A dry cough results from a variety of conditions including infections, allergies, smoking and as a side effect of a blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors. Recurrent or persistent dry cough should be evaluated by a physician. In the...
Mycoplasma pneumonia, also known as "walking" pneumonia or atypical pneumonia, is a mild form of pneumonia that is caused by the pathogen mycoplasma pneumoniae. The onset of symptoms occurs gradually over 1 to 3 weeks with clinical signs similar...
A persistent dry cough can be irritating and at times, even painful. It occurs from inflammation of the throat and airways, and does not produce any phlegm or mucus. There are, however, a number of key things you can do that will loosen congestion...
Coughs are typically broken down into two categories: productive and non-productive. Productive coughs help bring up mucus while non-productive coughs are dry and occur when the throat has become inflamed, according to Steady Health. Causes of dry...
Dry coughs are coughs that do not produce phlegm or mucus. A dry cough usually feels like something is irritating or tickling the back of your throat. A constant, dry cough may be a symptom of several different medical conditions. A visit to your...
Tuberculosis is a chronic disease transmitted by the bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is seen in the lungs but can also target other organs, including the kidneys and liver. A person is infected when they inhale air droplets...
Sjorgren's syndrome is an autoimmune condition in which the glands that produce saliva and tears are destroyed, leading to dry mouth and eyes. Sjorgren's syndrome may also affect other areas of the body that need moisture, such as your nose,...
Whether or not a cough is dry and unproductive or full of phlegm, the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) indicates that it is a necessary reflex that helps protect the body, including the lungs. When a cough occurs, air is expelled from the lungs,...
Tubercle bacillus, also referred to as tuberculosis or TB, is a contagious bacterium. It spreads through the air when a person with the active form of the disease coughs, sneezes or exhales forcefully. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease...
Asbestosis is a condition of the lungs that results from exposure to high levels of asbestos fibers. These fibers were once used regularly in the construction industry, and while they are not used as often anymore, they are still in use in some...
A hiatal hernia is a condition in which a portion of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm. While the Mayo Clinic reports that small hiatal hernias usually cause no outward symptoms, larger ones can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease, or...
Mycoplasma pneumonia or "walking" pneumonia, is a mild atypical form of pneumonia caused by the mycoplasma pneumoniae microorganism. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) indicates that 15 to 50 percent of all pneumonia cases in adults are of...
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, abbreviated GERD, is a condition in which the contents of the stomach flow backwards into the esophagus or throat. In the United States, approximately 10 to 20 million people are estimated to have GERD, according...
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma develops from the rapid, out-of-control growth of cells of the immune system called lymphocytes. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma often begins in the lymph nodes, small organs of the immune system located throughout the body. However,...
The term AIDS is an abbreviation for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, the late stages of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. After it infects the body, the HIV virus slowly destroys the immune system. The normal role of...
The ascending aorta is the first section of the large artery that delivers oxygen and nutrients in the form of blood from the heart to other regions of the body. People who develop a weakened portion of the ascending aortic wall may be diagnosed...
A common symptom of a cold is a cough, but coughing also can be a signal of a more serious medical complication in children. According to KeepKidsHealthy.com, a cough can be particularly dangerous when your child also has trouble breathing or when...
A cough can be a symptom of a wide variety of infections and ailments. Treating the underlying cause is often the best course of action but measures can be taken to soothe the cough as well. During pregnancy, a woman should contact her doctor...
A dry cough is one that does not produce any sputum, or mucus. It can be painful and forceful. Treating this type of cough in an infant depends on the underlying cause. Antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial infections. Home treatment options...
A cough is an involuntary reflex triggered by irritation of the airways or the nerves responsible for the reflex. Many conditions can trigger the cough reflex, giving rise to different types of coughing with distinguishing characteristics. Noting...
The diaphragm separates the abdominal and chest cavities. The food pipe, or esophagus, passes through an opening in the diaphragm before connecting with the stomach. In some people, the opening for the esophagus is too large, allowing part of the...
Choosing an appropriate blood pressure medication can be difficult; as with any medication, your body will tolerate some better than others. Many blood pressure medication options are available. Your physician may prescribe you more than one...
Chronic sore throat is an uncomfortable symptom caused by a variety of different environmental and medical conditions. Problems with the nasal passages, infections, environmental irritants and lifestyle choices can contribute to the development of...
Skin discoloration can be caused by environmental exposure, congenital factors and certain medical conditions, according to the MedlinePlus website. In some cases, skin discoloration and weight loss are symptoms of a common condition or disease....
Green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant, and according to the University of Maryland, contains powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease, occurs when the body's immune system attacks itself....
Hypertensive (high blood pressure) patients have different types of anti-hypertensive medication to choose from in order to control their blood pressure. Commonly prescribed high blood pressure medication includes Hydrochlorothiazide, Lisinopril,...
Irritation of the lining tissues of the throat and airways trigger nerve cells that stimulate a cough response. Infections of the upper respiratory tract, from the nose through the upper airways, are frequent causes of dry cough. Dry cough may...
Acid reflux, also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux, occurs when food, liquid and stomach acid travel backward from the stomach into the esophagus. While many people experience acid reflux occasionally, if you suffer from acid reflux at least...
Lots of babies -- more than 60 percent -- have problems with gastric reflux during the first year of their life, according to AskDrSears.com, the parenting information website maintained by pediatrician William Sears. For babies, this early form...
