Everyday we are exposed to allergy causing elements and many of them affect us. The most common of them include pollen allergy, sinus, asthma and other nasal allergies. Another important reason for allergy is the seasonal climate change which triggers various health issues including all the above allergies especially in metropolitan cities and thickly populated areas.

Wide Spread Allergies

On a daily basis a single doctor in a city like Bangalore treats 5-7 patients with nasal allergies, chronic sinusitis and nasal obstruction.  For a typical ENT surgeon, these cases can be high as 30-40 percent of the daily patient load which points to the national prevalence of chronic sinusitis in 1 out of 8 Indians, as per the National Institute of Allergy and infectious diseases. This seems to be very high and very concerning figure of the prevalence of sinusitis in the country.

How to treat Sinusitis?

Sinusitis can be controlled with medication, lifestyle changes and surgeries, which are also ways to control other allergies. Many patients show signs of improvement with courses of antibiotics, nasal sprays and anti-allergy medications. Yet may suffer from sinusitis inspite of treatment for months together. This patients require even surgical correction to improve air circulation into the sinuses. But many people delay surgical treatment in the hope that the headaches will disappear over time. The delay in treatment can affect the eye or brain and lead to a poor quality of life.

Tips for keeping sinusitis away

It is advisable to use salt water sprays to keep the nasal passage and sinuses clean. Salt water does not cause any side effects and they wash the nasal passages. Salt water also clears the collected mucus that causes the inflammations. Jal Neeti and Yoga are natural ways to treat sinusitis. Certain forms of yoga/ Jal Neeti(swimmimg ) helps to improve circulation within the sinuses. If medications and natural therapies fail then it is advised to seek surgical treatment.

We have read a lot about left arm pain and heard friends and family suggest that it could be heart related. Actually pain in the left arm can be due to various reasons, ranging from ordinary muscle pain to even severe heart attack. Other reasons are ailments of the skin, soft tissue, nerves, bones, joints or blood vessels in the arm. Before concluding that left arm pain is due to heart problem we should eliminate other causes.

There are several factors like those given below to consider before narrowing down the pain to heart related pain.

What is the intensity of pain?

If it is a heart attack then most often we feel like some pressure or squeezing like sensation in the left side. It can be mild in pain or not painful at all (called silent heart attack). The pain can also be in full measure and it will rank 10 out of 10 in intensity. Rather than the left arm this pain will be more in the chest area and then radiate down the left arm and go up your jaw or the back.

Look for other signs

Apart from the pain in the arm, jaw, neck and back some other symptoms are also observed and these may include – nausea, dizziness, and cold sweat, shortness of breath and chest tightness & difficulty in breathing. If any of these symptoms occur along with left arm pain then it is advisable to see a doctor immediately to rule out heart attack.

Note the duration of pain

If the left arm pain lasts only for few seconds then it is unlikely that it is due to any heart ailment. If the pain persists for a long time (for days or even weeks), it is also unlikely that it has something to do with your heart. Only if lasts for few minutes to few hours then you should doubt that it has connection to heart problem. Take not of the interval of your pain occurring and if possible not it down which will help the doctor know your case better.

Is your pain due to Angina?

Angina is a pain that is caused due to insufficient blood flow to the heart. When Angina occurs you feel a squeezing or pressure sensation along with pain in your shoulders, your chest, your arms, your back or your neck. It may also feel like indigestion. It is not compulsory that Angina pain should be in the left arm but there is always a possibility. Angina can worsen due to stress either physical or emotional. If you suspect you have Angina it is best to meet a doctor. It requires appropriate evaluation and treatment.

Check for pain due to other reasons

There are many other reasons for the left side pain to occur and if you look at them one by one then here are a few important ones.

Moving your neck causes pain, and then it should be due to cervical spondylosis. If the pain aggravates when you move your shoulder it could be due to shoulder arthritis. If you feel numbness or lose function in the left arm it may be due to nerve related injury. If there is variance in your blood pressure then it may be due peripheral arterial disease like atheroscelrosis and commonly occurs in smokers.

We all know that it is very difficult to get off a habit like smoking. To quit the habit it requires a humongous effort from the smoker and even after quitting it take careful steps to keep the urge to smoke away from you. Here are a few tips how to manage the first few days after you quit smoking.

SIPPING & FOOD

One easy way to prevent the urge to smoke is by sipping cold water through a straw so that it replaces the act of sucking on a cigarette. Sipping also releases dopamine, a brain chemical that helps in easing our bad moods.

As far as food or diet is concerned, eating small meals can help to get over the urge to smoke. You should choose light, healthy foods to avoid any weight gain.

NOTE THE BENEFITS

As you quit smoking you will be starting to enjoy the benefits of a smoke-free life. What you should do is seriously make a note of all the benefits and store it in your mind. The benefits may include feeling in control, saving money, smelling better, food tasting better, feeling more energetic. When the urge to smoke rekindles, just take a look at the long list of benefits and decide to keep it away.

ORAL HYGIENE

One big advantage of stopping the smoking habit is that your mouth feels and smells better. You will have better taste for your food and your breath will be fresher. Brush your teeth as often as you can so that your teeth, mouth and breath remain fresh. This will deter you every time you want a smoke.

AVOID DRINKING ALCOHOL

It has been found that drinking is a habit that will make a person go back to smoking. We know alcohol breaks down self-control and that can increase your urge for a smoke. Many people associate smoking with a session of drinking, so a drink or two can make you feel like lighting up again.

FIND A NO-SMOKING ZONE

Earlier when you smoked you would hunt for a place to smoke but now you should do the opposite. You can find a no-smoking zone and enter it whenever you feel like having a smoke. If the place has other distractions like a football game or music then it will help you get away from smoking.

Good Exercise

A good work out is a powerful distraction tool. When you are active the body sends natural chemicals that help in easing your mood or stress. Walking is the simplest form of exercise. You can choose the right activity to keep you motivated.