Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. and is the leading cause of cancer death in the country. This and other lung diseases, such as emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD, pneumonia, asthma and cystic...
The lungs are made of delicate elastic tissue that inflates and deflates as air is inhaled and exhaled, respectively. Blood vessels that line tiny sacs in the lungs called alveoli absorb oxygen that then travels through the blood stream to the...
Fungus are small organisms that tend to breed in very warm environments. According to MedlinePlus, fungus can cause a wide variety of infections, such as a yeast infection, athlete's foot and skin or nail infections. Its infection does not stop...
Most children will have infections and colds that are usually not that severe. Some infections will resolve given time, rest and plenty of fluids, while others will need to be treated. Thus, all of a child's illnesses should be brought to the...
Zosyn is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections of the urinary system, bone, stomach, vagina, skin and lungs. According to Drugs.com, it is a combination of two drugs: piperacillin and tazobactam. Typically, Zosyn is given as...
L-arginine is an amino acid, or a protein building block, that is naturally produced by the body. It is also present in a number of foods including cottage cheese, yogurt, beef and wheat germ. L-arginine is involved with the production of new...
Orthopnea refers to a symptom in which shortness of breath occurs while lying down. This can cause people to awake in the middle of the night in order to catch their breath. Sometimes, orthopnea is a sign of an underlying medical problem. There...
Several lung diseases may be caused by protein-related problems. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, there are numerous types of lung problems that require the attention of a physician or other qualified health care...
N-acetyl cysteine, or NAC, is a drug derived from the amino acid, cysteine. NAC is used in clinical settings as an antidote for acetaminophen overdose and to reduce the thickness of mucus in people with lung disease. NAC may also be useful in...
Scarring of your lungs can trigger breathing problems, pulmonary hypertension -- or high blood pressure in your lungs -- and right-side heart failure. While many people take L-lysine supplements to boost health, it might not be a smart choice if...
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited, genetic condition common in people of northern European and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. People with cystic fibrosis have progressive lung disease that causes frequent infections and trouble clearing the airways....
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...
Mucus is a thick fluid secreted by mucus cells that are located in various organs. Mucus acts as a protective barrier and filter by coating the lining of organs to trap foreign substances. When foreign substances become trapped in the mucus, they...
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,...
Abdominal pain can be burning, cramping or dull in quality. Sometimes, the pain can be continuous or intermittent. In some instances, this abdominal pain can be concentrated in the left upper quadrant region. This pain can be a sign of an...
A collapsed lung is a potentially fatal medical condition that causes breathing difficulties, chest pain, a rapid heart rate and skin discoloration. This condition occurs when pressure accumulates within the thin protective tissue that covers the...
Mucus is a slick fluid secreted from mucus cells that are located inside of the organs in the body. The main function of mucus is to provide protection. Mucus protects by coating the lining of organs and keeping them moist, as well as trapping...
The lungs are organs in the body that are essential to respiration. Sometimes tumors can form in the lungs or the blood vessels in the lung may malfunction. Bacteria, fungi and even parasites may infiltrate the lung, resulting in breathing...
Chronic pancreatitis refers to long term inflammation of the pancreas. This vital organ secretes the digestive hormones insulin and glucagon, and other enzymes needed to break down food. In certain cases of chronic pancreatitis, patients may...
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic lung disease that causes mucus to build up in organs, including lungs, pancreas and the digestive tract. The disease is chronic and can be life-threatening, affecting about 70,000 children and young adults worldwide....
Mold is a type of fungus that releases spores into the air and grows everywhere. Mold can cause respiratory problems, or problems in the lungs, when spores are breathed in. Molds grow best in a moist atmosphere with warm temperatures and decreased...
Infant lung diseases may cause a number of respiratory problems in newborns and infants, which may cause additional problems during childhood or adulthood. Infants born prematurely are particularly susceptible to developing lung disease. Depending...
Cystic fibrosis is the most common inherited genetic disorder in the western world. It is a disease that affects both the respiratory and digestive systems. Due to poor nutrient absorption and lack of sun exposure, low levels of vitamin D are...
The lungs, an organ of the respiratory system, expand to inhale air through the mouth and nose. The air travels through the trachea into the bronchi that branch into smaller airways known as bronchioles. The bronchioles lead to alveoli—tiny...
Cystic fibrosis (CF), a common genetic disease that causes severe lung disease and other symptoms, has two forms: classic and nonclassic, or atypical. People with the atypical form of cystic fibrosis can have the same symptoms as a person with the...
Cystic fibrosis is a chronic progressive disease that affects your respiratory, digestive, and reproductive tracts. Symptoms of cystic fibrosis may include thick mucus in your lungs, wheezing, abdominal pain, fatigue and additional conditions such...
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. Due to a defective gene, the body produces a thick and sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and can cause...
Influenza is typically a self-limited illness characterized by fever, dry cough, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. However, the flu can cause serious complications, especially in people with preexisting health...
A jet nebulizer is a medical device that is used for the inhalation of medicine. It is commonly used to treat asthma patients and lung disease in cystic fibrosis cases. Jet nebulizers allow the medicine to reach the lungs directly, where they can...
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease that causes severe lung damage and nutritional deficiencies. Cystic fibrosis affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, saliva and digestive juices. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and...
