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Background: Inhaling of cigarette smoke has sudden effect on airways which causes an inflammation in the peripheral airways. Pulmonary function testing (PFT) provides a quantitative and objective assessment of the physiological derangement associated with pulmonary diseases. A study of PEFR in smokers and non-smokers would provide the necessary data to correlate smoking and the effect on the pulmonary health of smokers. Objectives were to study the effect of smoking on lung functions in apparently healthy young smokers and to measure the PEFR and compare the values between young smokers and non-smokers in the villages surrounding Vadodara District, Gujarat.Methods: It was a cross-sectional comparative study. With convenient sampling of total 60 male subjects which are equally divided into smokers (group A) and non-smokers (group B) group between the ages 17-25 years. The PEFR was measured by Wright’s Mini PulmoPeak Flow Meter. Three readings were taken and best of three was documented. Comparison of PEFR values between smokers and non-smokers was done.Results: The mean PEFR between smokers and non-smokers was group A is 310.00 and group B was 440.00 litres/minute (p value <0.05) and the t value was 7.608 which shows that the PEFR of smokers is significantly lower than non-smokers.Conclusions: The values of PEFR are reduced in smokers compared to non-smokers in young individuals in community and all the values are more decreased with increase in number of cigarettes smoke per day.

Hydro-pneumothorax is an abnormal collection of fluid and air in the pleural space.  The knowledge of hydro-pneumothorax dates back to the days of ancient Greece when the Hippocratic succussion was used to be performed for the diagnosis Generally patient with hydro-pneumothorax presents with heaviness of the chest with chest pain, shortness of breath, dry cough and early fatigue. The patient in this case report presented with the above complaints along with that he was having structural thoracic kyphosis and grade 3 gynecomastia. He was working in a diamond industry as a diamond polisher. This case explains the role of occupation and hormones on the presentation and prognosis of respiratory disease.

BACKGROUND Prehypertension is common in adolescence and young adults and even normal blood pressure nowadays due to a marked increase in the sedentary lifestyle, job profile, psychological stress. Blood pressure (BP) in this age can linearly progress towards elevated levels of BP when associated with risk factors like body mass index (BMI). Along with lifestyle modifications, non-pharmacological interventions are also recommended to manage prehypertension and delay progression towards hypertension at a young age. Isometric handgrip training (IHGT) is emerging as a popular non-pharmacological therapy. Research has demonstrated hypotensive effects with IHGT in various sets when performed at 30 - 40 % maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). The purpose of the present study was to find the effect of isometric handgrip strength training (IHG) on blood pressure and pulse pressure in normotensive and prehypertensive population. METHODS An experimental study design where 26 participants meeting the inclusion criteria were selected by convenient sampling. They were equally grouped into normotensive and prehypertensive training groups after measurement of baseline BP. All of them performed five 2 - minute sustained isometric contractions, at 30 - 40 % of MVC, using 90 an inexpensive spring hand grip trainer, for six sessions per week for 2 weeks. MVC was determined by a hand dynamometer. Pre - to - post BP and PP were compared in the present study. RESULTS After 2 weeks, t-test and repeated measures of ANOVA revealed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) [Mean Difference 4, 9] and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) [Mean Difference – 5, 5] (P = 0.01) but PP did not change in normotensive (P - 0.64) and prehypertensives (P = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS Practicing IHGT using an inexpensive spring handgrip trainer for two weeks consecutively reduced blood pressure but not pulse pressure. KEY WORDS Isometric, Handgrip. Blood Pressure