Common triggers of allergies are found everywhere – not just outside, but also inside. Look around you: Does the place look dusty? When was the last time you changed your bedding, vacuumed the carpet, and cleaned the curtains? Do you keep your windows open, so outdoor allergens, pollution, and smoke particles are entering your home?…
Two types of doctors treat asthma: allergists and pulmonologists. It is important that you see the right one to get the most effective treatment for your condition. How can the average person discern which medical doctor to see and not waste time going to the wrong one? To help you with this, let’s talk about…
Pulmonology is a subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders and diseases of the respiratory system. Physicians who specialize in providing care for people with such conditions are referred to as pulmonologists. Let’s get a better insight into the specialty of a pulmonologist by learning about the specific…
Internal medicine doctors, immunologists, and pulmonologists are all well-versed in conducting tests on a patient in order to determine the cause of an allergy or reaction. You might be allergic to a certain food, a type of plant, dust, insect bites or stings, or synthetic materials. Allergic reactions can range from mildly uncomfortable to life-threatening….
Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure (hypertension) that specifically affects the arteries which supply the lungs and the heart. It is a serious condition that can impair the walls of the pulmonary arteries, preventing their ability to function properly – and over time, this can cause damage to the right side of…
A recent study in the U.K. has revealed that more people than ever before have quit smoking this year as a direct result of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic. In July 2020, the organization Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reported that more than 1 million people stopped smoking since the coronavirus pandemic hit…
Smoking was once part of America’s favorite pastimes. People smoked everywhere – in restaurants, in airplanes, in the workplace, et cetera. However, the trend started to dwindle as researchers began to uncover mountains of evidence linking smoking to many dangerous health conditions. In particular, long-term smoke inhalation increases your chances of getting COPD (chronic obstructive…
Spirometry is a simple test that is used to monitor and assess your lung function. It measures how much air you inhale and exhale and how quickly you do so. This test uses a medical device called a spirometer. It is a small machine connected through a cable to a mouthpiece. Spirometry is a safe…
Shortness of breath is the main symptom of emphysema, which is a chronic and progressive lung disease. The lungs’ air sacs, which are called alveoli, rupture – and thus cannot exchange as much oxygen with the blood as necessary. This also compromises the lungs’ ability to eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood and exhale it…
As we age, our bodies get more vulnerable to illnesses. It is essential to keep track of our physical fitness to stay active and healthy. This is what keeps us on our feet and lets us do the things we enjoy. One way doctors can assess whether we are healthy is through testing. An example…
