An asthma attack can be cause for alarm, whether it’s happening to you or to your child – especially if it’s never happened before. But if this does happen, it is important to stay in control and not panic. If you or your child suddenly has trouble breathing, it is best to call 911. The…
Pulmonary hypertension is a lung disorder where the blood pressure increases in the pulmonary arteries in the lungs due to a narrowing of blood vessels. This narrowing of the vessels makes it hard for the blood to flow through them properly. As the blood pressure builds and rises above normal levels, your heart – particularly…
Anaphylaxis is defined as a hypersensitivity to something after the body has been sensitized to it, thereby causing an immune-system reaction upon exposure. Anaphylactic shock is a severe, sometimes life-threatening reaction to the problematic allergen, and it can close off a person’s airway in minutes or even seconds. The chemicals that are released by the…
Every year, more than 8 million Americans are diagnosed with bronchitis, making it a very common illness. Bronchitis causes inflammation in the lining of the bronchial tubes. The bronchial tubes are the air passageways that carry air to and from your lungs. Bronchitis can affect people of all ages and can prevent you from engaging…
Allergies are one of the most common chronic condition, and it is estimated that over 50 million Americans suffer some type of allergy every year. Allergies refer to the body’s immune system overreacting to a non-threatening substance due to hypersensitivity. Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is a very common type of allergy condition in which patients…
This may come as a surprise, but coughing is an entirely normal bodily reflex. The primary function of a cough is to rid your body of irritants. This may include smoke or mucus in your airway. So, a cough here and there is inevitable. But more regular bouts of coughing may indicate an issue that…
For anyone experiencing an asthma flare up, there is nothing more terrifying than not being able to breathe. Even for someone who has learned to manage their symptoms, a periodic flare up can be frightening and is never welcome. With asthma, there is no cure, only management of symptoms and learning how to prevent flare…
One of the most crucial facets of a person’s overall health is whether they get the proper amount of sleep every night. The human body needs a certain amount of sleep depending upon factors like age, lifestyle, and health. Some people are early risers, some people are night owls – and neither is better or…
Polysomnography, or a sleep study, takes place in a bedroom-like sleep lab with diagnostic tools to measure a patient’s brain waves, breathing patterns, heart rate, oxygen levels, and eye and leg movements during sleep. Sleep studies test nighttime sleep patterns, look for when the person’s sleep is disrupted, and determine whether the patient suffers from…
A stuffy, sneezy nose. Rapid-fire sneezes where you can’t catch your breath. Itchy eyes. Welcome to allergy season. For those who suffer from allergies, even the smallest joys in life – from smelling a newly blossoming rose to playing with a kitten – can result in a cacophony of physical responses. But why do we…
