Category Archives for Respiratory System

Treatment for Bronchitis

This disease is the result of an inflammation of the bronchial lining tubes. This is where air is taken to the lungs. This health condition often develops from other respiratory ailments. Bronchitis Treatments In many instances all you need is to rest and drink plenty of water. It also helps if you breathe in moist, humid air. You can also take acetaminophen or aspirin (aspirin is for adults only; children should not take them). Over the counter (OTC) cough suppressants will also help. The goal of...

What Causes Lung Nodules?

Lung nodules are masses of tissues found in the lungs. They are also referred to as pulmonary nodules. A spot that has a diameter of three centimeters or less is called a nodule. A larger spot is referred to as a mass and is treated differently when it is diagnosed and evaluated. Usually smaller nodules (1cm or less) indicate a higher survival chance if the nodule is cancerous. Lung nodules are usually benign or non-cancerous but some maybe malignant and lead to cancer.  If a lung nodule is detected...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Definition of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is generally associated with the diseases emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These two diseases involve characteristic chronic obstruction of the airways within the lungs subsequently affecting airflow. The obstruction is likely to be permanent and will progress with the passage of time. Read more

Lung Disease

Located in the chest on either side of the heart, lungs are one of the vital organs in the human body required for respiration. Their main functions includes transporting oxygen inhaled from the atmosphere to our bloodstream and releasing carbon dioxide from the bloodstream, back into the atmosphere. To put it simply, when our lungs do not perform efficiently we end up having difficulty with breathing. Lung disease refers to several disorders that affect the lungs. Lung cancer, asthma, tuberculosis,...

What Causes Lung Cancer?

The lung is an essential organ in the body’s respiratory system. We have two lungs nested inside our ribcage. Each lung is conical in shape and they rest on top of the diaphragm (the area that separates our lungs from our digestive system). The left lung is a little smaller than the right because the heart tilts slightly toward it. Each lung is made up of muscular tissues, bronchus, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and other nerve endings. The main function of the lungs is to take in oxygen from...

Chest Wall Pain

Discomfort in the chest area doesn’t always mean it’s a heart attack. There are other possible reasons this can happen. Causes of Chest Wall Pain One of the most common reasons is irritation of the pleura, the membrane that shelters the lungs. The membrane is quite sensitive. The slightest irritation may cause severe pain. Exactly what brings this about is not yet clear. Another potential cause is costochondritis. This affects the cartilage linked to the sternum. It may also cause pain in the...

Lung Pain

Lung pain is a health condition that indicates an underlying acute or chronic disease related to the respiratory system. The pain experienced by patients can range from mild to severe and it can be sudden or recurrent. In order to identify if the pain is caused by a serious illness or minor disorder, individuals should know the varying symptoms of this condition. Additionally, it is also important to seek advice form medical experts. In this way, people will have ideas about the short-term and long-term...

What Causes Asthma?

Definition Asthma is a disease affecting the airways that carry air to and from your lungs. People who suffer from this chronic condition (long-lasting or recurrent) are said to be asthmatic. The inside walls of an asthmatic’s airways are swollen or inflamed. This swelling or inflammation makes the airways extremely sensitive to irritations and increases your susceptibility to an allergic reaction. Causes of asthma Asthma is most often triggered in children by a respiratory infection, such...