Mucus plug, the excessive secretion of slippery substance produced by the cells lining the airways of the lungs, is a result of various respiratory conditions that exhibit mucus hypersecretion. These include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary...
The mucus plug is a mass of mucus that protects the opening of a woman's cervical canal from bacteria and infection throughout pregnancy. As you near the end of your pregnancy, your mucus plug is no longer necessary and your body will expel it....
In female anatomy, the fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the womb or uterus and transport the egg or ovum to the womb. Fertilization of the egg also usually occurs here. Infertility can be a distressing condition for couples, and in almost a...
The term salt water, also known as "saline water," simply defines the mixture of water and salt. In the human body, the sodium component of salt serves as the main balancer of the environment inside and outside each living cell. Thus, sodium plays...
Shortness of breath, often described as suffocating or starving for air, is one of the most unpleasant sensations a person can experience. Mayo Clinic physicians list more than two dozen causes. In severe chest congestion, mucus plugs the air...
The interstitium, which is lung tissue that surrounds and supports the airways and blood vessels within the lungs, is highly susceptible to environmental substances as well as viral and bacterial attacks. Interstitial lung diseases result from...
The lungs contain a branching system of airways leading to the air sacs, where gas exchange occurs. Each branch division gives rise to narrower airways, akin to branching tree limbs. The bronchi are the larger airways of the lungs. Infections,...
Reaching the 39th week of pregnancy means you are almost there. Your body is preparing itself for the big day. You may know things are going on by the Braxton Hicks, or fake contractions, you are experiencing. Another indication is a slimy...
The common cold can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Symptoms of a cold are nasal drip (runny nose), sneezing, aching muscles, coughs, scratchy or itchy sore throat, sinus congestion, fatigue, low grade fever and watery eyes. While there is no...
In the United States nearly 6.5 million children under the age of 18 have been diagnosed with asthma. Asthma accounts for 14 million absences from school every year and is the leading chronic illness in children. Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory...
Dietary protein provides the building blocks that help manufacture the chemicals and structures needed to maintain your body. Protein also serves as a backup fuel when your supply of carbohydrates and fats runs low. Protein malnutrition occurs...
Every pregnancy experience is different. Some changes in pregnancy signal that labor is imminent, while others only bring about false expectations. Epigee.org explains that it is important to review potential signs of labor in order to recognize...
Most women become anxious for labor to start as they near the end of their pregnancy. Normal pregnancy discomforts, apprehension about labor and delivery, and the joy of holding your little one in your arms all are a part of this anxiety....
The traditional definition of true labor is the onset of regular contractions, which prepare the uterus to deliver the fetus. For most pregnancies, this occurs between 38 and 42 weeks of gestation. What truly sets preterm labor apart from...
The 29th week of pregnancy marks the start of the third and final trimester. At the start of this trimester, a woman is feeling well but as time passes, her discomfort increases. The baby has little room left in the womb and the body begins to...
While nothing in life is certain, there's a good chance that your second labor will differ from your first in a number of ways. Both you and your uterus have been down this road before, so you know -- or think you know -- what to expect when labor...
If you're in the third trimester of your pregnancy, you are probably getting more and more anxious about the big delivery day. After the 38th week of your pregnancy, your baby could come at any time, even if you are still a few weeks from your due...
By the time the ninth month of pregnancy finally arrives, most women are more than ready for pregnancy to be over. Every twinge, cramp and odd sensation bring the hopeful question "Is this it?" Early labor has several signs; some are subtle and...
Pregnancy is an exciting journey that can bring much apprehension as the expected delivery date of the baby approaches. From the moment of conception a woman's body takes on many changes. In fact, some of the early changes are paving the way for...
Progesterone is a hormone produced by the ovaries of a woman. According to Association of Women for the Advancement of Research and Education, progesterone levels rise and fall during the menstrual cycle. The production of this hormone begins...
It's important to clean out your infant's nose, especially when she's suffering from a cold that is causing excess mucus. A plugged nose can interfere with her suck-swallow-breath reflex, notes the university of Michigan, disrupting her ability to...
A pregnancy is considered full-term after the 37th week, but induction of labor is not typically done until some time after the 40th week. Every birthing facility and practitioner is different, but waiting until the 41st week to begin a medical...
Yeast occurs naturally in the vaginal area. Yeast thrive in warm and moist parts of the body and feed off sugars. When a woman is pregnant her vaginal secretions increase, which can include sugars. This combination of factors during pregnancy...
Vaginal spotting is a scary occurrence for some pregnant women. It can be a sign of some very normal pregnancy milestones or it can be a signal that something is amiss. In any case, a call to your healthcare provider is warranted. Determining the...
After nine months of pregnancy, any expectant mother is understandably eager to meet her new baby. There are signs that precede the birth of a baby and knowing these can help mothers-to-be recognize when their body is preparing for birth and when...
A typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. Due to individual differences a woman may go into labor a few days or weeks before the due date and others will go a week or longer past the due date. Depending on the woman's birthing facility or...
Most home methods to induce labor will be ineffective if a woman's body is not yet ready for labor. Pregnant women can carry out methods to encourage cervical dilation once a pregnancy has reached at least 37 weeks, which is considered full term...
Inducing labor is not something a woman should do without the consent of her health care provider, no matter how natural the technique. Attempts to start labor should not be made prior to the 40th week of pregnancy. With a medical care provider's...
You have been anticipating the arrival of your new little one for nine months, and now are starting to feel anxious about the upcoming labor and delivery. If you are like most first-time expectant moms, you are probably wondering what to expect,...
