Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction for the treatment of pulmonary emphysema
The first case of Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction for the treatment of pulmonary emphysema (aka COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) was performed recently in Singapore. This was achieved by implanting in the major airways, a novel device known as endobronchial valve (EBV) Zephyr™ Endobronchial Valve System) This procedure has been developed to supplant the need for Lung Volume Reduction ...
Smoke Alert – The Haze is Back!
What are the dangerous levels of pollution? The level of air pollution is measured by the Pollution Standards Index (PSI). The following are the standards of air quality and recommended action plan by the National Environment Agency: PSI up to 100: Good or Moderate No action is required. 2) PSI from 101 to 200: Unhealthy People with existing heart or ...
Smoking and Your Lungs
The most prevalent form of tobacco addiction is cigarette smoking and intuitively, the lungs would have to put up with the brunt of harmful effects of the cigarette smoke that is inhaled. Among the many lung diseases in smokers, 2 major respiratory diseases are most significant, because these illnesses are almost always caused by or associated with smoking, and these ...
Obesity and Sleep Apnoea
What is Sleep Apnoea? Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a condition characterized by intermittent episodes of absence of breathing (apnoea) due to obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. Sleep predisposes one to narrowing – and in susceptible persons, to collapse – of the upper airway by reducing the tone of the upper airway muscles. The areas of the upper ...
Air Pollution and Lung Function
Children exposed to higher levels of air pollution show reduced lung growth and function that may affect them decades later, according to a recent study conducted in Mexico. The early lung deficits may increase the risk of developing chronic obstructive lung disease later in life, as well as cardiovascular morbidity and general mortality. The three-year study measured lung function growth ...
Common Respiratory Disorders
Chronic Cough is a very common problem - perhaps the commonest reason for people visiting their doctor. Any cough lasting longer than 3 weeks can be considered “chronic”. The possible causes are many, ranging from infections to airway problems. ...
New Approaches to Slipped Disc
Prolapsed intervertebral disc in the low back, also called slipped disc or herniated disc is a fairly common problem affecting active individuals between the ages of 25 to 55. It usually occurs between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebral and the firth lumbar and first sacral vertebra. ...
Artificial Knee Replacement
For the properly selected patient, an artificial knee replacement, also known as total knee replacement, has been one of the greatest advancement in modern orthopaedic treatment. The procedure has been done for more than 20 years and has stood the test of time. ...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common problem especially in middle aged women. The usual presentation is numbness and pain of the the thumb, index and middle fingers. The numbness may come on early in the morning waking the patient up. She has to get up to shake her hands before the numbness goes off. ...
Thoracoscopic Sympathectomies
The sympathetic nerves supply the sweat glands in the body. For some unknown reason, some people have excessive sweating in the palms of the hand (palmar hyperhidrosis). These people also have too much sweating in the feet as well. Excessively sweaty palms are not life-threatening, unless you work around electrical circuits. But they can be socially embarrassing and when writing, ...