Wheezing is a high-pitched, whistling sound that occurs when air travels through tightened airways in the chest, according to MayoClinic.com. In most cases, wheezing can be heard when the airways collapse upon exhaling. If your infant is wheezing,...
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...
Papaya enzymes derived from the tropical fruit are called papain. Papain is sometimes used as a natural digestive aid, made from the milky latex substance found in unripe papaya fruits and stems. You might use papaya enzymes to help your body...
Risk factors are elements that do not cause a disease or illness, but rather seem to be associated in some way with the disease. Risk factors for high blood glucose, or hyperglycemia, increase your overall chances of developing the condition. If...
A nursing diagnosis differs from a medical diagnosis. Nursing diagnoses describe problems that can be addressed by nursing measures. Because nurses can't diagnose a disease or prescribe medication, a nursing diagnosis doesn't describe a disease or...
Approximately one in every five adults in the United States smokes cigarettes, according to the American Heart Association. Researchers with Penn Medicine report that exposure to cigarette smoke, which contains a variety of toxic irritants and...
Vitamin K is a vitamin that plays important roles in blood clotting and bone health. A vitamin K deficiency is very rare, but it can occur among individuals using certain medications or suffering from health conditions. Your body produces vitamin...
Vitamin K was first discovered in 1929 by Henrik Dam, a Danish biochemist with the University of Copenhagen. The blood-clotting capabilities of the vitamin were found in an experiment with feeding chicks a cholesterol-free diet. The chicks...
The spontaneous collapse of a lung is also known as a spontaneous pneumothorax. The lung collapses because of a buildup of air in the chest space. With a spontaneous collapse there is no warning and the exact cause is not always known. Patients...
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in your lungs and digestive system. Mucus buildup in the lungs and respiratory tract causes breathing problems. When thick mucus builds up in your pancreas, it...
Parsley is a springtime herb that pairs well with potato salad, rice and several Italian-inspired dishes. Herbs often offer health benefits despite the small amount you typically use when cooking. Parsley is no exception, with many nutrients that...
Vitamin K is an important nutrient that plays a vital role in your blood's ability to form clots. This vitamin includes a group of fat-soluble compounds, such as phylloquinone and menaquinones. The menaquinones make up vitamin K2. The production...
Cirrhosis occurs when the liver is damaged and healthy tissue is replaced with scar tissue. The liver gradually deteriorates and stops functioning properly. A normal liver regenerates new tissue in response to damage; however, end-stage cirrhosis...
Cystic fibrosis, or CF, is a disease that affects your secretory glands, the effect being seen mainly in the lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, sinuses and sex organs. Mucus is produced by the body to keep the tissues of organs moist and...
In cystic fibrosis, a defective gene results in thick, sticky mucus, sweat and digestive juices. Though it is a serious illness, cystic fibrosis doesn’t have to stop you from participating in things you love, like sports. Not only can you...
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disorder that affects multiple organ systems such as the respiratory tract, intestines, pancreas and liver. If you suffer from cystic fibrosis, you are at high risk for malnutrition due to the malabsorption and...
In the United States, approximately 30,000 people live with cystic fibrosis--a chronic hereditary disease that affects the respiratory and digestive tracts--reports the American Lung Association. This disease most commonly affects Caucasian...
Vitamin D is a nutrient your body needs to help metabolize calcium and form healthy bones. Vitamin D plays an important role in regulating the levels of calcium and phosphorus within your blood. Your body synthesizes vitamin D3 from sunlight and...
Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium for strong bones, supports your immune system in fighting off harmful bacteria and viruses, aids communication within your nervous system and keeps your muscles working smoothly. According to the Office of...
Amoxicillin is one of the drugs in the beta-lactam antibiotic family, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is used to treat bacterial infections. Because it is inexpensive compared to other antibiotics, it is regularly prescribed to treat common...
Vitamin D belongs to the group of vitamins called fat-soluble vitamins. These vitamins require the presence of dietary fat in order to be properly absorbed. Vitamin D contributes to bone health and may help prevent the development of some cancers...
Cystic fibrosis affects 30,000 children and adults in the U.S., according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. People with cystic fibrosis have a life span of about 30 to 40 years. Data show vitamin K deficiency is common in this group. Dietary...
Deformities from lack of nutrition can occur at any age, even in utero. In the United States, 3 percent of children are born with birth defects, a condition that causes a physical change to one or more body parts. Researchers attribute some of...
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in foods such as saltwater fish, eggs and fortified milk. There are two kinds of vitamin D, and they can be obtained in the body through the diet or by exposure to the sun. The thyroid gland does not...
Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting, as it allows blood platelet cells to become "sticky" and coagulate together, which prevents internal bleeding and allows external injuries to heal. Some newborns experience vitamin K deficiency bleeding,...
An adequate intake of vitamins and minerals is essential for the maintenance and promotion of healthy bodily systems. The respiratory system, most notably the lungs, needs special attention because of pollutants in the air and because of unhealthy...
In certain concentrations, mold and mildew inhalation creates ill health effects in both people with mold allergies and those who have never had a problem with mold. As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports, indoor...
Vitamin D deficiency is a condition in which your body does not have an adequate level of vitamin D, a nutrient that aids the body in regulating calcium levels. People under the age of 50 should consume at least 5 micrograms of calcium daily,...
The National Kidney Foundation estimates that approximately 1 million people in the United States each year are treated for kidney stones, with most of these patients being between the ages of 20 and 40 years old. Previously rare, the incidence of...
