at any age, but it typically develops during childhood. Those most at risk include people with allergies or a family history of asthma. Having a parent with asthma makes children three to six times more likely to develop the condition.
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Children and older people are advised to use the inhaler with a device called a spacer, which helps them take the medicine properly
your lungs are working. A lung function test, also called spirometry, measures how much air you can breathe in and out. The results will help determine whether you have asthma and how severe the condition is. Your doctor may also recommend allergy testing to pinpoint some of your asthma triggers. Sometimes children with asthma can grow out of their symptoms, or many years of regular treatment with anti-inflammatory asthma medication may make the disease disappear. It is tempting to think that your asthma has been cured if you have not had symptoms for a long time, but you will usually still have a tendency to develop asthma if you are exposed to the appropriate triggers in the future. Most people with asthma are able to keep the conditions under control. Allergy treatment using hyposensi-

Quick relief for asthma attacks

Even with the use of long-term medication, asthma symptoms sometimes flare up. When this happens, youll need another type of inhaler to provide quick relief. Short-acting beta2agonists are the most common choice. These rescue inhalers quickly relax the tightened muscles around the airways, restoring the flow of air to the lungs. It is better to take asthma medications through an inhaler or nebuliser, which assures efficacy, prompt relief and fewer side effects. Children and older people are advised to use the inhaler with a device called spacer, which helps them take the medicine properly. Some asthma attacks require emergency treatment in the hospital. l Dr Kazi Saifuddin Benoor is Assistant Professor of Chest Medicine in National Institute of Chest Diseases and Hospital.

Afirst-aid kitis a collection of supplies and equipment for use in giving first aid. A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you respond effectively to common injuries and emergencies. Keep at least one first-aid kit in your home, your office and one in your car. Store your kits in easy-to-retrieve locations that are out of the reach of young children. You can purchase firstaid kits at many drugstores or assemble your own. Contents of a first-aid kit should include:

Basic supplies
l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l

cal fumes, gases or dust l Allergy-induced asthma triggered by particular allergens, such as mold, dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches or pollen. If pollen is one of your triggers, youll probably notice your asthma symptoms are worse at certain times of the year.

Asthma trigger
For some people, asthma symptoms flare up in certain situations: l Exercise-induced asthma, which may be worse when the air is cold and dry l Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemi-

Managing asthma Diagnosing asthma

If you have symptoms of asthma, your doctor will want to check how well While there is no cure, there are highly effective strategies for keeping asthma symptoms at bay.

health news

Sovaldi, a hope for chronic hepatitis C

Difference between fresh Brown eggs vs milk and UHT milk white eggs
Fresh milk, often referred to as homogenised and Brown eggs are often thought as a healthier alternapasteurised milk, is sold in the chilled foods section tive to white eggs. You might be surprised to learn of the supermarket. It has a short shelf life and must that nutritionally, both brown and white eggs are be kept below 4C to maintain freshness. Ultra heat almost identical in content. The only measurable treated (UHT) milk, which is sometimes called longdifferences come from the color and breed of the life milk, is slightly different. It has had extra treatchickens producing the eggs. DID YOU ment which enables it to be stored at room temperaThe colour of an eggshell is determined by the coKNOW? ture (as long as it is unopened) for extended periods. lour of the hen laying the egg. This is very similar to Both fresh milk and UHT milk have undergone pasteurihow your eye color and hair colour are determined by genetsation and homogenisation before packaging and sale to ics. Brown eggs come from brown hens and white eggs come consumers. Pasteurifrom white hens. The sation involves heating color of the yolk inside the milk to 72C for 15 the shell and the egg seconds to kill harmwhite is the same for ful bacteria that may both brown and white be present. The milk is eggs. The nutritional rapidly chilled, before value of brown and homogenisation comwhite eggs are almost mences. This involves identical. passing the milk On average, brown through a fine nozzle eggs are more expento create a smooth, sive than white eggs. creamy taste and texThe higher price tag ture. on brown eggs does not necessarily reflect better quality, Fresh milk is then packaged and refrigerated, while UHT rather it is a result of specific breeds of brown hens being milk is exposed to a more powerful heat treatment to inachigher maintenance than white hens. This occurs betivate harmful bacteria. This allows the milk to be stored cause brown hens are larger than white hens and therefore out of the fridge while it is unopened. It is important to chill require more food, which translates into a higher cost for UHT milk once it has been opened. l consumers. l | Prescription Desk

l l

Adhesive tape Antibiotic ointment Antiseptic solution Bandages, including a roll of elastic wrap and bandage strip Instant cold packs Cotton balls and cotton-tipped swabs Disposable latex or synthetic gloves, at least two pairs Duct tape Gauze pads and roller gauze First-aid manual Petroleum jelly or other lubricant Plastic bags for the disposal of contaminated materials Safety pins Scissors and tweezers Soap or instant hand sanitiser Sterile eyewash, such as a saline solution Thermometer Triangular bandage Blood pressure measuring machine and stethoscope

Medications
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l l l l

The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved Sovaldi (sofosbuvir) to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Sovaldi is the first drug that has demonstrated safety and efficacy to treat certain types of HCV infection without the need for co-administration of interferon. Sovaldi is to be used as a

component of a combination antiviral treatment regimen for chronic HCV infection. Hepatitis C is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the liver that can lead to diminished liver function or liver failure. Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C has got no vaccine. l

Anti-diarrheal medication Over-the-counter oral antihistamine Aspirin and nonaspirin pain relievers (never give aspirin to children) Calamine lotion Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream Syringe, medicine cup or spoon Oral saline

Fat dads make fat kids

Fathers-to-be need to get in shape before their children are conceived to fat diet and were obese, their grandsons are more likely to be overweight. While the effects of a mothers diet during and even before pregnancy are known, the new research is a wake-up call for prospective dads. It is thought that a father could contribute his genes and thats about it, but this research suggests both parents lifestyles may contribute to their babies genes. The findings have also sparked demand for further studies on the impacts of both parents behaviours on children during pregnancy. l

Give your kit a checkup. Check your first-aid kits regularly, at least every three months, to be sure the flashlight batteries work and to replace supplies that have expired.

| Compiled by: Shirsho Saaeadat

How to donate blood

Dr Sajol Ashfaq n
leaving. Altogether, it will take about an hour. The blood you donate gives someone another chance at life. Giving blood is one of the most worthwhile things you can do. PaHEALTH tients require blood for NEWS a range of reasons from cancer to surgery and many more; with some patients needing blood regularly.

How long do I have to wait before my next donation?

For a whole blood donation, you need to wait 12 weeks before your next donation.

avoid passing on fat genes, new research suggests. Recently a study showed that if fathers and grandfathers have a high

Microchip helps in dieting

Dieters who are struggling in losing weight could be implanted with a computer chip that alerts them when theyve eaten enough and then releases a hormone to make them feel full. Scientists in Switzerland are developing the pioneering technology and believe it could be available worldwide within five to 10 years. The coin-sized chip would be inserted under the skin of a slimmers arm where it would constantly check for fat in the blood and release a hunger-sating compound when enough was consumed. Subject to funding, the first human tests could take place in around three years. The devices inventor, Professor Martin Fussenegger, said: The chip could

Does giving blood affect your energy?

You should avoid exerting yourself for 12 hours after donating as a precaution, but your energy levels wont be affected. It only takes 1 to 2 days for your blood volume to be back to normal, but make sure you drink lots of water to help the recovery process. hani, Red Crescent, and Quantum are operating blood banks that help in voluntary blood donation. Most hospitals have a blood bank that can arrange the donation. have to fill out a confidential questionnaire and have an interview with a staff member to make sure youre healthy and fit for a donation. If youre in good shape to make a donation, theyll then start the process. After donating blood youll be given something to eat and drink and shown somewhere you can rest for the recommended 15 minutes before

Who can donate?

To give blood you need neither extra strength nor extra food, and you will save a life. Most people between the ages of 17 and 65, who weigh over 50kg (7st 12lb) and have a good level of general health will be able to donate blood. If youve had a cold or other illness within a week of donating, you need to wait for 7 days before you can donate. You must also be over 45 kilograms to ensure the blood loss wont affect you.

Will it hurt?
Theres nothing to worry about, you wont feel more than a tiny pinprick.

Does the Blood Service pay for donations?

No. All blood donations are voluntary, following World Health Organization and Red Cross and Crescent policies. l

provide an alternative to expensive and invasive weight loss surgery with no major side-effects. l

What happens on the day you donate?

The actual process only takes about 5-10 minutes. Before donation, you

Where to donate?
Various organisations such as Shand-

| Dr Mohammad Sayem

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