The meninges is a membrane that covers and protects your brain. It is composed of three layers called the pia, arachnoid and dura. You also have cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which cushions and protects your brain and spinal cord as it circulates...
The mucous membranes that line the nose and pharynx, and the white blood cells in the lungs, should normally trap any fungal spores. Antibodies also respond to fungal infections. But there are times when fungi can overcome the immune response of...
Under normal conditions, the skin is adept at keeping pathogens from invading the body. The uppermost layer of skin is composed of dead, flattened cells. The cells form a barrier on the skin's surface. On top of that, skin has an acid mantle. A...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first recognized AIDS in 1981, when five men developed the Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, according to Anthony Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institutes of Health, in "Harrison's...
Bronchiolitis is swelling and excess mucus in the bronchioles, which lead into your baby's lungs. Pneumonia is an infection inside the lungs. The only way to be certain of your child's illness is by making a doctor's appointment. Always consult...
According to the Mayo Clinic, 39.5 million people in the world are infected with HIV. Because the disorder damages the immune system's ability to defend against disease-causing pathogens, AIDS patients can suffer from opportunistic infections that...
Anything that would bring damage to the lungs, says the American Lung Association (ALA), can increase the risk of fungal lung infections of immuno-compromised individuals, such as those with cancer or AIDS. To prevent fungal lung infections, it...
Mold may be gross and destructive, but it isn't a given that it will make you sick. The Centers for Disease Control point out that mold itself isn't always problematic. Stachybotrys chartarum is the type of household mold responsible for most...
ABPA refers to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, a condition in which the immune system exhibits a hypersensitive response to the fungus, Aspergillus. The most common species of Aspergillus that elicits ABPA is fumigatus, which is...
Rare pulmonary diseases can be inherited or acquired by exposure to millions of microorganisms that populate the atmosphere. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can invade the lungs, causing disease and lung infections. Disease-producing organisms can...
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...
Human immunodeficiency virus is retrovirus that progressively destroys the immune system, specifically the CD4+ T cell. T lymphocytes are an essential component of cellular immunity, thus their depletion leaves the individual susceptible to...
Herbs have been used for thousands of years for their healing properties. Today, they are widely available in stores and online. While there is some skepticism among medical professionals as to their validity, they are popular around the world.
The exercise desaturation test is commonly done to evaluate lung conditions. “Saturation” refers to the amount of oxygen that is being carried in the blood. Oxygen is carried in the blood by hemoglobin, an iron-containing molecule...
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,...
Since 2000 there has been a considerable increase in the number of diseases caused by fungi, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you are usually healthy, then it is still rare for fungi to spread throughout your body...
Fungal or mycotic lung diseases are a growing public health concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that even previously harmless types of fungal organisms are beginning to create serious illness in those whose immune...
Pneumonia is a condition in which the lungs become inflamed from infections caused by parasites, fungus, viruses and bacteria. While your lungs normally fight off such infections, if you are already in a weakened state, it is easier for pneumonia...
Blastomycosis is a fungal disease. Medline Plus describes blastomycosis as a rare infection that may occur when patients inhale a fungus named Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found in wood and soil. The disease usually presents with pulmonary...
The human body requires oxygen at virtually every level to carry out its function. The purpose of the lungs is to bring air into the body and allow for gas exchange. In the lungs oxygen is able to enter the bloodstream for delivery to the rest of...
Nail fungus occurs when fungi infect one or more of the nails. A nail fungal infection may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of the fingernail or toenail, states the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of toenail fungus include a thickened or...
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig) are a form of protein. The body produces antibodies when antigens, which are substances that can cause damage are present. Parasites, bacteria, cancer cells and viruses are examples of antigens. ...
Say you're in the woods on a hike and you find a piece of interesting wood. As you lean down to inspect it closer, a blast of wind kicks dirt up your nose. You might think this is harmless, but sometimes getting a face full of soil can have...
Olive leaf extract is available as a tincture and as capsules filled with powdered or dried olive leaves. According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the herbal medicine has been used to treat infections, hypertension, inflammation and...
According to National Jewish Health, mold is found indoors and outdoors and grows in dark, moist areas. Mold reproduces by sending mold spores into the air that float around, much like pollen, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma...
Grapefruit seed extract is derived from the seeds of the grapefruit and is available as capsules, tablets or as a liquid. Grapefruit seed extract is not an essential nutrient, but research has shown that it might be useful for certain conditions...
Toenail fungal infections are difficult to treat without drugs. The nail will appear brittle, change shape, crumble, discolor, loosen, lose luster and thicken, according to MedlinePlus. One or more nails can exhibit infection, which is generally...
The continuity of the lung airways with the external environment exacts a high level of risk for infection compared to other body organs. Bacteria, fungi and viruses can infect the upper and lower airways or the air sacs. Similar symptoms may...
A Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier works by vaporizing tap water and running it through a medicine cup before releasing mist into the air. A humidifier is a powerful tool for those who must deal with the common cold, allergies or respiratory conditions....
