Med First ENT Centre

During health human blood maintains an Oxygen saturation of about 94-99 %. This is also called SPO2 ( the amount of blood saturated with oxygen or also the percentage of Oxygenated haemoglobin in the blood). This level is measured by a simple device that is clipped on to your finger and which gives an accurate reading in a few seconds ( a Pulse Oximeter - see picture above). Hemoglobin is the Oxygen Carrier in the blood and it helps transport Oxygen to various tissues all over the body for their functioning.  Our breathing is controlled by a very complex mechanism called the Respiratory Drive - it has many components including the involvement of Neural and Peripheral Chemoreceptors. The Central Chemoreceptors in the brain are very sensitive to Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels.  Even a minor increase in CO2 levels brings about immediate changes in our breathing - a 5mmHg change in PaCo2 can double breathing rates in healthy persons. Build up of excessive CO2 normally occurs alo...

This article is about Dry Cough - that common cough which can come at any time, can cause immense distress during the day to you as well as people around you, and sometimes keep you awake at nights! What are the common causes? POST NASAL DRIP - Nasal allergies, nasal infections, enlarged adenoids are some of the commonest causes of a post nasal drip- there is constant irritating secretions from the nose and nasopharynx which causes cobblestoning of the throat mucosa leading to constant irritation in the throat and a cough. GASTRO OESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISORDER (GERD)/ LPR - Though GERD and LPR (Laryngol Pharyngeal Reflux) are slightly different disorders, it is now well understood that acidity and reflux are a common cause of chronic dry cough. These patients normally have a cough that is worse on lying down. They will typically complain of a choked and dry throat on waking up in the morning. ASTHMA - As yet undiagnosed Asthma can cause a dry cough. This cough is usually seasona...

The Corona Virus - SARS CoV-2 causes the disease Covid-19. This is similar to a virus named HIV causing the disease AIDS. Currently, there is no known treatment for Covid - 19. There is an intense amount of research but there is no definite breakthrough.  Molecules to treat diseases take years of testing - Lab, Animal studies, Human trials before they are declared to be fit for human use. The suddenness and the severity of the Coronavirus has given us very little time to develop a new molecule. In this situation various treatments which were successful against Viruses of a similar nature in the past are being tried out - a process called "Repurposing" - a strategy for off label use of known drugs. To understand treatment strategies for Covid-19 we must break the disease into its stages - because treatment is different at each stage. Asymptomatic and Pre Symptomatic patients The good news is that in a large majority of patients there are no symptoms. Apart f...

This article is about Dry Cough - that common cough which can come at any time, can cause immense distress during the day to you as well as people around you, and sometimes keep you awake at nights! What are the common causes? POST NASAL DRIP -  Nasal allergies, nasal infections, enlarged adenoids are some of the commonest causes of a post nasal drip- there are constant irritating secretions from the nose and nasopharynx which causes cobblestoning of the throat mucosa leading to constant irritation in the throat and a cough. GASTRO OESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISORDER (GERD)/ LPR  - Though GERD and LPR (Laryngol Pharyngeal Reflux) are slightly different disorders, it is now well understood that acidity and reflux are a common cause of chronic dry cough. These patients normally have a cough that is worse on lying down. They will typically complain of a choked and dry throat on waking up in the morning.  ASTHMA -  As yet undiagnosed Asthma can cause a dry cough. Th...