Pulmonary heart disease referred to as pulmonary hypertension, “is considered rare amongst the U.S. population,” as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a study reporting incidences from 1980 through 2002....
Shortness of breath can be nothing more than an indication of your general level of "being in shape." When do you feel short of breath? After sexual relations, climbing stairs or exerting yourself in a friendly game of softball? Or is the...
Wheezing is a type of breathing difficulty that creates a shrill whistling sound due to narrowing of the airways. It can be a symptom of respiratory disease, including asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. If wheezing...
When the weather outside is frightful, you do not have to relegate yourself to using a treadmill every day. Cold temperatures, however, can dampen your enthusiasm for "pounding some pavement." The cold air will affect your lungs, although it does...
If there is too much fluid in or around your lungs, the extra pressure will make it hard for your lungs to exchange oxygen, making breathing difficult. If caught early on, this condition can be treated successfully. If it comes on quickly, or is...
Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases are defined as any disorder that affects the heart or lungs' ability to function normally. There are a variety of different diseases and conditions which fit this description including endocarditis, heart...
Fatigue is a condition associated with a lack of energy, tiredness or weariness. It is a condition that is separate from drowsiness, which is a feeling of the need to sleep. However, drowsiness can accompany fatigue. Fatigue is associated with a...
Carpal tunnel surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed in the U.S. Two basic types of this surgery exist: open release and endoscopic release. Like any surgery, each poses potential complications, some of which are associated with...
Anxiety occurs twice as often in women than in men. Further, changes in the production of the hormones progesterone and estrogen that occur during menopause often contribute to or worsen anxiety symptoms. Progesterone in particular is linked to...
A loss of appetite or a general malaise can be the uncomfortable side effects of many illnesses and medical conditions. An overall loss of appetite can be triggered by anything from psychological distress to a new medication you are taking....
Hypoxemia is the state of low blood oxygen. The inability of the body to take in enough oxygen from the air leads to a lowering of the concentration of the oxygen in the blood. People who experience this decrease of oxygen often having trouble...
Swine flu, also known as H1N1 influenza, is a widespread illness caused by a respiratory virus. According to the Mayo Clinic, H1N1 is composed of genetic matter from human, bird and pig viruses. It typically causes fever, cough, sore throat and...
Lifestyle diseases are those conditions to which your lifestyle habits contribute. Many medical conditions are the direct result of poor eating habits, a lack of exercise and insufficient preventive health care. They are diseases most common in...
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to supply the body with adequate blood. This leads to an accumulation of fluids within the body, and swelling is especially seen in the lower extremities of the body. Swelling can occur in...
You're not alone if you have trouble committing to an exercise plan. Many people feel they don't have enough time in their day to devote to physical activity, while others may find exercise boring. You may have a medical condition, however, if you...
According to the American Heart Association, smoking-related diseases are responsible for more than 440,000 deaths in the United States per year as of 2010. Cigarette smoking puts you at a higher risk for high blood pressure, blood clots, high LDL...
Pulmonary hypertension is elevated blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. The progressive injury from the elevated pressure results in an increase in the resistance inside the vessels. This is transmitted back to the heart and in the...
When tobacco users stop smoking, their bodies react to the physical and psychological changes. As nicotine is flushed from the system, cravings and headaches may overshadow the more positive but subtle effects on the heart and lungs. The rationale...
Arteriosclerosis is also known as hardening of the arteries. It causes a thickening of the walls in the arteries, which normally carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body. Thickening or hardening of the arteries can...
Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, causing an estimated 438,000 deaths each year, according to the National Cancer Institute. The American Cancer society states cigarette smoking kills more...
Any medication that is taken during pregnancy can affect the health of the baby. While some antihypertensive medications used to lower blood pressure are considered safe, others can increase the risk of illness or death of the baby. The FDA...
Breathing problems can occur because of upper airway obstruction caused by a sinus infection or allergies. Other more serious breathing problems such as shortness of breath and wheezing may occur because of pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive...
Proper breathing techniques while weight-lifting are necessary to help you lift better, with control and with rhythm. They also help you avoid injuries to your joints, according to Juan Carlos Santana, director of the Institute of Human...
Although preventive health care is important for everyone, doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that the benefits and effects of preventive care may not be as easy to recognize in elderly people. Age-related illness, natural deterioration and reduced...
Although reasons to smoke cigarettes might be limited to a few mental and physical effects, reasons to quit smoking are numerous. In addition to reversing financial and health concerns, quitting brings you freedom from addiction and a healthier...
The heart and lungs work together to keep a person alive. The heart pumps blood, which has been oxygenated by the lungs, to the rest of the body. The heart and lungs also need an oxygen-rich blood supply to function properly. Breathing problems...
Tobacco use can cause heart disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and a host of other health problems. The nicotine patch is available over-the-counter as a smoking cessation aid, and may make quitting smoking easier.
Unintentional weight loss may seem a bonus to some people, particularly those carrying excess weight. Such weight loss may occur as a symptom of serious health condition, however. If you experience weight loss of 10 lbs. or more and are lost for...
Smoking cigarettes can cause a variety of ailments to the lungs, heart and other vital organs. When you smoke, harmful chemicals enter the lungs and penetrate the blood, eventually causing destruction to surrounding tissue. According to the...
Pulmonary edema refers to a swelling of the lungs and/or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, which occurs from a weakness of the heart or direct injury. Learn more about pulmonary edema in this video.
