Monthly Archives: February 2024

Unmasking Vitiligo: Understanding Its Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options

Unmasking Vitiligo: Understanding Its Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options

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Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition that causes skin patches to lose color or pigments. This loss of skin color results in white or light-coloured irregular patches in the affected areas, contrasting starkly with the surrounding areas. These irregular white patches can draw unwanted attention, leading to self-consciousness, social anxiety, and embarrassment.

“Vitiligo is a skin condition that has been studied for decades now. But this disease captured the global spotlight when pop icon Michael Jackson was diagnosed with Vitiligo. This global recognition, while it improved awareness, also brought a fair share of misconceptions, negative perceptions, and unwanted stigma about the vitiligo disease,” says skin specialist in Karimnagar Dr. B. Jyothi.

The lack of awareness affects how people treat those with Vitiligo, leading to neglect of medical help. These misconceptions can make people ignore the need for treatment and support, making it harder for those with Vitiligo to get the care they need.

So in this blog, with inputs from the best skin doctor in Karimnagar, Dr B Jyothi, we help you improve your awareness about Vitiligo by delving into the causes, symptoms, and other frequently asked questions about Vitiligo. Read on:

What causes Vitiligo?

The exact cause of Vitiligo is still yet to be found. Vitiligo researchers state that it is a combination of the following factors:

Genetics: A family history of Vitiligo can increase the risk of developing the condition.

Environmental Factors: Stress, sunburn, and certain chemical compounds can trigger Vitiligo in individuals vulnerable to the condition.

Autoimmune Conditions: In rare cases, the body may attack the melanocytes, mistaking them for foreign pathogens, resulting in the destruction of the pigment-producing cells and leading to Vitiligo.

Is Vitiligo contagious in nature?

“Vitiligo is not contagious. It does not spread from person to person through any form of physical contact,” says skin specialist Dr. B. Jyothi in Karimnagar.

What are the symptoms of Vitiligo?

Irregular white patches on the skin varying in size are the primary symptoms of Vitiligo. These patches can appear anywhere on the body but are more common in areas exposed to sunlight, such as the face, hands, feet, and other openings like the eyes and mouth.

Premature greying of hair can also occur in individuals with Vitiligo. Sometimes, the tissues inside the mouth or nose may be discoloured. If any of these symptoms appear, it is strongly advised that you consult the best dermatology clinic in Karimnagar as soon as possible for swift intervention.

Does Vitiligo spread on the body? What can one do to minimize the spread?

Vitiligo usually results from the destruction of pigment-producing cells, leading to enlarged patches on the skin. While Vitiligo does not spread at the pace of infection, it gradually spreads over time. Once it begins to spread, minimizing or stopping its progression can be challenging.

“Adopting strong sun protection, reducing stress, maintaining a balanced diet, using topical treatments, and undergoing phototherapy are some practices that can help minimize or stop the spread of vitiligo,” according to skin specialist Dr. B. Jyothi in Karimnagar.

Is there a cure for Vitiligo? How is Vitiligo treated?

While there is no permanent cure for Vitiligo, there are specific treatment options that can improve the appearance of the skin and help manage the condition:

  1. Phototherapy: Controlled doses of UV light stimulate melanin production, reducing the appearance of depigmented skin. Regular sessions of phototherapy have shown satisfactory outcomes in patients with widespread Vitiligo.
  2. Medications: Certain medications can target the triggers of Vitiligo, slowing down its progression. Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation and immune suppressants are commonly used in vitiligo treatment.
  3. Surgery:In rare cases, surgical procedures such as skin grafting or pigment cell transplantation may be recommended to treat Vitiligo.
  4. Depigmentation Therapy:Depigmentation therapy involves lightening the remaining pigmented skin to achieve an even skin tone. This approach is irreversible and requires careful consideration by a dermatologist specializing in Vitiligo.

It’s important to note that the treatment for Vitiligo always depends on the specific case of the disease, its severity, and the patient’s expectations. For more information about Vitiligo and its treatment options, consulting a dermatologist specializing in Vitiligo is recommended.

If you are in Karimnagar and still searching for the “best dermatologist near me” on Google for assistance, you can directly head to Lalitha Chest and Skin Hospital for consultations. Dr. B. Jyothi, an expert dermatologist with expertise and a track record in treating vitiligo cases, can provide the proper assistance and treatment for this long-term skin condition. You can contact her for further information: https://lalithachestandskinhospital.com/

Breathe Easy: A Comprehensive Look at Spirometry, IOS, 6MWT, and FeNo for Lung Health Monitoring

Breathe Easy: A Comprehensive Look at Spirometry, IOS, 6MWT, and FeNo for Lung Health Monitoring

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Our breath is a life force that energizes us and propels us forward. But for millions around the world, chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, and interstitial lung diseases create breathing problems and rob them of the joy of long, energizing breaths.

These lung conditions hide in stealth and slowly grow to restrict airflow, creating respiratory problems. “In Karimnagar alone, there has been a rapid rise of COPD, asthma, and other respiratory issues. At our Lalitha Chest and Skin Clinic in Karimnagar, we have diagnosed and treated various respiratory conditions in 2023,” says Dr. Raj Kumar Korra, Karimnagar’s best chest and lung doctor.

As mentioned above, respiratory issues don’t always present themselves clearly, making early diagnosis and treatment crucial. Breathing problems can become serious health complications, affecting sleep quality, heart health, and mental well-being. Early detection and intervention are critical to halting these issues in their tracks.

“The problem lies in the difficulty of detecting some respiratory conditions with traditional methods,” says Dr. Raj Kumar Korra, a pulmonologist in Karimnagar. “Fortunately, advanced methods exist to delve deeper and illuminate even the most invisible conditions.”

In this blog, with his insights, we’ll delve into four of the most advanced lung health monitoring and diagnostic tests available to the public.

1. Spirometry: The Gold Standard of Lung Health Monitoring 

Spirometry, as mentioned, is a standard procedure used to measure the volume and flow of air inhaled and exhaled. It is an essential test for diagnosing and monitoring respiratory disorders like asthma, COPD, and interstitial lung diseases.

Procedure: The patient is asked to blow forcefully into the connected mouthpiece attached to the machine that records specific breathing patterns. The method is simple, non-invasive, and only takes about 15 minutes. 

 If you are from Karimnagar and your doctor has recommended a spirometry test, and you are searching Google for “spirometry test near me,” please get in touch with Lalitha Chest and Skin Hospital in Karimnagar.

Lung specialist Dr. Raj Kumar Korra about Spirometry: 

“Spirometry helps in the early detection of lung issues and assists in distinguishing between different respiratory conditions with overlapping symptoms. It also measures the severity of lung impairments and monitors lung progress over time.”

2. Impulse Oscillometry System (IOS): Shed Light On the Hidden Clues

The Impulse Oscillometry System is a relatively new yet promising lung breathing test that measures air resistance and reactance at various frequencies. This test provides critical insights into minor airway dysfunction that our spirometry test may miss. It is an advanced test that picks up the clues that may be left behind in detecting asthma and COPD, particularly in children.

Procedure: The patient wears nose clips and usually breathes Lung Health into a mouthpiece connected to the device. The insights are drawn automatically by the system and are presented. The test is fast, painless, and doesn’t take more than 10 minutes.

Chest and Lung Doctor Dr. Raj Kumar Korra about Impulse Oscillometry System (IOS):

“The Impulse Oscillometry System is an advanced lung monitoring test that identifies even the most hidden clues of COPD and asthma, particularly in children. It identifies problems beforehand, aids in differentiating between different respiratory conditions, tracks changes in small airway function over time, and helps identify the risk of asthma flare-ups.

3. 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT): Evaluates Functional Limitations of Lungs 

As the name suggests, the 6-Minute Walk Test is a simple assessment of exercise capacity and functional limitations caused by chronic respiratory or other conditions. This pulmonary lung function test involves walking for six minutes along a standard course.

Procedure: The patient walks back and forth on a 30-meter course for approximately 6 minutes at his own pace. As mentioned, 6MWT is a non-invasive lung functioning test that takes about 10 minutes.

Lung doctor Dr Raj Kumar Korra about the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

“The 6MWT is a functional test that determines the patient’s exercise capacity. It provides insights into respiratory issues and can also help predict conditions like heart failure in some cases.”

4. Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO): Unveils Airway Inflammation

FeNO is a diagnostic test that measures nitric oxide (NO) in a patient’s exhaled breath. Increased NO levels indicate inflammation of the airways, which is a sign of asthma.

Procedure:

The patient breathes into the mouthpiece for a few seconds, and the medical apparatus analyses and does the rest. It is quick, painless, and takes less than 5 minutes.

Lung Doctor Dr. Raj Kumar Korra about FeNO:

“FeNO is an advanced diagnostic test that is particularly helpful in asthma diagnosis in children when the symptoms are vague and unclear. It helps us identify individuals with severe risk in asthma, assess the effectiveness of our treatment approaches, and even helps us craft a personalized treatment plan for asthma.”

While the above-advanced lung diagnostic tests significantly help identify and evaluate respiratory and lung disorders, they are most effective when combined with clinical history and physical examination. So, to treat your lung and respiratory problems, you are always advised to consult a qualified lung doctor for his suggestions and recommendations.

If you are in Karimnagar and are looking for a lung doctor in Karimnagar. In that case, Pulmonologist Dr. Raj Kumar Korra is the best lung doctor in Karimnagar, and our Lalitha Chest and Skin Hospital offers all the above diagnostic tests. So even if you are looking for “lung test near me” on Google, you save your time by directly contacting them. Learn more about the tests and services we offer here: https://lalithachestandskinhospital.com/pulmonology-services/