What is Asthma?

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a common chest condition in which there is temporary narrowing of the breathing tubes in the lungs (airways) because they are hyper-reactive and oversensitive. In asthma, these tubes have inflammation and swelling of their linings, increased mucus inside, tightening of the muscles in their walls and therefore less flow of air in and out.

WHAT CAUSES AN ASTHMA ATTACK? 是什么导致哮喘发作？

No single cause has been found, but a variety of factors may trigger an attack. A check list of trigger factors is:

Infections, especially colds
Allergies to animal fur, feathers, pollens, mould
House dust, especially the dust mites
Cigarette smoke; other smoke and fumes
Sudden change in weather or temperature
Occupational irritants such as wood dust, synthetic sprays, chemicals
Drugs such as aspirin, drugs to treat arthritis, heart problems and glaucoma
Certain food and food additives
Exercise, especially in a cold atmosphere
Emotional upsets and stress

Please seek Medical attention as soon as possible if you are unsure of you or your family's health condition.

Asthma symptoms, risk factors & causes - Medical treatment AIPC Tel: 6694 1661

Pain Relief Management & Treatment, Vaccinations, Health Screening, COVID & Allergy Testing, Dermatology Treatments, Minor Surgical Procedures

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Allergy Testing

Minor Surgical Procedure

Health Screening / Blood Test

Vaccinations -Sinopharm / Flu / NAIS / NCIS Immunization Schedules

Serology Testing

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA? 哮喘的症状是什么？

The main symptoms are breathlessness, tightness in the chest, wheezing and coughing, especially in the night.

SEVERE ASTHMA

Symptoms or signs of very severe asthma are anxiety, blue colour of the lips, cyanosis, ashen grey colour of the skin, fast pulse, rapid breathing, in drawing of the chest wall, difficulty speaking, no response to asthma medication and feeling very sick. These uncommon severe symptoms mean that you should seek urgent medical attention.

Asthma Genetic Predisposition

HOW COMMON IS ASTHMA?

About 1 child in every 4 or 5 has asthma, usually in a mild form. It usually comes on between the ages of 2 and 7. Most children outgrow by puberty, but a small number get it as adults. Others continue with it. About 1 in 10 adults has asthma.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR ASTHMA?

Prevention of attacks is the best treatment, and all asthmatics and their families should aim to know the disorder very well and become expert in it.

KNOW YOUR ASTHMA

Read all about it
Try to identify trigger factors and avoid them
Become expert at using your medicine and inhalers. A big problem is incorrect inhaler technique, 34% of patients
Know and recognize the danger signs and act promptly
Have regular checks with your doctor
Learn breathing exercises
Work out a clear management plan and an action plan for when trouble strikes
Learn the value of a peak expiratory flow meter, for anyone over 6
Always carry your bronchodilator inhaler and check that it is not empty

STAY AT YOUR BEST

If you need medications, these should be as simple, safe and effective as possible. This is why inhaled medications are most often used for asthma. There are basically 2 types of inhaled medication that your doctor might advise you to use:

1. The Asthma preventor such as Pulmocort

2. The Asthma reliever which is called a bronchodilator

KEY POINTS:

1. GET TO KNOW HOW SEVERE YOUR ASTHMA IS

2. AVOID TRIGGER FACTORS SUCH AS TOBACCO SMOKE

3. KEEP AT YOUR BEST WITH SUITABLE MEDICATIONS

4. GET URGENT HELP WHEN DANGER SIGNS APPEAR

5. HAVE AN ACTION PLAN FOR SEVERE ASTHMA

6. USE YOUR INHALERS PROPERLY AND USE A SPACER IF NECESSARY

7. GET A PEAK FLOW METER TO HELP ASSESS SEVERITY AND WORK OUT YOUR BEST LUNG FUNCTION

A Comprehensive Allergy Test can be done at our medical clinic. Please make an appointment for a consultation with Dr Don Lau at Tel: 6694 1661.

Comprehensive Allergies Test for up to 101 allergens:
* Food Allergy eg Seafood, Nuts, Eggs, Fish, Meat, Fruits, Seeds or Vegetables
* Dust/Mold Allergy
* Insect Sting Allergy
* Pet/Cockroach Allergy
* Eye or Skin Allergy
* Sinus Infection/Allergic Rhinitis
* Drug/Latex Allergy

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Acne Causes & Prevention - Treatment @ MDIMC

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Asymptomatic patients may display no symptoms of illness. Vulnerable people should get vaccinated against Influenza which protects susceptible people from, as well as exclude the Flu and H1N1 viruses should they start to show URTI or ARI symptoms.

a. Vaccination decreases the risk of co-infection with COVID-19.

b. Vaccination reduces the burden of respiratory illnesses in the healthcare system.

The latest Influenza Vaccine is now available. It protects against the Flu and H1N1 Viruses. Ministry of Health Safety protocols are adhered to at all times for the safe vaccination of you and your family.

* Importance of Keeping your Vaccinations Up-to-date

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Vitamins & Nutrients for a Well-functioning Immune System to Protect against COVID-19 & other Viral Infections

(Ref: Nutrients. 2020 Apr 23;12(4). pii: E1181. doi: 10.3390/nu12041181 Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System Is an Important Factor to Protect against Viral Infections Calder PC¹, Carr AC², Gombart AF³, Eggersdorfer M⁴.

Iron-rich foods for Low blood haemoglobin

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Bone Mass Loss for Men & Women with Age - Health Screening @ MDIMC

How a Gluten-free Diet can Improve your Chronic Illnesses

Healthy Diets for Optimal Health

The Anti - Inflammatory Diet

- Go Gluten-free

The Anti-Cancer Diet

- The Ketogenic Diet

Grow New Brain Cells

- The Neurogenesis Diet

Immune System Boosting, Anti-aging Longevity Diet

Food Health / Detox / Immune Support / Cancer Prevention

Up to $400 per Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Adult & Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella)

Part of the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance programme with MOH. If you have a fever of > 38 degrees with a cough, our clinic is able to test for COVID-19. For children below 12 years old with clinical diagnosis of HFMD (eg fever, oral ulcers, rash), our clinic can test for Hand Foot & Mouth Disease (The tests are for surveillance purposes only).

Ear, Nose & Throat Problems

Allergic Rhinitis

Nose Bleed

Snoring

Vertigo

Groups at Higher Risk for Severe Illness in a COVID-19 Infection

Comorbidities & Underlying Health Conditions in COVID-19 Patients with Complications

高血压
糖尿病
脑血管疾病
心血管疾病
慢性肺部疾病
慢性肾病
哮喘
失智
慢性神经系统疾病
癌症
风湿病
肥胖
抽烟
慢性血液系统疾病/血红蛋白血液疾病
肝病/乙型肝炎感染
营养不良
免疫缺陷/免疫功能低下，例如 HIV AIDS
65岁及以上的人

(Ref: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-020-0642-3.pdf, Dailymail.co.uk, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32320003/, Comorbidity and its impact on 1590 patients with Covid-19 in China: A Nationwide Analysis https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2020/03/17/13993003.00547-2020

Covid Symptoms & Prevention - Treatment @ MDIMC

Co-infection of COVID-19 with other infectious diseases is possible

Reduce your risk of getting sick with COVID-19

Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date. People older than 65 years, and those with many underlying conditions, such as those who are immunocompromised or with significant liver disease, are recommended to receive vaccinations against Influenza and pneumococcal disease (PCV). Click here for Vaccination schedules (NAIS/NCIS).
Do not delay getting medical care for your underlying condition because of COVID-19. MD International Medical Centre has contingency MOH infection prevention protocols to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care for your underlying condition.
Continue your medications and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your doctor.
Make sure that you have at least a two-week supply of your chronic disease medications.
Call MDIMC @ Tel: 6694 1661 for a medical appointment if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick. Our clinic is a PHPC-accredited medical clinic. Under the MOH Swab & Go Home programme, our doctors can do a COVID-19 PCR Swab test if you meet the MOH medical crtieria.

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The information provided in this website is for knowledge purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.

Should you encounter any medical problem that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor or health care provider for assistance and medical advice.

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