DR.PE.ABRAHAM
is a renowned Integrative & Complementary Medicine Consultant, specializing in the management of asthma and other allergic diseases.
A.A.A.R.C. SPECIALISATIONS
Allergic Rhinitis
Overview:–
Allergic rhinitis is a collection of symptoms, mostly in the nose and eyes, which occur when you breathe in something you are allergic to, such as dust, dander, or pollen.
Dr Abraham states that Allergic rhinitis can be an early indication of Asthma. Invariably ninety nine percent of patients who suffer from rhinitis will develop Bronchial Asthma later in their life.
Causes:-
An allegen is something that triggers an allergy. When a person with allergic rhinitis breathes in an allergen such as pollen or dust, the bordy releases chemicals, including histamine. This causes allergy symptoms such as itching, swelling, and mucus production.
Some disorders may be associated with allergies. These include eczema and asthma.
Symptoms:-
Symptoms that occur shortly after you come into contact with the substance you are allergic to may include:
- Itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
- Problems with smell
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Tearing eyes
Symptoms that may develop later include:-
- Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
- Coughing
- Clogged ears and decreased sense of smell
- Sore throat
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Puffiness under the eyes
- Fatigue and irritability
- Headache
- Memory problems aSnd slowed thinking
Arthritis
Overview:-
Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation (swelling) of the joints and bones. Almost in all cases of Arthritis, there is a source of infection which leads to toxins which is responsible for Arthritis.The main symptoms of arthritis include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Restricted movements of the joints
- Inflammation and swelling
- Warmth and redness of the skin over the joint
Types:-
The most common forms of arthritis are:
- osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis:-
In people affected by osteoarthritis, the cartilage (connective tissue) between their bones gradually wastes away (degenerates), leading to painful rubbing of bone on bone in the joints. The most frequently affected joints are in the:
- hands
- spine
- knees
- hips
Osteoarthritis often develops in people who are over 50 years of age. However, it can develop at any age as a result of an injury or another joint-related condition.
The cause of osteoarthritis is not fully understood. One theory is that some people are genetically predisposed to developing osteoarthritis, which means that they have an increased likelihood of inheriting it from their parents. However, this theory has not yet been proven.
Rheumatoid arthritis:-
Rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe, but less common, form of arthritis than osteoarthritis. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the affected joints, causing pain and swelling to occur. This can lead to a reduction in movement and the breakdown of bone and cartilage.
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a fault in the immune system (the body’s natural defence against illness and infection) that makes the body attack its own tissues. The fault may be inherited genetically (passed on from a family member).
Coping with arthritis:-
There are things that you can do to manage your condition, ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life. For example:
- Controlling your weight can help to ease pressure on joints.
- Avoiding stress or injury to your joints can help to prevent or reduce the severity of osteoarthritis.
- Good posture can strengthen healthy joint structure.
- Physiotherapy and use of a walking stick or cane can help prevent worsening of existing conditions.
- Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, will help to prevent osteoarthritis by increasing the strength of muscles that support your joints. It’s not true that avoiding exercise will help reduce joint problems in later life.
Asthma
Overview:-
Asthma is a long-term condition that can cause a cough, wheezing and breathlessness. The severity of the symptoms varies from person to person.
Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways. These are the small tubes, called bronchi, which carry air in and out of the lungs. If you have asthma, the bronchi will be inflamed and more sensitive than normal. When you come into contact with something that irritates your lungs, known as a trigger, your airways become narrow, the muscles around them tighten and there is an increase in the production of sticky mucus (phlegm). This makes it difficult to breathe and causes wheezing and coughing. It may also make your chest feel tight.
A severe onset of symptoms is known as an asthma attack.
Common triggers:-
A trigger is anything that irritates the airways and brings on the symptoms of asthma. These differ from person to person and people with asthma may have several triggers.
Common triggers include diet, house dust mites, pollen, tobacco smoke, exercise, and wet-cold air (high humidity) and chest infections.
Symptoms:-
The symptoms of asthma include:
- feeling breathless (you may gasp for breath)
- a tight chest, like a band tightening around it
- wheezing, which makes a whistling sound when you breathe
- coughing, particularly at night and early morning
- attacks triggered by exercise, exposure to allergens and other triggers
You may have one or more of these symptoms. Symptoms that are worse during the night or with exercise can mean that asthma is getting worse.
Asthma in Children:–
In recent years, there has been a worldwide increase in the number of children with asthma. This trend has been linked to environmental factors, including air pollution. However, it is important to understand that indoor triggers can play just as much of a role as outdoor triggers in bringing on an asthma attack. It is a shocking scenario that the cases of paediatric asthma are growing in India as well and calls for early diagnosis, treatment and management among children.
In children, an asthma attack can appear suddenly with severe symptoms. For this reason, it is important that asthma be diagnosed and treated correctly. Dr Abraham assures that ninety nine percent of the paediatric asthma cases are completely curable with the cooperation from parents. His eminent professional experience of last thirty years gives evidence for this assurance.
According to Dr Abraham, the only complications in the case of adult Asthma are the patient’s history of smoking, industrial dust exposure, other diseases, etc. Even in the most complicated cases of Asthma in adults, Dr Abraham has offered and provided the best management in the world.
Asthma and Humidity:-
There is a significant positive correlation between the humid nature and Asthma. Asthma and humidity should not be put together as these two things can really damage your body. The growing number of people suffering from Asthma and Allergic diseases in Kerala is a contribution of the high humidity existing here.
Bronchitis
Overview:-
Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), which causes them to become inflamed. The main symptom of bronchitis is a cough, which may bring up yellow-grey mucus. Bronchitis may also cause a sore throat, wheezing and a blocked nose.
Anyone can be affected by bronchitis, although smokers and people who work with substances that can irritate the lungs, such as grains or textiles, are more likely to get it.
Types:
Bronchitis is usually a mild and self-limiting condition. Self-limiting means that it clears up by itself, usually within a couple of weeks. This is known as acute bronchitis as it lasts for only a short period of time.
However, in some cases, the damage caused by the infection of the bronchi can become permanent, causing the condition to be more severe and long lasting. If the infection lasts longer than three months, it is known as chronic bronchitis.
Symptoms of Acute Bronchitis:-
Hacking Cough
A tight feeling in the chest
Breathlessness
Wheezing
Sore throat
Slight fever and chills
Headaches
Blocked nose and sinuses
Aches and pains
Symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis:-
- Cough is very severe or lasts longer than three weeks
- Having a constant fever for more than three days
- Cough up mucus streaked with blood
- Develop rapid breathing (more than 30 breaths a minute) or chest pains
- Become drowsy or confused
- Have had repeated bouts of bronchitis
- Having an underlying heart or lung condition, such as asthma, emphysema (damage to the small airways in the lungs), Congestive heart failure (weakness in the heart that leads to fluid in lungs) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (long-term lung damage)
Colitis
Overview:-
Ulcerative colitis is a long-term (chronic) condition affecting the colon. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain a frequent need to go to the toilet and weight loss.
The colon, also known as the large intestine, absorbs nutrients from undigested food and passes out waste products through the rectum and anus in stools (faeces). Ulcerative colitis causes the colon to become inflamed (swollen) and in severe cases, ulcers (painful sores) may form on the lining of the colon. These ulcers can bleed and produce mucus and pus.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis can range from mild to severe, with the condition being very unpredictable. Symptoms can flare up and then disappear (go into remission) for months or even years.
Symptoms:-
The symptoms of the condition can vary, depending on how much of the colon is affected and the level of inflammation. Symptoms are often worse first thing in the morning.
Common symptoms include:-
- Abdominal pain,
- Bloody diarrhoea with mucus
There may also be:-
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Low back ache
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Anaemia
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Weight-loss
- A constant desire to empty the bowels
Eczema
Overview:-
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes the skin to become itchy, reddened, dry and cracked. Atopic eczema is the most common form of eczema, and mainly affects children. The exact cause of atopic eczema is unknown, but it often occurs in people who are prone to allergies.
Atopic eczema can vary in severity. Some people are only mildly affected and have small areas of dry skin, which are occasionally itchy. Others may experience more severe symptoms, such as cracked, sore and bleeding skin.
People with severe eczema often find that it has a significant impact on their daily lives. It may be difficult to deal with, both physically and psychologically. However, there are many different treatments that can help control symptoms and manage the eczema.
Symptoms:-
The symptoms of atopic eczema may always be present, but during a flare-up they will worsen and you may need more intense treatment.
Atopic eczema can cause your skin to become:
- Dry,
- Itchy,
- Red,
- Broken,
- Thickened and
- Cracked.
During a flare-up, your skin may be:
- Extremely itchy, red, hot, dry and scaly,
- Wet, weeping and swollen, and
- Infected with bacteria (usually staphylococcus).
Broken skin can commonly lead to secondary infections, which are unpleasant and in severe cases may be difficult to treat. Eye complications of atopic eczema include conjunctivae irritation, and less commonly, conjunctivitis and cataracts.
Irritable Bowel Syndrom
Irritable Bowel Syndrom
Overview:- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic (long-term) disorder that affects the digestive system. It causes abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation.
Symptoms of IBS:The most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are:
For reasons that are not completely understood, IBS can also cause symptoms in other parts of your body, as well as in your bowel. These symptoms include:
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Migraine
Overview:-
Migraine is a very painful type of headache. People who get migraines often describe the pain as pulsing or throbbing in one area of the head. During migraines, people are very sensitive to light and sound. They may also become nauseated and vomit.
Migraine is three times more common in women than in men. Many things can trigger a migraine. These include anxiety, stress, lack of food or sleep, exposure to light and hormonal changes (in women).
Symptoms:-
Migraine Symptoms include a severe headache that occurs usually on one side of the head but sometimes can be on both sides of the head but it is very rare. There is a vast difference between the ordinary headache and migraine. Other migraine symptoms include a sensitivity to light, vomiting, nausea and sensitivity towards any kind of sound.
A person suffering from migraines will always like to relax in the dark and quiet place and most of the times relief can be obtained only when vomiting takes place. It is a recurring condition which has no fixed timings or periods but can occur even in sleep.
Myositis
Overview:
Myositis (inflammatory) is the popular term used to describe a number of inflammatory myopathies:
These diseases cause swelling and loss of muscle. Inflammatory myopathies are thought to be autoimmune diseases, meaning the body’s immune system, which normally fights infections and viruses, is misdirected and attacks the body’s own normal, healthy tissue through inflammation, or swelling. All of these diseases can cause muscle weakness, but each type is different.
- Muscle weakness, sometimes with muscle pain
- General tiredness and fatigue
- Trouble climbing stairs, standing from a seated position, or reaching up.
Psoriasis
Overview:
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. The condition is not infectious and most people are affected only in small patches on their body.
The severity of psoriasis varies greatly from person to person. For some people it is just a minor irritation, but for others it has a major impact on their quality of life.
There are several different types of psoriasis. Normally, people have only one form of psoriasis at a time, although two different types can occur together. One type may change to another type or may become more severe.
Some Common Types and Symptoms:
- Plaque psoriasis:
Its symptoms are dry, red skin lesions, known as plaques that are covered in silver scales. They normally appear on your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back but can appear anywhere on your body. The plaques can be itchy, sore or both. In severe cases, the skin around your joints may crack and bleed.
- Guttate psoriasis:
This normally occurs following a streptococcal throat infection and is more common among children and teenagers. It causes small (less than 1cm or 1/3 inch) drop-shaped sores on your chest, arms, legs and scalp.
- Scalp psoriasis:
This can occur on parts of your scalp or on the whole scalp. It causes red patches of skin covered in thick silvery-white scales. Some people find scalp psoriasis extremely itchy, while others have no discomfort. In extreme cases it can cause hair loss, although this is usually only temporary.
- Nail psoriasis:
This affects your nails, causing them to develop tiny dents or pits, become discoloured and grow abnormally. Often nails can become loose and separate from your nail bed. In severe cases, your nails may crumble.
- Inverse (flexural) psoriasis:
This affects areas of the skin that are in folds or creases, such as the armpits, groin and the skin between the buttocks and under the breasts. It can cause large, smooth red patches in some or all of these areas. Inverse psoriasis is made worse by friction and sweating, so it can be particularly uncomfortable in hot weather.
Sinusitis
Overview:-
Sinusitis is inflammation (swelling) of the lining of the sinuses, caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Sinusitis typically causes a high temperature, pain and tenderness in the face, and a blocked or runny nose. It is a common condition and can affect people of any age.
Types:-
Sinusitis is classed as either:-
- Acute, when it develops quickly (over a few days) following a cold or flu and clears up within 12 weeks, or
- chronic, when symptoms last for more than 12 weeks.
Chronic sinusitis is common and can sometimes last for many months.
Symptoms:-
The most common symptoms of sinusitis include:-
- A blocked or runny nose. If your nose produces green or yellow mucus, you probably have a bacterial infection.
- Pain and tenderness in the face (near the infected sinuses). You may experience a throbbing pain that is worse when you move your head, and toothache or pain in your jaw when you eat.
- A high temperature.
Other possible symptoms include:-
- Tiredness,
- Headache,
- Cough,
- Bad breath (halitosis),
- Pressure in your ears,
- Loss of taste and smell, and
- A feeling of being generally unwell.
Spondylosis
The two types of Spondylosis are cervical and lumbar. From his immense experience of last thirty years, Dr Abraham has found that a chronic infection and inflammation in the body are responsible for cervical and lumbar spondylosis. Hence the most important phase in the treatment is finding out the root cause of the infection and removing it.
Cervical Spondylosis
Overview:-
Cervical spondylosis is a disorder in which there is abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones of the neck. This is also called cervical osteoarthritis.
Causes:-
Cervical spondylosis is caused by chronic wearing away of the cervical spine, including the cushions between the neck vertebrae (cervical disks) and the joints between the bones of the cervical spine. There may be abnormal growths or “spurs” on the bones of the spine (vertebrae).
These changes can, over time, press down on one or more of the nerve roots. In advanced cases, the spinal cord becomes involved. This can affect not just the arms, but the legs as well.
The major risk factor is aging. By age 60, most women and men show signs of cervical spondylosis on x-ray. Other factors that can make a person more likely to develop spondylosis are:
Symptoms:-
Symptoms often develop slowly over time, but may start suddenly.
More common symptoms are:
- Neck pain (may radiate to the arms or shoulder)
- Neck stiffness that gets worse over time
- Loss of sensation or abnormal sensations in the shoulders, arms, or (rarely) legs
- Weakness of the arms or (rarely) legs
- Headaches, particularly in the back of the head
Less common symptoms are:-
- Loss of balance
- Loss of control over the bladder or bowels (if spinal cord is compressed)
Complications:-
Some common complications of cervical spondylosis are:
- chronic neck pain
- progressive loss of muscle function or feeling
- inability to retain faeces
- urinary incontinence
- Lumbar Spondylosis
Overview:-
Lumbar spondylosis is the degeneration of the nerves in the lower part of the body that reduces the ability of the involved segment to proceed through its normal range of motion. The common Symptoms of Lumbar Spondylosis are recognized to be back pain and stiffness of the lower region of the body.
Causes:-
Lumbar spondylosis is a disease which affects an individual in the later life. The major factors that are held responsible for the development of lumbar spondylosis can be concluded as: old age, obesity, sitting for prolonged periods, Prior injury and Heredity. As a person ages the healing ability of the body decreases and developing arthritis at that time makes the disease progress faster. It is seen that persons reaching over 40 years of age are more prone to developing lumbar spondylosis.
Excessive weight also plays a foremost role in causing Lumbar spondylosis. Overweight puts excess load on the joints as the lumbar region carries most of the body`s weight, making a person prone to lumbar spondylosis. Other factors such as sitting in one position for prolonged time puts pressure on the lumbar vertebrae and highlight the risk of developing the disease.
Symptoms:-
Symptoms of Lumbar Spondylosis depend on where the spine is affected by spondylosis or spinal osteoarthritis. These symptoms range from mild to severe and may become chronic or even disabling.
- Frequent Pain
- Morning low back stiffness
- Pain that decreases with rest or after exercise
- Low back tenderness or numbness
- Sciatica (mild to intense leg pain)
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the low back, legs, or feet
- Difficulty in walking
- Bowel or bladder problems
Tonsilitis
Overview:-
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat. There may be several other symptoms such as coughing, headaches and a fever. Tonsillitis can be caused by either a virus or bacteria, although most cases are viral. The incubation period (the time between picking up the infection and symptoms starting to appear) is usually two to four days.
Tonsillitis can spread from person to person through hand contact (then touching your mouth with contaminated hands), breathing in the airborne droplets after someone with tonsillitis has sneezed or sharing the utensils or toothbrush of an infected person. Children and adolescents aged 5-15 years old are most likely to get tonsillitis, but it can affect anyone.
Based on his vast experience in the field of Disease Management, Dr Abraham has observed that Chronic Tonsillitis affecting people with low immunity may later be developed as Asthma. Children with recurrent sneezing, sore-throat, throat pain or tonsillitis may soon develop asthma especially if there is a family history.
Symptoms:-
The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat. Other common symptoms include:-
- Red and swollen tonsils,
- Pain when swallowing,
- High temperature (fever) over 38°C,
- Coughing,
- Headache,
- Tiredness,
- Pain in your ears or neck,
- White pus-filled spots on your tonsils, and
- Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in your neck.
Less common symptoms of tonsillitis may include:-
- Vomiting,
- Constipation,
- A ‘furry’ tongue,
- Bad breath, and
- Difficulty opening your mouth.
Urticaria
Overview:
Urticaria is a raised, red, itchy rash that appears on the skin. The raised marks in the rash are called weal. Each weal is short-lived, but the rash can move about. The rash normally disappears after a few days, but can sometimes last longer.
When urticaria lasts less than six weeks, it is described as acute. If it occurs daily, or more or less daily, for six weeks it is called chronic urticaria.
Acute urticaria is a common condition, and it affects one in five people at some point in their life. It is more likely to affect children. Chronic urticaria is much rarer, and affects one in every 1,000 people.
Symptoms:-
Most episodes of urticaria peak between 8 to 12 hours, then stop after 24 hours. The weal of urticaria is raised, and pink or red in colour. They are usually very itchy and range in size from a few millimetres to the size of a hand.
Individual weal normally fades after a few hours, but can be replaced by new ones elsewhere on the body. They may appear on just one part of the body or across a large part of it. The skin returns to normal as soon as the weal fades.
Types:
Urticaria vasculitis:-
Urticaria vasculitis is a rare form of this condition. The weal is tender, last more than 24 hours and leave a bruise. They need to be urgently looked at by a dermatologist (skin specialist).
Angioedema:-
Around half of people with chronic (persistent) urticaria and a quarter of people with acute (short-term) urticaria also get a related condition called Angioedema.
Angioedema is swelling in the deeper layers of the skin, usually in the eyelids, lips and sometimes the mouth, although it can occur anywhere. Angioedema causes a burning sensation but is not usually itchy. It usually clears within a few days.