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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Any physical activity increases the body’s metabolic rate. There is a greater demand for oxygenation and when the existing depth and rate of breathing is insufficient for the body’s needs, it will subsequently rise to compensate accordingly. It is normal to be out of breath after a strenuous activity, like >> 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 ...
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 ...
Causes of Lung Chest Pain The most common causes of pulmonary chest pain is a result of pathology within the lungs although conditions affecting the air passages may also cause chest pain. Lung chest pain may either be one side or affect both sides simultaneously and some of the common symptoms that occur along with the >> Read More ...
Seasonal, Swine and Bird Flu in Humans Types of influenza currently appearing in humans include: Seasonal influenza, also called annual influenza, conventional influenza, common flu or human flu Swine flu, also called novel flu (in Europe), or 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 Bird flu or avian influenza Table 1: Main >> Read More ...
What is Emphysema Emphysema is the abnormal enlargement of the airspaces in the lungs with destruction of the walls of the air sacs. It is accompanied by a loss of elasticity of the airways which then collapse during expiration. Pulmonary emphysema literally means excess air in the lungs since the air that is inspired >> Read More ...
