What Can Cause Pain Under the Left Ribs? Pain under the left rib cage can arise from any organ in the left upper abdomen or chest, spine, or the left ribs themselves. In otherwise healthy people, spleen irritation and gas built in the colon are main causes of pain under the lower left ribs. Pain can be also >> Read More ...
Stridor and wheezing are two terms for different breathing sounds that are often used synonymously although there is a difference. Wheezing refers to the high-pitched or whistling sound, which is most prominent when breathing out (expiration). A wheeze is usually heard clearly upon auscultation (use of a stethoscope) >> Read More ...
Fluid in the lungs specifically refers to a condition known as pulmonary edema. However, the term may sometimes be confused with other conditions like fluid outside or aroun the lungs which is pleural effusion. Both causes characteristic symptoms, like a bubbling sound in the lungs (rales) when breathing. The term >> Read More ...
Definition of Chronic Cough A cough is a forceful ‘push’ of exhaled air that is either done voluntarily or as a reflex action (involuntary). A chronic cough is usually considered to be any cough that is persisting for more than 3 months. It may be constant, where the patient coughs every few minutes or it can >> Read More ...
How Can the Blood Appear in the Mouth? Blood in the mouth can originate from the mouth, throat and any part of the airway (nose, paranasal sinuses, voice box, windpipe, bronchi), lungs or upper gut (esophagus or stomach). The presence of blood in the mouth is not always a cause for concern. However, coughing up blood is a >> Read More ...
Mucus is naturally produced by mucous cells that are present in the linings of various tracts and cavities in the body. One of the main reasons for this mucus is provide moisture and lubrication although it may have additional purposes like trapping dust and microbes (airways). Normally mucus is clear to slightly opaque >> Read More ...
What is Phlegm? Phlegm (pronounced flem; from Greek phlegma = inflammation) is an informal name for mucus coughed up from the throat. In this article, a term phlegm will be used only for mucus produced in the mucous layer of bronchi and windpipe (trachea). Medical term for phlegm is expectorated matter or sputum. Phlegm >> Read More ...
