Tag Archives: stroke

8 Things You Can do To Help Prevent a Stroke

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According to the CDC, stoke is the fifth leading cause of death in America, claiming over 130,000 lives annually. While there is no sure-fire way to ensure you will never have a stroke, there are several things you can do to decrease your modifiable risk factors for stroke, drastically lessening your chance of experiencing one. Things like age, ethnicity and genetics cannot be changed, but let’s take a look at the things that are within your control to change in order to help lower your risk of having a stroke:

  1. Keep those numbers down – Are your blood pressure and cholesterol a little on the higher side? You should work at bringing those numbers down to the normal zone, as they can be key contributors to stroke, as well as heart attacks.
  2. Wine more (in moderation) – drinking too much alcohol (an average of 2 or more glasses daily), will significantly raise your risk of stroke. However, studies show that drinking one glass of red wine daily or a few times weekly may actually help lower your risk of stroke (a substance in red wine called resveratrol seems to play a part in stroke prevention).
  3. Get off the couch! Leading a sedentary lifestyle raises your risk of developing a stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, as well as other serious conditions. Activity is an integral part of any balanced, healthy lifestyle, so get out there and find your favorite exercise activity today!
  4. Shed those extra lbs – Carrying extra weight also compounds the risks of being sedentary, so if you have both those things going on, try to shed those pounds as you get more active!
  5. Quit smoking – Smoking is linked with many life-threatening conditions, and stroke is no exception. Your risk of having a stroke is also significantly raised if you are a smoker.
  6. Manage other health conditions – Uncontrolled diabetes or heart conditions can also lead to a stoke because of the added strain placed on the body when things like blood sugar or blood pressure aren’t controlled. Also, those with atrial fibrillation (a type of arrhythmia) should ensure their condition is well managed as it can also add to your risk of having a stroke.
  7. Lower your stress – Chronic stress isn’t good for anyone in any way. Perpetually spiking cortisol and adrenaline levels appear have a part to play when it comes to stroke risk as well as many other health conditions (as does depression). So, try to find a stress management plan that works best for you today, or talk to a doctor if you think you are depressed.
  8. Tweak your diet – Just as it is important to get enough exercise to help ward off scary medical emergencies like a stroke, your diet plays an equally as essential role. High cholesterol foods like burgers, cheese and heavy creams should only be eaten as treats, and you should concentrate more on produce, fish and whole grains to lower your health risks.

Thus concludes our look at stroke prevention, thanks for visiting DocChat!

Heart Matters – OTC Meds That Can Exacerbate Heart Problems

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If you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure) or a type of cardiovascular disease, you have to live strategically to ensure a long and healthy life. That means making changes such as avoiding certain foods, getting more exercise, limiting drinking and smoking, but the caution doesn’t end there. Certain OTC medications and supplements can dangerously exasperate existing heart problems by raising blood pressure or causing interactions with heart medications, and the results could be deadly. Some medications to watch out for include:

  1. Phenylephrine-containing medications – such as certain allergy medications or hemorrhoid creams shrink blood vessels, thereby interfering with heart or stroke medications.
  2. NSAIDs – such as naproxen, ibuprofen or toradol can significantly increase blood pressure, putting you at a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
  3. Decongestants – can both raise blood pressure and decrease the effectiveness of heart medications, largely because they may contain a mixture of NSAIDs and pseudoephedrine. Talk to your doctor before trying sinus or cold and flu decongestants.
  4. Migraine medications – bring pain down by constricting blood vessels in your head, which could contribute to the risk of heart attack or stroke.
  5. Some antibiotics – research illustrates that macrolide antibiotics such as azithromycin can actually change the electrical impulses of the heart, causing rapid heart rate or even an arrhythmia. Be sure to ask your doctor what kind of antibiotic would be better for your condition if you have an infection and also take heart medications.

Supplements:

If you have a heart condition (especially if you take heart medications) you should be extremely careful with vitamins and dietary supplements as they are not closely regulated by the FDA like medications are. Many can interfere with how well your medication will work or may worsen a heart condition. While there a few that have proven to be beneficial to the heart such as fish oil (though it is better to obtain it naturally through a diet rich in fatty fish and nuts), many supplements can cause serious problems. Some of the worst offenders that can speed up blood pressure or interact with medications are:

  • Weight loss supplements
  • John’s Wort
  • Garlic
  • Glucosamine
  • Ginseng
  • Evening primrose oil
  • Danshen
  • Dong quai

This isn’t a comprehensive list, so be sure to talk to your doctor and pharmacist before trying any OTC medications or supplements as you never know the damage they may do to an already weak heart. Thanks for visiting DocChat! If you have any health concerns, our excellent board certified doctors are standing by 24/7/365.

 

 

 

6 Scary Reasons for Men To Stop Avoiding the Doc (Part 1)

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According to the CDC, women are 33% more likely to visit the doctor regularly or when health concerns arise than men are. Most men skip annual physicals year after year, thinking “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”. This is a dangerous mentality, as many diseases that commonly strike men creep in silently and gradually, with few or no symptoms (until it is too late). So, while many men may feel invincible to disease, the reality is they are anything but. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common diseases to afflict (and kill) men:

  1. Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, striking 1 in every 4 American men. According to the CDC, between 70-80% of heart attacks and other cardiac events happen to men. Even more starling is the fact that at least half of men who undergo these life-threatening heart episodes had no previous symptoms. So boys, do you see just how important it is to get regular checkups? Only a doctor can tell you how your cholesterol levels are, or if your blood pressure is where it should be. Might be time to book an appointment!

  1. Stroke

A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is reduced or cut off, and brain cells die off due to lack of oxygen. As the fifth leading cause of death in American men, strokes are all too common in today’s population. Up to 80% of strokes can be prevented by curbing modifiable risk factors such as:

  • Having high blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • Leading a high-stress lifestyle
  • Physical inactivity
  • Eating a diet high in take-out and junk food and low in produce
  • Drinking alcohol in excess
  • Being significantly overweight or obese.

  1. Testicular Cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of disease-related death in the united states, and men succumb to the effects more often than women. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, more than half of all American men will get some form of cancer at some point during their lifetime. Testicular cancer is the most common form for young men, striking over 8700 men and killing approximately 380 of them annually. The shocking prevalence of cancer among men should be enough reason alone for men to attend their annual physical or get a checkup when things don’t seem right, as cancer is much more survivable the earlier it is caught. Lung cancer and prostate cancer also strike males with alarming frequency and smoking is often to blame for the former of the two.

That concludes part 1 of our men’s health feature, stay tuned for part 2 next! Thanks for visiting DocChat!

 

 

6 Common Neurological Diseases

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Neurological diseases affect the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves. There over 600 different neurological diseases and disorders, many of which are quite common in the United States.

6 Prevalent Neurological Diseases 

We can’t cover all 600 neurological conditions, so we will touch on some of the most common and notable including:

  • Stroke – When the brain’s blood vessels burst or become blocked, a stroke ensues. This is a very common neurological disorder afflicting over 600,000 Americans annually. It is the number one cause of long-term disability and third leading cause of death in the country.
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) – Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, this devastating disorder slowly destroys nerve cells, leading to severe paralysis which eventually extends to the respiratory system, proving fatal. It is the most common motor neuron disease among Americans, with about 30,000 cases currently in the United States and about 5,000 more diagnosed annually.
  • Muscular dystrophy refers to a series of neurological disorders that result from genetic abnormalities. Muscular dystrophy can cause severe mobility impairment and muscle weakness. It is predominantly a male disorder, affecting approximately 1 in every 3,500 to 6,000 American men.
  • Epilepsy is a disorder that disrupts the brain’s electrical activity, causing repeat (sometimes life-threatening) seizures. Epilepsy is one of the more common neurological disorders affecting approximately 3 million Americans.
  • Migraine disorder consists of a debilitating collection of neurological symptoms such as vision disruption, numbness, pain, light sensitivity and more. Migraine disorder is also prevalent in the United States, affecting approximately 12% of the American population.
  • Parkinson’s is a disorder of the nervous system which gradually progresses to cause many disabling symptoms such as severe shaking, muscular problems, stiffness and speech problems. Nearly 10,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s annually.

Some Disorders Fit Into Multiple Categories

There are many common conditions with neurological components that fit under other categories as well such as:

  • Developmental disorders like autism
  • Psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia,
  • Certain autoimmune diseases are also neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis
  • Brain damage that stunts neurological development
  • Degenerative neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease

Treatment

Treatment for neurological disorder varies, depending on the type of disease and each individual case. If you have symptoms in line with the above mentioned disorders, see your doctor soon for testing. If you have any questions, our board certified DocChat physicians are standing by 24/7/365. Thanks for visiting DocChat, we hope you’ll be back again soon!

 

 

Is Another Health Condition Causing Your Headaches?

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 While primary headaches don’t have an underlying medical cause, secondary headaches are direct products of other health conditions such as allergies, sinuses, a chronic inflammatory condition or something more pressing.

Are Secondary Headaches Serious?

While primary headaches like migraines can be debilitating, they are not life-threatening. Secondary headaches, however, can be signs of potentially life-threatening health problems in rare cases (such as stroke or cancer). Before you press panic, note that only 10% of the headaches doctors encounter are secondary headaches, and of those, most are due to non-urgent conditions like sinuses or neck problems. Drugs and medications can also be the underlying causes of chronic secondary headaches.

Conditions That Can Cause Secondary Headaches

There are hundreds of medical conditions that may produce headaches, some of which include:

  • Stroke – a sudden unusual headache accompanied by blurred vision, trouble speaking, mobility problems, face drooping or confusion should never be ignored. A strange, sudden headache along with these symptoms may signal a stroke. Seek emergency medical attention in this instance.
  • Head or neck injury – it isn’t unusual for a person who has sustained a concussion or trauma to the upper body to experience a persistent headache. If you have not been treated for your trauma and are getting a nagging headache, seek medical attention.
  • Sinus problems – one of the least threatening and perhaps most common cause of secondary headaches on our list is sinusitis or rhinitis. These headaches tend to be over one eye, quite severe (sometimes migraine-like), and worsen with pressure. People with chronic sinusitis will likely struggle with chronic headaches unless they find medication that helps better control their sinus condition.
  • Medication (or substance withdrawal) – certain medications such as blood pressure medications, pain medications like NSAIDs or opioids or birth control can cause chronic headaches. As can non-medical substances like alcohol, recreational drugs or caffeine. Similarly, withdrawing from any of these substances can also cause headaches temporarily.
  • Structural problem – a structural or muscular problem with the head, neck or upper back can cause headaches as well. Talk to your doctor about physiotherapy or treatment that can help resolve any existing muscular issue, or to ask if surgery can help a structural problem.
  • Psychiatric disorder – many types of mental health conditions can cause chronic headaches such as anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia or insomnia, to name a few. Speak to your doctor or psychologist about any medications or therapy that may help these headaches.
  • Infection – a systemic infection can cause headaches as well. If you experience a new type of headache that is persistent and accompanied by symptoms such as fever, inflammation, nausea or chills it is important to seek medical attention to check for an underlying infection.
  • Cranial mass – a benign or malignant tumor or cyst can cause headaches by increasing intracranial pressure. If your headaches are worsening over time and feel like immense pressure in the skull, seek medical treatment to rule out an intracranial mass as it could be serious.
  • Chronic pain disorder – those with systemic chronic pain disorders such as autoimmune conditions, fibromyalgia or arthritis may be more likely to experience chronic headaches either from the stress of dealing with daily pain or because of higher levels of inflammation. Talk to your doctor (or one of ours) about pain management strategies.

When To See The Doc

If you are getting chronic headaches of any kind, you should talk to a doctor about what may be causing it if it is a secondary headache, as well as treatment that may work for you. It is important to remember that the vast majority of all headaches are non-critical, so try not to stress about your headache until you talk to a doctor about your concerns. He or she will be able to rule out any acute problems and prescribe the necessary treatment. However, if you experience severe, sudden headaches or ones with troubling accompanying symptoms, seek medical treatment right away. Remember, our highly qualified, board certified DocChat physicians are here 24/7 to assist you with any medical concerns, so feel free to sign up today. Thanks for visiting!

 

Telestroke – Telemedicine for Stroke Aftercare

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Stroke Prevalence In The United States

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strokes kill nearly 130 000 Americans annually. Each year upwards of 795 000 Americans suffer a stroke, leaving a large percentage of those people disabled, making stoke the leading cause of long-term disability countrywide. These numbers are staggering.

What Is Telestroke?

Telestroke is the use of telemedicine (digital communication to send medical information from one site to another) in stroke aftercare. It is used especially for hospitals in isolated communities with a lack of stroke resources to communicate with specialists and with hospitals that have more available means for stroke care. It is also used for stroke patients to be remotely monitored from their homes or nursing homes by a team of doctors.

How Telestroke Works For Hospital Settings

Unfortunately, vascular neurologists and other specialists with concentrations in stroke care aren’t readily available in many small, underfunded and rural (spoke) hospitals across the country, so what are these little hospitals to do when a patient comes in mid-stroke? They must have the means to communicate all crucial information to specialists in larger, more equipped (hub) hospitals to gain life-saving and damage-controlling advice for stroke victims. Luckily in our technologically advanced world doctors have the ability to transmit vitals and other diagnostic info and run videoconferences between the two sites so specialists can see the condition of the patient and witness the local doctor performing tests and exams, to further instruct him or her.

Necessary Components For Telestroke Care

The CDC recommends that the necessary technology be installed and updated regularly in spoke hospitals, and hub hospitals must have vascular neurologists on call 24/7 to be accessed for videoconferencing with smaller hospitals as soon as stroke victims are wheeled in. For telestroke to be successful, the CDC also suggests other key components such as a program leader to correlate communication, on-site visits between hub specialists and spoke sites when necessary, standardized protocol between the hub hospital and all spoke sites, and patient transfer agreements in case an emergency transportation is necessary.

Individual Telestroke Aftercare

Telemedicine can also come in handy for disabled stroke patients with the means for homecare to be monitored via vital machines and communication with doctors or specialists through telemedicine. This type of telestroke care can also apply to patients who’ve suffered strokes and live in nursing homes. The nursing homes could use DocChat as the liaison between the patient and neurologist. Our highly qualified physicians can also provide the patient with care, checkups and medication alterations when needed via teleconferences.

 

5 Diseases Caused by Obesity

Diabetes, Health Tips, Healthcare, Illness, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , ,

 

lifestylechoice
It’s easy to know which foods are bad and which are good, but it doesn’t make it any easier to make good decisions when you’re feeling peckish.

More than mere appearance, obesity is seriously bad for your health.

According to medical sciences, you are considered obese if your weight is twenty percent more than the weight considered as standard for your height, calculated by your BMI. While BMI isn’t perfect (some people are muscular and therefore weigh more while others are extremely tall), the correlation between obesity and serious diseases is extremely high.

Here are 5 diseases that are caused by obesity:

Stroke and Heart Disease

If you have extra weight, you will be more prone to high cholesterol as well as high blood pressure. These conditions are some of the leading factors that can cause stroke or heart disease, but all are not doomed. Medical experts suggest that if you lose some proportion of your weight then you can also decrease the likelihood of stroke or heart disease. Just five to ten percent of weight shedding should be enough for you to lower your chances of contracting the diseases.

Diabetes (Type 2)

It is commonly observed that individuals that have type 2 diabetes are either obese or overweight. So, if you want to cut down your chances of having diabetes, you can do so by shedding weight. You must practice consuming a balanced and healthy diet, exercising, and getting the right amount of sleep. Even if you have diabetes, you should attempt to lose weight and to be physically more active since this will allow you to better manage your body’s blood sugar proportions. Moreover, if you are active, your body might demand lesser levels of diabetes medication.

Cancer

Several types of cancer such as of the kidney, esophagus, and colon are associated with obesity. Recent studies have also found out that obesity is associated with cancer of the pancreas and gallbladder. The treatment of cancer is a very lengthy and costly process that is often very painful for the patient, not to mention that cancer can have grave consequences. So wouldn’t it be better if you try to avoid the disease altogether?

Gallstones

Gallstones as well as gallbladder disease are more likely to afflict an overweight person rather than a normal or underweight individual. But beware, as medical science tells us that weight loss (especially rapid loss of large proportions of weight) can also lead to the acquisition of gallstones.

So, if you are obese, it is important that you shed fat in a slow and timely manner. For instance, lose just one pound in seven or eight days at most. This will surely allow you to avoid having gallstones.

Osteoarthritis

This is a joint condition that frequently affects the back, hip or knee area of the body. If you are obese, your body will naturally carry extra weight which will put pressure upon the aforementioned joints. This negatively affects the cartilage that usually safeguards them.

By losing weight, you will put less stress on your lower back, hips and knees, thereby reducing your chances of attaining osteoarthritis.

Losing Weight Is Hard

There’s no doubt about that, but small steps taken each day can lead to results. It’s important to remember that the benefits of losing weight go far beyond appearance. Immediately after eating healthier meals, the following will happen:

  1. you’ll feel more energetic
  2. you’ll sleep better
  3. you’ll have better cognitive function
  4. you’ll start to recall facts and items that you previously couldn’t remember
  5. your mood will improve
  6. you’ll become more productive
  7. your appetite will decrease

Just remember that every positive action taken towards a healthy diet is a victory. You can’t expect it all to happen at once. You will build the habits you need in time once your brain recognizes the association between the healthy action and the positive effect.

Be well and #thrive!

Health Risks Associated With Red Meat

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medium roast rib-eye steak on wooden plate with pepper and salt

Is there a correlation between eating red meat and being diagnosed with cancer or heart disease? This is a question that has puzzled many people for decades. In recent research, new evidence was found that eating red meat regularly can decrease your lifespan. Read on to know how health risks are associated with red meat.

Red Meat Can Harden Or Block Arteries

Red meat contains carnitine, an element that can trigger atherosclerosis. Carnitine can harden or block your arteries, increasing the risk for heart attack, heart failure and stroke, according to a recent study. Under the study, researchers examined vegetarian and omnivore cardiac patients. It concluded that carnitine transforms to a material called trimethylamine-N-oxide, which is extremely detrimental to your heart. It was further found that the more the level of carnitine in your body, the more you are at risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Decrease In Lifespan

A research conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health uncovered a correlation between eating red meat and decrease in lifespan. It also found that consuming proteins in the form of nuts, fish, and poultry involve lower risk of early death than eating red meat. Experts particularly single out processed red meat like salami and hot dogs as “the worst.” Even though further evidence and investigation is required to unearth the actual cause, yet medical practitioners are adamant that it is in the meat preparation. Cooking meat for extended time or burning can lift the toxin level, which can cause stomach cancer.

Leftovers Joined Together

Proponents of red meat often argue that the meat additive they call “lean finely textured beef” is completely safe to eat. Popular among the public as pink slime, this additive comprises of fatty morsels of waste meat that is heated, processed to take out the fat, and then preserved with ammonia gas. The meat is then sold to shops that add slime to the beef, which has been found to be dangerous for health. Moreover, the ammonia may introduce pathogens into the meat. There are also chances that the bacteria will spread in your kitchen during preparation and cooking.

Takeaway

Regular consumption of red meat has been associated with heart diseases, stomach cancer, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. The risk is especially higher in case of processed red meat. Moreover, raw red meat has the potential to spread bacteria in your kitchen and home. It is highly recommended that you wash your hands and other cooking tools after handling raw red meat.

In a nutshell, red meat is delicious and can be consumed but in moderation. However, the quantity consumed should be decreased if you suffer from certain medical conditions. To know more, get in touch with us today as our telemedicine experts can help you stay healthy by recommending what you should and should not consume.

Obesity – Understanding the Risks

Diabetes, Health Tips, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

obesity

Obesity is a common problem that involves accumulation of undue amount of fat in your body. If you are extremely obese, it means that you are at risk of health complications. You should take proactive measures to steer clear of obesity to avoid these potential health problems.

Here are the risks associated with being obese:

Heart Diseases

Obesity leads to increase in your body mass index (BMI), which in turn makes you more susceptible to coronary heart disease. The condition involves the buildup of plaque – a waxy material- in your coronary arteries that can make the arteries thin or completely block them, and decrease the flow of blood to your heart. The outcome can be chest pain or a heart attack. When the condition becomes serious, it can even cause a heart failure.

Hypertension

Obesity can result in hypertension- a condition whereby the force applied by the blood against the walls of your arteries increases. If your blood pressure increases and remains constantly high, it can cause damages to your body. The more obese you are, the more the chance for hypertension.

Stroke

If you are overweight or obese, you are at risk of stroke because obesity generates plaque in your arteries, and there are chances that a portion of the plaque can break up, growing a blood clot in one of your arteries. And, if the clot is created somewhere near your brain, it has the potential to shut down blood and oxygen supply to your brain. When blood and oxygen supply to the brain stops, the risk of experiencing a stock increase.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a health condition that involves increase in your blood sugar level. Under normal circumstances, the human body converts foods into glucose and then transports them to the cells, which use insulin to convert the glucose into energy. However, when you are suffering from type 2 diabetes, your body cells can malfunction when it comes to using insulin. Obese people are more at risk of type 2 diabetes, which is among the major causes of deaths, kidney diseases, strokes, heart diseases and blindness.

Osteoarthritis

Being obese and overweight can also increase your risk for Osteoarthritis, which is a common condition that involves wear and tear of your joints, including hip joints, knee joints and your lower back. Rise in weight increases the pressure on the tissues that protects your joints, leading to wear and tear of the joints. This condition can cause unbearable pain.

It is important to stay healthy and lose weight. The best way is to have a healthy diet and workout regularly. However, obesity is not merely being overweight, it is classified as a disease and hence medical intervention may be necessary. If you’re overweight or feel you need to lose weight, get in touch with us today and let us suggest you the best tools to stay fit.

Chronic

3 Common Chronic Diseases Better Treated Via Telemedicine

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Telemedicine is a highly cost-effective option when it comes to managing diseases. It has become an increasingly important option and has been received with open arms by all. The increased interest is due to the fact that in recent years, technology has become cheaper and more universal.

Telemedicine is for everyone, including patients that are suffering from chronic conditions.

Most chronic conditions are difficult to manage; they need frequent monitoring of the patient’s health. This aspect has made controlling chronic conditions difficult for doctors and patients. Telemedicine is a wonderful solution to this problem.

1. Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Congestive heart failure is a weakening of the heart and its blood supply mechanism. Diseases that cause heart failure are varied. The most common causes are:
● Artery diseases–Coronary artery disease (CAD)
● Artery blockages-Heart attacks
● Damaged heart muscles
● High blood pressure

Limitations of Traditional Management Methods
Traditional management methods have been less effective when it comes to encouraging an active patient role in the treatment. The incidences of people with CHF requiring re-hospitalization are high. This also results in a high mortality rate for people who have suffered from heart failure. Patient empowerment in this area is important.

How Telemedicine Can Help Manage CHF
Home-monitoring devices can be used by doctors to remotely gather vital patient data, such as

● Weight
● Blood pressure
● Heart rate
● Oxygen saturation levels

Other advanced devices can also help monitor patient data:

● Some devices can transmit ECG (Electrocardiogram) data
● Sounds using an electronic stethoscope
● Videoconferencing for direct interviews

This data is collated, analyzed, and provided to the doctor.

2. Stroke or Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)

Limitations of Traditional Methods
Traditional methods of following up with stroke patients have a high cost burden. Strokes are a time-critical condition; brain damage can result within minutes since blood flow is blocked. Prompt and proper treatment is critical.

How Telemedicine Can Help Stroke Suffers
Telestroke systems exist which help connect experts with each other via electronic means. This existing network can be improved via telemedicine. Additional benefits include:

● Rapid diagnosis
● Treatment can be supervised by specialists remotely
● Quicker administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)

3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a group term for lung diseases that are serious and progress over time. The most common are emphysema, chronic bronchitis,

Limitations of Traditional Methods
COPD management is more effective when lung health is frequently monitored.

How Telemedicine Can Help COPD Patients
Telemedicine can help patients and doctors by making frequent, remote measurements of lung health using

● Telespirometry
● Teleconsultations with pulmonologists
● Web-based patient education systems can help COPD sufferers self-manage and monitor symptoms.

One study explored the benefits of a telemedicine system designed for COPD patients. The results of the study showed that the intervention was successful and effective. The approach combines 4 areas:

1. Real-time ambulant activity coach
2. A web portal for self-treatment of exacerbations
3. An online exercise program
4. Teleconsultation

Encouraging the patient to take an active role in disease management can reduce mortality rates and improve health. Frequent communication between the doctor and the patient can help identify a problem before it gets worse. Telemedicine also helps in making treatment processes more transparent and lowers hospital costs.