What is a laryngeal mask airway (LMA)? A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) allows ventilation, oxygenation, and anesthesia without needing a tube in the windpipe. A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a device inserted into the area behind the mouth and nose, connecting them to the food pipe (the pharynx) to allow ventilation, oxygenation, and administration...
What is bronchitis? The main causes of bronchitis are smoking, air pollution, dust, toxic gases, or due to a viral or bacterial infection. Bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to the lungs, become irritated and inflamed. When they are inflamed, they produce excess mucus and cause coughing. Acute bronchitis, which...
What is pulse oximetry? Dr. Richard Levitan, MD, says that the use of home finger pulse oximeters by patients with COVID-19 could preempt the precipitous oxygen desaturation that leads to a crisis that needs intensive care. Pulse oximetry is a quick, noninvasive test that measures the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) in the blood. It is an...
What is tube thoracostomy? Tube thoracostomy is a chest drain used to remove fluid from around the lungs, easing pressure on breathing. Tube thoracostomy, also known as open chest drainage, is a surgical procedure to drain the collection of pleural fluid, air, blood, or pus from the pleural cavity through a tube inserted in your...
Weight control and smoking cessation introduction Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking! Quitting is one of the best actions you can take to improve your health. You may be concerned about gaining weight, but try not to worry about it as you quit. Focus on stopping smoking first, and then continue to improve your...
What is ventilator management? There are six major types of ventilator support including continuous mandatory ventilation to noninvasive ventilation. Intubation is a procedure performed when the patient is unable to breathe by themselves. It may be a life-saving procedure in the emergency room (ER) or planned during the surgery when the patient is under general...
What is pneumococcal vaccination? There are two types of vaccine: PPSV23 (Pneumovax), a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine against 23 types of the bacteria, and PCV13 (Prevnar 13), Source: Getty Images Pneumococcal vaccination is a method of preventing a specific type of lung infection (pneumonia) that is caused by the pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) bacterium. There are more...
What is popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans)? Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story Popcorn lung is a serious and irreversible condition in which the tiny air sacs in the lungs become scarred and constricted, which results in no air movement or O2 – CO2 exchange in the lungs. Other names for popcorn lung are bronchiolitis obliterans...
Smoker's lung introduction Picture of normal airway and lung Cigarette smoking is associated with a wide variety of abnormalities throughout the body that cause not only illness, but also, all too often, death. Indeed, if all deaths from diseases related to smoking (lung disease, heart disease, and cancers of many different organs) were considered, a...
Does Orkambi (lumacaftor and ivacaftor) cause side effects? Orkambi (lumacaftor and ivacaftor) is a combination of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) potentiators used to treat cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that affects the secretory glands, including the mucus and sweat glands. Cystic fibrosis mostly affects the lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines,...