All Respiratory health Articles

Dec. 20 -- If you are feeling sick with nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, you may call it the stomach flu, but what may really be ailing you is something called norovirus. The flu is a respiratory illness that gets in lungs, and norovirus is a stomach illness, said Christopher Smith, environmental health supervisor with the Wilson County Health Department. Smith warns that norovirus can Read more...

NEW YORK -- Offering yet another reason to never start smoking, a new study finds that both current and former smokers run an elevated risk of the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation. The condition, also known as AF, is the most common heart arrhythmia in the United States, affecting about 2 million people. During an episode of AF, abnormal electrical activity in the heart causes Read more...

My non-smoking editor has given me the most challenging assignment of my career: To quit my 30-plus year nicotine addiction. And to write about it. Naturally, my first reaction was #*&%$#!!!!%. It's not that I haven't tried to quit smoking. Boy have I tried. Each time I start out feeling optimistic but nervous, the optimism quickly fades as I become a little cranky, then a lot cranky until Read more...

Hot drinks have long been a traditional remedy for the cold and flu but now scientific research has shown that a steaming mug of hot liquid really can help. For generations, grandmothers have served up warm drinks to help reduce the symptoms of suffering relatives, and now experts reckon they have been right all along. The study, carried out at Cardiff University's Common Cold Read more...

A project by scientists in the United States and India may soon produce an inexpensive Web-enabled device that will allow asthma monitoring on the Internet. The device that would measure lung function in patients with asthma and other disorders is being developed by the U.S. electronics company Texas Instruments Inc. at its Bangalore, India, facility. The device will allow Read more...

Pronunciation: Mee-dee-a-STYE-nul by Diana KohnleDefinitionMediastinal tumor resection is the name for the procedure that involves the removal of tumors in the area of the chest cavity that separates the lungs.Regions of the Lung© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.Parts of the Body InvolvedChest cavityHeartSpinal cordReasons for ProcedureMalignant (cancerous) tumors must be removed to prevent the Read more...

(Removal of a Lung Lobe) by Krisha McCoyDefinitionLobectomy is the surgical removal of a lung lobe.Parts of the Body InvolvedChestRibsLungsReasons for Procedure A lobectomy is used to treat a variety of lung conditions, such as lung cancer , congenital defects, cysts, tuberculosis , fungal infections, abscesses, and emphysema . Lung Cancer© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.Risk Factors for Read more...

by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionAdenovirus infection is a viral infection of the linings of the respiratory tract, eyes, intestines, and urinary tract. Adenovirus infection is highly contagious, so contact your healthcare provider if you think you have this infection.The Upper Respiratory Tract© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.Causes Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that are a frequent cause of Read more...

(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD, Emphysema)Pronounced: KRON-ik bron-KYE-tis by Diana KohnleDefinition Chronic bronchitis is a condition in which the airways in the lungs become inflamed. In chronic bronchitis, the condition lasts for a long time or continues to recur. Chronic bronchitis is one form of an illness called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. When these Read more...

(Valley Fever)Pronounced: kok-sid-ee-oyd-oh-mi-co-sis by Diana KohnleDefinitionCoccidioidomycosis, commonly called valley fever, is a fungal infection of the lungs that can cause very serious problems. The fungus is found in the soil—most commonly in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. The fungus can also affect other parts of the body besides the Read more...

by Diana KohnleDefinitionOxygen therapy delivers supplemental oxygen to patients who have lung diseases or other health conditions that impair lung function and reduce the amount of oxygen that is transferred into the blood.Lung Respiration© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.Parts of the Body InvolvedLungsMouthNoseReasons for Procedure Oxygen therapy is required when a patient is not receiving Read more...

(Tuberculosis Vaccine) by Diana KohnleWhat Is Tuberculosis?Tuberculosis , or TB, is a bacterial infection caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium. The bacteria typically infect the lungs, but they can infect other areas of the body like the kidney, spine, or brain. Tuberculosis is transmitted from person to person through the air. When a person coughs or sneezes, the bacteria travel Read more...

(Whooping Cough Vaccine) by Krisha McCoy, MSWhat Is Pertussis?Pertussis , also called whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lining and airways of the respiratory tract. It is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis . Pertussis is spread by inhaling wet droplets from the sneeze or cough of a person infected with pertussis or by having direct contact with the Read more...

(Hib Vaccine) by Krisha McCoy, MSWhat Is Hib Disease?Haemophilus influenzae type B, or Hib, disease is caused by a bacterial infection. It usually strikes children under five years old. Hib disease can lead to meningitis, pneumonia, swelling in the throat, infections, and even death. People can carry Hib disease bacteria and not know it. These germs can spread from person to person, usually Read more...

by Krisha McCoy, MSDefinitionSilicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing crystalline silica-containing dust. In acute silicosis, the disease occurs after just weeks or months of exposure to very high levels of crystalline silica. This is a serious condition, so contact your doctor immediately if you think you may have it.CausesConcrete, masonry, sandstone, rock, paint, and other abrasives Read more...

(Transthoracic Needle Aspiration, Percutaneous Needle Aspiration) by Julie J. Martin, MSDefinitionA needle biopsy of the lung or pleural is a procedure that allows doctors to use a needle to take a small sample of tissue. The tissue will be tested in the laboratory.Female Torso with Respiratory System and Ribcage, Anterior View© 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.Parts of the Body Read more...

(Pleural Fluid Aspiration, Pleural Tap)Pronounced: Thor-a-sen-TEE-sis by Amanda L. Dameron, MADefinition Thoracentesis is a procedure performed to remove excess fluid that has accumulated in the space between the outside of the lungs (called the pleura) and the chest wall. When fluid accumulates in this area, called the pleural space, it is called pleural effusion. There are two types of Read more...

by Julie J. Martin, MSDefinitionMechanical ventilation is a method used to help people who have breathing disorders and cannot move enough air in and out of their lungs without help.The first step in mechanical ventilation is called intubation. This is the process of inserting one end of a tube, called an endotracheal tube, into your airway. The tube is passed through your mouth (with an Read more...

(Beryllium Disease) by Rick AlanDefinitionBerylliosis is an occupational lung disease. It occurs in people who work with beryllium. Berylliosis usually only occurs in people who have an allergic sensitivity to beryllium. This is about 2% of the US population.Beryllium is a metallic element that is found in rocks, coal, soil, and volcanic dust. It is used in certain industries.There are two types Read more...

by Rick AlanDefinitionA cough is a sudden expulsion of air from the lungs. Its purpose is usually to clear secretions and inhaled foreign substances from the lungs and respiratory tract. There are two types of cough: Acute cough—lasts for less than three weeksChronic cough—lasts for three weeks or moreCauses An acute cough is usually caused by an infection such as a cold or flu . In some Read more...