The following are some testing and diagnostic procedures that are used by doctors and medical providers to identify asthma cases. Spirometry The Spirometry test is used to diagnose asthma and identify its severity.  In a spirometry test, you breathe forcefully into a tube and a device measures the amount of airflow passing through it.  This is known as forced expiratory volume (FEV). It also measures your total lung capacity i.e. the largest amount of air you are able to breath out. This is known as Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). People will asthma will have restricted airflow, which will be represented by a decreased FEV and FEV:FVC ratio. If a patient is given medication to help open the lungs (bronchodilator) and then repeats the spirometry test, these numbers will show an improvement in most cases. [article_content_pin link=”http://www.health.online/medical-conditions/asthma-and-allergy/testing-and-diagnosis-of-asthma/” size=”small”] Peak Flow A peak flow meter can be used to monitor breathing capacity and to check the effectiveness of asthma treatments. This is a handheld device that you breathe into as hard as you can. As you blow an arrow will rise, indicating how much air you were able to breathe. The higher the number, the better. Most devices will also be color coded.

Asthma takes place in two forms; acute and chronic. Acute asthma, known as an asthma attack is an episodic event that occurs due to an asthma trigger. Chronic asthma develops due to the changes that occur from prolonged inflammation over time. Acute Asthma When a patient comes into contact with an asthma trigger, a chain reaction of events occur that leads to an asthma “attack.” The exposure to the trigger will cause the muscles that surround the airways to “clamp down” or contract, thus narrowing the spaces for air to travel through. In addition, the trachea and bronchial passageways will become inflamed with an increase in mucous production. Patients will experience a rapid onset of symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing. Chronic Asthma It is believed that patients always have some degree of inflammation in the lungs that make them more sensitive triggers. Chronic inflammation over time can lead to changes in the structures of the lungs and increased mucous production. Proper control of asthma can limit these effects. Asthma triggers include physical exertion, infection, environmental factors (cold air, high altitude), irritants (smoking, perfume, cleaning agents, etc), emotional upset, allergies (pollen, mold, dust, food allergies, pet allergies, etc), cold air, heartburn, and even some medications such as NSAIDs.

There are both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with lung cancer. Modifiable risks are risks that can be changed, as they are in your control. Examples of modifiable risk factors are smoking and where you work. Non-modifiable risk factors are those that are outside of your control, such as a family history and which sex you are. Family Members : risk for lung cancer can be inherited from parents and grandparents. People who have one or more close family members who develops lung cancer, including siblings and parents, need to be especially vigilant on reducing other risks. Anyone with a close family member who got lung cancer needs to refrain from smoking for his or her entire life. Experimenting with smoking or telling yourself, “It’s just one time” could be backfire because of the highly addictive nature of tobacco if you are at a high hereditary risk. Smoking and second hand smoke : Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. Unfortunately, smokers are not the only victims of tobacco use. Many people have developed lung cancer simply from breathing the same air as smokers. Passive smoking can lead to all the same health issues as smoking.

Sadly, most folks still enjoy sunbathing without any concern for proper skin protection, which can be fatal. Recent statistics from the Skin Cancer Foundation estimate 87,110 new cases of melanoma for the year 2017 with approximately 9,730 melanoma deaths. While melanoma is only responsible for roughly 1-percent of reported skin cancer cases, the vast majority of these cases are due to sun exposure. However, if caught early, melanoma can be effectively treated with minor surgery. What is Melanoma? Melanoma is cancer that develops on the skin’s surface due to UV Radiation from the sun and then spreads aggressively to the lymph nodes if left untreated. All skin contains melanin a UV-blocking pigment that’s emitted by the body’s melanocytes cells. Everybody produces a different amount of melanin. The darker your skin, the more melanin your body tends to produce. While the melanin you produce will naturally safeguard your skin, excessive sun exposure can turn toxic if you tend to burn easily or have pale skin, eyes, or hair, your melanoma risk is considered greater. Protecting your skin from Melanoma While wearing a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or higher is a good start to protecting you from developing melanoma, these skin cancer prevention tips can go a long way to safeguarding your skin… Never use tanning booths In the hot sun, cover up with loose clothing and wear a large-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection.

Pain experienced across the face or near the eyes in response to nasal congestion is considered to be a sinus headache. These headaches are typically accompanied by a stuffy nose, the pressure in the face, teary eyes, nausea or hyperresponsiveness to light. However, because there is no clear definition of sinus headaches, these headaches are often misdiagnosed as migraines. Sinus headaches are more common during major changes in the weather. What are Sinus Headaches? Sinus headaches are considered a response to inflammation or infection that should be verified by imaging and treated with antibiotics. Surprisingly, headaches are not symptoms of chronic sinus inflammation (sinusitis) unless there is also an infection present. Misdiagnosis of Sinus Headaches These headaches are often confused with migraines as the symptoms may be similar. Most patients self-diagnose and treat these “sinus headaches” with irrelevant treatments. Unfortunately, due to the high level of misdiagnosis of sinus headaches as migraines, these patients risk making their headaches worse. Even many physicians misdiagnose sinus headaches as migraines. Not surprisingly, many patients are dissatisfied with the treatments available for sinus headaches, likely due to misdiagnosis followed by ineffective treatment.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disease of the skin that is estimated to affect about 2.2% of the adult population. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to psoriasis. The genes affected seem to be involved with control of the immune system Scalp psoriasis is a common skin disorder that makes raised, reddish, often scaly patches. It can pop up as a single patch or several, and can even affect your entire scalp. It can also spread to your forehead, the back of your neck, or behind your ears. It is generally accepted that scalp psoriasis, like all psoriasis, is related to genetic defects that affect certain parts of the immune system. There are undoubtedly environmental factors that trigger its initial development in genetically predisposed individuals. The belief that “emotional stress” plays a causal role or at least exacerbates psoriasis has been difficult to prove. Scalp psoriasis itself doesn’t cause hair loss, but scratching a lot or very hard, picking at the scaly spots, harsh treatments, and the stress that goes along with the condition can lead to temporary hair loss. Fortunately, your hair usually grows back after your skin clears. At least half of people with psoriasis have it on their scalp.

Managing psoriasis can come across as incredibly frustrating, especially when you don’t know what is causing the flare-ups. Therefore, it is necessary for you to be patient and identify the possible triggers responsible for the frequent cycles of this autoimmune disease. Some of the common ones for psoriasis are stress, infections, smoking, drinking, dry or cold weather, specific forms of medications, skin damage like cuts or scrapes, some types of food and excessive exposure to the sun. If you can identify with any of stated triggers, then you can adopt the following measures for managing psoriasis. Manage your stress better – Usually, the onset of psoriasis occurs when a person is enduring a lot of mental strain. On the other hand, some patients under stress might discover their symptoms worsen. If you are coping with the same problem, then you need to unwind on a regular basis. Make it a point to regularly indulge in activities that help you relax. This could include spending time with loved ones or going for walks. You can also meditate or frequently get body massages to alleviate the tension in your body. Avoid smoking and drinking – Both smoking and alcohol can increase the series of flare-ups.

Sinusitis is the medical term for a sinus infection, which causes inflammation of the sinuses due to chronic allergies, fungal or bacterial infection, or environmental or chemical sinus irritation. Sinusitis is characterized by type of infection. For instance, sinus infections can be acute or subacute, infectious or non-infectious, or chronic infections. While individuals with sinusitis aren’t typically considered contagious, left untreated a sinus infection can be very serious and even life-threatening if it develops into one of the following: Zygomycosis, a rare fungal infection of the sinuses that demands emergency medical treatment. Osteomyelitis, which is characterized as an infection in a bone that spreads through the bloodstream. Meningitis, or a sinus infection that infects the rear central area in the head, eventually infecting the brain. Orbital cellulitis, which causes swelling in the eye tissues behind the orbital septum. A brain abscess, which infects the brain with a dangerous fungal, viral, or bacterial infection. Sinusitis can often be mistaken for a common cold because many of the common symptoms are similar. Look for these telltale signs of sinus infection: Is it flu or the common cold? Patients often assume they have a common cold in the early stages of a sinus infection.

Though we attribute the low mortality rate to the progress in medical science, there are still some fatal diseases that are incurable, cancer being one of them. Cancer in any form is life-threatening, and there are chances of surviving this ordeal if cancer is detected in its earlier stages. One such condition that affects people who are 45 or older is multiple myeloma. Multiple Myeloma is a type of blood cancer which starts in the bone marrow, the tissue inside our bones. This is where most blood cells including the plasma cells are produced, and due to some unknown factors, these cells can grow at an uncontrollable rate and outnumber the healthy cells in the bone marrow. When these cells keep building up, they eventually form a tumor. Multiple Myeloma indicates the presence of more than one tumor. Diagnosing and treating multiple myeloma is possible only when the cancer is in its initial stages. Multiple Myeloma can be diagnosed by the following methods- Urine Test: When the urine tests indicate the presence of M proteins in the urine, also known as Bence Jones proteins when they appear in the urine. The presence of these M proteins is indicative of Multiple Myeloma.

Your best way to find melanoma early is by conducting a regular self-check of your skin’s surface. Most of us have moles and freckles, however, if you notice a mole or freckle looks differently (i.e., raised skin, flaking, change in shape, painful to touch, etc.) it’s worth getting checked out by a doctor. An annual skin exam is wise for those who like to be out in the sun, or for individuals with light skin who have numerous moles and skin markings. To conduct an at home, self-check of your skin… Conducting a self-skin exam Use a mirror to inspect any moles, freckles, or birthmarks that have changed, particularly in these areas: Back Shoulders Neck Chest and torso Scalp Face Both arms – front and back Groin Legs – front and back Hands and Feet – top and bottom sides and between fingers and toes, as well as under the nails Melanoma biopsies Family physicians will conduct a similar skin check, however, they may order a biopsy if they’re concerned about a certain area of skin, if you tan regularly, or if skin cancer runs in your family. A doctor may order one of the several biopsies to screen a potential melanoma, including:

Erectile dysfunction (ED) occurs when a man has consistent and repeated problems sustaining an erection. Without treatment, ED can make sexual intercourse difficult. The problem is reported by 1 in 5 men and that number increases with age. As a man ages, testosterone decreases, causing changes in his sexuality. This includes loss of libido and impotence, which can result in the inability to gain or hold an erection. Certain medical conditions can also result in impotence. So what causes ED? Well, there can be several contributing factors to impotence. These include both emotional and physical disorders. Endocrine Diseases – Diabetes is an example of an endocrine disease that can cause men to experience impotence. Some medicines may have adverse effects on the blood flow Neurological and Nerve Disorders that affects the brain’s ability to communicate with the reproductive system. To achieve an erection, a man must first go through the excitement phase. A person having an emotional disorder may find it difficult to do the same. The Symptoms of ED include: Erections that are too soft for sexual intercourse. Erections that are too brief for sexual intercourse. An inability to achieve erections. The risk of impotence increases with age. It is fourfold higher in men in their 60s compared with those in their 40s according to a study published in the Journal of Urology .