ITK Health

12/10/2020

New habits 🏃🏾‍♀️sometimes come in the form of old habits that because of life's ups and downs fall by wayside. That's okay, that's life 🙃
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⁣It felt good to put on my runners, head out, run, walk & run some more, followed by some pursed lip breathing by the end!
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⁣Whether I'm running, walking, working etc I always keep my close to hand. Reliever inhalers (or puffers) 💨 come in different colours, shapes and sizes, but they are an important part of managing (lung related) symptoms, by providing short term relief, in diseases such as & .
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⁣ # puffers

29/08/2020

2020...finding space outdoors to socially distance feels like...

29/08/2020

29/08/2020

Chronic breathlessness 🌬can trigger physical and emotional distress. ⁣
⁣So what’s does the evidence say about the use of a handheld or electric fan to relieve breathlessness? ⁣
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⁣A systematic review is a detailed analysis of a number of individual research studies on a related topic. ⁣
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⁣In 2019 Qian and colleagues conducted a systematic review on the role of fan therapy to relieve breathlessness. They analysed 10 relevant studies involving 344 participants which revealed limited, but positive results in favour of the role of fan therapy as a safe intervention. Some of the findings revealed that fan therapy to the face 😊 significantly improved: ⁣
⁣✅ breathlessness ⁣
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⁣✅ exercise tolerance in ⁣
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⁣✅ breathlessness experienced at rest ⁣
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⁣✅ breathlessness associated with terminal cancer ⁣
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⁣More research is being conducted to study the effects of fan therapy, but it’s thought that the steady movement of air stimulates nerves in the face which help to alleviate the feeling of breathlessness. Not all fans are equal; so find one that provides a comfortable flow of air when directed at the face. ⁣
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⁣Fan therapy can be a useful part of an overall management plan to meet the challenge of living with chronic breathlessness and a tool to being empowered 💪🏾to taking positive action!⁣
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⁣Reference: Qian et al (2019) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31004769/⁣
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@ Gold Coast, Queensland

24/08/2020

🎉New post on #𝗶𝘁𝗸𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵! Living with Breathlessness ⁣
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⁣For many breathing is second nature 🌬 but for some living with (longterm) disease is a regular part of daily life. ⁣
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⁣Click the link in the bio to find out some practical & evidence based tips on managing chronic breathlessness & improving the quality of life!⁣
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13/07/2020

New post live on the #𝗶𝘁𝗸𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 website!! ⁣
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⁣What is a and how does it relate to being 💪🏻💪🏼empowered 💪🏾💪🏿when living with chronic lung disease? Keeping track of the can help to keep track of 👉🏾health status, stay alert to new changes and take the appropriate action. ⁣
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⁣Find out how to put the pieces together of a baseline at the latest blog posted on the website⁣
⁣https://itkhealth.com ‣‣‣scroll down to the blog section. ⁣
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03/07/2020

🧐 What are the benefits of using a spacer with a pMDI? ⁣
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⁣1️⃣ Spacers act as a chamber to S-L-O-W down the fine particles of the released dose allowing more time for the medication to be inhaled (breathed in) into the lower respiratory airways. ⁣
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⁣2️⃣ Less medication settles in the mouth, throat and stomach which reduces the risk of side effects including dry mouth, hoarse voice and in the case of inhaled steroids- oral thrush 😝 (which is an unpleasant fungal infection).⁣
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⁣3️⃣ A good technique is still important and should be checked 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 with 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 inhaler and spacer used...even if you have used the same devices for a long period of time. ⁣
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⁣Consult a qualified healthcare professional e.g. pharmacist, respiratory nurse, lung specialist or GP to assess inhaler techniques and recommend a suitable spacer device. ⁣
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⁣ and have useful inhaler technique videos. ⁣
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⁣Doing everything possible to keep lung health well controlled and using evidence based practice is always a key part of managing chronic lung disease. It is essential to continue doing so during the current -19 pandemic and beyond. ⁣
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⁣Stay safe, stay 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄! ⁣
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⁣*Reference: Vincken, W., Levy, M.L., Scullion, J. et al. (2018) ‘Spacer devices for inhaled therapy: why use them and how?’, ERJ Open Research, 4. [Online]. Available at: https://openres.ersjournals.com/content/4/2/00065-2018 (Accessed: 3rd July 2020). ⁣
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03/07/2020

🤔 Are only useful for children using pMDI’s? 𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗘 👀 Spacer devices are recommended to use with pMDI’s irrespective of age. ⁣
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⁣pMDI’s are pressurised metered dose inhalers (typically pMDI’s are L shaped inhalers (puffers) with a canister that you need press to release a dose). Not all inhalers (puffers) are pMDI’s so it always best to confirm with a qualified health professional. ⁣
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⁣🕑 Less than ½ a second… that’s how fast it takes to release 1 dose of medication from a pMDI without a spacer! ⁣
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⁣Even with a perfect inhaler technique for every dose administered via a pMDI without a spacer only approx 20% of the dose is delivered into the small airways (breathing tubes) of the lungs*. This is where it is needed the most! ⁣
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⁣So where does the rest of the medication end up? ⁣
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⁣In the mouth 😝, throat, stomach. None of which will help to manage the lung condition or relieve respiratory symptoms e.g. cough, breathlessness, wheeze etc.⁣
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26/06/2020

New blog now live on the website! Chronic Lung Disease & COVID-19

Are you living with chronic lung disease or perhaps caring for someone who does?
Does it feel at times like you are juggling so many different variables in orde to keep your lung health stable?
How has -19 impacted you? The latest blog on the website (link in bio) discusses the balancing act during this pandemic. It also highlights 💡 some of the reasons why you already have the skills to stay balanced despite ’vegotthis👌🏻👌🏽👌🏾👌🏿

23/06/2020

Find out what is special about this week & tips on how you can show some ❤ to your lungs & wellbeing.
Special mention to .mike- his video about overcoming caution fatigue related to #