N-acetylcysteine, or acetylcysteine, is a naturally occurring amino acid that may be prescribed as a medication to help reduce the viscosity of mucous in the lungs so it can be expectorated, used to treat patients with abnormal discharge of mucous...
Diarrhea, a condition characterized by frequent, loose, watery stools, allows the body to rid itself of toxins and foreign substances. In a normal digestive system, food remains in liquid form until it reaches the colon, where the body absorbs...
If you have a lung condition that causes difficulty with breathing, your activities will be limited according to how much you can tolerate. People have reduced pulmonary function for various reasons, including chronic diseases, such as chronic...
Prolonged diarrhea--diarrhea that lasts more than two days, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states--can cause dehydration and may indicate a more serious health problem than diarrhea that lasts a few days and...
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas produces enzymes that digest proteins and fats. Pancreatic inflammation causes digestive enzyme seepage into the pancreatic tissue, leading to organ damage. In addition to excessive...
Aching, gnawing and cramping pain felt in the pit of the upper part of the stomach can be more than a sign of an upset stomach. Sometimes, certain organs can be inflamed or clots can obstruct important vessels surrounding the stomach and lead to...
Babies' bowel movements come in a variety of colors and textures. Most parents become familiar with what's "normal" for their particular infant quickly, and often panic when something other than the norm shows up in the baby's diaper. Mucus in the...
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation describes cystic fibrosis, or CF, as an inherited chronic disease. Although CF is invariably fatal, the median predicted age of survival has crept up from age 32 in 2000 to age 37.4 in 2008. The prognosis is...
If your diet doesn't contain enough fish or foods fortified in vitamin D, or you lack sunlight exposure, your body's vitamin D levels may become too low to maintain good bone health. The National Institutes of Health guidelines indicate your body...
Everyone experiences abdominal pain and swelling at some point in his or her life. In most cases, abdominal pain and swelling are caused by air or increased gas in the stomach and do not indicate a serious condition. When abdominal pain and...
N-acetylcysteine, or NAC, is a form of the amino acid cysteine. The FDA has approved NAC to treat acetaminophen overdose. NAC's ability to thin mucus and its antioxidant properties have led to many off-label uses. The sulfur molecule in NAC makes...
The lungs are spongy, paired organs located deep within the chest and are responsible for respiration. Sometimes the airways can tighten or mucus can fill these airways. In some instances, a bacteria can infiltrate the lungs and lead to a very...
There are a number of diseases that can affect the lungs, causing them not to work properly. There are three main categories of pulmonary, or lung, diseases: those that affect the airways, those that cause scarring and inflammation of the lung...
People with mold allergies suffer ill health effects when indoor molds and mildew grow on hard surfaces and fabric in homes and other buildings. Damp conditions and moderate temperature ranges sustain these fungi, which feed on decaying substances...
You or your child can work with a respiratory therapist, who is a specialized medical professional trained in ways to help CF patients breathe better. Cystic fibrosis causes heavy buildups of thick mucus in the lungs, and respiratory therapists...
Vitamin A was the first recognized vitamin (hence "A") discovered in the late 19th Century. Vitamin A plays an important role in a healthy diet, keeping everything from your heart to your skin in good working order. Vitamin A helps keep your...
Reflexology is a form of alternative medicine that may have benefits for a variety of health conditions, including pancreatitis, a condition that is characterized by inflammation in the pancreas. Treatment is carried out in a variety of ways, and...
Collapsed lung is a collective term used to describe two separate conditions, pneumothorax and atelectasis, that trigger partial or total deflation of your lung's oxygen-carrying structures. If you have an atelectasis, deflation occurs in the tiny...
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and can be acute or chronic. The pancreas produces hormones and supports digestion by producing enzymes that breakdown food. Pancreatitis is treated with medication, IV fluids and in some cases,...
Vitamin D is an important fat-soluble vitamin involved in a variety of bodily functions. A blood test to analyze the levels of vitamin D in the blood is an effective way to detect a variety of abnormalities of the bone or digestive system as well...
Liver cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver is scarred, typically occurring after a prolonged period of damage. According to MayoClinic.com, cirrhosis can occur from a number of causes, including chronic alcohol abuse, hepatitis, cystic...
Testing for vitamin D-3, also called cholecalciferol, can be used to help assess nutritional status and your ability to absorb and utilize vitamin D. Cholecalciferol is transformed in the liver into metabolites, or byproducts, which the kidneys...
Vitamin K makes proteins needed for normal blood clotting and for healthy bones and tissues. A diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables should supply all the vitamin K you need. In addition, your body makes vitamin K. However, certain drugs or...
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin responsible for the regulation of calcium and phosphorus. It is required for proper bone growth and maintenance and is important to immune function and inflammation reduction. Vitamin D deficiency is common,...
