ABSTRACT
Asthma is a complex medical problem for which currently available treatment can be incompletely effective. This case report describes a 49 year old woman who had suffered from asthma since her teenage years that resolved after she took up regular open water swimming. After sharing this case report with an international open water swimming community on social media, over one hundred people with asthma commented that their symptoms had also improved after taking up this activity. The mechanism whereby open water swimming might alleviate asthma has not been established. Possibilities include benefits to mental health, anti-inflammatory effects, being more fit, improved immune function and suppression of the bronchoconstrictive component of the diving reflex. Further research might usefully confirm or refute these clinical observations.
ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Adolescence is a time of many changes with growing independence, emotional and physical changes. It is essential that we as health care professionals are proactive in ensuring good communication and confidentiality in adolescent consultations. OBJECTIVE: To understand our practice in this area of communication and confidentiality with adolescents. METHOD: We conducted a questionnaire based survey among clinicians involved in the care of adolescents whether the clinicians asked the adolescents if they wanted to be seen on their own. RESULTS: Only 23% of the clinicians routinely asked. Of those surveyed, 43% thought it was not essential and 30% stated they did not have enough time. Only 25% copied clinic letters to adolescents along with their parents. CONCLUSION: The results show that there is a lack of awareness of the need to start giving adolescents more independence to ensure a smooth transition to adulthood. Numerous learning resources are available to clinicians to help them understand adolescent care better.
