Steroid phobia in India
Asthma preventer inhalers contain small quantity of corticosteroids. The mention of the word “steroid” makes most patients balk at the idea of using inhalers. What is it about steroids that most people are afraid of them? I always mention that “bad doctors and bad patient give steroids a bad name” Bad doctors, who prescribe steroids […]
Drug delivery in Asthma patients
Broadly speaking, there are two ways of delivering a drug to the body – by mouth (tablets, capsules or syrups) and by injection (in the vein or in the muscles) In asthma, we have another very good route of drug delivery- by inhaling the drug. So for asthma we can have: Injections Tablets Inhaled medication. […]
The Joy of Treating Asthma
I was recently interviewed by ” Health Issues India “. It was a long a free wheeling interview. I am reproducing two questions and answers from it, which pertain to Asthma. Hope you will find it interesting and of some use. Could you tell us a bit about the work that you do? How did […]
Fear vs. Faith
We live in a cynical age and world. We would much rather believe the negative than the positive. Fear nowadays generally wins over faith. Today I saw a patient of asthma whom I had seen earlier too about an year ago. This is her account as she told me: ” Doc, I had visited your […]
Asthma Deaths
The topic of this month’s newsletter is not a pleasant one. It’s not pleasant for me to write and it’s not pleasant for you to read. But this topic must be addressed. It cannot be brushed under the carpet. Deaths due to a sudden catastrophic disease are very tragic and painful. Asthma deaths are all […]
Drugs to Avoid in Asthma
Drugs or medicines are powerful agents and have to be used carefully. This is particularly true for asthmatics. About 5 to 10 % of the asthmatics and up to 40% of the asthmatics with nasal polyps are hyper-sensitive to asprin and other similar medicines called NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) like Voveran of Brufen. […]
What is a Nebulizer? What are it’s advantages and disadvantages?
A nebulizer is a medical device which converts liquid medicine into vapour, mist or aerosol so that it can be inhaled directly into the air tubes or lungs. It uses electricity to generate compressed air which converts liquid form of medicine into vapours; much in the same way as an old style ” Flit ” […]
Side Effect !!
Is there anything in this world that has no ill effects ? Even water, when taken in excess has bad effects. I have recently started playing Badminton. That exercise is very good for my health, but it gives me aches and pains in the muscles. I have to accept that and tolerate it. Everything has […]
What is well controlled asthma ?
What is well controlled asthma ? ” Control ” is a nice word ! It has very positive vibes. ” I am in control of my life.” “My finances are under my control.” The word “control” has been used, by both patients and doctors, in chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure. It conveys […]
The Winner approach:
Team India won the cricket world cup not only because they wanted to win but largely because they had the confidence in themselves that they could do it. I see a similar thing happening in asthma patients. I see so many asthma patients. Some have so much trouble controlling their asthma. They have symptoms most […]