Blood in sputum

My 35-year-old son is a chain smoker. He has been suffering from high fever for the last few days. Often, we observe blood in his sputum. What is wrong with him?

Haemoptysis or blood in sputum can be due to pneumonia, clot in pulmonary artery, mitral stenosis (mitral valve defect), cancer or bronchiectesis (damage in bronchioles). History, clinical examination and certain routine tests like blood sugar test, sputum test, X-ray, broncoscopy and C.T. Scan are needed for diagnosis. Chest X-ray should be repeated after three months to rule out tuberculosis.

Asthma

My son suffers from wheezing from time to time. How can he be permanently cured?

Your son is probably suffering from bronchial asthma. It can not be cured but can be controlled. Usual treatment is use of an inhaler or steroid inhaler. Sulbutamol or B2 Agonist inhaler provides temporary relief. Certain investigations like routine blood test, chest X-ray and spirometry can confirm diagnosis. Avoid smoking and stay away from environmental allergens like pollen, house dust, etc.

Pancreatitis

My daughter suffers from acute abdominal pain and often nauseates. The doctor suspects acute pancreatitis. Please advise.

Pancreatitis is the acute inflammation of the pancreas. Often, gallbladder stones lead to such a condition. Pancreatitis can also be caused by alcohol consumption or as a consequence of certain endoscopic examinations of the bile duct. Severity of the disease depends on the degree of pancreatic involvement. Certain investigations like blood test, ultrasonogram, C.T. Scan of abdomen are needed. It is a self-limiting disease. In mild to moderate stage, the disease subsides within a few days. But in severe cases it can be life threatening.

Black stool

I frequently suffer from stomach ailments and melina. I have also been suffering from osteoarthritis and lumber pain for many years. Please advise.

Melina (blood in stool) is usually black in colour. It occurs due to duodenal ulcer. It can also be associated with cirrhosis of liver. Sometimes bleeding can also occur due to non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID) taken for relief from pain and osteoarthritis. Get an endoscopy done. Alternative treatments for pain relief are physiotherapy and application of ointments.

Triglyceride

I am a 44-year-old man with an abnormally high level of triglycerides for the last three years. Please suggest a remedy besides prolonged drug use.

High triglyceride level is associated with alcohol intake, obesity and diabetes. The exact cause needs to be first ascertained. If the high level is to do with high L.D.L (low-density lycoprotein), you need medication. If it is isolated triglyceride, low fat diet, regular exercise may help. Sweets should be avoided. Alcohol intake should also be stopped.

Chest pain

My father (49) occasionally suffers from chest pain which lasts for 30 minutes on an average and subsides on taking rest, sorbitrate or antacids. The pain, however, does not radiate. Serum cholesterol, E.C.G and T.M.T. test have revealed nothing abnormal. Please advise.

Chest pain may be due to angina, hyperacidity or gastro-oesophagial reflux disease. Endoscopy, ultra sonogram are needed to rule out any gall bladder ailments. Antacids like proton pump inhibitor might relieve the pain. Consult a physician or gastroenterologist at the earliest.