Top Lung Health

What is the best time to take your inhaler? Morning, afternoon, evening? Does it matter? Some inhalers only require once daily use, while others can be twice daily. Some inhalers have a faster onset of action compared to others. All these details are important and doctors will usually take them into account when giving you your prescription. As most people are normally most active during the day,...

Do inhalers help in the recovery period after chest infections? This is a common question, as many people struggle with some lingering symptoms in the weeks after a respiratory infection (viral or bacterial). There may be a residual cough which may last for up to 6-8 weeks and in some cases there may be some wheeze.  If your doctors suspects that there is some ongoing airway inflammation or h...

Restriction means the lungs cannot expand fully, therefore they cannot be fully inflated with air.  In this episode I discuss many potential causes for restrictive lung disease, answering a question received on the channel. A restrictive pattern can be found on routine spirometry or sometimes more complex lung function tests are performed revealing lower than expected lung volumes (restrictio...

A question I received on my YouTube channels about whether someone could have a mild form of asthma without knowing or having a formal diagnosis. This is a common situation actually, especially if asthma appears a bit later in life (which is entirely possible). Symptoms of asthma can include: wheezing, chest tightness (constriction), coughing. These symptoms usually come and go, with good days and...

In this episode I try to raise awareness of occupational lung diseases. These are very preventable if respiratory protection is used (i.e. particulate filter masks). Many people work in dusty or otherwise unhealthy environments. It is important to try to work in well ventilated areas, to use respiratory protection, seek advice from your employer and doctors if you are developing respiratory proble...

I reflect on the fact that some medical problems unfortunately cannot be fixed and it is important to live a healthy life to the extent possible. Life is very precious and even though we have better and better treatments each day, there may always be a health issue that won't have an effective therapy. Doctors may be able to keep the game of life going, but it is important to be aware of the fact...