Monthly E-News from CHAT of Wakulla, Keeping You Informed:  September 2011

Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog MonthOctober is Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month and CHAT would like to invite you to come to the Adoption Center to adopt a homeless pet to share your life and home.  for the month of October, CHAT is reducing the adoption fees for our dogs.  Fees always include initial health examination, spay/neuter, microchip, rabies and other vaccinations up to date, a small bag of dog food, and a month of free pet insurance!!

Our Pet of the MonthLucky wasn’t so lucky.  She had been adopted from the CHAT Adoption Center as a puppy and recently returned because her adopters could no longer care for her.  She is an active dog and needs a fenced-in yard, or someone who enjoys exercise!  She is a Labrador/Catahoula mix and is almost 3 years old.  can you help her find a forever, loving home?

And–we are pleased to announce another way for you to support CHAT of Wakulla and our homeless 4-legged friends!  we have now teamed up with Petfinder’s “Sponsor a Pet” program.  Follow this link:  petfinder.com/shelters/FL479.html

Select an animal from our adoptable pets list and click the “sponsor me” tab.  Sign up, then pick a donation amount, and submit.  Simple!  Donations through the Petfinder Foundation “Sponsor Me” program will be sent to CHAT on a quarterly basis, and will make a great difference for our animals.  we thank you in advance for your generosity and support!

Mark your Calendar!!

Canine Poker Walk/CHAToberfest is coming up on October 29th at the CHAT Adoption Center.  Please check our website for details.  Tons of fun!!  Hope to see you there!!

Parvovirus

What is Parvo?

Parvovirus is a viral disease of dogs.  It affects puppies much more frequently than it affects adult dogs.

What are the symptoms of Parvo?

Parvo is a virus that attacks the lining of the digestive system.  It causes dogs and puppies to not be able to absorb nutrients or liquids.  Puppies are especially prone to it because they have an immature immune system.  It is characterized by severe, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, high fever and lethargy.  Parvo can also attack a dog’s heart causing congestive heart failure.

How is Parvo transmitted?

Canine parvovirus is carried by dogs.  Adult dogs may be infected carriers without showing any clinical signs.  It can last a long time in the environment, perhaps as long as nine months or longer.  Generally, it takes 7-10 days from the time of exposure for dogs and puppies to start showing symptoms and to test positive for parvo.

Parvo is highly contagious to unprotected dogs and the virus can remain infectious in ground contaminated with fecal material for five months or more if conditions are favorable.  Extremely hardy, most disinfectants cannot kill the virus, however, chlorine bleach is the most effective and inexpensive agent that works.

Is there a Parvovirus vaccination?

Yes!  many vets recommend vaccinating puppies every three to four weeks for this virus starting at six weeks of age and continuing until they are at least 16-20 weeks of age.  many veterinarians continue to recommend yearly vaccinations for it.  It seems prudent to at least get the vaccination at one year of age.

How is Parvo treated?

Without intense treatment, the victims of parvo die of dehydration.  Treatment generally consists of IV or sub-cutaneous fluids and antibiotics.  there is no cure.  Veterinarians can only treat the symptoms palliatively and try to keep the dog alive by preventing dehydration and loss of proteins.

How do I prevent the spread of Parvo?

The surest way to avoid parvo infection in your dog is to adhere to the recommended vaccination schedule which begins when puppies are 6-8 weeks of age.  Puppies should not be allowed to socialize with other dogs or frequent areas where other dogs have been until two weeks after they have had their last vaccination.  Immunization for parvo is usually included in your dog’s distemper vaccine.

Adapted from workingdogs.com

Visit us on facebook or on our website at:  chatofwakulla.org

CHAT of Wakulla is a nonprofit 501©3 status, tax deductible organization.  A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free 1-800-435-7352 within the state.  Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State. < Prev   Next > You need to login or register to post comments.Discuss this item on the forums. (0 posts)

im being treated with antibiotics. is there anything else, like exercise and fluid intake, i can do to relieve the symptoms?

hree days after he was born Nong Prin began to breathe more rapidly and his skin took on a bluish tint. It became difficult for his mother to feed him because he would have violent choking fits which would leave him exhausted. As a result of his condition, the infant was not gaining weight and developing as he should.

Chairat Sirikanon is 11 years old. He enjoys school but cannot take part in sports or physical education classes. any sort of exercise – even playing around with his friends – wears him out. He often gets frustrated with his inability to lead a normal, active life.

These two boys were subsequently diagnosed as having a congenital heart defect.

“Sometimes, my son’s heart makes a certain sound,” said Ratsarin Saithongthanaphun, Nong Prin’s mother.

“I got a terrible shock when I was told that my son had a problem with his heart. It was very depressing to learn that he needed an operation to fix the defect. He was only a year and a half old. It was a catastrophe!”

That “certain sound”, Ratsarin spoke of, is called a heart murmur – a swishing or whistling that is very noticeable if listened to through a stethoscope. It is caused by a defect that changes the way the blood flows through the heart.

“But not all murmurs are a sign of congenital heart defects,” said Dr Kraisorn Juthacharoenwong, a paediatric cardiologist at Samitivej Srinakarin Children’s Hospital.

Symptoms of congenital heart defects can be detected in newborns a few weeks after birth, he noted. In severe cases, infants’ hearts fail and they need urgent medical attention soon after birth. less severe defects may not be diagnosed until a child grows older.

Each year, between 7,000 and 8,000 children are born in Thailand with heart problems. Doctors don’t know what actually causes most of these defects, but think that heredity may play a role.

“In about 15% of cases we know the reason for the defect,” he said. “For the rest, the cause has never been ascertained.”

Children with genetic defects often have congenital heart defects, with Down’s syndrome kids being a classic example. “Half of babies with Down’s syndrome suffer from congenital heart defects.”

There is also a link between congenital heart defects and the consumption of large amounts of alcohol and certain drugs by expectant mothers. Poorly controlled sugar levels in pregnant women who have diabetes are also associated with a high rate of defects. Mothers-to-be who contract rubella during pregnancy also run a high risk of giving birth to infants with heart defects.

“Street drugs, like amphetamines, can, of course, have a negative effect on unborn children, too,” said Dr Kraisorn. “Pregnant women should receive good prenatal care. Screening and diagnostic tests are important. Women carrying babies suffering from serious heart defects may be advised to terminate the pregnancy.”

Defects can be structural – a hole in the wall of a heart chamber, for instance, or a malfunctioning valve – or may be related to the way blood flows through the arteries and veins that connect the heart to the rest of the body.

Heart disease can occur in children after birth as a consequence of rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, Kawasaki disease or a coronary aneurysm – a localised enlargement that causes the diameter of a section of artery to swell to more than 1.5 times the size of adjacent segments.

According to Dr Kraisorn, some infants and children with mild heart defects may exhibit few or no symptoms and so may not need treatment. Severe or complex defects that will require medication or surgery can give rise to symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, sweating, fatigue or a bluish tint to the lips, skin and fingernails.

Some infants with heart problem may not develop at a normal pace. “They may be smaller or thinner than other toddlers of the same age and they may start sitting up and walking much later than their peers,” Dr Kraisorn said.

“In many children, a hole in the heart will close by itself. A tiny one may not need an operation. Patients may need occasional check-ups with a cardiologist as they grow to adulthood.”

Less serious heart defects can be remedied with medication or by inserting a catheter. Surgery may be the last resort for babies or toddlers with complex and/or severe defects.

“In many cases, a single operation can repair the defect completely. But some patients may require several surgeries over a period of time to fix the defect,” the cardiologist explained.

“The treatment options available to a child will depend on the types of defects and their severity. Factors also include the child’s age, size and general state of health.”

Each year, between 3,500 and 4,000 children in Thailand with congenital heart defects need an operation to prevent premature death or major physical underdevelopment. about 20% of them die within one year of their birth.

Due to limitations on medical personnel and facilities, state-run hospitals are only able to perform surgery on 2,000 to 2,500 of these cases. That means that 1,500 to 2,000 very sick children have to go on a waiting list.

“Samitivej’s Fund for new Life was created to help children in need,” said Dr Chanika Tuchinda, chairman of Samitivej Srinakarin Children’s Hospital and president of the Samitivej Heart Fund. “The paediatric heart project provides a good opportunity for needy children [both Thai and foreign].”

Launched in 2009, the project is a collaboration between Samitivej Hospital and the Cardiac Children Foundation of Thailand. It has set itself a short-term target of helping 60 underprivileged babies and children. That number was chosen to mark the 60th wedding anniversary of Their Majesties the King and Queen. So far 17 youngsters have been operated on, with a 100% success rate.

“To successfully perform an operation on a young patient with congenital heart defects, we require a team of well-trained medical personnel and an anaesthetist and good staff on the ward, plus all the necessary equipment and facilities. We think we have the ability to do that,” said Dr Surangkana Techapaitoon, deputy director of Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital.

Advances in diagnostic and surgical techniques mean that children with cardiac problems have a much better chance of survival than ever before. “Almost every single child with a congenital heart defect who undergoes surgery can grow to adulthood and lead an active life,” said Dr Kraisorn. “Many complex congenital heart defects can be cured, but they may need routine or special medical care.

“Most children with heart defects run a high risk of contracting bacterial endocarditis. some may need antibiotics before medical or dental procedures that might allow bacteria to enter their bloodstream.

“Regular brushing and flossing as well as visiting a dentist every six months are highly recommended.”

You can help children with congenital heart defects by making a donation to the Fund for new Life. the account details are as follows:

Bank: Thai Military Bank Account name: Wachira Medical College Foundation under the Royal Patronage of HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn for Samitivej’s Fund for new Life (Paediatric Heart) Savings account no: 196-2-08745-6.

Donations can also be made in person at Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital and Samitivej Sriracha Hospital.

Latest stories in this category:

When to Go after STD Testing, STD Testing Centers, How to get an STD Test

Sexual Transmitted Infections (STD) normally doesn’t present any warning signs for days or many years even so patients might have problems like abnormal vaginal discharge, swollen vagina, abdomen ache, vaginal itching and discomfort. These warning signs are also related with other infections, so if a affected person suspects any this sort of indicators, he/she will need to instantly make contact with health practitioner and get check executed.

When you engage in any form of sexual exercise, in particular obtaining a number of or several sexual partners you are at a higher possibility of exposing by yourself to STDs. not quite a lot of folks know that not all signs or symptoms of STD are evident. some signs and symptoms appear a number of days from to begin with publicity. some symptoms don’t even present at all. you can even expose oneself to a whole lot of STD illnesses even if you stayed celibate or have had no sexual exercise at all. Just acquiring in direct get hold of with open sores and infectious discharges can transmit the disorder to a helpless victim. It’s scary but it’s real!

The only confident way to detect if you previously have the indicators of STD is to get all by yourself examined in reliable STD testing centers. not all clinics or physicians test for STDs. Don’t presume that when you go for your annual physical check out-up you are already getting tested for STDs. These sorts of checks are performed on request by the particular person involved or on the recommendation of a health practitioner. Don’t depend on self-medications or online home testing kits. Probabilities are the final results are not precise and could just lead to misdiagnosis! Don’t dilly dally or procrastinate! you will be terrified to know how fast STD infections can progress too a lot graver healthcare situations. Time is of the essence! If you suspect that you have uncovered your self to STD infections rush to the nearest STD check middle and have you tested!

There are a great deal of STD clinics that offer Effortless STD Testing. These centers can offer you you Anonymous STD testing so it saves you the embarrassment of owning on your own examined and uncovered to public scrutiny. Straightforward STD testing is a good idea to individuals with privacy and STD concerns. These centers deal with these health difficulties in extra easy manner. Exams and treatment options are done discreetly and all the health facts is kept confidential. only the overall health practitioner and the health assistants attending to the person concerned will know about his or her identification and present-day wellbeing standing. They will accomplish all the necessary STD exams not having creating the human being wait around in prolonged lines and without obtaining to offer with needless paperwork!

Easy STD testing should be obligatory if you are sexually lively, among the ages of 13 to 64, have had multiple partners and have no intention of becoming monogamous with just a person spouse, was previously diagnosed with STDs, suspect that your previous partners are infected with STD or only come to feel like you are exposed to STD infection. How to get an STD Check, When to Go after STD Testing, Getting STD tested is reccomended by the CDC

Getting STD tested is reccomended by the CDC, Far better STD Testing Minimizes Numbers of new Infections, How to get an STD Test

Symptoms Of a Kidney Stone

Article by Paul Hooper-Kelly

If you were to draw up a profile of the person most likely to experience the agonizing symptoms of a kidney stone, it would be something like this. a male, aged between 25 and 40 who takes very little exercise, loves eating red meat and drinking cola and soda and never drinks pure water. the chances are high he would live in the southern USA — probably in the south western states.

We know quite a lot about the cause of kidney stones, because they are on the increase. this is because they are largely due to what we eat. so, as we get more affluent, we eat and drink more of the very things — such as red meat and soda — that increase the chances of getting kidney stones. That’s why the USA leads the world on the these incidents, having an average of 10% of the population likely to have an occurrence at some point in their lives. the world average is just 4%, with many less developed countries having virtually no cases.

Very often you can have a kidney stone for months — years even — yet be unaware of it. these types of stone are called “silent kidney stones”. But when the stone tries to move down the urinary passage — that’s the narrow tube, called the ureter, linking the kidney to the bladder, you will suddenly be aware you have a kidney stone.

And boy, you certainly know it, because the pain is excruciating. it usually starts in your back — higher than you would normally associate with normal back ache — just under your rib cage. Sometimes you get a little warning in the form of a vague nagging in this area. so, if you get that, and you are in the high risk category, you may want to consider what course of action you should follow to get rid of your stone, before it starts to really cause problems.

If you either ignore, or have no symptoms of a kidney stone, the pain is likely to hit you like an express train. Then the spasms of intense pain may well make you sweat or feel giddy and nauseous and will seem to move through you, from your back to your front and, eventually down to your groin. If that apparent movement occurs, it is a sign the kidney stone is, at least, able to move through the urinary tract, which is a good thing.

Keep a very close check on the color of any urine, throughout the attack. what you don’t want to see is it turning dark red, as this will show the jagged stone has torn the delicate lining of the ureter. this also makes it more likely it will get caught up and jammed on the lining of the urinary tract and cause a blockage. When this happens, the urine cannot flow down the ureter tube into the bladder. this seals off the flow of urine, putting pressure on the tube walls, causing more pain. the urine then backs up into the kidney which, if left untreated, increases the chances of a kidney infection.

The pain may be accompanied by the frequent urge to urinate, which may prove impossible, due to the blockage. this is when removal of the stone becomes a priority. either by surgery, medication or by using a natural home remedy cure. so never ignore the symptoms of a kidney stone attack and take immediate action, if it happens.

About the Author

It’s now possible to painlessly dissolve kidney stones in hours, so avoiding uncomfortable medical procedures or medication, with a very effective home treatment for kidney stones. I’ve just released a report about a simple home remedy, that works in hours, just using regular, safe household items: Guaranteed_Home_Remedies_For_Kidney_Stones

My doctor put me on Adderall and I feel much better and focused, but I worry about the future. I don't see myself ever abusing the drug, only following the doctor's dosage. I don't want to be taking adderall forever though. If I stop taking it after a couple of years (once I'm done with college), will my Adhd symptoms get worse? am I better off not taking it and keeping my moderate symptoms of ADHD rather than letting it be severe later on?

ADD is a lifetime condition and needs to be treated as such. Treatment consists of exercise, proper diet, a self-disciplinary activity such as yoga or martial arts, vitamins and supplements and either a stimulant or ADD-care, which is an all natural supplement that has been shown to be as effective as the stimulants.

here is a resource for support, doctors, and info

Now that you have been diagnosed with Cervical Cancer Symptoms, where do you start in taking care of yourself? It is important during this time, possibly more than any other time in your life, to take care of yourself. What are some ways that you can help decrease and rid yourself?

Attitude - Your attitude has quite a bit to do with how your body fights the Symptoms. By trying to keep a positive and upbeat attitude, you are giving your body and immune system the added strength and encouragement to fight against the cancer and the disease. Many studies have found a direct correlation between a positive attitude and healing.

Exercise - Although it is often difficult to even want to exercise when you are battling a disease, it can significantly increase the efficiency of your immune system. An exercise as simple as walking has great health benefits for you all of the time, whether you are sick with Cervical Cancer Symptoms or not.

Eating right - Food can have a big impact upon how the body works and this is especially true when you are battling Cervical Symptoms. Eating foods rich in natural vitamins and minerals and foods in as natural state as possible can help keep your immune system working efficiently, so that your body can naturally fight the Cervical Cancer Symptoms to aid the Cervical Cancer treatment choice that your physician has chosen.

Choose the right doctors - having a doctor that knows Cervical Cancer treatments is very important, but having a doctor that you can talk to is even more important. If you don’t feel that you or your needs are being taken seriously, then you may want to rethink your choice. The Symptoms are not something that disappears quickly, so you will want to have a doctor that you can discuss your condition with comfortably.

Ask questions - If you are not sure why you are taking a certain drug or having a certain test, then ask. Asking questions is the only way that you can learn more about your Cancer Symptoms, so that you can become a more informed patient. this can have a significant impact upon the severity of your Cervical Cancer Symptoms and can greatly impact your health outlook.

Having this Cervical Cancer does not give you an instant death sentence. By fighting it in every way possible, you can help to make the most of your Cervical Cancer treatment, so that you will have every tool possible to beat the Cervical Cancer Symptoms.

You can find more details at my web site (cervical-cancer-symptoms.info) that I made with my experience.you can always contact me at roxann.park@gmail.com write on the subject cervical-cancer-symptoms.info and I will jet to you ASAP.

My story began just as many women’s stories do. I went to have my yearly PAP smear to check for HPV and Cervical Cancer and possibility to keep myself healthy. you can tell that the answer was not what I expected to be. I tried to find the right treatment for myself and find an alternative treatment.

I opened my blog to express myself and tried to give every woman the knowledge that I had hard time to find.

You can contact me at any time by sending an email, (put cervical-cancer-symptoms.info on the subject) and I will be happy to give you my knowledge.

Love to help, Roxann

The formerly cryptogram to inspect representing must ensue coughing, squatness of breath, wheezing, furthermore a strict chest may possibly ensue secret language with the intention of you comprise Asthma. you may possibly neediness to get on your way idea on receiving checked, it may possibly conserve your life, before with the intention of of a big cheese with the intention of you love. proviso you attain your having these signs, force to assured you acquire checkered more rapidly preferably than later, it may possibly achieve all the discrepancy in the the human race to hook this ahead of schedule as well as attain treatment as presently as possible.

Further symptoms include…

-Louder than regular breathing, equally exhaling with inhaling.

-Tightness in the chest, friction before property your chest.

-A cough with the intention of becomes of poorer quality at night.

-A strict chest triggered via exercise.

-Exposure to environmental toxins.

Your medical doctor willpower be in charge some tests to attain outdated whether you perform boast asthma. He willpower apt request you proviso several of your family unit members boast endlessly been diagnosed in the midst of Asthma. a number of nation ponder it is traditional in a large amount people. comprise you endlessly been hardened to comprehend proviso you boast Asthma? your medical doctor may possibly choose to adversity you together with come again? is called a highest tide meter. it is an straightforward to manipulate devise with the intention of bottle report how thriving your lungs withdraw heavens in with out. your top arise measuring device bottle too ensue an ahead of schedule admonition badge to inform you of an approaching attack. this willpower transfer you the epoch to force to the arrangements afterward impart your group a fighting chance.

Causes representing Asthma willpower immobile diverge commencing personality to person. perhaps it comes commencing come again? is in our food, perhaps it comes commencing come again? is in our water. Let’s ponder approaching come again? is in the announce we breathe. for the reason that the pollution willpower go on to turn out to be of poorer quality also worse, the gear of Asthma are free up. living previously formerly our furrow was polluted, in attendance were a great deal smaller amount gear of asthma furthermore additional diseases. As we comprise hurt our furrow greater than the years, our wellbeing is unhurriedly failing to the position to everyplace our bodies are having agitate fighting back. The toxins are ended whelming representing our bodies. Our bodies comprise the capability to find these venomous harms out. The glitch is, it is human being swamped by them now. come again? your corpus cannot progress exonerate of taking place its own, it absorbs plus with the intention of is a nice-looking terrifying thought.

Something you bottle achieve in your identifiable dwelling to preclude Asthma attacks as soon as you comprise been diagnosed together with it, is creation dependable your apartment is Dust louse free. compose your dwelling smoke free. subsequent give smoke is individual of the chief causes of attacks representing nation by Asthma. Pets as well games a role. proviso you remark you before a big cheese in your family unit with the intention of has been diagnosed together with Asthma starts to boast extra attacks give or take a few pets. you may possibly hardship to comprise with the intention of pet turn out to be an open-air pet before aware in solitary individual carve up of the house. shape is in addition a cumbersome trigger representing a big cheese by Asthma. They bottle expand in as a result countless places, a number of clear of the glimpse of a large amount people. shape bottle expand in bulwark after that in attics. proviso you assume with the intention of construct may possibly be present in your house, boast an superintendent show your face to test furthermore distinguish proviso you achieve in actuality comprise a construct issues.

Be experienced of your environment. The reports willpower time and again tell nation of open-air pollution, whether you bottle burn fires. you bottle at that moment choose whether before not you equal neediness to movement farther along with bring a breath. be real experienced of come again? foods you acquire hooked on your corpus along with force to assured with the intention of all fruits plus vegetables are washed thoroughly. a great deal of come again? we obtain hooked on our bodies bottle boast an adverse fake taking place our immune system. it bottle entail the discrepancy connecting having an asthma attack, before avoiding an asthma harm all together. collected we bottle adjustment this world, except unfortunately, come again? we boast completed before now desire comprise penalty representing countless time to come.

1. Do you have Asthma Symptoms?
2. Warning Signs of an Asthma Attack
3. Action plan for Asthma
4. How Mold Can Affect your Child With Asthma
5. How to Diagnose Chronic Bronchitis

this entry was posted on Wednesday, March 16th, 2011 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Asthma. you can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. you can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Saturday, February 19, 2011 » 07:32am

The biggest ever study of chronic fatigue syndrome treatments has challenged the strategy championed by patient groups — taking it easy is not the best treatment, exercise and behaviour therapy are.

For years, patient groups warned such treatments could be dangerous, instead promoting a strategy known as adaptive pacing – which advises patients to adjust to their illness by simply doing less. But the study found that approach didn’t help.

The research, published Friday in the medical journal Lancet, concluded that behaviour and exercise seemed to moderately reduce fatigue and improve activity levels, while pacing and medical care weren’t much help.

The findings also suggest the crippling condition can sometimes be reversed.

‘I hope more people will be convinced you can treat chronic fatigue syndrome and that this isn’t necessarily something people will have forever,’ said Hans Knoop, a clinical psychologist at the Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, who co-authored an editorial on the research, which was funded by the UK Medical Research Council and others.

Chronic fatigue syndrome affects up to 2 per cent of people worldwide. it is characterised by persistent tiredness, muscle pain, insomnia and memory problems. the cause is unknown, though the syndrome can be triggered by certain viral infections, and there is no cure.

In the study conducted across the UK, British researchers analysed common treatment approaches: cognitive behaviour therapy, which uses psychology to address fears of activity; exercise such as walking to boost energy; adaptive pacing and medical care, including self-help advice and drugs for insomnia or pain.

More than 600 British patients were divided into four groups, and each given a strategy for around six months. the first group received just medical care, while the remainder received medical care and one of the strategies. Patients were then monitored for up to one year to see if the strategy had any permanent effect.

Since pacing is championed by many patient groups, scientists wanted to test whether it works. Previous patient surveys have suggested behavioural and exercise therapy make people worse, though the study found all treatments tested were safe.

Knoop said behaviour and exercise therapies may help patients increase their activity levels, control their symptoms better, and change the way they perceive their tiredness.

Still, the treatments only helped about 60 per cent of patients, and researchers were unsure how long the results lasted.

‘Even with the best therapies we have, four out of 10 people don’t improve,’ said Peter White, a professor of psychological medicine at the Queen Mary University of London, who led the study.

‘This is a genuinely disabling condition, and we need to do more to determine how to enhance current therapies.’

Signs and Symptoms of Bronchial AsthmaWith bronchial asthma, you may have one or more of the following signs and symptoms:Shortness of breathTightness of chestWheezingExcessive coughing or a cough that keeps you awake at nightDiagnosing Bronchial AsthmaBecause asthma does not always happen at the doctor’s visit, it’s important for you to describe your asthma signs and symptoms to your doctor. You might also notice when the symptoms occur such as during exercise, with a cold, or after smelling smoke. Asthma tests may include:Spirometry: A lung function test to measure your breathing capacity and how well you breathe. You will breathe into a device called a spirometer.Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF): using a device called a peak flow meter, you forcefully exhale into the tube to measure the force of air you can expend out of your lungs. Peak flow monitoring can allow you to monitor your how well your asthma is doing at home.Chest X-Ray: your doctor may do a chest X-ray to rule out any other diseases that may be causing similar symptoms.Chronic Bronchitis —Question: what is the Difference between Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis?Answer: Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two types of COPD that often coexist. sometimes, it is difficult to understand the differences between the two, but both cause difficulty breathing and other lung related symptoms.Emphysema is a type of COPD that causes a permanent enlargement of the airways in your lungs. It is accompanied by destruction of the walls of the alveoli, the tiny air spaces in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged during the breathing process. when the alveoli are destroyed, it makes it difficult for the person with emphysema to breathe, which is one of the hallmark symptoms of emphysema.

Emphysema is primarily caused by smoking. and once diagnosed, its path is irreversible.

Read more about emphysema, including signs and symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Chronic bronchitis is a type of COPD that causes inflammation, or irritation, in the bronchioles of the lungs. the bronchioles connect the trachea, or windpipe, to the lungs. this irritation causes an increased amount of heavy mucus in the lungs that over time, interferes with breathing. the body responds to this mucus by producing a cough in an attempt to clear the airways. But because the mucus is so abundant and thick, it is often difficult for a person with chronic bronchitis to expel it. Additionally, large amounts of thick mucus makes the lungs a perfect habitat for bacteria to thrive. so bacterial lung infections among people who have chronic bronchitis are common and frequent.

In order for a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis to be made, you need to have a productive, long-term cough that lasts 3 months out of the year for 2 consecutive years. this differentiates it from acute bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis is primarily caused by cigarette smoking, secondhand smoke and air pollution.

——————————–