Some Common Ailments Explained

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Chest pain

Diagnosis

A heart attack isn’t usually indicated by chest pain. However, because it is the greatest urgent threat to your life, health care providers in the emergency room usually screen for it first. They might also look for life-threatening lung problems like a person’s lungs or a blood clot in the lungs.

Immediate tests

When a healthcare professional is considering chest discomfort, one of the first tests they may order is:

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). The electrical activity of the heart is measured in this short examination. Sticky patches (electrodes) are applied to the chest, as well as the arms and legs in some cases. The electrodes are connected to a computer through wires, which shows the test findings. An ECG can show whether the heart is beating too quickly, slowly, or not at all. The ECG may suggest that you’ve had or are suffering a heart attack because wounded heart muscle doesn’t conduct electrical signals in a regular pattern.

Blood tests. Increased amounts of specific proteins or enzymes found in cardiac muscle may be detected by blood testing. Damage to heart cells caused by a heart attack may allow these proteins or enzymes to leak into the blood over a period of hours.

Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray can reveal the state of the lungs, as well as the size and form of the heart and main blood veins. Lung disorders such as pneumonia or a collapsed lung can also be seen by a chest X-ray.

Computerized tomography (CT) scan. CT scans can detect an aortic dissection or a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism).

Follow-up testing

You may need follow-up testing for chest pain based on the results of the initial tests, which may include:

Echocardiogram. An echocardiography creates a video image of the heart in action using sound waves. To get a better picture of different areas of the heart, a tiny device is introduced down the throat.

Computerized tomography (CT) scan. Different types of CT scans can be used to check for blockages in the heart arteries. A dye-based CT coronary angiogram can be used to look for blockages and other issues in the heart and lung arteries.

Stress tests. These tests assess how the heart and blood arteries respond to physical activity, and can help determine whether chest pain is caused by a cardiac condition. Stress testing comes in a variety of forms. While attached to an ECG, you may be asked to walk on a treadmill or cycle a stationary bike. However, you could be given IV medication to stimulate your heart in a similar way to exercise.

Coronary catheterization (angiogram). This test allows doctors to see if there are any blockages in the cardiac arteries. A catheter is a long, thin, flexible tube that is placed into a blood artery and guided to the heart, generally in the pelvis or wrist. Dye is delivered to the heart’s arteries via the catheter. The dye makes X-ray photos and videos show the arteries more clearly.

Treatment

Treatment for chest pain differs based on the source of your discomfort.

Medications

The following medications are used to treat some of the most common causes of chest pain:

Artery relaxers. Nitroglycerin relaxes heart arteries, allowing blood to flow more freely through the restricted gaps. It is commonly given as a tablet under the tongue. Blood arteries are also relaxed and widened by some beta – blockers.

Aspirin. If your chest pain is thought to be related to your heart, you’ll most likely be given aspirin.

Thrombolytic drugs. These clot-busting medications may be given to you if you are having a heart attack. These remove the clot that prevents blood from reaching the heart muscle.

Blood thinners. If you have a clot in an artery that feeds your heart or lungs, you’ll almost certainly be given preventive medicines to prevent new clots from forming.

Acid-suppressing medications. If stomach acid is splashing into the oesophagus and causing chest pain, a doctor may prescribe drugs to lessen the level of acid in the stomach.

Antidepressants. If you’re suffering from panic attacks, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants to help you manage your symptoms. It’s also possible that talk treatment, such as cognitive therapy, will be advised.

Surgical and other procedures

Some of the more dangerous causes of chest discomfort can be treated with the following procedures:

Angioplasty and stent placement. Angioplasty is the most common treatment for chest pain caused by a blockage in a cardiac artery. A catheter with a balloon on the end is inserted into a big blood vessel, generally in the pelvis, and guided to the obstruction. The balloon is inflated to expand the artery, then deflated and the catheter is removed. A tiny wire mesh tube (stent) is frequently put on the outside of the catheter’s balloon tip. The stent swells and seals into place, keeping the artery open.

Bypass surgery. During this operation, doctors use a blood vessel from another part of the body to create a bypass for blood to bypass the blocked artery.

Emergency dissection repair. An aortic dissection, a life-threatening disorder in which the artery that delivers blood from the heart to the rest of the body ruptures, may require emergency surgery.

Lung reinflation.If you have a collapsed lung, your doctor may place a tube in your chest to re-inflate it.

Some Adices

CHECKLIST BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

With just a small amount of preparation, you can help make the most of your visit with your family doctor. Please use this checklist below to plan for your next appointment.

Before your appointment:
Write a list of the top concerns and questions you would like to discuss with your family doctor during your visit. Gather information and write down the following:

  • A list of any changes to your medical history since your last visit to your family doctor. This includes recent emergency department visits or hospital stays, surgeries, new diagnoses, new medicines, etc.
  • A list of any new challenges you are facing. This includes housing, transportation, money, or safety.
  • A list of all medicines you are currently taking. This includes prescription
    medicines, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins, and supplements.

Asthma

Diagnosis

Physical exam

A physical exam will be performed by your doctor to rule out other illnesses such as a respiratory infection or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (COPD). Your doctor will also inquire about your signs and symptoms, as well as any other health concerns you may have.

Tests to measure lung function

Lung function tests may be performed to evaluate how much air goes in and out as you breathe. These tests may involve the following:

  • Flow at its optimum. A peak flow meter is a basic tool that determines how forcefully you can exhale. Peak flow values that are lower than typical indicate that your lungs aren’t operating as well as they should and that your asthma is worsening. Your doctor will tell you how to keep track of low peak flow readings and how to cope with them.


  • Nebulization. A nebulizer is a tiny piece of equipment that produces a mist from liquid medicine.     You sit with the machine and breathe in through a mouthpiece that is attached to it. As you breathe calm, deep breaths for 10 to 15 minutes, the medicine enters your lungs. Breathing the drug into your lungs this manner is simple and enjoyable.


  • Asthma Journal. You can use an asthma diary to keep track of how effectively you’re managing your asthma. If you experience symptoms or an asthma attack, keep track of the trigger (if possible), the symptoms, and the type of medication you took to relieve the symptoms, as well as how well it helped. Make a note of if you had to contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention.

Lung function tests often are done before and after taking medication to open your airways called a bronchodilator (brong-koh-DIE-lay-tur), such as albuterol. If your lung function improves with the use of a bronchodilator, it’s likely you have asthma.

Additional tests

Other tests to diagnose asthma include:

  • Methacholine challenge. Asthma is known to be triggered by methacholine. It causes your airways to narrow somewhat when inhaled. You most likely have asthma if you react to methacholine. Even if your initial lung function test is normal, this test may be used

 

  • Imaging tests. An X-ray of the chest can reveal any structural abnormalities or disorders (such as infection) that can cause or exacerbate breathing problems.

 

  • Allergy testing. A skin test or a blood test can be used to diagnose allergies. If you’re allergic to pets, dust, mould, or pollen, they’ll warn you. Your doctor may recommend allergy shots if allergic triggers are discovered.

 

  • Nitric oxide test. This test determines how much nitric oxide is present in your breath. When your airways are irritated, which is an indication of asthma, your nitric oxide levels may be greater than normal. This test isn’t available everywhere.

 

  • Sputum eosinophils. This test looks for certain white blood cells (eosinophils) in a mixture of saliva and mucus (sputum) that you cough up. When symptoms appear, eosinophils are present and can be seen when stained with a rose-coloured dye.

  • Provocative testing for exercise and cold-induced asthma. In a mixture of saliva and mucus (sputum), this test looks for particular white blood cells (eosinophils). Eosinophils are present when symptoms emerge and can be observed when stained with a rose-coloured dye.

How asthma is classified

Your doctor will examine how often you have signs and symptoms, as well as how severe they are when determining the severity of your asthma. The results of your physical exam and diagnostic tests will also be taken into account by your doctor.

Your doctor will be able to pick the appropriate treatment for you based on the severity of your asthma. Asthma severity might fluctuate over time, necessitating therapy changes.

Asthma can be divided into four groups.:

Asthma classification Signs and symptoms
Mild intermittent Mild symptoms up to two days a week and up to two nights a month
Mild persistent Symptoms more than twice a week, but no more than once in a single day
Moderate persistent Symptoms once a day and more than one night a week
Severe persistent Symptoms throughout the day on most days and frequently at night

Treatment

Preventing asthma attacks and maintaining long-term control is essential. Learning to recognise your triggers, making efforts to avoid them, and tracking your breathing to ensure that your meds are keeping your symptoms under control are all part of treatment. You may need to use a quick-relief inhaler if you have an asthma attack.

Cardiovascular health technologies

Encompass all the devices and procedures that enable physicians to streamline the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions. Some emerging cardiac technologies doctors are currently experimenting with include artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, Alexa skills, and chatbots.

Treat varicose veins

Lasers can be used for many medical purposes. Because the laser beam is so small and precise, it allows health care providers to safely treat tissue without injuring the surrounding area. Lasers are often used to: Treat varicose veins

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