Dangers of sleep apnea when left untreated.

Whether you are having difficulty breathing or snoring, you shouldn't leave the medical condition untreated for a long time. Often people ignore the dangerous signs of such health conditions, thinking that snoring or opening an open mouth is common for people sleeping on their back or when they get older. 

However, that's not the truth because sleep apnea is often associated with several dangers people must be aware of. Without having appropriate knowledge, they won't be able to make the right decision and will suffer from this condition further. Therefore, we have described the significant risk factors associated with sleep apnea, whether it is obstructive or central. 

Lack of sleep or insomnia

Due to snoring at night or having trouble breathing, you might not be able to sleep properly. People with chronic sleep apnea often complain about little to no sleep during the night. It can lead to insomnia if the issue persists for months. As a result, your physical and psychological health will take a toll on you don't want. So, please consult your doctor at the earliest without making any delay. 

Stress and increased depression

Sleep apnea can also result in increased stress levels and depression in people. This is why doctors often suggest treating the condition at the earliest so the patient can remain safe from these medical and psychological problems. 

Problems in the respiratory system

Another side effect of prolonged conditions of sleep apnea is respiratory problems. People often suffer from congestion in the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis, and so on. In extreme cases, the cold and cough never leave the side, let alone get cured completely. This is why people with sleep apnea should get the disease treated immediately to avoid any fatal condition. 

Cardiovascular diseases

Another area where sleep apnea has negative impacts is cardiovascular health. People often suffer from different heart conditions, like higher blood pressure, improper pulse rhythm, etc. It usually happens when people suffer from central sleep apnea, where the muscles controlling the breathing operations don't function according to expectations. 

Asthma in adults

Often sleep apnea leads to asthma in adults. It is a medical condition when your respiratory tract is blocked, causing shortness of breath. If you can get rid of sleep apnea, you won't have asthma anymore. 

Shortness of breath during physical activities

When you exercise, your body goes into an overdrive to supply oxygen to the tissues faster than ever. As a result, your lungs need enough oxygen supply, for which your breathing will increase. However, you won't be able to breathe when you suffer from sleep apnea. Exercises are often associated with shortness of breath, causing you to gasp often to inhale oxygen.

Forceful inhalation and exhalation

Since the air passage will be blocked by sleep apnea, you will often gasp for air during sleep, talking to someone, and so on. As a result, your body will lack oxygen, causing you to inhale and exhale forcefully. The intercostal ribs between the rib bones and the sternum can start aching after a couple of hours of forceful breathing. 

Conclusion 

This blog has discussed the significant risk factors associated with sleep apnea. Since some of these can prove to be dangerous and fatal for you, you should always consult the doctor the moment you realize the symptoms are that of sleep apnea. Your doctor will prescribe medicines, nasal drops, and other such items with proper screening and laboratory results.

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Everything you need to know about sleep apnea

Do you snore a lot while sleeping on your back?

Do you have difficulty breathing when you are sleeping?

These problems are common in many individuals, from snoring to sleeping with wide open mouths. It mainly happens due to a medical condition termed sleep apnea. In this condition, the nasal passage is blocked and as you inhale, the air cause vibrations, resulting in snoring. When the block is large, you automatically open your mouth to breathe.

This is a severe medical condition, especially if the nasal block doesn’t let you breathe properly. However, most people neglect the associated risks and continue living with this medical condition. Therefore, we have shared the details about this health condition, from explaining the causes and symptoms to the treatment processes and risk factors.

Causes of sleep apnea

Sleep apnea usually occurs when the nasal passage is blocked, and air cannot rush into your lungs properly. Sometimes, it causes vibrations, snoring, or compels you to breathe through your mouth. Apart from this, several other reasons lead to sleep apnea. The below section will list the most common causes of this disease.

1. Obesity is one of the critical indicators of sleep apnea, especially if significant fat is accumulated around the neck region.

2. Excessive smoking can sometimes block the nasal passage, leading to sleep apnea.

3. Respiratory allergy can cause edema, blocking the airway channels and causing vibrations.

4. Acromegaly is also considered a cause of sleep apnea, where the hormonal imbalance doesn't allow the olfactory organ to perform appropriately.

5. Congested upper trachea and bronchitis can also lead to snoring and sleep apnea.

Types of sleep apnea

There are two types of sleep apnea- obstructive and central. Doctors usually identify the type you are suffering from before suggesting the lab screening and examination or administrating the medicines for the same.

1. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your throat muscles relax or a block in the nasal passage restricts air movement through the upper respiratory tract.

2. Central sleep apnea occurs due to the inactivity of brain signals responsible for controlling the muscles and cartilage involved in breathing.

Symptoms of sleep apnea

To know if you are suffering from sleep apnea, you should learn its symptoms. This way, you won't have to wait for the situation to worsen and visit the doctor. The following are the signs you should look for to determine if you are suffering from sleep apnea or not.

1. Making loud snoring sounds while sleeping in the back

2. Sleeping while a wide open mouth for breathing

3. Dry viscera in the mouth

4. Gasping heavily to inhale maximum air

5. Waking up with a headache in the early morning

6. Cough during sleeping

7. Insomnia or hypersomnia in patients

Impacts of sleep apnea

Sleep apnea can have tons of impacts on your health. Some of the significant consequences of suffering from this medical condition are:

1. Lack of sleep at night

2. Stress and depression due to no sleep

3. Disturbing others who are sleeping with you

4. Dry mouth with the aching nasal passage

5. Shortness of breath during physical activity

The treatment process for sleep apnea

There are several ways of treating sleep apnea based on its type, the extent to which you suffer, and the root cause. Doctors usually prescribe anti-allergic medicines for the respiratory tract that help open the nasal passage.

Conclusion

This blog has discussed almost everything you should be aware of concerning sleep apnea. It will help you understand the seriousness of the disease so that you can get the treatment done at the earliest without wasting any further time.

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What Should You Know About Bronchoscopy Before Getting One?

With advancements in the field of medical science, new diagnostic processes have been invented that can be used to study the body and its problems from the inside. For the first time in history, doctors now have the ability to see inside the body of a patient and find out the exact problems that are ailing them. Having the ability to make better diagnoses allows doctors to create more successful treatment plans that are curated to the needs of the patient. So, with that info, let’s dive into bronchoscopy and what you should know about it before getting one.

What Is Bronchoscopy?

Bronchoscopy is a diagnostic procedure used to look into the airway of your body. A small lighted tube known as the bronchoscope is inserted into your nose or mouth to look inside the airway of your respiratory system. There are three parts of your respiratory system that are monitored using this diagnostic process, namely the Bronchi, Larynx, and Bronchioles.

Types Of Bronchoscopy

There are two types of bronchoscopy diagnostic tests, flexible and rigid, and they are used for different purposes. Let’s learn about the two types of bronchoscopy and why they are used.

Flexible: A flexible bronchoscopy is what is generally used when you are going to get one. As the name suggests, the bronchoscope used in this test is flexible in nature. It can be used to navigate into the very small parts of your respiratory tract, such as bronchioles. Here are some of the common reasons/causes why a flexible bronchoscopy is required.

• Getting medicine directly into the lungs

• Placing a breathing tube to deliver oxygen to the lungs

• Conducting a biopsy

• Extracting secretions from lungs

Rigid: A rigid bronchoscopy is the exact opposite of flexible bronchoscopy. It uses a rigid and straight tube that is put directly into the more extensive airway tracts of your respiratory system. This type of bronchoscopy is only ordered in certain instances, such as

• Performing medical procedures such as placing a stent

• Controlling bleeding

• Removing dead tissues (lesions)

• Extracting large amounts of blood or secretions from the respiratory system

• Removing foreign objects from the airway tracts

When Do Doctors Order A Bronchoscopy?

There are several cases where doctors might order a bronchoscopy to be performed. Here are some of the common scenarios where this diagnostic procedure is ordered.

• Airway blockage

• Persistent cough

• Bronchial cancer

• Vocal cord paralysis

• Coughing up blood

• Spots seen on chest x-rays

• Lung inflammation and infections such as tuberculosis or pneumonia.

These are some of the common conditions that are diagnosed using a bronchoscopy. It should be noted that apart from diagnosis, a bronchoscopy is also used to perform other medical procedures such as

• Collection of sputum

• Extraction of fluids from lungs

• Controlling the bleeding in bronchi

• Draining pus from lungs

• Placing a stent in the airway to keep it open

• Removing polyps, blood, or secretions from the airway

Risks Of A Bronchoscopy Procedure

To ensure that patients don’t suffer damage to their respiratory tissue, flexible bronchoscopy is ordered most times. However, it’s crucial that you understand that any type of bronchoscopy comes with certain risks. Let’s learn about the associated risks below.

• Infection

• Bleeding

• Hole in the airway

• Pneumothorax

• Irritation of airway and vocal cords

Conclusion

Given the risks associated with bronchoscopy, it’s crucial that you get your test performed by experts that are experienced in handling these tests. If you are based in or around Jodhpur, the best place for you to get this diagnostic test would be at Medipulse hospital. With years of experience handling bronchoscopy tests and expert doctors that can help you understand your test results, there is no better alternative for your bronchoscopy in Jodhpur than Medipulse Hospital. For more information, visit the hospital’s official website.

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Bronchoscopy In Jodhpur - What Questions To Ask Your Pulmonologist

If you have been advised to take a bronchoscopy test, chances are you’ve been suffering from a persistent cough or breathing trouble. A little more severe reason for bronchoscopy could be an abnormal chest X-ray, suspected lung infection, or something really terrifying like coughing up blood. So, in case your pulmonologist has advised you for a bronchoscopy, it is always better not to take a chance and immediately go for the medical procedure.

So, first of all, what is bronchoscopy? Bronchoscopy is a medical procedure usually performed by a pulmonologist or a doctor specializing in all kinds of lung disorders. A thin tube, otherwise known as a bronchoscope, is passed through your mouth or nose through your throat down into your lungs during the procedure. This is the procedure of bronchoscopy briefly explained, and indeed it’s pretty daunting.

Getting such a daunting medical test without knowing anything about the procedure and rules can be terrifying, and more so when it involves passing something down your throat. So, let’s take a look at the types of bronchoscopes, how and when they are used, and how you should prepare for the medical procedure.

Types of Bronchoscopes and Their Uses

Flexible Bronchoscopes

\Most of the time, bronchoscopes that are used for the procedure are flexible in nature. It is used when the patient has a persistent cough that isn’t going away, an abnormal chest X-ray, or a suspected infection.

Rigid Bronchoscopes

Other times, in rare cases, bronchoscopes can be rigid in nature when there is a blockage in the airway, or there is a lot of bleeding involved.

Reasons You Have Been Advised Bronchoscopy

• Bronchoscopy is used to diagnose any problem that is related to the lungs by obtaining samples of mucus or tissue.

• A bronchoscopy is advised for a more detailed diagnosis if something out of the ordinary or abnormal is noticed in your chest X-ray.

• Removal of blockages like tumors or mucus, or a foreign object in the airway is also done with the help of bronchoscopy.

• In case of narrowing of the airway or a collapsed lung, bronchoscopy is used.

• It is also used to put a stent which is a small tube in the airway to hold the airway open in place.

• It is also used for the biopsy of tissue from the lung region.

How Should You Prepare Before Going for a Bronchoscopy?

Now that you know and understand all the ins and outs of bronchoscopy let’s see how you should prepare yourself before going for a bronchoscopy. Keep in mind that these precautions are not only recommended, but it is necessary before going for the medical procedure. Your pulmonologist will be informing you of all these precautions, and along with that, if there are any other instructions, you must follow them before going for bronchoscopy.

Medications

Inform your pulmonologist if you have been taking any medication previously. It might be so that they tell you not to take any type of blood-thinning medication like aspirin before the test. Also, they may ask you to avoid taking ibuprofen or any alternatives for a week before the procedure.

Food

You will also be asked by the pulmonologist to not eat or drink the night before or four to eight hours before the procedure, so make sure you take this precaution.

Personal items

The pulmonologist will ask you to remove glasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids if you have any of them. Along with that, you will also be asked about dentures or if you have any removable bridges before opting for the procedure.

Other Necessary Precautions

It is advised to take somebody with you from your family or friends or relatives to drive or take you home safely. The lingering effects of anesthesia will make you unable to drive home alone safely, so it is recommended that you bring someone and stay with you for some time after the procedure is done for any kind of assistance.

Conclusion

Bronchoscopy is an essential medical test that can help you diagnose complex respiratory illnesses. So, if you have been prescribed to take a bronchoscopy test, be sure to visit MediPulse hospital for the best and most accurate bronchoscopy results in Jodhpur. You can learn more about a bronchoscopy, its cost, and other details on the hospital website.

Pulmonary function test - what is it used for?

Pulmonary Function Test or PFT is a non-invasive medical procedure used for checking how your lung works. Usually, PFTs are done as a part of routine checkups in an otherwise healthy individual, or they are done routinely in certain work environments like coal mines for employee safety. It is also used to diagnose COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)and asthma and also to rule out asthma. 

As a non-invasive procedure, PFTs are a safe and simple procedure and do not involve putting any tools inside the patient's body or cutting them open. The person taking the test must be able to follow clear and simple instructions. PFTs are safe; however, there are a few risks that include an asthma attack, coughing, dizziness, or shortness of breath. 

Let's check the types of PFTs that are done to diagnose or rule out various respiratory diseases. 

Bronchial Provocation Test

After having a checkup, if you or your doctor suspects that you have asthma, a bronchial provocation test is used. It is used to rule out any possibilities of you having asthma as the main cause of other symptoms you might be having. It evaluates how sensitive your lungs are and the severity of your asthma if you happen to have it. 

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test

A cardiopulmonary exercise test or CPET is an exercise stress test that measures heart and lung strength. It is used to evaluate how your lungs, heart, muscles, and blood vessels perform during physical exertion. 

Lung Diffusion Capacity Test

The lung diffusion capacity test is used to evaluate how alveoli, which are the small air sacs present inside the lungs, work. The test is used to check how your lungs transfer oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to and from your blood vessels. With this test, it can be checked how much your air sacs are destroyed by diseases like emphysema. 

Exhaled Nitric Oxide Test

This test is used to check the nitric oxide levels in your breath. An increased nitric oxide level in the breath can be due to allergic asthma or inflammation in your airway. So with this test, the nitric oxide levels in your breath are determined for further treatment and to reduce inflammation.

Plethysmography Test

This test is used to determine the volume of air in your lungs when you're inhaling, and it also checks the volume of air that remains after you've exhaled fully. Your doctor can prescribe this test to check how much your lungs have been damaged due to asthma or COPD and if any change of treatment is required at the current instance. 

Pulse Oximetry Test

This Pulse Oximetry Test is used for evaluating the oxygen levels in your red blood cells. The results of this test are obtained instantaneously after it is taken. Oxygen levels around 95% are a sign of healthy lung function; however, oxygen levels lower than this can be a sign of asthma, COPD, or pneumonia. A pulse oximetry test is also widely used to check the respiratory status of Covid-19 affected patients. 

Spirometry Test

This test is used for measuring how much air you can inhale and exhale. It is used to diagnose all kinds of respiratory diseases or breathing problems. 

Why is Pulmonary Function Test Used?

PFTs are prescribed by healthcare providers to diagnose respiratory problems and chronic lung conditions like the following.

• Asthma

• chronic bronchitis, which is also known as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Lung allergies, 

• Respiratory infections

• Asbestosis, which is caused due to exposure to asbestos

• Emphysema

• Lung fibrosis

Conclusion

Even though the pulmonary function test falls under general diagnostic testing, it can be very helpful in diagnosing severe or non-serious respiratory illnesses. So, in order to ensure your good health, you should take the doctor's advice and get the pulmonary function test at MediPulse Hospital Jodhpur to ensure you get the best testing facilities that are safe, accurate, and quick in delivering the reports. For more detailed information, check out the hospital website.

Post-COVID impact on lungs

COVID-19 has always been a very serious illness, especially due to its effects on the patient's lungs. In the initial COVID infection, patients suffer from problems such as pneumonia to acute respiratory distress symptoms (ARDS). These problems are serious life-threatening respiratory problems that could cause the death of patients in many cases. After going through such acute respiratory problems, one would imagine that their recovery would be better and slowly, they would get back to their normal health. There is nothing further from the truth; COVID recovery brings its own set of respiratory problems and lung complications. Let's take a look at the post-COVID impact on your lungs and the cause for these complications.

Post-COVID recovery complications in Lungs

COVID-19 has long-standing effects on your health, especially for the health of your lungs. Being affected with COVID-19 can have lifelong repercussions for the health of your lungs. As a relatively new disease, the long term effects of COVID-19 are still being understood. This means more research will show more details about the lung-related complications patients face post-COVID.

It has been observed through clinical and patient studies that the lungs go through great damage post-COVID. The alveoli or the tiny air sacs inside the lungs go through great damage that can affect their functionality post-COVID. The damage from the infection causes long-term breathing troubles for the patient for an extended period. These particular symptoms and effects are caused especially by pneumonia that affects patients.

Who is at most risk for post-COVID lung complications?

Studies have shown that the severity of the initial infection in the patient has a big deciding factor in the types of after-effects they have to face. However, it has also been observed that patients with seemingly mild infections have also suffered deadly complications during COVID recovery. So, it is difficult to pinpoint who is at most risk for lung complications post-COVID, but certain risk factors can indicate problematic developments post-COVID.

Patients that suffer from comorbidities are at risk for suffering from post-COVID complications even if their initial infection was mild. Older patients are also at similar risk because of the general deterioration of health that comes with aging. Patients with a history of lung disease are also at high risk for post-COVID lung complications as their history makes them more susceptible to these complications.

Conclusion

Recovering from COVID is a difficult task that takes a long time and requires acute medical support at every step of the way. Having proper medical support, especially in case of lung complications, can be the difference between life and death. This is why you should definitely get the best medical care possible for your loved ones suffering from COVID. As the best private hospital in Jodhpur, Medipulse hospital is one of the best private hospitals in the country where you can get the quality care that your loved ones need to recover from COVID as soon as possible without any deadly complications arising. The experienced doctors of Medipulse hospital are up-to-date and well versed with all the treatment practices to help patients recover from COVID as soon as possible.

Know and manage your acute asthma attack easily

Acute asthma attack, also known as asthma exacerbation in medical terminology, is one common ailment primarily found in adults, in which the airways leading to one’s lungs are swollen, due to which muscles around them contract, thus leading to narrowing of breathing tubes. This condition leads to shortage of breath, which can turn into life-threatening situations at times. While minor asthma attacks can be treated at home using medicines, severe asthma attacks need proper medication and treatment at the hospital.

Basic symptoms:-

Following are the basic symptoms of acute asthma attack which one faces, and can differ in terms of intensity:-

• Severe shortness of breath – Even in optimal conditions, if one is facing a lack of oxygen while breathing

• Chest pain or tightness in the chest – Even in mild breathing conditions, if one is suffering from chest pain, or can sense tightness in the chest or surrounding areas.

• Coughing – If mild pain in the chest is followed gradually by a series of dry or wet coughing.

• Low PEF readings – Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) readings, which are measured using a peak flow meter, can be low (between 51% to 79%) during acute asthma attack conditions.

Early diagnosis:-

If one has met with the conditions of an acute asthma attack, he/she should immediately undergo lung function tests. This gives a clearer picture of the condition of your lungs, which will indicate the severity of the asthma condition. Following are all the procedures included in the basic lung function tests:-

• Peak flow – The first and foremost step is to check the peak expiratory flow, which is done by a PEF meter. This can be done by the doctor at your home too, provided if you have the access to PEF meter at home. In this test, one needs to blow into the mouthpiece of the PEF meter in a single breath as hard as possible.

• Spirometry – Using a device called a spirometer, one needs to take deep breaths and exhale in the hose connected to it, the outcome of which is termed as Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV). This is done to determine the amount of air one can breathe in a second as well as the amount of air one can hold in his/her lungs.

• Nitric oxide measurement – This test is conducted to calculate the exact amount of nitric oxide which is present in your breath while exhaling. If the amount of nitric oxide is high as per this test, it indicates that the bronchial tubes of your lungs are swollen beyond normalcy.

• Pulse oximetry test – One of the most basic tests to find out the amount of oxygen in your blood, this test is conducted by placing one of your fingernails on the tip of the oxymeter, the outcome of which appears within few seconds.

If the intensity of the early symptoms (aforementioned above) is higher than normal conditions, it is better to seek emergency treatment and medications, which are as follows:-

• Short-acting beta-agonists – This medication is carried out using a device called a nebulizer, through which beta-agonists/medicines like albuterol is pushed in your lungs. With the nebulizer, the beta-agonists are turned in the form of mists, inhaling which is quite an easier task.

• Oral corticosteroids – These medicines are usually taken in the form of pills and can be given intravenously to those people who have been suffering from repeated respiratory problems or nausea/vomiting. These corticosteroids aid in the reduction of lung inflammation and controlling the early symptoms of asthma to a substantial amount.

• Ipratropium – If the beta-agonists mentioned in the first step (like albuterol) do not show effective signs of healing, ipratropium is generally consulted. This medicine is used as a bronchodilator in case of a severe asthma attack.

• Intubation and mechanical ventilation – If all the medicines mentioned above prove to be ineffective in reducing of symptoms and one’s condition is turning severe, the final step is to put the concerned patient on mechanical ventilation. In this procedure, the doctor puts a breathing tube into the upper airway of the throat of the patient. Through this, oxygen is pumped into the lungs, which will enable the lungs to come back into normal condition of breathing. Besides doing this, general medication mentioned above will be given simultaneously.

One needs to consult with a proper pulmonologist to determine whether the symptoms and issues he/she is facing are too severe or not.

Symptoms of COVID-19 : All minor and major ones covered

Given the severity of the effects of coronavirus, one should be aware of the perfect timing as and when he/she is exposed to the deadly virus. To get a nerve of this, the after-effects of exposure to coronavirus is quite a versatile one, which directly or indirectly affects almost the whole body of a person.

Following are both the minor as well as major symptoms of COVID-19 which any person can suffer from:-

Minor symptoms:-

1. Fever – One of the most common symptoms of COVID-19, the affected person might be subjected to sudden high fever or frequent chills, which can be mistaken with common flu as well.

2. Dry cough – While cough with mucus is a common symptom of flu, if one is suffering from frequent dry cough, it is a symptom of COVID-19.

3. Tiredness or dizziness – In this symptom, the affected person might feel tired most of the times, without doing much of the physical work. It can also be sensed with slight reddishness or dizziness in his/her eyes.

4. Headache – This is one of the side symptoms of fever, but if the headache remains for a longer time than usual, it can be a symptom of COVID-19.

5. Pain in body parts – Apart from tiredness, if a person is suffering pain in the body parts which are regular in motion, like hands, arms or legs, without undergoing heavy physical work, there is a slight chance of COVID-19 in this case.

6. Diarrhoea – This is one of the rare symptoms of COVID-19, but if it happens repeatedly without any chances of food poisoning, it can lead to the chances of COVID-19.

7. Sore throat – This can be mistaken by common flu too, however, if the concerned person’s throat remains sore for a longer time and has difficulty in swallowing food at a later stage, this can emerge out as a possibility of COVID-19.

8. Runny nose – The phenomenon of the runny nose usually disappears in a day if there is a possibility of common flu. However, in the case of COVID-19, this condition might persist for a longer time.

Major symptoms:-

1. Loss of sense of smell and taste – If a person is unable to catch the actual smell of an object or air, or is unable to get the actual taste of the food he/she is eating, this can lead to COVID-19.

2. Difficulty in breathing – The lungs are the main body parts which suffer from COVID-19 the most, and in such a case, it can lead to a situation when the affected person can face breathing problems due to inefficiency of lungs.

3. Chest pain – The passage of the respiratory system of a human body does flow through the chest, and if there is abnormal pain in the chest, it can be a result of swelling in lungs due to COVID-19.

4. Loss of speech – Though this one is a rare phenomenon, if this happens, it is a strong possibility of the severity of COVID-19 in the affected person, as the passage of air through the mouth is also affected.

Important points to take care of after knowing about the symptoms:-

1. As soon as a person knows about any of these symptoms aforementioned above, he/she is requested to get his/her COVID-19 test done on an immediate basis. The results of the COVID-19 test will take at least one day to come out, and in this duration, the concerned person is supposed to follow complete isolation at his/her residence and not meet anyone.

2. The symptoms of COVID-19 can emerge in between 5-14 days after the affected person is exposed to the virus. And it is not a fixed phenomenon in all the humans – a person with better immunity levels might show symptoms later than the one with lower immunity.

3. In case of minor symptoms which are not too severe, the affected person is suggested to stay in complete isolation at his/her home itself. In this case, the person should not be in physical contact with other people, and follow all the suggestions and practices following proper consultation with a doctor or medical personnel.

4. In the case of major symptoms, the person affected with COVID-19 is suggested to admit himself/herself in a hospital. The people who are aged or have underlying medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure are also requested to take extra care in such a condition and get admitted in the hospital even in case of mild symptoms, if possible.

5. In any kind of symptom, whether minor or major, it is always suggested that the person follow proper medication and suggestion from professional medical personnel or concerned doctor.
   
   
   In case of any emergency, kindly contact the pulmonary department of the nearest hospital.

Instructions to follow after detection of symptoms of COVID-19

Given that COVID-19 is an airborne disease that can spread very rapidly, it is recommended to take utmost care and follow physical distancing as religiously as possible. This is one disease which can happen to anyone – no matter how much you take care of yourself, one single mistake and you are bound to get the disease by that loophole.

If, by any chance, you get detected by the symptoms of the disease, make no mistake and hurry further, and do take note of the following instructions with complete supervision:-

1. Do not panic – COVID-19 is a deadly disease, but it is something which is not incurable by any means. Once you detect the symptoms, it is suggested to not panic at all, as further stress might make you feel sick even more.

2. Follow complete isolation at home – Since COVID-19 is a contractual disease, it is better to stay safe at your home only once you detect even a single symptom. Even at your home, you have to follow physical distancing from your family members, and isolate yourself in a separate room altogether. Do use washroom and utensils separate from others at your home too, since these are the most possible touch points which can come in contact with the other members of your family.

3. Have discussion with a doctor – Even if you are very much aware of all the symptoms and consequences, it is always advisable to follow proper guidance from a doctor regarding this. Have a proper discussion with your doctor, and do tell him/her about all the symptoms and possibilities of how you might have got exposed to the virus.

4. Follow the instructions of your doctor – No matter how best the remedy suggested by a close friend or family member might seem, a doctor is the best person to give you a proper remedy for the disease. Follow all the instructions suggested by your doctor, including the precautions and medicines to be taken during this duration, and the first as well as succeeding tests you need to carry out for the detection of the virus.

5. Keep a track of your symptoms – In all likelihood, the symptoms of the COVID-19 will timely begin to diminish, once you begin taking complete care of yourself. Maintain a daily record of the virus, the diet you eat, and other activities you carry while being in isolation, after you get exposed to the virus. Note down all the remedies and suggestions given by your doctor, which will surely come in handy even if another family member or a friend of your friends get this disease.

6. Admit yourself in a hospital in case of major symptoms – Once you discuss the symptoms with your doctor, if he/she suggests that those very symptoms are major in nature, get yourself admitted to an isolation ward in a hospital. This will prevent the major possibilities of deterioration of your health any further.

7. Keep yourself fully covered – Even if you are at home, if there is any possibility of you being close to others by any chance, do ensure that you have kept yourself covered from head to toe. Have your face mask/face shield on all the time, which will help you to cover your mouth and nose – the two most obvious sources from where others will get the virus.

8. Wash and sanitize your hands regularly – Whether you are using the washroom, or before and after having your meals, it is always advisable to wash your hands properly with your hands. This is a basic hygiene process, which many people have taken for granted but has to be followed religiously, especially in these tough times. Also, do sanitize your hands frequently with the help of a hand sanitizer, at least once every 15-20 minutes.

9. Sanitize other contact points too – Apart from your hands, it is important to sanitize other components and places, which are commonly known as touch or contact points. These might include the taps and other parts of your washroom, your bed, doorknobs and light switches.

Since a doctor or medical personnel is the best person to seek advice from in this aspect, keep a note of the contact person of the respective department of your nearest hospital. This will surely reduce all the possible hassle and struggles which happen at the end moment. In case of any severe issue, kindly contact the pulmonary department of the nearest hospital.

Precautionary measures to prevent COVID-19

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic broke down, the first and the most sought after thing everyone is waiting for, is the most suitable vaccine, in order to curb the spread of coronavirus. However, until the much-required vaccine breaks covers, the only solution to reduce the possibility of spreading of the virus is nothing but precaution from the same.

Following are the precautionary measures you must follow to make sure you are not susceptible by the coronavirus and its effects

1. Avoid places with crowded gathering – Direct contact with one or more people is directly proportional to the chances of spreading of the coronavirus. Keeping the principle of social distancing in mind, you must avoid going to or be at crowded places such as restaurants, parties, social gatherings and offices. Many workplaces too are adapting to or have already adapted to the concept of work-from-home in order to minimize the possibility of the proximity of people.

2. Maintain social distancing with people whom you meet – There are circumstances when you might feel the dire need to meet someone for some important discussions or for daily needs. In such a circumstance, you should maintain a safe distance of at least 6 feet. Minimum proximity to people you have a conversation with reduces the risk of transfer of the virus. Also, avoid physical greetings like handshakes and hugs for the same.

3. Wear face masks – Whenever you are stepping out of the home in order to meet someone or for some work, it is advisable to wear face mask all the time. Studies have already proven that wearing face masks reduces the possibility of transfer of coronavirus by at least 40-50%. With a mask on your face and maintaining optimum distancing with the people you have conversation with, the spread of virus gets limited to a great extent.

4. Wash your hands and face regularly – This might be a basic hygiene principle for a very long time now, but in recent times, this has become more of a necessity. It is advisable to wash your hands regularly with soap and water. Doing this might eradicate the virus which might be left there on your hands or contact points. If possible, try to wash your face often too.

5. Proper sanitization of contact points – In circumstances where you are unable to have access to soap and water, it is advisable to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your pocket or carry bag. Do sanitize your hands regularly, especially after you have been in physical contact with someone else or some other touchpoints like door handles, gadgets, components of the vehicle like a steering wheel and gear lever, etc.

6. Avoid touching your face with your hands – There is a strong possibility of spreading of coronavirus from your hands to your other body parts like nose, ears and eyes, once you touch your face with your hands. So, it is recommended to avoid touching your face unwantedly with your hands, and even if you do so, it is better to wash both your hands as well as face to minimize the possibility of getting the virus.

7. Isolate yourself if you get diagnosed of mild symptoms – The very first mild symptoms of COVID-19 are as common as that of a common flu or fever, like headache, sore throat, formation of cough and tiredness. If you get hold of any of these symptoms, instead of building up any kind of pre-conceived notion, get yourself tested and immediately isolate yourself from the rest of your family members or the people near you.

8. Cover your nose and mouth while sneezing/coughing – The fastest way of spreading off virus is from your nose and mouth, and in such a case, sneezing or coughing by a person affected from COVID-19 can be a dangerous situation. Whether you are affected or not, as a practice of regular hygiene, it is advisable to cover your nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing with the help of your handkerchief or hands. And once you are done sneezing or coughing, immediately sanitize your hands with the help of a sanitizer.

9. Have individual utensils or other essential items of your own – The phrase of ‘sharing is caring’ is definitely not acceptable in these COVID-19 times, at least when it comes to sharing of non-living things like of daily usage basis such as utensils or food. Try to have your own set of utensils like plate, bowl and spoon even within your family members.

So, until the much-awaited vaccine or reliable medicines hit the market, it is the soulful duty of each and every responsible citizen to follow the basic thought of ‘prevention is better than cure’, by simply following the aforementioned precautionary steps. In case of any emergency, kindly contact the pulmonary department of your nearest hospital.

It’s Time for a Fact-Check about COVID-19

The entire world is striving to fight the common enemy that hit us all in the form of a virus, named COVID-19 by WHO. Millions of people are quarantined in India and around the globe too for preventing transmission from one to another.

While being quarantined, most of the people are hooked to social media. While such platforms are providing individuals sitting at home 24 x7 with a way to spend their time, it is also one of the media of spreading myths about the coronavirus pandemic. Yes, we are sure you must have also received many such posts which you later realized were fake. So, in this blog, we bring you some of the myths spreading majorly on social media. Share this forward and make your loved ones more aware.

MYTH 1: Coronavirus cannot be transmitted in Hot & Humid climate

This is a completely false assumption as many countries with very hot temperatures are also facing attack from this virus. It is scientifically proven that COVID-19 can get transmitted to people living in a hot climate too.

MYTH 2: Cold weather & snow can kill the coronavirus

No scientific research has proven that the coronavirus can be killed in the cold weather.

MYTH 3: Vitamin C supplements can prevent the virus from affecting you

The virus has found no cure till date. There is no medical research that shows taking Vitamin C supplements can render the immune system protected from the virus.

MYTH 4: Coronavirus can be spread through mosquito bites

Well, there is no medical evidence that suggests the virus can be transmitted by mosquitoes. The virus spreads from one infected person to another through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.

MYTH 5: Taking a hot water bath prevents the virus to infect one person

The body temperature remains 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the temperature of your bath or shower. Taking a hot water bath does not change body temperature & does not give the body any additional immunity to fight the virus.

MYTH 6: Ultraviolet disinfectant lamp & hand dryers can kill the bacteria

No, a virus that does not have any medical treatment cannot be killed by an ultraviolet disinfectant lamp or hand dryer. The only precaution an individual can take is to regularly wash hands and avoid touching face with dirty hands.

MYTH 7: Coronavirus affects only older generations

While the ratio of old generation getting affected with the virus is high around the globe, it does not mean young people are not affected. The coronavirus can affect anyone, irrespective of age.

MYTH 8: Specific treatment to kill the coronavirus exist

There is no specific treatment available to cure an individual affected by the coronavirus. Around the globe, doctors are using different approaches to handle cases affected by the virus.

MYTH 9: Holding breath for 10 seconds means one does not have the virus

It is a widely circulated message on social media that suggests that if anyone can hold their breath for 10 seconds or more, he or she is healthy. Well, this is not the case. Medical science does not approve of this test to check for the existence of the virus in the body.

Coronavirus has infected lakhs of people around the globe and took thousands of lives. In India, the government is making endless efforts to protect Indians from getting infected from this virus, avoiding death in many cases. Renowned among the top private hospitals in Jodhpur , our team of specialists urges every citizen of the country to abide by the government guidance and practice social distancing. We also urge citizens to not follow myths regarding coronavirus & educate others about these myths commonly assumed to be true by Indians. Stay healthy, stay safe!                      

Coronavirus Pandemic: Here is What You Need to Know

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease spread by a virus that initially affects the human respiratory system. The disease was first identified in the year 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, the virus has spread globally, affecting lakhs of individuals. Due to its high incidence & high transmission rate, the WHO declared this disease as a pandemic.

At this point, many individuals have multiple questions about this disease. So, in this blog, we consulted our expert pulmonologist and chest doctor, Ms Sumita Agarwal and brought you answers to all the questions you might be looking out for.

What Is A Pandemic?

On 12th March 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic due to its massive outbreak globally. A pandemic is classified by a virus that spreads globally, affecting millions of people. Pandemics are usually classified as epidemics first, which is a rapid spread of a disease in a particular region or area. A pandemic is likely to occur because most people do not have the immunity to fight the new virus.  

Who are At Risk From Coronavirus Disease?

COVID 19 affects the elderly, infants, & individuals with pre-existing diseases the most. The virus can be easily transmitted to individuals with low immunity through an infected person. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Coronavirus Disease?

Common symptoms of Coronavirus include:

1-      Fever

2-      Fatigue

3-      Dry Cough

4-      Shortness Of Breath

Uncommon symptoms of Coronavirus include:

1-      Sore throat

2-      Runny nose

3-      Sneezing

4-      Decreased kidney function

5-      Diarrhoea

6-      Decreased white blood cells

What Are The Precautions To Prevent Transmission Of Coronavirus Disease?

1-      Follow and support all the local safety measures issued by the authorities

2-      Maintain basic hygiene, wash hands with soap and water or use sanitizer

3-      Cover your mouth with your elbows while coughing or sneezing

4-      Avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth with unwashed hands

5-      Maintain a distance of about a meter from people who are sneezing or coughing, or have respiratory issues

6-      Ensure that meat is thoroughly cooked before consuming it

How Can The Disease Be Diagnosed?

There were no antibody tests or point-of-care tests for diagnosing the presence of virus inside the human body. The standard method adopted around the globe is a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR).

The test is performed by the use of respiratory samples obtained from an individual. An individual identified with the above-given symptoms must visit a diagnosis lab designated by the government for COVID 19 testing.

How Many People Are Infected From Coronavirus As Of Now?

As of 18th March 2020, 1,98,730 cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed worldwide; among these, 7,989 deaths have been recorded. The disease has affected 167 countries & territories. In India, the current statistics show a total of 148 cases & 3 deaths due to the disease.

The disease can be easily transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person with low immunity. Preventive measures suggested by the medical department & government must be taken to ensure lesser transmission. The team of specialists, including Dr. Sumita Agarwal at a top private hospital in Jodhpur, Medipulse Hospital, recommends all Indian citizens to maintain an impeccable level of hygiene and follow government advisory very strictly. Stay healthy & don’t panic.