What is a Pleural Effusion? Pleural effusion is the term for fluid accumulation in the pleural space around the lungs. It is commonly referred to as fluid around the lungs or water surrounding the lungs. It must be differentiated from pulmonary edema which is commonly known as water or fluid in the lungs. The pleural >> Read More ...
What is Bronchitis? Bronchitis is the medical term for inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tree, including the bronchi and/or bronchioles. It often involves the terminal part of the trachea as well. The walls of the bronchi and/or bronchioles become swollen due to inflammation and secrete excessive amounts of >> Read More ...
What is COPD? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is a progressive, often irreversible condition of the distal airways (bronchi and bronchioles) and lung tissue. The two main conditions that make up COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema and since most patients have both conditions concurrently, COPD is a more >> Read More ...
Mucus is produced the entire length of the digestive tract as well as the respiratory tract but most of the time we do not notice it. The color, consistency and volume of mucus can vary to some extent but when it becomes excessive it can be both annoying and uncomfortable. Excessive mucus can even impair out quality of >> Read More ...
The trachea is the part of the respiratory tract that leads from the larynx and ends lower down in the thoracic cavity where it divides into the two main bronchi (left and right). It lies almost exactly in the middle of the neck (median) although in most healthy people, it may be noticed sitting slightly to the right. It >> Read More ...
Chest pain with deep breathing and often when coughing may be due to a host of causes related to the thoracic cavity, upper abdomen and even the neck. It is often thought that the pain is only emanating from the lungs but strictly speaking, the lungs do not feel pain as its nerve supply is mainly >> 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 ...
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 ...
What is Silo Filler’s Disease? Silo filler’s disease is a condition caused by inhaling toxic levels of oxides of nitrogen gas. It is primarily an occupational disease associated with working in farm silos where crops are stored. It should not be confused with farmer’s lung, another occupational disease >> Read More ...
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 ...
