Facts you should know about COPD vs. asthma Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story Asthma and COPD are both chronic lung diseases. COPD is mainly due to damage caused by smoking, while asthma is due to an inflammatory reaction. COPD is a progressive disease, while allergic reactions of asthma can be reversible. Initial symptoms can...
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)? During hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), the patient breathes pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber or room. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is breathing 100% oxygen while under increased atmospheric pressure. During this therapy, a person breathes pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber or room. The use of HBOT as a...
Facts you should know about COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Share Your Story Shortness of breath is the primary symptom of COPD. It occurs with daily activities and is caused by blocked or clogged airways and damaged or destroyed alveoli where oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide is released. The cause of COPD is usually...
What is a hookah? Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story A hookah is a water pipe used to smoke specially-made tobacco. The tobacco usually comes in different flavors, such as mint, cola, cherry, lemon-lime, coffee, chocolate, coconut, apple, licorice, and other fruity blends. Hookahs vary in size, shape, and style. The set-up of a typical...
ARDS (acute respiratory syndrome) definition and facts* Readers Comments 21 Share Your Story *ARDS facts Medically Edited by: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD ARDS, or acute respiratory distress syndrome, is a lung condition that leads to low oxygen levels in the blood. ARDS can be life threatening. This is because your body's organs, such as the...
What is COPD? What is emphysema? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story COPD is a general term that includes emphysema. The COPD acronym means chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD is a general term that now includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, certain types of bronchiectasis and by some doctors and researchers, asthma. Consequently, emphysema is a type...
Why does bronchitis occur? Acute bronchitis is also called a chest cold. It often occurs after an upper respiratory infection (URI). The best treatment for bronchitis includes rest, fluids, a humidifier, honey, lozenges and prescription medications and interventions, if necessary. Acute bronchitis is sometimes referred to as a chest cold. It can develop after an...
Illustration of bronchitis.Source: iStock Facts you should you know about acute bronchitis The medical definition of acute bronchitis is a cough lasting five or more days suggests acute bronchitis as a cause. Sometimes people with recurrent acute bronchitis (flare-ups) develop chronic bronchitis and/or a respiratory infection. Bronchitis is an inflammation of your bronchial tubes (the...
Facts you should know about chronic bronchitis Chronic bronchitis is defined as a cough that occurs every day with sputum production that lasts for at least 3 months, 2 years in a row. Bronchitis is a term that describes inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi and the smaller branches termed bronchioles) that results in excessive...
A bronchoscopy uses a viewing tube to evaluate a patient's lung and airways to treat or diagnose lung conditions. Bronchoscopy is a procedure during which an examiner uses a viewing tube to evaluate a patient's lung and airways including the voice box and vocal cord, trachea, and many branches of bronchi. Bronchoscopy is usually performed by...