If fluid or air accumulates in the pleural space, the negative subatmospheric pressure becomes positive, and the lungs will collapse. Chest tube insertion (thoracostomy) can help drain the pleural space, enable optimal lung expansion, and reestablish negative pressure. Chest Tube Procedure A thoracostomy involves inserting a flexible tube through the chest wall and into the … Read more
RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a common respiratory virus that primarily affects children but can also infect adults, mimicking the common cold. Although the symptoms are mild in most cases, severe lung infections may occur, requiring hospitalization. Since a mild RSV infection is similar to the common cold, supportive treatment at home is usually … Read more
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes a person’s immune system to mistakenly attack its own body tissues resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints. It usually affects the hands, feet, and wrists. RA has the potential to cause systemic inflammation affecting the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood … Read more
Emphysema is a lung disease that gradually damages the air sacs (alveoli). Over time, the sacs weaken and rupture, reducing the surface area of the lungs and the amount of oxygen reaching the bloodstream, which results in dyspnea. Gradually, damage to the alveoli causes the lungs to overfill, making breathing increasingly difficult. The alveoli won’t … Read more
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that temporarily affects brain function. It is usually caused by a blow or jolt to the head or the upper body that causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth and bounce around in the skull. This irregular movement and subsequent injury can … Read more
Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that is potentially life-threatening if not recognized and treated appropriately. It is characterized by a very low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of weight. Persons that are anorexic will see themselves as fat even when they are not. Not all patients … Read more
Paralytic ileus is a temporary slowing or paralysis of peristalsis through the lower digestive tract. It mimics an intestinal obstruction without an actual mechanical cause. Paralytic ileus is an acute condition that is reversible and may resolve on its own, but if symptoms become severe or the ileus lasts longer than 72 hours, it should … Read more
Labor is a series of contractions that help with dilation and effacement of the cervix to allow the fetus to move through the birth canal and out of the vagina. Labor usually begins around the EDD (expected date of delivery), but no one can predict exactly when it will start. Stages of Labor Labor can … Read more
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects mental functioning and behavior, marked by an ongoing pattern of restlessness, difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. People with ADHD may also present with anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. ADHD often becomes noticeable in childhood, usually when a child starts going to school and continues into … Read more
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mainly affects the lungs but may affect other organs. TB is an airborne disease spread through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes. TB can be cured and prevented, but continues to be a global health crisis, especially for … Read more