Numerous conditions can cause left flank pain, or pain on the left side of the torso. According to the Clinical Methods website, flank pain is a sensation of pain or distress in the part of the torso between the ribs and the ilia, or hip bones,...
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. According to the Children's Hospital Boston, pneumonia tends to occur more during the winter and spring, and is more common in boys than girls. The most common causes of pneumonia in children are bacteria,...
Tuberculosis is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. According to the Mayo Clinic, typical tuberculosis manifestations include a fever, night sweats, coughing up blood (hemoptysis), a poor appetite...
An elliptical trainer is an exercise machine that combines the motion of cross-country skiing and stair-stepping. In addition, some elliptical trainers use push-pull bars to provide upper body resistance exercises. These upper body exercises work...
The heart is a contractile muscle that works to supply blood to your body. It contains blood vessels that carry the oxygen and nutrients that your body needs. Sometimes, these blood vessels are blocked. In some cases, fluid can build around your...
Pneumonia complicated by inflammation of the outer lung sac, or pleura, is called pleuritic pneumonia. The usual symptoms of pneumonia occur with this condition, accompanied by additional symptoms arising from inflammation of the pleura. Fluid...
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 12,904 cases of tuberculosis were reported in the U.S. in 2008--the lowest number on record. However, tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health threat globally. TB...
Varicella is commonly known as chicken pox, and varicella pneumonia is a rare, but serious complication of this infection. According to the "European Respiratory Journal," varicella pneumonia more commonly affects adults with chicken pox, rather...
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 cough is a normal bodily reflex that occurs when airways are exposed to an irritant such as pollen or mucus. A cough may be acute or chronic and accompanied by a fever, phlegm, unintentional weight loss and night sweats. Sometimes your cough can...
The thin fibrous tissues lining the abdominal and chest cavities and covering the contained organs are the peritoneum and the pleural, respectively. Mesotheliomas represent rare cancers arising from these tissues. Heavy occupational asbestos...
Communicable diseases are highly contagious illnesses passed from person-to-person via respiratory droplets, fluid, mucus, semen, saliva or breast milk. Sneezing, touching a contagious individual or object, drinking contaminated water or having...
The symptoms of respiratory system diseases can often overlap and cause confusion over the exact pathology affecting the patient. A very common question faced by primary care physicians is whether a patient has bronchitis or pneumonia and, if so,...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, until 2000, strep pneumonia causes 100,000 to 135,000 hospitalizations per year. Because of the pneumonia vaccine this rate has decreased to 13 cases per 100,000 people, says the CDC....
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the sac around the heart, and is related to illness and diseases like lupus. Learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatments of pericarditis in this health video.
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the outer, fibrous layer of the heart. Learn more about pericarditis and the heart in this health video.
