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Hospa has one of the largest Cardio care programs in a community academic hospital in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), and provides treatment for many types of CVD, including heart transplant, open heart surgery, engiogram prostate, gynecological and urinary.
Hospa General is constantly thinking and going beyond for our patients, our community and our people. As people and communities change, Hospa General will continuously evolve to meet their needs. We are driven to achieve the promise of people-centred care – to create a welcome and inclusive environment that contributes to health equity.
Enhancing the patient and family experience
We work to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of cancer care. All patients receive care guided by best practice standards of Cardio Care. These practices have been shown to provide the best patient outcomes. Patients and their families can quickly access a diverse range of cancer care services, including these facilities:
- The BMO Breast Diagnostic Clinic, part of the Karen, Heather & Lynn Steinberg Breast Centre
- The Baruch/Weisz Cardio Centre
- Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care
- Gale and Graham Wright Prostate Centre
Patients supported by dedicated team of experts
Our interdisciplinary team of highly skilled and compassionate health-care professionals includes physicians, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, nurses, medical imaging professionals, case managers, and volunteers.
We partner with the two regional cancer centres: the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and Princess Margaret Hospital at the University Health Network, to facilitate radiation treatments for our patients. A partnership between North York General and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre offers patients easy and timely access to quality colorectal cancer care.
Information for new patient
This following series of videos are designed for patients who are receiving treatment at the Anne Tanenbaum Chemotherapy Clinic. The first video “A Day in Chemo Clinic”, is helpful to watch prior to starting treatment and want to know what to expect before your appointment.
Most patients will receive conventional chemotherapy and may find the videos that explain what chemotherapy is and how it is given, helpful. For a general introduction, start with “Chemo 101”. This video covers important day-to-day considerations such as “Can I take supplements while on chemo?”, “Can I drink alcohol while on chemo?” and “Do I have to avoid crowds while on chemo?” Additional videos include common side effects of chemotherapy, important prevention and management tips.
Available Doctors Under Food & Nutrition
Shazafar Ahmad
IT & Innovation AdvisorSharon Noelker, RRT
Cosmetic DermatologistMelanie Dalton, MD
Pulmonary & Critical Care, Henry Ford Hospital, USA
Imad Awan
Lead - Art & AnimationAsk Any Question If You Have
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Understanding Asthma: Symptoms, Triggers, and Treatment
Asthma is a common respiratory condition affecting 1 in 12 children and adults. It makes it difficult to breathe due to the narrowing of the air tubes in the lungs, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma symptoms can vary over time, often worsening at night or during seasonal changes. Understanding how asthma affects the lungs, what triggers an asthma attack, and how to manage it can greatly improve your quality of life.
KEY POINTS
1. Common symptoms of asthma, includes coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness. It has variable nature of symptoms, which can worsen at night and vary with changes in weather and environment.
2. Asthma affects the lungs, which increases sensitivity of air tubes to common allergens and triggers. Inflammation, excess mucus production, and muscle tightening in narrowing the air tubes, leads to breathing difficulties.
3. Diagnosis of asthma involves patient history, lung examinations, and potential tests such as pulmonary function tests, blood tests, chest x-rays, and allergy testing. It underlines the importance of a thorough evaluation for accurate diagnosis.
4. Treatment options are, inhalers (rescue and controller), medications (pills), and lifestyle modifications to manage asthma symptoms and reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. Proper inhaler technique and adherence to treatment plans are the most important factors.
5. Management of asthma also includes maintaining a clean living environment, avoiding triggers, quitting smoking, using air filters, and developing an asthma action plan for handling asthma attacks.
What is Asthma? How Does It Affect Our Lungs?
To understand asthma, let’s first talk about how our lungs work. When we breathe, air enters through the windpipe and divides into smaller tubes that connect to each lung. These tubes (called bronchioles) help clean the air by filtering out dust, germs, and other particles. The walls of these tubes contain tiny muscles that control how much air can pass in and out.
In asthma, the air tubes become overly sensitive. They respond strongly to allergens and other environmental triggers, leading to inflammation, excess mucus production, and muscle tightening in the airways. This narrowing of the air tubes makes it harder to breathe, causing wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest.
Asthma attacks can come and go. Between episodes, people may experience normal breathing. However, individuals with severe asthma experience frequent and intense attacks.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Asthma
Common asthma symptoms include:
– Wheezing (a whistling sound when exhaling)
– Coughing, especially at night or early in the morning
– Shortness of breath or a feeling of chest tightness
Asthma symptoms can vary by season or environmental changes, such as in spring (high pollen levels) or winter (cold air). In your home, dust mites, mold, and pet dander are common triggers, while air pollution and pollen affect outdoor environments.
Asthma can be diagnosed through:
– Patient history and symptoms
– Pulmonary function tests (to measure lung function)
– Chest X-rays, blood tests, and allergy testing to identify possible triggers
How is Asthma Treated?
The primary goal of asthma treatment is to reduce symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. The key to effective asthma management includes:
1. Inhalers:
– Rescue inhalers provide quick relief by relaxing the muscles in the airways. They should be carried at all times.
– Controller inhalers are used daily to reduce inflammation and prevent symptoms.
It’s crucial to use inhalers correctly for optimal effectiveness. A spacer may help deliver the medication directly into the lungs.
2. Medications:
– Other medications can control allergies, inflammation, and acid reflux, which may contribute to asthma.
– For severe asthma, additional treatment options may be necessary.
Avoiding Asthma Triggers
An essential part of asthma management is avoiding triggers that worsen symptoms. Here are some tips:
– Keep your home clean: Dust mites, pet dander, and mold can trigger asthma. Use hypoallergenic pillows and bedding, and vacuum regularly.
– Wear a mask when cleaning or in environments with dust, cold air, or pollen.
– Quit smoking: Smoking exacerbates asthma symptoms and harms lung function.
– Use air filters to reduce airborne allergens.
– Control indoor temperature and humidity: Use air conditioners and humidifiers as needed.
Asthma Action Plan: What to Do in an Emergency
An asthma action plan is a personalized guide for managing asthma during an attack. During an asthma attack, symptoms worsen quickly, causing tightness in the chest, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
Your action plan should include:
– When to use your rescue inhaler: Keep it handy at all times.
– When to seek medical attention: If symptoms persist or worsen, seek immediate help.
Regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider can help fine-tune your plan and manage your symptoms effectively.
Fantastic Fact!
Did you know that our lungs have over 2,000 kilometers of tiny air tubes? If you laid them all out in a line, they would stretch across the Sahara Desert, the largest desert in the world! Our lungs work tirelessly, every minute of the day, helping us breathe. Let’s be thankful for this incredible system!
Guest Experts
Melanie Dalton, MD
Pulmonary & Critical Care, Henry Ford Hospital, USA
Dr. Ndidi Unaka, MD, MEd
Pediatric Hospitalist Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, USA
Dr. Muhammad Ahsan Zafar, MD, MSc
Pulmonary & Critical Care University of Cincinnati, USA