Approximately 70,000 different species of fungus have been recognized by scientists, notes Oxford University's Professor Robert May in the text "Biodiversity: Measurement and Estimation." A number of those are considered medically important fungi,...
Panax ginseng, the Latin name for Asian ginseng, is a well-known herb stemming from ancient Chinese traditional medicine and widely available in the West today. Extracted from roots of the slow-growing ginseng plant, several varieties of the herb...
You do not have to have a green thumb to use herbs medicinally. Today, 30 years after the introduction of herbs in health food stores, there are dozens of manufacturers that offer herbs in single form and in combinations that can be safely used....
Black mold and all indoor-growing molds can cause respiratory and skin health effects in humans. Some people get allergic reactions or experience flare-ups of underlying medical conditions. Children as well as adults with chronic lung diseases...
When a person breathes, the air travels through the nose or mouth and into the larynx. From the larynx, air moves into the trachea, which divides into a left and right bronchus, large tubes that supply the air to the lungs. Each bronchus further...
According to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract. Among children,...
The National Cancer Institute states that tobacco smoke contains at least 250 harmful chemicals, 50 of which are known carcinogens. Because cigarettes also contain nicotine, a highly addictive chemical, people can become addicted to smoking in a...
It is easy to feel self-conscious about your breath. After all, no matter how bad it might be, there is a good chance no one will tell you. Fortunately, in most cases, bad breath is a fairly simple problem to cure or at least keep at bay. And in...
Bad breath can be a hindrance to forming interpersonal relationships, attracting romantic interests and developing effective working relationships with colleagues who interact closely with you. Bad breath has many causes, one of which includes...
If you notice that others are turning away from you when you speak to them, you may have bad breath. Most of the causes of bad breath are related to diet, smoking or poor dental hygiene, but, if you've eliminated those factors and people still...
Cigarette smoking exposes the body to nicotine, carbon monoxide and other toxic substances in gas and particle forms. Smoking increases the risks of cancer, heart attack and chronic lung disease. Within a few hours of quitting smoking, however,...
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, refers to a group of lung diseases that causes limited airflow in and out of the lungs. COPD reduces the amount of oxygen that goes into the blood, and less oxygen makes it difficult for the heart to...
The lungs are hollow but inflatable organs that are located on either side of the heart in the chest cavity. During inhalation, air flows through the trachea into the lungs, and tiny tissue sacs called alveoli absorb oxygen into tiny blood vessels...
Genetic disorders are caused by a defect in a gene, which is a specific piece of DNA (the building block of the genetic code) in a specific location on a chromosome. Recessive genetic disorders are diseases that require two defective genes,...
Marijuana has a variety of effects on the body, from the euphoria of intoxication to significant health problems from chronic use. Although marijuana is primarily smoked, it is also ingested in food and drink. However, the health complications...
The high content of air in the lungs gives them a nearly transparent appearance on chest X-rays and CT scans. In contrast, areas of solid tissue within the lungs appear as white spots with these imaging techniques. A spot on the lung is an...
Children diagnosed with chronic or ongoing respiratory problems may find their ability to play and function in everyday environments limited by their condition. A number of respiratory problems afflict children, and while some are mild and don't...
Preserving meats through various methods is an age-old practice. Salt in its numerous forms has been used to preserve, bind and improve the appearance of meats and other foods. Sodium nitrite is a common additive used to cure meats. You may have...
Benign lung nodules are small, noncancerous masses of tissue typically discovered incidentally on a chest X-ray or CT scan. One out of every 500 to 1,000 chest X-rays reveals an unexpected lung nodule. The chance of finding a lung nodule is even...
A low-carbohydrate diet limits your intake of carbohydrates -- including bread, grains, rice, fruit and starchy vegetables -- and emphasizes your intake of protein and fat, according to MayoClinic.com. While decreasing your intake of refined,...
The immune system is composed of specialized cells such as B cells that make antibodies (protein), T cells that kill pathogens (bacteria, viruses or fungus) and white blood cells that fight off infection. MedlinePlus says that immunodeficiency...
Lutein, a nutrient commonly found in the North American diet, may have powerful antioxidant properties that scientists believe may help lower your risk of developing lung cancer. While early studies have shown promising results, findings are...
Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungal infection, causes histoplasmosis, a disease that has infected around 40 million people in the United States at some point in their lives, Thomas Volk of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse reports. As many as 80...
The American Cancer Society (ACS) indicates that cigarette smoking is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It states that 23.7 percent of people 25 to 44 years old were current smokers in 2008. Cigarettes contain nicotine, the...
Lung inflammation occurs when fluid collects either inside your lungs or within the inner lining of your lungs. The exact cause of lung inflammation varies, but toxins, pollutants, viral infections and lung diseases such as tuberculosis, cystic...
Black mold is fungus that lives naturally in the environment. Often referred to as toxic mold, the Centers for Disease Control educates that no proven link has been found between black mold and serious health conditions in exposed individuals....
The ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide through the lungs is critical to life. The lungs are a common sight, however, for infections because the natural environment of the lungs is moist and well oxygenated--a perfect breeding ground...
Avelox is the brand name for the generic drug moxifloxacin. This medication is a type of fluoroquinolone antibiotic that interferes with bacterial replication and growth within the body. Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, under the age of...
Breathing rate, also known as respiration rate, is the number of breaths a person takes in a minute. While this rate can vary greatly from person to person, there is a range that's considered normal. However, this rate is often affected by a...
