THE COUGH THAT NEVER CEASES. SEVEN IMPORTANT CAUSES.

We refer to a cough that lasts more than three weeks and that never ceases to end. The cough is a reflex that that our body uses as a defence mechanism to expel or clean foreign bodies from our airways. If the cough becomes a chronic cough, it would not be normal and it would be warning us that there is something wrong.

The cough can present itself as part of acute pathologies that would be generally infectious and of a short duration. We will be analysing the persistent and chronic cough within this article, as it is a symptom of many pathologies that need to be diagnosed as soon as possible.

CAUSES OF THE CHRONIC COUGH

1. ASTHMA

Asthma is a disease that produces an inflammation and reversible obstruction of the bronchial tubes. It is characterised by the presence of a certain type of cough that is predominantly dry, nightly and accompanied by respiratory difficulties. It is usually produced by an allergy to pollen, fungi, animal hairs, foods, vasomotor alterations, etc.

2. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease covers three types of pathologies and they are: chronic bronchitis, emphysema and long-term asthma in people that have been smokers. This disease is due to the permanent and irreversible inflammation of the bronchial tubes. It is usually caused by tobacco and produces a cough every morning and different amounts of sputum.

3. GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX

Gastroesophageal reflux is the way in which gastric contents travel through the oesophagus and produce a feeling of heartburn or burning in the throat, mouth or retrosternal.

This acid usually produces laryngeal irritation that causes a commonly dry and persistent cough. Gastroesophageal reflux can only present this cough as an only symptom without being aware that the reflux is present.

4. POSTNASAL DRIP

Postnasal dripping is the constant presence of mucus within the throat. This dripping is caused by inflammatory processes in the nose (Rhinitis) and in the mucous membrane that surrounds the sinuses (Sinusitis).

5. CHRONIC LARYNGITIS

Inflammation of the larynx that lasts more than three weeks, results in a dry cough that is usually accompanied by hoarseness, that is commonly due to the misuse of the voice, the presence of nodules on the vocal chords or irritants such as tobacco, alcohol, gastroesophageal reflux.

6. TUBERCULOSIS

Tuberculosis is a pulmonary infection that is produced by Koch’s bacillus and which the main symptoms are: a chronic cough with sputum of blood, fever, tiredness, night sweats, etc.

7. LUNG CANCER

Lung cancer usually does not have any initial symptoms, but a recent cough that lasts more than three weeks, or an existing cough that changes intensity or tone, or that simply has the presence of blood in the sputum, would alert us of this pathology.

OTHERS

Cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, cardiac failure, parasites such as worms and pharmaceuticals to treat hypertension such as captopril, etc. are other pathologies that will produce a cough that is not as frequent.

Lastly, we want to remind people that when faced with the presence of a cough that lasts for more than three weeks, then medical assistance should be sought out in order to obtain a diagnosis as quickly as possible.

Dr. J. Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST CORONAVIRUS. COVID-19

The coronavirus is a microorganism that needs a living being to reproduce itself. Coronavirus or COVID-19, is a type of virus that is highly contagious and that causes important pathologies in the respiratory system. This virus is spread from person to person through droplets of saliva that we expel when we talk, sneeze or cough.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms that can emerge after the contagion of COVID-19 take place between the second and fourteenth day after the contagion has occurred.

Approximately 80 percent of people affected by the virus only present mild or moderate symptoms. Another small group of people present severe symptoms and others do not present any symptoms whatsoever.

These symptoms are:

• Fever (A temperature higher than 38 degrees)
• Cough (Usually dry and without any sputum)
• Pain (Headaches, throat pain, sometimes leg pain or consistent pain throughout the body)
• Extreme tiredness
• Diarrhoea
• Loss of smell and appetite

SEVERE SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS

• Tightness in the chest and experiencing pain when taking any deep breaths (pleuritic pain)
• Dyspnoea or loss of breath
• Red blotches throughout the skin that could indicate sepsis or an extended infection
• Bruised lips
• Pale skin
• Cold sweat or loss of consciousness

The dyspnoea or loss of breath usually occurs on the seventh day after contagion and patients can suffer from respiratory insufficiency on the eighth day. It is important to keep an eye out on these days in case patients still have a fever or cough.

The dyspnoea or loss of breath can indicate that the infection has moved to the lung and that it is causing pneumonia.

DIAGNOSIS

The presence of the virus can be determined through a sample taken by a swab in the nose and pharynx or through a blood test. An X-ray would be used to diagnose this virus in cases when patients present severe symptoms such as pneumonia.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The virus spreads from person to person and through small particles of saliva that we expel when we talk, cough or sneeze. Various studies have verified that these particles have various sizes with big particles falling to the ground and small particles being suspended for a small period of time in the air and then dispersed throughout it.

1. SOCIAL DISTANCING

Always maintain a minimum of two metres or six feet of distance from person to person.

2. COUGHING OR SNEEZING

Always cough or sneeze in a tissue and then get rid of it.

If we don’t have a tissue to hand, then we will cough or sneeze where the bend of our elbow is located, never in our hand as we can use it to touch our nose, mouth or eyes without meaning to and these are usually the most common ways through which the virus enters our system.

3. FREQUENT HAND WASHING

Frequent hand washing and also forearm washing, is to be completed with water and soap for a period of 20 seconds. This is one of the most important measures that we need to take into account. If we are unable to use water and soap then we will use a water-alcohol extract that will need to contain at least seventy per cent of alcohol.

4. CLEANING OF SURFACES

The cleaning of door handles, railings, tables or places where we usually congregate, will be undertaken with common detergents or bleach solutions.

If there are any patients in the house that suffer from coronavirus, then they will maintain the same hygiene measures previously mentioned and should be isolated in a room if able. Them and everybody that came into contact with them will be isolated for a period of fourteen days.

5. FACE MASKS

The use of facemasks has to always be coupled by frequent hand washing with water and soap or with water-alcohol extract gels. The external part of facemasks should not be touched and these should be removed cautiously from the back so as to not touch the front, as it could have come into contact with the virus.

PRECAUTIONS

We should all take the preventive measures mentioned within this article and recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) however, the people mentioned below should take special precautions.

• People older than 65 years old with or without any previous pathologies
• Pregnant women
• People of any age that suffer from previous pathologies such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung diseases, (asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis), cancer patients, people that are severely overweight, immunosuppressed patients and patients that have received a transplant
• Patients that have autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or patients that are treated with immunosuppressive drugs or steroids. In this cases, we will need to look out for any other symptoms that are not a fever as they might not exhibit other symptoms due to the treatments that they are already taking

TREATMENT                                                                                   

There is currently no treatment for the virus and we hope that a vaccine would be available in roughly a year from now.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that we are always hydrated and that any medication taken is always done so under medical supervision.

To conclude, we want to highlight that we should maintain a healthy diet, do as much physical exercise as possible within our limitations and maintain the best state of mind possible during quarantine.

We need to care of older and vulnerable people and think about one another. This is the way that we will defeat this virus.

Dr J. Hurtado Martínez                                                                                                  
Medical Director of HealthSalus

PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR THE FLU

The flu is a viral infectious disease that is commonly characterised for the brusque emergence of its symptoms within the winter season.

The flu virus is spread from person to person via saliva droplets that we expel when we talk, whether we see them or not.

The virus can also be spread when the sufferer coughs, sneezes, places their hand over their mouth or touches objects with their contaminated hands.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms are:

• High fever. Higher than 38 degrees.
• Intense headache.
• Joint pain.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Sore throat.
• Blocked nose.
• Cough.

TREATMENT

• Have bed rest for the week that it approximately lasts.
• Ensure that you are well hydrated by drinking hot drinks, orange juices and lemon teas rich in Vitamin C.  
• Taking medication to reduce the fever and the pain.

COMPLICATIONS

The most serious complications that can arise from having suffered the flu are bronchitis and pneumonias.

PRECAUTIONS

Pregnant women, diabetics, people that have low immune systems or people that suffer from chronic pulmonary diseases have to take precautions to avoid contracting the flu.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Use disposable tissues.
• Coughing or sneezing on your arm and not over your hands.
• Regularly wash your hands.
• Maintain a high level of hygiene, especially where pregnant women, children and people that suffer from chronic illnesses or are immunosuppressed are present.
• Vaccines to be administered to as many people as possible.
• Maintain a varied diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which are present in fruits and vegetables.

Humanity has always been contact with multiple virus and will continue to do so, we have survived them up to now and will keep doing so in the future.

Dr. J Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus

LEMON. THE GOLDEN CITRUS FRUIT.

This fruit originated in Asia and is currently cultivated worldwide. The lemon is the fruit of the lemon tree and should never be omitted from a healthy diet.

PROPERTIES

1. ACTIVATOR OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Its high content of Vitamin C activates the immune system by increasing our defences and helping us to combat diseases, usually infectious.  

2. COLLAGEN

Lemons help to form collagen and thereby contribute to the maintenance of strong bones and joints. They also contribute to having healthy teeth, gums, skin and hair.

3. ELASTICITY

The elements of lemons contribute to the elasticity found within our larger arteries and in turn, help them to prevent the emergence of thrombi within them.

They also contribute to maintaining the basal membrane of small blood vessels stable thereby, avoiding capillary fragility and preventing them from rupturing.

4. PREVENTION OF CANCER

Certain studies suggest that certain types of acids present in lemons would intervene in the prevention of various types of cancer, by blocking a type of cancerous substances called nitrosamines. The limonoids or small phytonutrients present within lemon rinds would act in the same way.

5. ANTISEPTIC

Lemons act as a potent antiseptic by helping scarring.

6. PREVENTION OF DISEASES

A number of studies have been able to demonstrate how lemons aid in the prevention of degenerative, cardiovascular and eye diseases.

7. ANTIINFLAMATORY

The presence of antioxidants such as flavonoids, reduce pain and inflammation.

8. BLOOD PRESSURE

The elements present within lemons help to prevent high blood pressure by acting as diuretics.

9. PECTIN

Pectin is another element present within lemons. This soluble fibre decreases cholesterol and glucose levels, whilst also feeding the good bacteria present within our intestinal flora.

10. IRON ABSORPTION

The Vitamin C present in lemons help us to absorb the iron present within vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables such as spinach, watercress, swiss chard, etc. Pouring a small quantity of lemon juice on top of these vegetables, helps the body to absorb their nutrients much more effectively.

OTHER BENEFITS OF LEMON

IN TEA

Lemon is usually used to treat colds and coughs due to their anti-inflammatory properties. It is prepared using hot water and honey.

DIARRHOEAS

Lemons are used as a component of alkaline lemonade to combat the dehydration caused by diarrhoea. It is prepared by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of baking soda, half a teaspoon of sugar and the juice of two lemons into a litre of boiled or bottled water. This lemonade is drunk in small sips until the diarrhoea improves.

In addition to all of the uses explored within this article, it is also important to add that lemons can also be used as salad dressings and in the elaboration of meals, desserts, juices, sorbets, sherbets, etc. Lemon sorbets and sherbets can be used to aid the digestion of large meals.

Lemons are a source of health. 

Dr. J. Hurtado Martinez

Medical Director of HealthSalus

IS IT A COLD OR THE FLU? COMMON SYMPTOMS AND DIFFERENCES.

The terms cold and flu are incorrectly used in everyday language. 

This tends to happen because the differences are minimal but important.

FLU

The flu is a viral infectious disease that is commonly characterised for its sudden emergence during the winter season.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms are:

• High fever. Higher than 38 degrees.
• Intense headache.
• Joint pain.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Sore throat.
• Blocked nose.
• Cough.

TREATMENT

• Bed rest for a week
• Ensure that you are well hydrated by drinking hot drinks and by taking medication to reduce the fever and the pain.

COMPLICATIONS

The most serious complications that can arise from having suffered the flu are bronchitis and pneumonias.

PRECAUTIONS

Pregnant women, diabetics, people that have low immune systems or that suffer from chronic pulmonary diseases have take precautions to avoid contracting the flu.

COLD

The cold is also a viral disease that is commonly contracted during the winter season.

SYMPTOMS

• A number of symptoms are different to those of the flu.
• Heavy secretions from the nose.
• Sneezes.
• A fever that is not higher than 38 degrees.
• A headache, however it is not as intense as the one that is experienced when suffering from the flu.
• Tiredness that does not prevent you from fulfilling daily activities.

These symptoms slowly emerge and last from three to seven days. 

TREATMENT

Hydration, hot drinks and pain killers.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST CONTAGION

Both viruses are spread from person to person via saliva droplets that we expel when we talk, whether we see them or not.

The virus can also be spread when the sufferer coughs, sneezes, places their hand over their mouth or touches objects with their contaminated hands.

Preventive measures:

• Use disposable tissues
• Never cough or sneeze over your hands, always on your arm.
• Regularly wash your hands and never greet someone with them if you have a cold or the flu.
• Thoroughly clean the surfaces that everybody touches such as doorknobs, wardrobes, tables, toilets, etc.
• Maintain a high level of hygiene, especially where pregnant women, children and people that suffer from chronic illnesses or are immunosuppressed are present.
• Vaccines to be administered to as many people as possible, mainly to older people and people that suffer from chronic illnesses.
• Maintain a varied diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants, which are present in fruits and vegetables. 

PINEAPPLE. A JEWEL OF THE TROPICS.

Pineapple is a fruit that originated from South America; it has a sweet taste and various important properties.

PROPERTIES

• The pineapple is a fruit low in calories and with a high proportion of water. This high proportion of water present within their composition allows us to maintain ourselves hydrated at all times of the year, especially during the summer.
• Pineapple also favours diuresis thereby improving the work that our kidneys do in order to eliminate toxins from our body.
• It gives us more energy due to its richness in carbohydrates.
• This fruit also contains various sugars, mainly fructose and sucrose, which gives it its sweet taste that takes away that craving for foods rich in refined sugars when its eaten as a desert.

VITAMIN C

• Pineapple has high levels of Vitamin C.
• This vitamin is necessary to activate the immune system thereby increasing the defences of our organism.
• This vitamin also contributes to the absorption of iron that is present within various foods such as meat, fish, vegetables, etc.
• Vitamin C also affects the creation of collagen, which is a protein that affects the formation of bones, cartilages and teeth.
• Vitamin C is also a very potent antioxidant that protects us against free radicals that cause aging and degenerative diseases associated with age.

OTHER VITAMINS

Pineapples also contain Vitamin A in a smaller proportion, which enables us to have good eyesight.

Other vitamins from group B are also present within this fruit and together collaborate with other functions to ensure that our nervous system works effectively.

POTASSIUM

Pineapple is one of the fruits with the highest richness of this mineral.

Potassium also participates in the regulation of blood pressure; which is why people with this pathology are recommended to eat it.

Potassium is also a mineral that intervenes in cardiac and muscular contraction.

This mineral also has an important part to play in the transmission of nerve impulses.

MAGNESIUM

Magnesium is also another mineral that can be found within pineapples and that affect the formation of bones and teeth. It also intervenes within muscular contractions and in the transmission of nerve impulses alongside potassium.

This mineral also participates in the regulation of other minerals present within pineapples such as calcium.

FIBRE

• The fibre that can found within this fruit is a good food source for microbiota or the intestinal flora, thereby generating a feeling of fullness. This fibre also causes the sugars present within the fruit to slowly get absorbed into the blood as well as decreasing the absorption of cholesterol and fats.
• Additionally, it also helps to improve intestinal transit thereby countering constipation.

BROMELAIN

Bromelain is a natural enzyme that is present within pineapples that helps to digest the proteins of the foods rich in them such as meat, fish, eggs, legumes, etc. thereby helping us to have a good digestion.

In conclusion, we want to highlight that even though pineapples form a part of a variety of gastronomic plates, the fruit retains the majority of its properties especially vitamin C and bromelain, in its unaltered state as these two substances are destroyed by heat.

Dr. J Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus