Lungs and Airways

Aspiration Pneumonia – Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Definition Aspiration pneumonia is a condition where foreign material enters the lower airways thereby causing inflammation of the lung. It can result in chemical damage of the lung tissue or a lung infection. The term aspiration pneumonia is usually reserved for a lung infection, mainly bacterial, where the bacteria >> Read More ...

Farmer’s Lung

What is farmer’s lung? Farmer’s lung is an inflammatory disorder of the lung caused by an immune reaction. It is not an infection but more of an allergic reaction. Farmer’s lung is one type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with an occupational hazard. In farmer’s lung, the reaction arises >> Read More ...

Foreign Body Aspiration (Object Blocking the Airways)

What is foreign body aspiration? Foreign body aspiration is a medical emergency that arises when an object enters the airways. Depending on the size of the object, either a solid or semi-solid, it may obstruct the airways. A significant or complete obstruction can be life-threatening within minutes. Smaller objects may >> Read More ...

Respiratory Acidosis (Carbon Dioxide Blood Acidity)

Respiratory Acidosis Definition Respiratory acidosis refers to the condition in which body fluids, especially the blood, become too acidic due to higher than normal levels of carbon dioxide. It is an indication that breathing (ventilation) is not adequately expelling the carbon dioxide from the body. There are a number of >> Read More ...

Legionnaire’s Disease (Legionellosis)

What is Legionnaire’s Disease? Legionnaires’ disease (LD), also known as legionellosis, is a severe form of lung infection producing pneumonia-like symptoms. Legionnaires’ disease is a water-borne disease caused by Legionella pneumophila bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by inhaling the >> Read More ...

HIV Pneumonia Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

What is HIV pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection of the lung that can occur in any person. It is more likely to affect people with weakened immune systems. HIV infection is one of the rapidly growing causes of a weak immune system. Therefore pneumonia in an HIV-positive patients is sometimes termed HIV pneumonia or more >> Read More ...

Tight Chest and Restricted Breathing Causes and Warning Signs

The chest houses many of the vital organs such as the heart and great blood vessels as well as the lungs and airways. The sturdy ribcage, breastbone and vertebrae at the back protect these organs. Breathing and pumping of blood never ceases and these vital organs are working throughout life. Normally a person is not  >> Read More ...

Paralysis of the Diaphragm (Breathing Muscle Problem)

What is diaphragmatic paralysis? Diaphragmatic paralysis is where the diaphragm is not able to contract either on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral). Breathing does not cease immediately as there are accessory respiratory muscles that normally assists with inspiration. However, these muscles are not as >> Read More ...

Pulmonary Tuberculosis (Lung TB)

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by an infection with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus, a type of bacteria that can affect any part of the body but most commonly the lungs. It is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world today but most people have latent TB which is essentially a dormant infection and >> Read More ...

Uncontrollable Coughing Fits in Adults and Children

Coughing is a reflex action triggered by some irritant in the respiratory passage. It is intended to expel this irritant as rapidly and forcefully as possible. When the cough reflex is triggered usually by stimulation of the pulmonary irritant receptors lining the lower respiratory tract, the following sequence of events >> Read More ...
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