Search Results for: health

5 Powerful Ways Steam inhalation Helps You?

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on January 10, 2020 1

Does steam inhalation have any benefits?

Is it a Grandma tale, winter myth? The story is , that it often gives symptomatic relief, but research data give surprising answers.

When to take steam?

Steam inhalation for cold and Flu

Steam inhalation when you have sinusitis and postnasal drip

Allergic rhinitis needs steam inhalation as a lifestyle tool habit that has good results with treatment.

When you have laryngitis and hoarseness, steam inhalation helps to give warm fomentation to your swollen vocal cords. Professional speakers, singers’ teachers, television reporters, vloggers, podcasters all will be helped with a habit of steam inhalation.

What are the benefits of Steam inhalation?

1.It helps to clear, blocked-up sinuses. The secretions which are sticky gets liquefied and gets cleared more easily. Helps clear congested (stuffy) nose.

2. It helps in the humidification of the dry nasal cavity sinuses and upper airways.

3. It helps lower dryness and stickiness from postnasal drip.

Helps with foreign body sensation of the throat and irritation of the throat

4. Headache associated with cold may be reduced.

5. Cough is relieved.

How to Start Steam Inhalation?

How to take steam inhalation?

Boil water in a kettle. Use a rolled-up paper, or an old Xray film, to take steam gently through your nose or mouth. You can also use a steam machine.

If the steam appears too hot, let it rest for some time before starting inhalation. If you feel uncomfortable, give a few minutes gap.

How long do you need to take steam?

10 to 20 minutes of steam twice a day is good cold, sinusitis, laryngitis, and allergic rhinitis.

With or without vapocap?

Plain steam with no additional vapocap or tablets works well enough.

Dangers of Steam inhalation

First do no harm is most important.

Steam inhalation not recommended for children [3,4].

It’s best to use a steam inhalation machine in a safe environment and never in front of children.

Featured post

How is the Health of the Nation: The report is an eye-opener!

Health of the Nation Report — Apollo Pro Health

What research says

Steam inhalation often results in lowering the cold symptoms and clearing the stuffy nose.

But a Cochrane review [2] mentioned the evidence in favor of it is ambiguous. But it also said that steam inhalation did not increase symptoms. Now most of my patients over the last 13 years have all responded favorably to steam inhalation

Is it the placebo effect? What do you think?Let me know in the comments below.

ALLERGIC RHINITIS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (Part 1)

Test and Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis (Part 2)

6 Things you can do to Fight Indoor Allergy

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Polyps: Breath Easy!

COVID 19

Swine Flu: Symptoms

Everyday practices to prevent Swine Flu

Cold and Flu

Reference

1)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3303983

2) https://www.cochrane.org/CD001728/ARI_heated-humidified-air-common-cold

3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4758472/

4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3381273/

Betadine Gargle Helps my sore throat get better(Review)

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on January 9, 2020 7

Betadine for Gargle is something I advice as an ENT surgeon to most of my patients with sore throat.

But why do I love using it?

Betadine gargle is the brand name for Povidone-iodine. It’s synonymous with “my favorite” gargle. I have been using it myself and prescribing it for my patients for as long as I can remember.

How does Betadine work?[1,2,3,4]

Povidone Iodine gargle has proven bactericidal and virucidal action both in -vitro and in vivo. There are over sixty years of evidence of efficacy in fighting oral and oropharyngeal germs.

PVP-I gargle inactivate-adenovirus, mumps, rotavirus, poliovirus (types 1 and 3), coxsackievirus, rhinovirus, herpes simplex virus, rubella, measles, influenza, and human immunodeficiency virus.

1% gargle/mouthwash works against MERS-CoV.

Application of PVP-I with 0.23–1% concentration, for 1–2 min reduced SARS-CoV virus infectivity from 1.17 × 106 TCID50/ml to below detectable levels in a study by Kariwa et al. Studies for shorter contact times are not available.

Following the H1N1 swine flu outbreak in 2009, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare recommended daily gargling as a protective hygiene measure to prevent upper respiratory tract infections.

In patients with chronic respiratory diseases, gargling with PVP-I was found to lower infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) and Haemophilus influenzae by half .

Oral hygiene using PVP-I will benefit immunocompromised patients at risk of prolonged virus shedding. Prolonged virus shedding increases the potential for antiviral drug resistance and nosocomial transmission and secondary bacterial infection and hospitalization.

Ito et al. reported lowering of viral infectious titres of avian influenza A viruses (H5N1, H5N3, H7N7, and H9N2) to below detectable limits after incubation for only 10 s.

How to use Betadine gargle?

An equal volume of gargle liquid in an equal volume of water preferably warm/. This helps the povidone-iodine to be in adequate amount to have effective action against the germs in your throat. Gargle for at least 15 seconds.

Betadine has Povidone -Iodine 2% w/v

How does povidone-iodine work?

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) has a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity used and known for over 60 years. It also has virucidal actions. It is used in many ways for disinfecting skin, hands, mucosal surfaces, wound treatment, oral and pharyngeal infection. Not only does it help in prevention but it also helps to lower the infectivity period and shedding of germs.

When do you use Betadine gargle for sore throat?

It’s best to start using it as soon you have a hawking sensation scratchy feel postnasal drip or itchy throat.

Sore throat

Throat pain

Together with steam inhalation, it works great in the early stages of cold to kill those viruses.

Acute and chronic pharyngitis

Acute and chronic tonsillitis

Poor oral and dental hygiene

Preoperatively before orotracheal intubation, prevents nosocomial infection.

Postoperatively for maintaining oral hygiene after surgery of oral and oropharyngeal cavity

Povidone-iodine 1% mouthwash also lowers reduces the incidence of dry socket after removal of impacted mandibular third molars.

When to avoid gargling?

When you have associated hoarseness, vigorous gargling can cause more trouble,

Who shouldn’t use it?

If you are allergic to iodine or any other components.

Children often can’t gargle and better avoided.

People with thyroid disorders.

Safety profile

If you are on lithium.

The safety profile of PVP-I is well established. In contrast to other antiseptic agents, PVP-I oral care products do not lead to any irritation or damage of the oral mucosa, even with prolonged use [44, 45]. Although measurable systemic iodine absorption may occur with the long-term use of PVP-I, its clinical manifestation as thyroid dysfunction is not very common [39].

Featured post

How is the Health of the Nation: The report is an eye-opener!

Why can’t I dilute it more?

It doesn’t work in that case

Does any gargle other than betadine gargle work?

I like a hypertonic saline gargle. But efficacy studies are not comparable.

Take warm water. Dissolve table salt till you can’t dissolve anymore. That’s hypertonic saline. Now start gargling with it. It’s better to use betadine gargle though since its evidence-backed.

References:

1 ) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5986684/

2)Inactivation of SARS coronavirus by means of povidone-iodine, physical conditions and chemical reagents.
Kariwa H, Fujii N, Takashima I
Dermatology. 2006; 212 Suppl 1():119-23. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16490989

3)Ito H, Ito T, Hikida M, et al. Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Japan and ant-influenza virus activity of povidone-iodine products. Dermatology. 2006;212(Suppl 1):115–118. doi: 10.1159/000089210.

4)Rapid and Effective Virucidal Activity of Povidone-Iodine Products Against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA).
Eggers M, Eickmann M, Zorn J
Infect Dis Ther. 2015 Dec; 4(4):491-501.

5) Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Pandemic influenza preparedness action plan of the Japanese Government. 2007. http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/topics/influenza/dl/pandemic02.pdf.

6. Silva A, Azevedo M, Sampaio-Maia B, Sousa-Pinto B. The effect of mouthrinses on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus two viral load

: A systematic review. J Am Dent Assoc. 2022 Jul;153(7):635-648.e16. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2021.12.007.

Prevention helps. Always.

Vishakha Talreja

By on January 8, 2020

Vishakha Talreja says “Amrita has immense knowledge of health-related content. Her writing style is reader-friendly and I have seen her blog posts go viral for the sheer fact that they are informative and helpful.
As a doctor too her knowledge is noteworthy and she always gives the right consultation that is in best interests of those consulting her. She is also hands-on on the issues faced by her own community. Having worked with her I can definitely vouch for her professionalism and punctuality.”

Founder @hotelxplorer , Entrepreneur, former Business Journalist @economictimes @indiatoday @financialxpress , Alumni- SRCC

Nose bleeds in Adults: What you must Know

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on January 7, 2020 12

Nose bleeds is a very common ENT problem that causes people to visit the emergency room. Nose picking is easily the commonest cause of nose bleeds in children. But it happens in the case of adults too. What happens when you are fifty years old and have a use bleed when you have never picked your nose?

You must get checked by a professional.

Can nosebleeds be caused by high blood pressure

Yes, that is common in older hypertensive adults and often causes more of posterior epistaxis, where you have blood trickling down your throat like a postnasal drip. Nose bleeds can be due to a local cause or something more generalized like hypertension. It’s often a warning in case undiagnosed high blood pressure and acts to prevent other cardiovascular problems like heart attacks, strokes.

In Dengue, leukemia and any condition which causes poor clotting, bleeding can occur.

Nose bleeds can occur frequently

Local causes like sinusitis, septal hematoma, nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and other tumors of nose and sinuses can present with nose bleeds. A chronic post nasal drip in a hypertensive, diabetic fifty-year-old needs a full checkup.

The important thing to remember is early diagnosis and management are best for the management of nose bleeds.

Remember

In the elderly age, group hypertension must always be ruled out.

If sinusitis is present in older age groups them diabetes mellitus is screened for, to ensure better management.

In the case of kids, nose-picking must be ruled out.

What causes nose bleeds in adults:

Hypertension

Trauma

Septal spur, deviation, septal perforation

Septal angioma/haemangioma

Rhinosporidiosis

Chronic sinusitis

Tumors

Fungal infection of nose and sinuses

Cocaine use

Extreme temperature

Barotrauma

Blood dyscrasias and leukemia

Infections like Dengue Haemorrhagic fever

Certain medications(NSAIDS, Warfarin, Aspirin, Clopidogrel)

Alcoholism and other causes of liver dysfunction

Certain Granulomatous diseases

Others.

Frequent nosebleeds are cause for concern

In all cases, in-person consultation by an ENT surgeon is needed for a full evaluation. The doctor will do a local examination of your nose, oral cavity oropharynx.

What your Doctor may ask

History about previous nasal bleeds or bleeding from other sides is important. Comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, allergies, blood dyscrasias, fever need to be ruled out. Any history of forceful nose blowing or nose picking is vitally important and the nasal examination gives clues about the latter.

A family history of nose bleeds needs to be asked for and in the presence of fever, several more questions are asked.

The systemic examination will include measuring your BP and checking for any bruising petechiae and a few other things which are beyond the scope of discussion here.

Investigation

In case of acute nasal bleeding which is recurrent, persistent to not stopping needs urgent visit to an Emergency facility of a well-equipped hospital.

Computer tomography (CT scan) with or without contrast may be needed for the nose and Paranasal sinuses. A CT of the brain may also be needed to rule out any associated intracranial bleed.

Featured post

How is the Health of the Nation: The report is an eye-opener!

A detailed blood workup, ECG is carried out to screen for infectious diseases and systemic causes.

Nasal endoscopy may be carried out as a diagnostic or therapeutic tool depending on the condition.

Nose bleed treatment often needs a hospital setup and is best done by a professional. Read about some of the ways of nasal packing in this post.

When you have your tonsils out, do you have less postnasal drip?

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on January 6, 2020 4

When you have your tonsils out, do you have less postnasal drip?

When you get your tonsils removed, it’s a surgical procedure called a tonsillectomy.

The sticky drip you have from the back of your nose drips and sticks to the throat when you have a cold or flu. The posterior wall of the upper part of the food pipe is called the posterior pharyngeal wall and both this part and the tonsils can get infected due to the post nasal drip.

Postnasal drip occurs due to Sinusitis. The drip causes tonsils to get inflamed as well as the posterior pharyngeal wall. The infected drip can cause Tonsillitis with or without Pharyngitis. Just like sinusitis can be acute or chronic so also pharyngitis and tonsillitis.

Tonsillectomy will stop tonsillitis, but not the drip. There are also very specific guidelines before tonsillectomy is offered as a treatment option. Your Doctor will be taking detailed history before recommending it.

Postnasal drip: Home treatment is it possible?

In case you want to stop the postnasal drip, home treatment or a doctor’s visit will be needed, depending on the severity and duration of symptoms.

When it’s just starting you can start taking plain water steam inhalation and let the sticky cough come out. Start gargling either with betadine gargle or hypertonic saline to get rid of the foreign body sensation in the throat. If this doesn’t work you will need to visit a doctor and medications may be needed.

Sinusitis & Postnasal drip: The relationship

When nasal discharge builds up and you start snorting to stop it dripping from your nose anteriorly, a problem occurs.

This discharge starts dripping into the pharynx and gets stuck to the posterior wall. It can cause associated pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis and more.

Acute bacterial sinusitis, chronic bacterial sinusitis needs antibiotics, nasal wash, anti-histaminic with or without nasal sprays. Allergic rhinosinusitis treatment is however different.

The investigation will include Radiology and blood tests. A Computed Tomography helps us know about the number of sinuses involved, whether any mucosal polyps or any other cause for worry like deviated septum blockages due to any cause. This is important as often the success of medical management depends on the extent of disease and obstruction if any.

In the case of Chronic rhinosinusitis, if maximal medical treatment for three months fails to resolve the problem, surgical management like Functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Blood tests will help us understand how severe the infection is whether associated anemia and deranged blood sugar are complicating the condition. Both can make treatment challenging and cause complications.

What is a bloody post nasal drip?

There are many potential complications of sinusitis like nasal bleeding, and I will explain more in further posts. But for this post its important for you to understand, that when nasal bleeding occurs, the blood can drip to the posterior part of your throat. This can occur even in those without sinusitis and needs to be thoroughly investigated.

Precaution from cold can help.

In case you have Allergic rhinosinusitis, you need to keep lifestyle precautions and medication both in mind.

This was a question I was asked on Quora and I thought I would share more about it.

If you want to know more

Are you sure it’s a cold?

6 Things about the Flu shot

18 Myths about Winter Health

Flu vaccine that protects against 4 types of Flu

Ultimate Nutrition tips to prevent Flu

Swine Flu factsheet

Everyday practice to prevent Swine Flu

WHO Prequalified Vaccine

Featured post

How is the Health of the Nation: The report is an eye-opener!

Discussing Fiction writing for beginners in India: Blogchatter & friends

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on January 5, 2020 6

Discussing Fiction writing for the novice, with Blogchatter & friends, happened some time back. The Creative Writing course came to an end and the anthology To Be Read was published. This interview with Geethica of Blogchatter and Manas Mukul was fun and would have become a ramble if not checked.

That’s the best thing about the online world of education. When you meet people who are passionate about similar things, work becomes fun. Also, you always learn something new.

Five years back when I started writing, I was clueless about blogging and definitely never dreamt about writing fiction in any form. But the universe sends you all the help you need. Just when I thought I was getting a handle on with the blogging thing, I stumbled on storytelling and fiction writing. The Blogadda Saturday Grandma tales & Tiniature were some of the first fiction writing contests I won. It was wonderfully encouraging. But I was busy with many other things and I didn’t do any more of it.

Then in 2019 Blogchatter started their courses.

When I wrote about the Blogchatter courses I did mention their Creative writing course. It was after that experience, that I was invited to this discussion.

I have written short fiction for contests and challenges before, but this was longer than any I had previously written.

The interview was fun, but I started by making a faux pas.

What we discussed

I was asked about why I participated in the Blogchatter creative writing fiction prompt.

The short version: I was doing it as a brain challenge.

The prompt which Blogchatter rejected and the prompt on which I wrote.

Which genre which I liked writing about

Why do I get stuck writing mysteries?

The next book in the fiction writing genre I would like to write about.

Should you try writing fiction?

Why not. Its good to challenge your brain and even if you are writing nonfiction, storytelling skills always help

Fiction writing for Novice:

You must read On Writing by Stephen King. He is the King for a reason.

The book Big Magic for the most wonderfully Creative life you can live

The book Walk, Write and Garden for the healthy life you want

If you want to start writing nonfiction then I have some help too

How to write a Nonfiction book

Superfans by Pat Flynn

If you just want to start a blog in India , then these may help

Blogging resources

How to start a Blog in India

Blogging challenges

Search Results for: health

Does steam inhalation have any benefits?

When to take steam?

What are the benefits of Steam inhalation?

How to Start Steam Inhalation?

How to take steam inhalation?

With or without vapocap?

Dangers of Steam inhalation

Featured post

What research says

Sharing is good Karma!

Betadine for Gargle is something I advice as an ENT surgeon to most of my patients with sore throat.

How does Betadine work?[1,2,3,4]

How to use Betadine gargle?

How does povidone-iodine work?

When do you use Betadine gargle for sore throat?

When to avoid gargling?

Who shouldn’t use it?

Safety profile

Featured post

Why can’t I dilute it more?

Does any gargle other than betadine gargle work?

References:

Sharing is good Karma!

Sharing is good Karma!

Can nosebleeds be caused by high blood pressure

Nose bleeds can occur frequently

Remember

What causes nose bleeds in adults:

What your Doctor may ask

Investigation

Featured post

Sharing is good Karma!

When you have your tonsils out, do you have less postnasal drip?

Postnasal drip: Home treatment is it possible?

Sinusitis & Postnasal drip: The relationship

What is a bloody post nasal drip?

If you want to know more

Featured post

Sharing is good Karma!

What we discussed

Should you try writing fiction?

Fiction writing for Novice:

If you want to start writing nonfiction then I have some help too

If you just want to start a blog in India , then these may help

Sharing is good Karma!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Healthwealthbridge Library

Categories

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Podcast

Testimonials

Vishakha Talreja

Roshan Radhakrishnan

ORS Awareness by WB IAP

Affiliate Disclaimer

Healthwealthbridge Disclaimer

Krishna Mishra and the Mysterious Movie Star(#Book 1) by Dr.Amrita Basu|Full Mystery Audiobook

Follow Us