Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that is caused by narrowing or obstruction of the airways. This happens in persons with extremely sensitive airways. Asthma is a common childhood disease of the respiratory system. It is a chronic condition characterized by difficulty in breathing. Asthma is noticed to run in families and can develop at any age. Episodes of asthma are often triggered by pollen, cigarette smoke, mold or other air-borne allergens. Physical exertion, emotional stress or certain medications too can bring on an asthma attack.
A person suffering from an asthma attack experiences wheezing, coughing and tightness in the chest. There is shortness of breath and wheezing. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening. Blood tests and sputum studies may be coducted to aid in diagnosing asthma. Allergy prick skin testing is a diagnostic tool to confirm any allergies. Spirometers and peak flow meters are used to test and measure lung function. Spirometers measure the amount of air that passes through the airways and the rate at which they pass.
Medication for asthma can be classified as long-term asthma control and rapid relief medications. While long-term medications help in gaining control over persistent asthma, quick relief medications provide instant relief from the symptoms of an asthma attack. A bronchodilator aids in opening the airways and relieves the distress caused by an asthma attack. Corticosteroids are used to treat asthma by reducing the frequency of symptoms. But long-term use of inhaled costicosteroids may have a detrimental effect on a child'd growth. Quick-relief medications include beta-2 agonists and anticholinergenic such as Atrovent. Xolair is prescribed for those suffering from severe allergic asthma.
Immunologist
An Immunologist can be described as a medical specialist trained to prevent, diagnose, manage and treat diseases that result from abnormalities of the immune system. Immunologists are highly qualified and trained to treat immune system disorders such as allergies, asthma, inherited immunodeficiency diseases and autoimmune diseases. Clinical immunologists and allergy specialists undergo similar training as with any other medical specialists. After completion of four years of premedical education at a college or university, they receive atleast four years of medical school education. After receiving general training in internal medicine, they receive additional training in immunology and allergy areas. Immunologists are involved in a gamut of work areas, in hospitals, private practice, diagnostic immunology laboratories, research centers and industrial houses. The medical immunologist or allergy specialist primarily identifies and treats the diseases that result from abnormalities of the immune system.
Patients are referred by a general physician for further diagnosis, confirmation and management of clinical disorders of the immune system.
Patients seeking the advice of an immunologist for education regarding disorders of the immune system.
Patients suffering from life threatening allergies such as anaphylaxis.
When food or occupational allergy is suspected, the patient is referred to an immunologist.
When a physician contemplates immunotherapy for treatment of allergic diseases, the patient is sent to the immunologist.
Patients suffering from asthma exhibiting continuing poor control despite regular use of asthma medication.
Patients with unexplained inflammation such as fevers of unknown origin, unexplained fevers, weight loss.
For investigation of recurrent or unusual opportunistic infections.
PFT
PFT (Pulmonary fucntion test) refers to one or different types of tests that are conducted on a patient to assess the condition of his lungs and their efficiency in transfering oxygen to the blood. PFT aids in measuring occupational hazards of exposure to contaminants such as asbestos or radon. It helps monitor of disease treatment.
Spirometry is a vital PFT that measures how well the lungs exhale. This diagnostic test is prescribed for patients suffering from asthma or COPD. This tests involves breathing into a mouthpiece that is connected to a spirometer. The amount of air and rate of exhalation are measured over a specific time.
Lung volume measurement test can aid detection of restrictive lung diseases. Such patients are often unable to inhale normal volumes of air due to inflammation or scarring of lung tissue. This PFT can be done as a body plethysmograph.
Gas diffusion test measures the amount of oxygen and other gases that are absorbed into your body from your lungs.
Inhalation challenge test aids in identifying possible allergens that can cause asthma or severe respiratory allergy. Other tests to measure lung function include residual volume, gas diffusion tests, body plethysmography, inhalation challenge tests, and exercise stress tests.
Patients scheduled for PFT must restrain from use of bronchodilators or inhaler medications for few hours prior to the test. Patients are advised not to eat a heavy meal or smoke for a few hours prior to the PFT. Typical normal values for pulmonary function tests are based on the age, height, ethnicity, and sex of the person being tested. Factors such history of smoking, wheezing and obesity can affect results of PFT. Pulmonary function tests are not advised for patients who have recently suffered heart attack.
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