Asthma is a condition wherein the person has difficulty in breathing due to chronic inflammation of the breathing passages of lungs. Asthma is also referred to as an obstructive lung disease. When airways are inflamed making it difficult to move in and out of lungs, it triggers wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Bronchospasm (airways), when combined with inflammation and mucus production, contribute to the cause of asthma. Symptoms of asthma Asthma mostly occurs in people with family history, this means its mostly genetic. Sudden tightening of muscles near the airways can cause an asthma attack. An asthma attack may start suddenly due to blockage or may develop slowly over a period of time. Apart from wheezing and coughing, which are the most common asthma symptoms, following is an overview of asthma symptoms. Rapid breathing both ways—in and out Lips and fingernails turning blue Tightening of chest Anxiety or panic attack Face turning pale Sweat outbreaks on the face Retraction of chest and face muscles Identifying early signs Asthma condition does not develop overnight. Over time, exposure to various particles that irritate the breathing process like dust, pets, or pollen are the main cause of asthma. Most of the time, people suffering from asthma get an early sign or warning before the attack.

People suffering from asthma face severe difficulty breathing or experience chronic coughs when they have asthma attacks. Our breathing tubes make us easier to breathe, but when these breathing tubes inflame, it causes coughing and excess mucus in the airways cause a severe condition called asthma. Each case is different in asthma. For some, allergen trigger, whereas for some, pollutants and pets trigger asthma. Treating for chronic and severe asthma Regular medications such as corticosteroid inhalers and anti-inflammatory pills are the constant companion of an asthma patient. Allergies are the worst enemy of asthma. Whether you have mild or severe asthma, proper diagnosis and treatment are necessary to curb and prevent the worsening of the condition. When you notice symptoms like shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, wheezing or constant coughing that’s when one needs to be treated for asthma. Treatment options for chronic and severe asthma vary from the assessment of each case. Asthma is classified into a mild, moderate, or severe category. The severity of the case is determined by: Duration of asthma attacks Extent of asthma interfering with regular activities Extent of airway blockage After conducting tests and understanding your medical history and your breathing patterns, the doctor decides on the treatment that works as per your blood tests and X-ray reports.

`Breast Cancer’ the term itself invokes anxiety, stress, and panic among people, to the extent that people even shudder just at the thought of it. Cancer in any way is life-threatening, if not diagnosed early with timely intervention. Breast cancers, in general, may also be hereditary or genetic. This occurs due to some abnormal genes that are present in parents and are passed down from parent to the child. Facts of Breast Cancer There is a lot of awareness surrounding breast cancer thanks to pink ribbon campaigns. More and more people are getting better treatment and hence the chances of survival are higher. Though people with family history of breast cancer are more susceptible, research has shown that even with a non-family medical history, anyone can develop breast cancer. After skin cancer, breast cancer is the second most common disease in the country. Here is a breast cancer overview, with types, statistics, prevention and symptoms relating to this disease. When the genetic framework of cells changes and they begin to multiply uncontrollably, one develops breast cancer. It begins as a small lump or as a calcium deposit in the breast tissue. Types of breast cancer There are many forms of breast cancer, of which the common types are invasive ductal carcinoma, non-invasive (ductal carcinoma in situ), and invasive lobular carcinoma.

Normally, one does not know when abnormal breast cancer cells spread and multiply, until one notices a lump near the breast or the armpits. Breast cancer needs accurate diagnosing depending on which stage this disease has progressed; thereafter, the treatment options can be discussed with a healthcare provider. Treatment options for breast cancer Breast cancer passes through different stages to spread in the body. Stages 1 and 2 are the earliest and can be easily diagnosed with any surgical intervention. Stages 3 and 4 are the later and advanced stages of breast cancer that need treatment as advised by the doctor. There are several breast cancer treatment options available that can be determined by the biology of the tumor, the stage at which cancer has progressed, patient’s overall health and medical issues, and lastly, the patient’s personal preference. Common breast cancer treatment options are as follows. Local treatment Under this treatment, the doctors treat the tumor locally meaning without affecting any other part of the body other than the breast. The methods used for local treatments are surgery and radiation therapy. Surgery involves removal of tumor and also examines the axillary lymph nodes location. There are two types of surgery:

When cells in the chest grow and multiply abnormally and spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, it is identified as breast cancer. These cancerous cells, by multiplying, form a malignant tumor within the breast. Breast cancer goes unnoticed in the initial stage and is discovered at a later stage when a big lump or continuous tenderness is noticed. Diagnosing breast cancer People with breast cancer have more chances of survival if the disease is detected at an earlier stage. The first step for curing this condition, or preventing further damage, is to diagnose it as soon as possible. Before you take any treatment, it is necessary to understand how diagnosing and breast cancer staging works. Here is the complete process of diagnosing breast cancer. Exam – The first step is undergoing a complete checkup. The doctor checks for any lumps in both breasts and lymph nodes present the armpits. Mammogram – A mammogram is an X-ray procedure to screen the problematic area in the breast. This is most commonly used to detect any abnormality, which can help doctors decide upon the treatment after diagnosing breast cancer. Ultrasound – During the mammogram, if any abnormality is found, an ultrasound can help the doctor understand whether this abnormality is solid or fluid-filled.