Clean indoor air can help reduce asthma attacks
Improving indoor air quality can help people breathe clearly.
ung cancer is the leading cause
of cancer death and the second
most common cancer among both
men and women in the United States,
yet it can be difficult to accurately diagnose
in its early stages when it is
most treatable. That is where Keerthana
Keshava, M.D., attending interventional
pulmonologist, comes
in. “With today’s low-dose CT scans,”
she says, “more patients are being
diagnosed early, but then what?” Before
the development of minimally invasive
techniques, she explains, the
only way for doctors to accurately
assess a patient’s condition was with
surgical biopsies.
Today, Dr. Keshava can introduce
a thin, flexible tube called a bronchoscope
deep into the airways. A
tiny camera and ultrasound device
attached to the bronchoscope send
back images and information allowing
doctors to pinpoint the nature of
growths and lesions and how far they
have progressed.
Through the bronchoscope, Dr.
Keshava can also collect tissue and
fluid samples for testing. Such accurate
diagnosis can help tailor the
best treatment course for the patient.
NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn
Methodist Hospital was the first
hospital in Brooklyn and one of the
first in the nation to offer interventional
pulmonology, a non-invasive
approach to diagnosing and treating
lung disorders.
COURIER L 42 IFE, JUNE 7–13, 2019 M BR B G
Many people who have undergone
interventional pulmonology procedures
are able to enjoy a greatly improved
quality of life. Most patients
have a low risk of complications, have
rapid relief from symptoms and go
home the same day as the procedure.
Because the services are performed
on people with a wide variety
of health conditions, interventional
pulmonologists work closely with oncologists,
radiation oncologists, radiologists,
thoracic surgeons, and other
health professionals to determine the
best route of care for each patient.
Dr. Keshava spends much of her
working day exploring the intricate
world that lies deep inside the airways,
lungs and the lung lining. In
addition to improving doctors’ ability
to diagnose, says Dr. Keshava, minimally
invasive techniques can be
used to treat symptoms for patients
with lesions in the airways or the
pleura (outer lining of the lung).
“If for example there is a tumor
in the airway and the patient can’t
breathe, we can get in there non-surgically
to open the passageway and
make the patient more comfortable —
something that just wasn’t possible
until a few years ago.”
Dr. Kesheva loves the challenge
and the artistry involved. “The complexity
of the respiratory tract is
fascinating. It’s a very ‘high-stakes’
place to be.” With all her advanced
training, she speculates that it is a
talent for art, inherited from her artist
mother, that is the “x-factor” in
her ability to perform such fine movements.
She excelled at traditional
painting in her youth, and still dabbles
in this intricate art form on visits
home to India.
The chief of pulmonary and critical
care medicine agrees that Dr. Keshava
is a natural. “Interventional
pulmonology requires a high degree
of technical skill, dexterity, and sensitivity
that can’t be taught,” says
Jeremy Weingarten, M.D. “Dr. Keshava’s
ability, along with her compassion
for her patients, is what makes
her a leader in her field.”
To learn more about interventional
pulmonology at NewYork-Presbyterian
Brooklyn Methodist Hospital,
please call 718-780-5835 or visit
nyp.org/brooklyn.
Health
Did you know that, according to the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention,
more than 25 million Americans, including
roughly seven million children, have asthma?
It’s true, and those numbers have steadily risen
in recent years.
Asthma is more than occasional wheezing
or feeling out of breath during physical activity.
Asthma is chronic and can lead to coughing,
wheezing, shortness of breath, fast breathing,
and chest tightness, states the Asthma and Allergy
Foundation of America. In the 21st century,
people spend significant time indoors at home,
school, or work, and indoor air environments
could be triggers for asthma. Improving indoor
air quality can help people breathe clearly. The
AAFA notes that the following agents can adversely
affect indoor air quality, potentially triggering
asthma attacks:
Allergens
Allergens such as mold, dust mites, pet dander
and fur, and waste from insects or rodents thrive
in many homes. Ensuring indoor air quality is
high can cut back on the amount of allergens in
the air. People with asthma can invest in an air
purifier and vacuum regularly, being sure to use
a HEPA-equipped appliance. Routinely replacing
HVAC system filters can help prevent allergens
from blowing around the house. Also, frequent
maintenance of HVAC systems will ensure they
are operating safely and not contributing to poor
indoor air quality.
Mold can be mitigated by reducing moisture in
a home. Moist environments in the kitchen and
bathroom may promote mold growth. Ventilation
is key to keep mold at bay.
Tobacco smoke
Thirdhand smoke may be unfamiliar to many
people. A 2011 report published in Environmental
Health Perspectives says ir is an invisible combination
of gases and particles that can cling to
clothing, cushions, carpeting, and other materials
long after secondhand smoke has cleared
from a room. Studies have indicated that residual
nicotine levels can be found in house dust where
people smoke or once smoked. Studies have indicated
that smoke compounds can adsorb onto surfaces
and then desorb back into air over time.
Keeping tobacco smoke out of a home can improve
indoor air quality and personal health.
Volatile organic compounds
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are
gases released from commonly used products.
These can include paints and varnishes, cleaning
supplies, air fresheners, new furniture, and new
carpet. People with asthma may find that these
can trigger attacks. Airing out items, reducing
usage of products that are heavily scented, and
choosing low- or no-VOC products can help. Making
cleaning products from baking soda, vinegar,
and liquid oil soap also can keep indoor air quality
high.
Homeowners who plan to renovate their homes
can consider using the appropriate specifications
for HVAC systems to promote good indoor air, as
well as address any other potential problems that
may be compromising indoor air quality.
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