Asbestosis is a lung disorder that occurs when tiny asbestos fibers are breathed into the lungs, collecting there and scarring the lung tissue. Over time, this scarring harms the lungs' ability to exchange gases, which can lead to difficulty...
According to the Mayo Clinic, a ruptured spleen is an emergency medical condition that occurs when the spleen experiences a trauma. The spleen is an important center for immune system activities. According to MDGuidelines.com, splenic rupture...
Your immune system is capable of responding to more than 1 trillion different foreign substances and manufactures billions of new cells each day to carry out is functions of diligently protecting your health from invading pathogens. A healthy diet...
Bronchial pneumonia, also known as bronchopneumonia, is an infection of the bronchial tubes of the lungs and the most common form of pneumonia in infants. If your child shows symptoms such as high fever, productive cough, loss of appetite,...
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disorder that manifests as lung, liver and/or skin disease. Specifically, the most common effects are emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with fewer patients experiencing cirrhosis of the...
The pneumonia vaccine--also called pneumococcal conjugate vaccine--is recommended for nearly everyone, but especially for children and adults who have other health conditions that could lead to serious complications if pneumonia is contracted,...
The pneumonia shot is given for the prevention of illness caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Pneumococcal infection can cause serious problems, such as pneumonia, which affects the lungs; meningitis, which affects the brain;...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), varicella, also known as chickenpox, is a childhood disease that's highly contagious among those who aren't immune.
What do kittens, puppies and freshly mowed grass have in common? They are all joyous things unless you suffer from asthma. Possessing the knowledge of what makes your asthma worse is just as important as knowing how to treat an attack. Respect...
Asthma is a condition of chronic inflammation of the lungs. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs' tissues, most commonly caused by viruses and bacteria. Both illnesses can present with similar symptoms, including cough, respiratory distress and...
A vaccine is a suspension of weakened disease-causing organisms that are given to a person to stimulate his immune system and thus protect him against the disease caused by the organism. Required vaccines for children entering school vary among...
Pneumovax, also known as pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent, is a vaccine used to prevent pneumococcal disease caused by the streptococcus pneumonia bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Pneumoccal disease can lead to...
The pneumonia vaccine works by introducing the body to a small quantity of the bacteria responsible for the illness. MayoClinic.com reports that the bacteria helps the body build antibodies to defend itself against future exposure to the illness....
Surely you have heard it before, but it must be said again. Smoking not only increases your risk of developing pneumonia and other lung conditions, it does absolutely nothing good for you, so quit now to protect yourself from pneumonia and other...
Asbestosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that can increase the risk of lung cancer, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Asbestos fibers cause scarring when they enter the lung, and the scarred tissue...
Garlic can treat a variety of ailments, but pneumonia is not one of them. Pneumonia can be very difficult to treat, which may be why a homeopathic remedy does not offer much of a cure. Those most at risk for developing pneumonia are those who are...
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is more likely to occur in infants and babies who have compromised respiratory systems from either a chronic medical condition, such as cerebral palsy, or an illness, like an upper-respiratory infection....
To preserve your lung function and prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), don't start smoking. If you've ever known someone who is on oxygen, having surgery or suffering due to COPD symptoms and complications, you know you want to...
Diabetes causes serious complications, involving many body systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, the risk of death in diabetics is two times greater than for nondiabetics of similar age. Maintaining good...
Your newborn is likely exposed to several contaminants and germs. A mother's antibodies are still inside her newborn, actively working at fighting off infections and illness until his immune system is developed at around 6 months of age. One...
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....
Heart failure does not mean that the heart has stopped working. It means that the heart muscle has become too weak to pump out the blood the body needs to perform normally. It can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, edema and chest pain. Heart...
Chest tightness, difficulty breathing, persistent cough, increased sputum production and wheezing can indicate COPD exacerbation as a result of respiratory infection, allergens, pollution, the flu or pneumonia. According to the American Thoracic...
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, affects 12 million Americans, according to the Merck Manual, and is the second most common cause of death. COPD also runs second only to heart disease as a cause of disability that affects people...
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a naturally occurring bacterium found in the back of the nasal passages. Most people carry the bacteria, also called pneumococcus, for most of their lives without incident. When the bacteria are spread to other parts of...
Lung disease can take several forms. The most common diseases fall into three categories: lung infection, such as pneumonia; lung cancer; or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, such as emphysema. When a patient presents with lung symptoms such...
The benefits of Medicare are available in a variety of situations, primarily to those who are 65 or older. If you are under 65, you're also entitled to Medicare benefits if you meet special criteria, such as having amyotrophic lateral...
There are many childhood conditions that can cause breathing problems. Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and a tightness in the chest are all common symptoms of many of these illnesses. If a child is experiencing trouble breathing, his...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 12 million people took cruises in 2007. Because approximately 4,000 passengers and crew members share the ship for an average of seven days to 14 days, the risk of contracting an...
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs that's usually caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi or other organisms. Pneumonia is a particular concern for older adults and people with chronic illnesses or impaired immune systems. Learn...
