Exercise can trigger the symptoms of an Asthma

Exercise induced asthma (EIA) is a condition of respiratory difficulty because of brochoconstriction related to histamine release. The signs and symptoms of EIA resemble that of an allergic asthma but may be vague and unrecognizable and are usually triggered by aerobic exercise or physical activity. The symptoms become more apparent with exercise and physical activities and are known to be due to a number of factors which include medical condition, environmental factors and medications. Generally, EIA is diagnosed clinically and may not need any further laboratories and imaging studies. The optimal treatment of EIA is to prevent the onset of symptoms while controlling the underlying condition. It is also imperative that the treatment is complemented by a combination of drugs that prevent the inducement of the symptoms of exercise induced asthma. With proper interventions, the prognosis of this condition is excellent.

What are the symptoms of EIA?

The clinical presentation of EIA usually presents as chest tightness or chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, poor performance of an athlete during a field play, fatigue, prolonged recovery time and gastrointestinal discomfort. There are also factors that may affect the symptoms which include cool temperature, low humidity, poor physical conditioning and coincident respiratory tract infection. Individuals who have such symptoms usually deny them because of peer pressure, embarrassment, fear of losing a position in the team and misinterpretation of post exercise fatigue. However, concealing the symptoms will prevent the early diagnosis of the condition which once left untreated may progress to more complicated health issues.

The inducement of exercise related asthma

There are three categories of causes that are known to induce the symptoms of asthma during exercise. These include medical conditions, environmental and drug related causes. Poorly controlled asthma increases symptoms with exercise. Poorly controlled rhinitis, especially those with thick secretions, as well as those with respiratory tract infections aggravate both asthma and EIA. Excess pollens and pollution also exacerbate allergy induced EIA. Chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers to maintain the playing field as well as chlorine in pools may exacerbate wheezing and can also worsen the EIA symptoms. Certain medications like beta blockers, aspirin, NSAIDS and diuretics also provoke the symptoms of EIA.

Exercise can cause respiratory difficulty

How an exercise induced asthma diagnosed?

Exercise induced asthma is generally diagnosed clinically. However, laboratory evaluation is also done for equivocal cases, treatment failure and to narrow differential diagnosis. Challenge testing is also done to formalize the diagnosis. This includes treadmill exercise, informal exercise challenge, pulmonary function testing, brochoprovocation testing, and eucapnic voluntary provocation. Imaging studies such as chest radiography, lateral neck radiography or soft tissue penetration and echocardiography may also be included in the work up. Post exercise laryngoscopy may also be used to assess vocal cord dysfunction which is often mistaken as an exercise induced asthma.

The proper management for EIA

The optimal treatment for EIA is to prevent its symptomatic onset. Underlying conditions that affect and aggravate the symptoms should also be treated first. Pharmacotherapy of exercise induces asthma is pre-exercise short acting beta 2 agonists. Other medications include leukotriene receptor antagonists, long acting beta 2 agonists, xanthine derivatives, mast cell stabilizers, inhaled corticosteroids, and adrenergic agents. Part of the management is the administration of non-pharmacologic measures that include sports selection, altering breathing techniques such as changing from predominant mouth breathing to nasal breathing resulting to less bronchospasm, and coordination and timing of competition and medications. In sports selection, the environments that less likely to cause bronchospasm should be considered. It should also be considered that the individual should choose sports with less prolonged aerobic demands for better tolerance to exercise and physical activities.

When you feel that the symptoms of an asthma is triggered by exercise, consult your doctor now in order to get the proper diagnosis.

You might also like to read this report about Methods for Curing Asthma Naturally

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a term that refers to the sound that a person can hear as ringing in the ear.  Tinnitus is not a condition but a symptom of the abnormalities in the ear, usually caused by an ear injury, age-related hearing loss and disturbances in the circulatory system. Tinnitus is bothersome, but it does not usually mean a serious problem. It can worsen with age, but for younger people, tinnitus is highly manageable and treatable and rarely becomes a serious symptom. Identification and treatment of the underlying cause usually help to relieve tinnitus.

Causes of tinnitus

There are a number of factors causing tinnitus. One of the causes includes an inner ear damage which stops or alters the transmission of airwaves signal to the brain. As a result, the message sent is misinterpreted and usually cause the abnormal sounds occurring with tinnitus that is described as ringing or swishing. Natural hearing loss also decreases the sensitivity of the hearing nerves. Other causes include a buildup of earwax, middle ear infection, otosclerosis, Meniere's disease and perforated eardrums. Rarer causes include a head injury, exposure to very loud noise, high blood pressure, drug misuse or adverse reactions, acoustic neuroma and Paget's disease.

Symptoms of tinnitus

symptoms of tinnitus

Tinnitus is usually characterized by an annoying sound when no external sound is present. The sound may vary from low pitch sounds such as humming, murmuring and rumbling to high-pitched sounds such as hissing, whistling or buzzing. People with tinnitus tend to be sensitive even to the local sounds heard from the surroundings. Tinnitus is usually noticeable at certain times such as in a quiet environment. Some may hear the sound only when lying down, or during head movements.

Other types of sounds include low-frequency noise, musical hallucinations and pulsatile tinnitus. Sources of low frequency sounds include road and air traffic noise, underground gas pipes, fans or fridge and air conditioning unit. Musical hallucinations are usually common among individuals who suffer from tinnitus for a long term. Pulsatile tinnitus can be heard rhythmically along with your own pulse which can be caused by blood flow changes in the blood vessels near the ear or increased awareness of blood flow near the ears. Changes in the blood flow may occur as with persons with atherosclerosis wherein the blood cannot flow smoothly causing it to be noisy. In the cases of hearing loss or conductive hearing loss, you become more aware of the sounds inside your body than with the outside environment.

Diagnosis of tinnitus

Referral to specialist are done by the general practitioner once you have reported the symptoms and the other underlying cause of tinnitus has been ruled out. The ENT specialist will conduct an examination of your ears, may ask about the severity of the noises and the triggering factors. You may also be requested to undergo imaging studies such as CT scan or MRI scan to allow the specialist examine closely inside the ear and the auditory nerves. If hearing loss is suspected, you may be referred to an audiologist for proper diagnostics and management.

Treatment

Management of tinnitus is focused on giving you a positive state of mind and to reach a point when you are no longer aware or bothered by tinnitus.

• Correcting hearing loss is the aim of a specialist when testing for hearing loss. Commonly recommended treatments are surgery and hearing aid prescription.
• Sound therapy involves the use of sound generators that fill the silence during quiet environments.
• Tinnitus counseling is a talking therapy that helps you to learn more about tinnitus and the various ways of coping with it.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing the way you think about tinnitus and what to do about it. It helps reduce anxiety and improve one's coping abilities.
• Tinnitus retraining therapy focuses on your natural ability of getting used to the sound so that it becomes a part of your subconscious.
• Self help includes relaxation, listening to music and support groups.
• Antidepressants may be prescribed which may be given in combination with counseling

Some people with tinnitus are able to live with it. However, it can be bothersome and can impact day-to-day living greatly. If you are suffering from tinnitus, contact your primary health care provider immediately for proper identification of underlying causes and proper management.

Find out a better solution on how to Recover From a Tinnitus Today. Click Here!

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your body cannot produce insulin, or produces it incorrectly. This leads to an inability to process sugar and glucose which can have drastic consequences on your overall health.

Preparation for surgery is a complicated process that consists of several phases.

Kitchen gadgets take a special place among the devices we use every day, and they have the power to make us much healthier. In fact, a well equipped kitchen can help you change your eating habits very fast, because it provides you with an opportunity to cook healthy meals quickly and with minimum effort.

There are many different diseases that can cause complete or partial blindness. In some cases, it will be impossible to avoid this outcome, but usually, you should be able to prevent this condition by following some simple rules.

People who suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension) are a high risk group for stroke and several other dangerous conditions. These patients usually require lifelong treatment and some serious lifestyle changes to keep their blood pressure under control.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that occurs when a nerve in your wrist gets pinched. It can cause numbness, pain and tingling in your hand. Eventually the symptoms become more prominent and the hand becomes weakened. If left untreated, one can lose hand function completely.

An acute kidney failure (AKF) is defined as an abrupt or rapid decline in the filtration function of the kidney. This condition is characterized by a marked decrease in serum creatinine concentration and a progressive retention of metabolic waste products such as blood urea nitrogen concentration. Immediately after a kidney injury, BUN or creatinine levels may be normal and the only sign of a kidney injury may be a decreased urine output. 

The categories of an acute kidney failure

•  Prerenal acute kidney failure

Physiologic conditions that lead to a decreased perfusion of the kidneys without intrinsic damage are identified as pre-renal acute kidney failure. A pre-renal acute kidney failure is the most common form which is basically related to a decreased tissue perfusion in the kidneys which could lead to intrinsic AKF when not promptly corrected. The pre-renal etiologic factors include volume loss or depletion, decreased cardiac output resulting to decreased perfusion, systemic vasodilation and afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction.

•  Intrinsic acute kidney failure

Physiologic conditions that damage the renal tubules, nephron or renal blood vessels are considered intrinsic or intra-renal acute kidney injury. When there is prolonged decrease in renal perfusion, the kidneys gradually suffer damages that are not readily reversed with the restoration of renal perfusion. The underlying pathophysiologic abnormality in intrinsic acute renal injury is renal cellular damage. Damage to glomerulus allows protein and cellular debris to enter the renal tubules leading to intraluminal obstruction.

•  Post-renal acute kidney failure

Physiologic conditions that partially or completely obstruct urine flow from the kidney to the urethral meatus can cause port renal failure or post renal AKF. Partial obstruction increases renal interstitial pressure which in turn increases Bowman capsule pressure. Complete obstruction leads to urine back up in the kidney, eventually compressing the kidneys.

 The common signs and symptoms

 There are different types of symptoms that manifest from an acute kidney failure. The extent of the severity of these symptoms will depend upon the injury caused to the kidney that will affect the kidney's ability to perform its functions. The following are common signs and symptoms that are seen among patients with AKF.

•  Oliguria or anuria
• Tachycardia
• Hypotension (prerenal)
• Hypertension (intrarenal)
• Flat neck veins (prerenal)
• Distended neck veins (intrarenal)
• Dry mucus membranes
• Cool clammy skin
• Lethargy
• Deep rapid respirations
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion

 Management

A collaborative approach to the treatment of patients in a kidney injury begins with early recognition of patients at risk for renal failure. The focus of the management is on maintaining adequate renal perfusion and avoiding renal compromise. The measures of treatment are correction of fluid overload, correction of severe acidosis with bicarbonate administration, correction of hyperkalemia, and correction of hematologic abnormalities with transfusions, and administrations of Desmopressin or estrogens.  The current treatment of AKF is mainly supportive in nature and no therapeutic modalities have shown efficacy in treating the condition.

 Maintaining fluid balance

 Maintaining the fluid balance is a real challenge for kidney injury patients. A fine balance must be achieved by providing adequate fluid to ensure proper renal perfusion while preventing fluid overload. Furosemide can be used to correct volume overload while the patient is still responsive. Although this cannot convert oliguric AKF to a non oliguric or in increasing the urine output when a patient is not hypervolemic, response to furosemide is a good prognostic indicator.

 Hyperkalemia

The most common causes of hyperkalemia (especially in critically ill patients) are acute kidney failure and cellular destruction. Approaches to lowering serum potassium include the following:

• Decreasing the intake of potassium in the diet
• Exchanging potassium across the gut lumen using potassium-binding resins
• Promoting intracellular shifts in potassium with insulin, dextrose solutions, and beta agonists
• Instituting dialysis

 Nephrotoxic agents

Drugs metabolized or excreted by the kidneys should be adjusted to avoid excessive blood levels and potential neprotoxicity. All nephrotoxic agents should be avoided or used with extreme caution. Similarly, all medications cleared by renal excretion should be avoided or their doses should be adjusted properly.

Dietary modification

Dietary changes play an important role among AKF patients. Restriction of salt and fluid becomes crucial in the management of oliguric kidney injury wherein the kidneys do not adequately excrete either toxins or fluids. Restriction of potassium and phosphorus may be necessary as they are not excreted optimally in patients with AKI. However, in the polyuric phase of AKF, potassium and phosphorus may be depleted, thus they might need supplementation for these elements.

 Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT)

The goal of the RRT is the removal of excess fluid and uremic toxins as well as correction of electrolyte imbalances. Each of the RRT is able to reach that goal with varying levels of successes. RRTs are grouped into three general categories:

1. Those requiring arteriovenous access
2. Those requiring venous access only
3. Those requiring peritoneal access.

The RRT is applied for 4 hours or more with some requiring a continuous use of the therapy treatment.

 Hemodialysis

 Hemodialysis is initiated when aggressive therapy is indicated in acute situations. This is contraindicated for patients with hemodynamic instability, hypovolemia, coagulation disorders or vascular access problems. This is considered the gold standard for the treatment of acute kidney injury and this is considered the most effective of all RRTs. Fluid and uremic wastes can be eliminated from the body during 4- to 6-hour treatment. Approximately 200 ml of blood is utilized in the circuit which can add to the patient's unstable condition. The basic components of hemodialysis system include the blood which is leaving the patient through the arterial needle, and then it is pumped through the circuitry and returned to the patient through the venous needle. A blood pump moves the blood through the dialysis circuitry and dialyzer, allowing for different flow rates.

 Peritoneal dialysis 

Peritoneal dialysis is usually indicated for critically ill patients who need dialysis but are unable to tolerate the hemodynamic changes associated with hemodialysis. Utilizing the peritoneal membrane as the dialyzer, effective elimination of fluid and waste products can be achieved. Peritoneal dialysis is slower and less effective than hemodialysis. Peritoneal dialysis is contraindicated for patients who have had recent or extensive abdominal surgery, who have abdominal adhesions, peritonitis, respiratory distress or pregnant.

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Patients appropriate for CRRT are chosen after evaluating their clinical diagnosis, hemodynamic parameters and metabolic status. The most commonly used CRRT are the following:

• Slow continuous Ultrafiltration is primarily used for patients with fluid volume excess and some degree of renal failure. Because fluid removal is the primary goal, this procedure is performed without simultaneous fluid replacement.
• Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration is another type of RRT which main objective is to remove excess fluid in the body. There are no absolute contraindications for CVVH. A major advantage of this type of RRT is a decrease in access-related complications because there is no need for arterial access. Unfortunately, the therapy has to be discontinued for transportation off the unit during selected diagnostic tests and continuous nature of therapy limits the patient's mobility.
• Continuous Venovenous Hemodialysis combines the principle of hemofiltration with a slow form of dialysis. Selection of CVVHD is generally made because the patient is unable to tolerate the rapid fluid and electrolyte shifts that occur during hemodialysis.

The early treatment and management for an acute kidney failure is essential in order to prevent further complication of the disease. If you care enough for your loved ones with the condition it is best to consult a physician now to obtain an early treatment.

Doctor’s Order : For The Best Kidney Disease Solution – Click Here!

If there is one best free exercise that you can do with loads of health benefits, it is running. It is a form of exercise that will not cost at all for doing and it can help you burn calories more efficiently. Running is the most common form of exercise that everyone does as it is not fussy to do and most important of all it makes all part of the body active. There are many reasons why running is a good choice of exercise and the reason is not merely because it brings the body in good shape but we can also derive incredible health benefits from it. If you don't know where and how to start learning to run there are many things that you can do in order to bring yourself to get started.

Give yourself a good reason to run

Before you start learning how to run, it is important to understand how running can benefit the body. This will help motivate you further because it gives you good reasons why you should pursue exercising through running activities. For beginners who know that running is a good form of exercise but do not truly understand why it is so, here are the health benefits derived from running:

• Preventing diseases

Running increases the body's circulation which is good in preventing certain diseases like stroke and heart problems. The process allows the arteries in the body to retain its elasticity and it also strengthens the heart. Running also helps to reduce the risks to breast cancer, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and high blood pressure. It prevents other forms of diseases because running optimizes the body's overall health and energizes it to boost the immune system in fighting infections.

• Losing weight

Because running helps the body to burn out calories faster, it helps the body to lose weight faster naturally. It prevents the formation or retention of fats in the body because they are being converted as energy source during exercise.

• Relieving stress and boost self confidence

Because running energizes the body and rejuvenates the general well being of an individual, it is a good way of boosting your self confidence because you have a sense of empowerment within you. It makes you feel stronger, lively and refreshed which is a perfect exercise to relieve stress and preventing the risk of experiencing tension headache after exposure to stressful situations or environment. While doing your exercise routine, it also gives you the opportunity to meet people with the same fitness goals as yours.

Preparing your running gears

The best thing about running is you don't really need some gears to use other than a pair of good running shoes, towel and water. If you want to be more lucrative, you can buy a stop watch to keep tab of your progress or a pedometer. Make sure that you are comfortable with your shoes and gears in order to optimize the quality of your running experience as wear comfortable clothes ideal for sweating.

Set your fitness goals

By keeping in mind a fitness goal you will stay focused on what you want to accomplish while doing the exercise. Ask yourself whether you want to pursue a cardio exercise or you want to burn out some calories. Whatever your goals are, it is important to start it lightly as a beginner. There are ways to intensify your running exercise like running uphill and doing other more challenging forms of a running regimen but always respect that your body's ability to cope with an intense running exercise does not happen instantly. Take it slow at first and gradually move forward in pursuing to accomplish your fitness goals.

Choose the ideal form of a running exercise for a beginner

You can take different approaches on how to start running as a beginner. Fitness experts always recommend integrating aerobic exercise like walking before you fully engage in a more vigorous running activity. This will slowly help the body to adjust to the level of intensity of activities it is doing instead of introducing to it a sudden burst of running activity. Ideally, beginners should start running initially at least twice to thrice a week to condition the body. As your body adapts to the activity, you will find yourself running more consistently and at a longer pace. You can then intensify the level of running by doing the more challenging activities like running uphill.

Starting it right and ending it right

Running injuries are very common among beginners who do not understand how to start the exercise right. Stretching plays an integral role in preventing the muscles from getting sore and painful after the exercise. You should start with a warm up exercise prior to the actual running activity to make your muscles, joints and ligaments ready for the activity. Begin by doing gentle stretching of the legs and arms, shoulders and neck. You can walk slowly for at least 5 minutes then progress to walk more quickly and increase the pace by jogging until you are off running at a speed that is comfortable to you. A good running technique is to run with a relaxed arms and shoulders while the elbows are bent. Make sure to keep a smooth running stride with the middle of the feet hitting the ground.

While your start running with a warm up period, you should end it with a cool down period. Do not abruptly stop from running but instead slow down your pace by walking for 5 minutes before completely resting. This will help prevent the possible running injuries from taking place on your muscles, ligaments and joint structures.

Keeping up the pace

Becoming consistent with this exercise regimen is sometimes difficult to some. This is because they have lost the motivation of pursuing their goals and appreciating their progress. As a beginner, you should have a plan on how to avoid this kind of challenge and to become consistent in keeping up the pace of your exercise progress and stay committed of reaching your fitness goals.

• Record your progress

Keeping track of your progress by the record is a good way of appreciating your efforts and your progress that will help you stay motivated. Note the distance, your weight, route, time and the weather condition to see where the exercise is taking you and to reminisce those moments where you enjoyed the sceneries where you spent running. The exercise diary will show you that the running distance is progressing and that your weight is improving.

• Run with someone

Running alone can be lonely indeed. You can avoid this kind of feeling by asking some friends to run with you or to run on parks where there are also other people keeping themselves fit and make friends with them. They can help motivate you and encourage you to attain your fitness goals.

• Avoid the usual running routine

Try to mix up your routine with walking, biking, hiking and other forms of exercises. You can also change your distance limit, speed and running route. This will help you stay motivated while keeping the boredom off your mind.

Running is very easy and if you want to perfect your exercise regimen to make you fit and healthy click here!