# migrations

dir: sysdb
filename: 00001-collections.sqlite.sql
hash: 38352d725ad1c16074fac420b22b4633
sql:
CREATE TABLE collections (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
    name TEXT NOT NULL,
    topic TEXT NOT NULL,
    UNIQUE (name)
);

CREATE TABLE collection_metadata (
    collection_id TEXT REFERENCES collections(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
    key TEXT NOT NULL,
    str_value TEXT,
    int_value INTEGER,
    float_value REAL,
    PRIMARY KEY (collection_id, key)
);


dir: sysdb
filename: 00002-segments.sqlite.sql
hash: 2913cb6a503055a95f625448037e8912
sql:
CREATE TABLE segments (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
    type TEXT NOT NULL,
    scope TEXT NOT NULL,
    topic TEXT,
    collection TEXT REFERENCES collection(id)
);

CREATE TABLE segment_metadata (
    segment_id TEXT  REFERENCES segments(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
    key TEXT NOT NULL,
    str_value TEXT,
    int_value INTEGER,
    float_value REAL,
    PRIMARY KEY (segment_id, key)
);


dir: sysdb
filename: 00004-tenants-databases.sqlite.sql
hash: 048867ce8fcdefe4023c7110e4433591
sql:
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS tenants (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
    UNIQUE (id)
);

CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS databases (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY, -- unique globally
    name TEXT NOT NULL, -- unique per tenant
    tenant_id TEXT NOT NULL REFERENCES tenants(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
    UNIQUE (tenant_id, name) -- Ensure that a tenant has only one database with a given name
);

CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS collections_tmp (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY, -- unique globally
    name TEXT NOT NULL, -- unique per database
    topic TEXT NOT NULL,
    dimension INTEGER,
    database_id TEXT NOT NULL REFERENCES databases(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
    UNIQUE (name, database_id)
);

-- Create default tenant and database
INSERT OR REPLACE INTO tenants (id) VALUES ('default_tenant'); -- The default tenant id is 'default_tenant' others are UUIDs
INSERT OR REPLACE INTO databases (id, name, tenant_id) VALUES ('00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000', 'default_database', 'default_tenant');

INSERT OR REPLACE INTO collections_tmp (id, name, topic, dimension, database_id)
    SELECT id, name, topic, dimension, '00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000' FROM collections;
DROP TABLE collections;
ALTER TABLE collections_tmp RENAME TO collections;


dir: sysdb
filename: 00005-remove-topic.sqlite.sql
hash: b1367c826b8fba5f96f27befdc1d42d2
sql:
-- Remove the topic column from the Collections and Segments tables

ALTER TABLE collections DROP COLUMN topic;
ALTER TABLE segments DROP COLUMN topic;


dir: sysdb
filename: 00006-collection-segment-metadata.sqlite.sql
hash: 4eea7468935bf25d4604a0fed2366116
sql:
-- SQLite does not support adding check with alter table, as a result, adding a check
-- involve creating a new table and copying the data over. It is over kill with adding
-- a boolean type column. The application write to the table needs to ensure the data
-- integrity.
ALTER TABLE collection_metadata ADD COLUMN bool_value INTEGER;
ALTER TABLE segment_metadata ADD COLUMN bool_value INTEGER;


dir: sysdb
filename: 00007-collection-config.sqlite.sql
hash: 1c7e63bba346a42a18b6ab7f1c989bed
sql:
-- Stores collection configuration dictionaries.
ALTER TABLE collections ADD COLUMN config_json_str TEXT;


dir: sysdb
filename: 00008-maintenance-log.sqlite.sql
hash: 0a0e7e93111a01789addf64961c6127c
sql:
-- Records when database maintenance operations are performed.
-- At time of creation, this table is only used to record vacuum operations.
CREATE TABLE maintenance_log (
  id INT PRIMARY KEY,
  timestamp INT NOT NULL,
  operation TEXT NOT NULL
);


dir: sysdb
filename: 00009-segment-collection-not-null.sqlite.sql
hash: 054355aef9e63702bf54ea29e61563f1
sql:
-- This makes segments.collection non-nullable.
CREATE TABLE segments_temp (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
    type TEXT NOT NULL,
    scope TEXT NOT NULL,
    collection TEXT REFERENCES collection(id) NOT NULL
);

INSERT INTO segments_temp SELECT * FROM segments;
DROP TABLE segments;
ALTER TABLE segments_temp RENAME TO segments;


dir: metadb
filename: 00001-embedding-metadata.sqlite.sql
hash: 2b4cf52c4bb2676e21d6860a4409f856
sql:
CREATE TABLE embeddings (
    id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
    segment_id TEXT NOT NULL,
    embedding_id TEXT NOT NULL,
    seq_id BLOB NOT NULL,
    created_at TIMESTAMP NOT NULL DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
    UNIQUE (segment_id, embedding_id)
);

CREATE TABLE embedding_metadata (
    id INTEGER REFERENCES embeddings(id),
    key TEXT NOT NULL,
    string_value TEXT,
    int_value INTEGER,
    float_value REAL,
    PRIMARY KEY (id, key)
);

CREATE TABLE max_seq_id (
    segment_id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
    seq_id BLOB NOT NULL
);

CREATE VIRTUAL TABLE embedding_fulltext USING fts5(id, string_value);


dir: metadb
filename: 00002-embedding-metadata.sqlite.sql
hash: 12a570f7121b3a8ce750a2a7c36da20f
sql:
-- SQLite does not support adding check with alter table, as a result, adding a check
-- involve creating a new table and copying the data over. It is over kill with adding
-- a boolean type column. The application write to the table needs to ensure the data
-- integrity.
ALTER TABLE embedding_metadata ADD COLUMN bool_value INTEGER


dir: metadb
filename: 00003-full-text-tokenize.sqlite.sql
hash: f97ad6334aeaa8f419f01110b648b97a
sql:
CREATE VIRTUAL TABLE embedding_fulltext_search USING fts5(string_value, tokenize='trigram');
INSERT INTO embedding_fulltext_search (rowid, string_value) SELECT rowid, string_value FROM embedding_metadata;
DROP TABLE embedding_fulltext;


dir: metadb
filename: 00004-metadata-indices.sqlite.sql
hash: fb36603a45ee2cd0254cef3ef86585e8
sql:
CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS embedding_metadata_int_value ON embedding_metadata (key, int_value) WHERE int_value IS NOT NULL;
CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS embedding_metadata_float_value ON embedding_metadata (key, float_value) WHERE float_value IS NOT NULL;
CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS embedding_metadata_string_value ON embedding_metadata (key, string_value) WHERE string_value IS NOT NULL;


dir: metadb
filename: 00005-max-seq-id-int.sqlite.sql
hash: 0e9de46758761b373ce682925edcc326
sql:
ALTER TABLE max_seq_id ADD COLUMN int_seq_id INTEGER;

-- Convert 8 byte wide big-endian integer as blob to native 64 bit integer.
-- Adapted from https://stackoverflow.com/a/70296198.
UPDATE max_seq_id SET int_seq_id = (
  SELECT (
       (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -1 , 1)) <<  0)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -2 , 1)) <<  4)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -3 , 1)) <<  8)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -4 , 1)) << 12)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -5 , 1)) << 16)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -6 , 1)) << 20)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -7 , 1)) << 24)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -8 , 1)) << 28)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -9 , 1)) << 32)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -10, 1)) << 36)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -11, 1)) << 40)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -12, 1)) << 44)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -13, 1)) << 48)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -14, 1)) << 52)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -15, 1)) << 56)
     | (instr('123456789ABCDEF', substr(hex(seq_id), -16, 1)) << 60)
    )
);

ALTER TABLE max_seq_id DROP COLUMN seq_id;
ALTER TABLE max_seq_id RENAME COLUMN int_seq_id TO seq_id;


dir: embeddings_queue
filename: 00001-embeddings.sqlite.sql
hash: d3755dfd232be8e8301f4d7fcfb3a486
sql:
CREATE TABLE embeddings_queue (
    seq_id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY,
    created_at TIMESTAMP NOT NULL DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
    operation INTEGER NOT NULL,
    topic TEXT NOT NULL,
    id TEXT NOT NULL,
    vector BLOB,
    encoding TEXT,
    metadata TEXT
);


# collections

id: a7f64aa6-32d6-4a33-b79d-320478b4d4cb
name: healthcare_qa
database_id: 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000
config_json_str:
{"vector_index":{"hnsw":{"space":"l2","ef_construction":100,"ef_search":100,"max_neighbors":16,"num_threads":224,"resize_factor":1.2,"sync_threshold":1000,"batch_size":100}},"embedding_function":{"type":"legacy"}}


# embedding_metadata

key: chroma:document
string_value:
Question: what is are non small cell lung cancer
Answer: key points non small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the lung there are several types of non small cell lung cancer smoking is the major risk factor for non small cell lung cancer signs of non small cell lung cancer include a cough that doesn t go away and shortness of breath tests that examine the lungs are used to detect find diagnose and stage non small cell lung cancer certain factors affect prognosis chance of recovery and treatment options for most patients with non small cell lung cancer current treatments do not cure the cancer non small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the lung the lungs are a pair of cone shaped breathing organs in the chest the lungs bring oxygen into the body as you breathe in they release carbon dioxide a waste product of the bodys cells as you breathe out each lung has sections called lobes the left lung has two lobes the right lung is slightly larger and has three lobes two tubes called bronchi lead from the trachea windpipe to the right and left lungs the bronchi are sometimes also involved in lung cancer tiny air sacs called alveoli and small tubes called bronchioles make up the inside of the lungs a thin membrane called the pleura covers the outside of each lung and lines the inside wall of the chest cavity this creates a sac called the pleural cavity the pleural cavity normally contains a small amount of fluid that helps the lungs move smoothly in the chest when you breathe there are two main types of lung cancer non small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer see the following pdq summaries for more information about lung cancer small cell lung cancer treatment unusual cancers of childhood treatment lung cancer prevention lung cancer screening there are several types of non small cell lung cancer each type of non small cell lung cancer has different kinds of cancer cells the cancer cells of each type grow and spread in different ways the types of non small cell lung cancer are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look under a microscope squamous cell carcinoma cancer that begins in squamous cells which are thin flat cells that look like fish scales this is also called epidermoid carcinoma large cell carcinoma cancer that may begin in several types of large cells adenocarcinoma cancer that begins in the cells that line the alveoli and make substances such as mucus other less common types of non small cell lung cancer are pleomorphic carcinoid tumor salivary gland carcinoma and unclassified carcinoma for most patients with non small cell lung cancer current treatments do not cure the cancer if lung cancer is found taking part in one of the many clinical trials being done to improve treatment should be considered clinical trials are taking place in most parts of the country for patients with all stages of non small cell lung cancer information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the nci website
Keywords: lung, cancer, cell, small, non, type, called, carcinoma, chest, clinical


key: chroma:document
string_value:
Question: who is at risk for non small cell lung cancer
Answer: smoking is the major risk factor for non small cell lung cancer anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer not having risk factors doesn t mean that you will not get cancer talk to your doctor if you think you may be at risk for lung cancer risk factors for lung cancer include the following smoking cigarettes pipes or cigars now or in the past this is the most important risk factor for lung cancer the earlier in life a person starts smoking the more often a person smokes and the more years a person smokes the greater the risk of lung cancer being exposed to secondhand smoke being exposed to radiation from any of the following radiation therapy to the breast or chest radon in the home or workplace imaging tests such as ct scans atomic bomb radiation being exposed to asbestos chromium nickel beryllium arsenic soot or tar in the workplace living where there is air pollution having a family history of lung cancer being infected with the human immunodeficiency virus hiv taking beta carotene supplements and being a heavy smoker older age is the main risk factor for most cancers the chance of getting cancer increases as you get older when smoking is combined with other risk factors the risk of lung cancer is increased
Keywords: cancer, risk, factor, lung, smoking, exposed, get, person, radiation, smoke


key: chroma:document
string_value:
Question: what are the symptoms of non small cell lung cancer
Answer: signs of non small cell lung cancer include a cough that doesn t go away and shortness of breath sometimes lung cancer does not cause any signs or symptoms it may be found during a chest x ray done for another condition signs and symptoms may be caused by lung cancer or by other conditions check with your doctor if you have any of the following chest discomfort or pain a cough that doesnt go away or gets worse over time trouble breathing wheezing blood in sputum mucus coughed up from the lungs hoarseness loss of appetite weight loss for no known reason feeling very tired trouble swallowing swelling in the face and or veins in the neck
Keywords: lung, cancer, sign, symptom, away, chest, cough, non, small, trouble


key: chroma:document
string_value:
Question: how to diagnose non small cell lung cancer
Answer: tests that examine the lungs are used to detect find diagnose and stage non small cell lung cancer tests and procedures to detect diagnose and stage non small cell lung cancer are often done at the same time some of the following tests and procedures may be used physical exam and history an exam of the body to check general signs of health including checking for signs of disease such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual a history of the patients health habits including smoking and past jobs illnesses and treatments will also be taken laboratory tests medical procedures that test samples of tissue blood urine or other substances in the body these tests help to diagnose disease plan and check treatment or monitor the disease over time chest x ray an x ray of the organs and bones inside the chest an x ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film making a picture of areas inside the body ct scan cat scan a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body such as the chest taken from different angles the pictures are made by a computer linked to an x ray machine a dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly this procedure is also called computed tomography computerized tomography or computerized axial tomography sputum cytology a procedure in which a pathologist views a sample of sputum mucus coughed up from the lungs under a microscope to check for cancer cells fine needle aspiration fna biopsy of the lung the removal of tissue or fluid from the lung using a thin needle a ct scan ultrasound or other imaging procedure is used to locate the abnormal tissue or fluid in the lung a small incision may be made in the skin where the biopsy needle is inserted into the abnormal tissue or fluid a sample is removed with the needle and sent to the laboratory a pathologist then views the sample under a microscope to look for cancer cells a chest x ray is done after the procedure to make sure no air is leaking from the lung into the chest bronchoscopy a procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas a bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs a bronchoscope is a thin tube like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing it may also have a tool to remove tissue samples which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer thoracoscopy a surgical procedure to look at the organs inside the chest to check for abnormal areas an incision cut is made between two ribs and a thoracoscope is inserted into the chest a thoracoscope is a thin tube like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing it may also have a tool to remove tissue or lymph node samples which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer in some cases this procedure is used to remove part of the esophagus or lung if certain tissues organs or lymph nodes cant be reached a thoracotomy may be done in this procedure a larger incision is made between the ribs and the chest is opened thoracentesis the removal of fluid from the space between the lining of the chest and the lung using a needle a pathologist views the fluid under a microscope to look for cancer cells light and electron microscopy a laboratory test in which cells in a sample of tissue are viewed under regular and high powered microscopes to look for certain changes in the cells immunohistochemistry a test that uses antibodies to check for certain antigens in a sample of tissue the antibody is usually linked to a radioactive substance or a dye that causes the tissue to light up under a microscope this type of test may be used to tell the difference between different types of cancer
Keywords: lung, procedure, tissue, cancer, chest, test, cell, sample, microscope, needle


key: chroma:document
string_value:
Question: what is the outlook for non small cell lung cancer
Answer: certain factors affect prognosis chance of recovery and treatment options the prognosis chance of recovery and treatment options depend on the following the stage of the cancer the size of the tumor and whether it is in the lung only or has spread to other places in the body the type of lung cancer whether the cancer has mutations changes in certain genes such as the epidermal growth factor receptor egfr gene or the anaplastic lymphoma kinase alk gene whether there are signs and symptoms such as coughing or trouble breathing the patients general health
Keywords: cancer, gene, lung, whether, certain, chance, factor, option, prognosis, recovery


key: chroma:document
string_value:
Question: what are the stages of non small cell lung cancer
Answer: key points after lung cancer has been diagnosed tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the lungs or to other parts of the body there are three ways that cancer spreads in the body cancer may spread from where it began to other parts of the body the following stages are used for non small cell lung cancer occult hidden stage stage 0 carcinoma in situ stage i stage ii stage iiia stage iiib stage iv after lung cancer has been diagnosed tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the lungs or to other parts of the body the process used to find out if cancer has spread within the lungs or to other parts of the body is called staging the information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease it is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment some of the tests used to diagnose non small cell lung cancer are also used to stage the disease see the general information section other tests and procedures that may be used in the staging process include the following mri magnetic resonance imaging a procedure that uses a magnet radio waves and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body such as the brain this procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging nmri ct scan cat scan a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body such as the brain and abdomen taken from different angles the pictures are made by a computer linked to an x ray machine a dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly this procedure is also called computed tomography computerized tomography or computerized axial tomography pet scan positron emission tomography scan a procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body a small amount of radioactive glucose sugar is injected into a vein the pet scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do radionuclide bone scan a procedure to check if there are rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells in the bone a very small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream the radioactive material collects in the bones and is detected by a scanner pulmonary function test pft a test to see how well the lungs are working it measures how much air the lungs can hold and how quickly air moves into and out of the lungs it also measures how much oxygen is used and how much carbon dioxide is given off during breathing this is also called lung function test endoscopic ultrasound eus a procedure in which an endoscope is inserted into the body an endoscope is a thin tube like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing a probe at the end of the endoscope is used to bounce high energy sound waves ultrasound off internal tissues or organs and make echoes the echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram this procedure is also called endosonography eus may be used to guide fine needle aspiration fna biopsy of the lung lymph nodes or other areas mediastinoscopy a surgical procedure to look at the organs tissues and lymph nodes between the lungs for abnormal areas an incision cut is made at the top of the breastbone and a mediastinoscope is inserted into the chest a mediastinoscope is a thin tube like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing it may also have a tool to remove tissue or lymph node samples which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer anterior mediastinotomy a surgical procedure to look at the organs and tissues between the lungs and between the breastbone and heart for abnormal areas an incision cut is made next to the breastbone and a mediastinoscope is inserted into the chest a mediastinoscope is a thin tube like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing it may also have a tool to remove tissue or lymph node samples which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer this is also called the chamberlain procedure lymph node biopsy the removal of all or part of a lymph node a pathologist views the tissue under a microscope to look for cancer cells bone marrow aspiration and biopsy the removal of bone marrow blood and a small piece of bone by inserting a hollow needle into the hipbone or breastbone a pathologist views the bone marrow blood and bone under a microscope to look for signs of cancer there are three ways that cancer spreads in the body cancer can spread through tissue the lymph system and the blood tissue the cancer spreads from where it began by growing into nearby areas lymph system the cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the lymph system the cancer travels through the lymph vessels to other parts of the body blood the cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the blood the cancer travels through the blood vessels to other parts of the body cancer may spread from where it began to other parts of the body when cancer spreads to another part of the body it is called metastasis cancer cells break away from where they began the primary tumor and travel through the lymph system or blood lymph system the cancer gets into the lymph system travels through the lymph vessels and forms a tumor metastatic tumor in another part of the body blood the cancer gets into the blood travels through the blood vessels and forms a tumor metastatic tumor in another part of the body the metastatic tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor for example if non small cell lung cancer spreads to the brain the cancer cells in the brain are actually lung cancer cells the disease is metastatic lung cancer not brain cancer the following stages are used for non small cell lung cancer occult hidden stage in the occult hidden stage cancer cannot be seen by imaging or bronchoscopy cancer cells are found in sputum mucus coughed up from the lungs or bronchial washing a sample of cells taken from inside the airways that lead to the lung cancer may have spread to other parts of the body stage 0 carcinoma in situ in stage 0 abnormal cells are found in the lining of the airways these abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue stage 0 is also called carcinoma in situ stage i in stage i cancer has formed stage i is divided into stages ia and ib stage ia the tumor is in the lung only and is 3 centimeters or smaller stage ib cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes and one or more of the following is true the tumor is larger than 3 centimeters but not larger than 5 centimeters cancer has spread to the main bronchus and is at least 2 centimeters below where the trachea joins the bronchus cancer has spread to the innermost layer of the membrane that covers the lung part of the lung has collapsed or developed pneumonitis inflammation of the lung in the area where the trachea joins the bronchus stage ii stage ii is divided into stages iia and iib stage iia and iib are each divided into two sections depending on the size of the tumor where the tumor is found and whether there is cancer in the lymph nodes stage iia 1 cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the same side of the chest as the tumor the lymph nodes with cancer are within the lung or near the bronchus also one or more of the following is true the tumor is not larger than 5 centimeters cancer has spread to the main bronchus and is at least 2 centimeters below where the trachea joins the bronchus cancer has spread to the innermost layer of the membrane that covers the lung part of the lung has collapsed or developed pneumonitis inflammation of the lung in the area where the trachea joins the bronchus or 2 cancer has not spread to lymph nodes and one or more of the following is true the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but not larger than 7 centimeters cancer has spread to the main bronchus and is at least 2 centimeters below where the trachea joins the bronchus cancer has spread to the innermost layer of the membrane that covers the lung part of the lung has collapsed or developed pneumonitis inflammation of the lung in the area where the trachea joins the bronchus stage iib 1 cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes on the same side of the chest as the tumor the lymph nodes with cancer are within the lung or near the bronchus also one or more of the following is true the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but not larger than 7 centimeters cancer has spread to the main bronchus and is at least 2 centimeters below where the trachea joins the bronchus cancer has spread to the innermost layer of the membrane that covers the lung part of the lung has collapsed or developed pneumonitis inflammation of the lung in the area where the trachea joins the bronchus or 2 cancer has not spread to lymph nodes and one or more of the following is true the tumor is larger than 7 centimeters cancer has spread to the main bronchus and is less than 2 centimeters below where the trachea joins the bronchus the chest wall the diaphragm or the nerve that controls the diaphragm cancer has spread to the membrane around the heart or lining the chest wall the whole lung has collapsed or developed pneumonitis inflammation of the lung there are one or more separate tumors in the same lobe of the lung stage iiia stage iiia is divided into three sections depending on the size of the tumor where the tumor is found and which lymph nodes have cancer if any 1 cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the same side of the chest as the tumor the lymph nodes with cancer are near the sternum chest bone or where the bronchus enters the lung also the tumor may be any size part of the lung where the trachea joins the bronchus or the whole lung may have collapsed or developed pneumonitis inflammation of the lung there may be one or more separate tumors in the same lobe of the lung cancer may have spread to any of the following main bronchus but not the area where the trachea joins the bronchus chest wall diaphragm and the nerve that controls it membrane around the lung or lining the chest wall membrane around the heart or 2 cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the same side of the chest as the tumor the lymph nodes with cancer are within the lung or near the bronchus also the tumor may be any size the whole lung may have collapsed or developed pneumonitis inflammation of the lung there may be one or more separate tumors in any of the lobes of the lung with cancer cancer may have spread to any of the following main bronchus but not the area where the trachea joins the bronchus chest wall diaphragm and the nerve that controls it membrane around the lung or lining the chest wall heart or the membrane around it major blood vessels that lead to or from the heart trachea esophagus nerve that controls the larynx voice box sternum chest bone or backbone carina where the trachea joins the bronchi or 3 cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes and the tumor may be any size cancer has spread to any of the following heart major blood vessels that lead to or from the heart trachea esophagus nerve that controls the larynx voice box sternum chest bone or backbone carina where the trachea joins the bronchi stage iiib stage iiib is divided into two sections depending on the size of the tumor where the tumor is found and which lymph nodes have cancer 1 cancer has spread to lymph nodes above the collarbone or to lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest as the tumor also the tumor may be any size part of the lung where the trachea joins the bronchus or the whole lung may have collapsed or developed pneumonitis inflammation of the lung there may be one or more separate tumors in any of the lobes of the lung with cancer cancer may have spread to any of the following main bronchus chest wall diaphragm and the nerve that controls it membrane around the lung or lining the chest wall heart or the membrane around it major blood vessels that lead to or from the heart trachea esophagus nerve that controls the larynx voice box sternum chest bone or backbone carina where the trachea joins the bronchi or 2 cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the same side of the chest as the tumor the lymph nodes with cancer are near the sternum chest bone or where the bronchus enters the lung also the tumor may be any size there may be separate tumors in different lobes of the same lung cancer has spread to any of the following heart major blood vessels that lead to or from the heart trachea esophagus nerve that controls the larynx voice box sternum chest bone or backbone carina where the trachea joins the bronchi stage iv in stage iv the tumor may be any size and cancer may have spread to lymph nodes one or more of the following is true there are one or more tumors in both lungs cancer is found in fluid around the lungs or the heart cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the brain liver adrenal glands kidneys or bone
Keywords: cancer, lung, spread, tumor, stage, lymph, bronchus, node, chest, trachea


key: chroma:document
string_value:
Question: what are the treatments for non small cell lung cancer
Answer: key points there are different types of treatment for patients with non small cell lung cancer nine types of standard treatment are used surgery radiation therapy chemotherapy targeted therapy laser therapy photodynamic therapy pdt cryosurgery electrocautery watchful waiting new types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials chemoprevention radiosensitizers new combinations patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial patients can enter clinical trials before during or after starting their cancer treatment follow up tests may be needed there are different types of treatment for patients with non small cell lung cancer different types of treatments are available for patients with non small cell lung cancer some treatments are standard the currently used treatment and some are being tested in clinical trials a treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer when clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard treatment the new treatment may become the standard treatment patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment nine types of standard treatment are used surgery four types of surgery are used to treat lung cancer wedge resection surgery to remove a tumor and some of the normal tissue around it when a slightly larger amount of tissue is taken it is called a segmental resection lobectomy surgery to remove a whole lobe section of the lung pneumonectomy surgery to remove one whole lung sleeve resection surgery to remove part of the bronchus even if the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the surgery some patients may be given chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left treatment given after the surgery to lower the risk that the cancer will come back is called adjuvant therapy radiation therapy radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high energy x rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing there are two types of radiation therapy external radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles seeds wires or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer stereotactic body radiation therapy is a type of external radiation therapy special equipment is used to place the patient in the same position for each radiation treatment once a day for several days a radiation machine aims a larger than usual dose of radiation directly at the tumor by having the patient in the same position for each treatment there is less damage to nearby healthy tissue this procedure is also called stereotactic external beam radiation therapy and stereotaxic radiation therapy stereotactic radiosurgery is a type of external radiation therapy used to treat lung cancer that has spread to the brain a rigid head frame is attached to the skull to keep the head still during the radiation treatment a machine aims a single large dose of radiation directly at the tumor in the brain this procedure does not involve surgery it is also called stereotaxic radiosurgery radiosurgery and radiation surgery for tumors in the airways radiation is given directly to the tumor through an endoscope the way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated it also depends on where the cancer is found external and internal radiation therapy are used to treat non small cell lung cancer chemotherapy chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing when chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body systemic chemotherapy when chemotherapy is placed directly into the cerebrospinal fluid an organ or a body cavity such as the abdomen the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas regional chemotherapy the way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated see drugs approved for non small cell lung cancer for more information targeted therapy targeted therapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to attack specific cancer cells targeted therapies usually cause less harm to normal cells than chemotherapy or radiation therapy do monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the two main types of targeted therapy being used to treat advanced metastatic or recurrent non small cell lung cancer monoclonal antibodies monoclonal antibody therapy is a cancer treatment that uses antibodies made in the laboratory from a single type of immune system cell these antibodies can identify substances on cancer cells or normal substances in the blood or tissues that may help cancer cells grow the antibodies attach to the substances and kill the cancer cells block their growth or keep them from spreading monoclonal antibodies are given by infusion they may be used alone or to carry drugs toxins or radioactive material directly to cancer cells there are different types of monoclonal antibody therapy vascular endothelial growth factor vegf inhibitor therapy cancer cells make a substance called vegf which causes new blood vessels to form angiogenesis and helps the cancer grow vegf inhibitors block vegf and stop new blood vessels from forming this may kill cancer cells because they need new blood vessels to grow bevacizumab and ramucirumab are vegf inhibitors and angiogenesis inhibitors epidermal growth factor receptor egfr inhibitor therapy egfrs are proteins found on the surface of certain cells including cancer cells epidermal growth factor attaches to the egfr on the surface of the cell and causes the cells to grow and divide egfr inhibitors block the receptor and stop the epidermal growth factor from attaching to the cancer cell this stops the cancer cell from growing and dividing cetuximab and necitumumab are egfr inhibitors immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy pd 1 is a protein on the surface of t cells that helps keep the bodys immune responses in check when pd 1 attaches to another protein called pdl 1 on a cancer cell it stops the t cell from killing the cancer cell pd 1 inhibitors attach to pdl 1 and allow the t cells to kill cancer cells nivolumab pembrolizumab and atezolizumab are types of immune checkpoint inhibitors tyrosine kinase inhibitors tyrosine kinase inhibitors are small molecule drugs that go through the cell membrane and work inside cancer cells to block signals that cancer cells need to grow and divide some tyrosine kinase inhibitors also have angiogenesis inhibitor effects there are different types of tyrosine kinase inhibitors epidermal growth factor receptor egfr tyrosine kinase inhibitors egfrs are proteins found on the surface and inside certain cells including cancer cells epidermal growth factor attaches to the egfr inside the cell and sends signals to the tyrosine kinase area of the cell which tells the cell to grow and divide egfr tyrosine kinase inhibitors stop these signals and stop the cancer cell from growing and dividing erlotinib gefitinib and afatinib are types of egfr tyrosine kinase inhibitors some of these drugs work better when there is also a mutation change in the egfr gene kinase inhibitors that affect cells with certain gene changes certain changes in the alk and ros1 genes cause too much protein to be made blocking these proteins may stop the cancer from growing and spreading crizotinib is used to stop proteins from being made by the alk and ros1 gene ceritinib is used to stop proteins from being made by the alk gene see drugs approved for non small cell lung cancer for more information laser therapy laser therapy is a cancer treatment that uses a laser beam a narrow beam of intense light to kill cancer cells photodynamic therapy pdt photodynamic therapy pdt is a cancer treatment that uses a drug and a certain type of laser light to kill cancer cells a drug that is not active until it is exposed to light is injected into a vein the drug collects more in cancer cells than in normal cells fiberoptic tubes are then used to carry the laser light to the cancer cells where the drug becomes active and kills the cells photodynamic therapy causes little damage to healthy tissue it is used mainly to treat tumors on or just under the skin or in the lining of internal organs when the tumor is in the airways pdt is given directly to the tumor through an endoscope cryosurgery cryosurgery is a treatment that uses an instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue such as carcinoma in situ this type of treatment is also called cryotherapy for tumors in the airways cryosurgery is done through an endoscope electrocautery electrocautery is a treatment that uses a probe or needle heated by an electric current to destroy abnormal tissue for tumors in the airways electrocautery is done through an endoscope watchful waiting watchful waiting is closely monitoring a patients condition without giving any treatment until signs or symptoms appear or change this may be done in certain rare cases of non small cell lung cancer new types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials this summary section describes treatments that are being studied in clinical trials it may not mention every new treatment being studied information about clinical trials is available from the nci website chemoprevention chemoprevention is the use of drugs vitamins or other substances to reduce the risk of cancer or to reduce the risk cancer will recur come back for lung cancer chemoprevention is used to lessen the chance that a new tumor will form in the lung radiosensitizers radiosensitizers are substances that make tumor cells easier to kill with radiation therapy the combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy given with a radiosensitizer is being studied in the treatment of non small cell lung cancer new combinations new combinations of treatments are being studied in clinical trials patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial for some patients taking part in a clinical trial may be the best treatment choice clinical trials are part of the cancer research process clinical trials are done to find out if new cancer treatments are safe and effective or better than the standard treatment many of today s standard treatments for cancer are based on earlier clinical trials patients who take part in a clinical trial may receive the standard treatment or be among the first to receive a new treatment patients who take part in clinical trials also help improve the way cancer will be treated in the future even when clinical trials do not lead to effective new treatments they often answer important questions and help move research forward patients can enter clinical trials before during or after starting their cancer treatment some clinical trials only include patients who have not yet received treatment other trials test treatments for patients whose cancer has not gotten better there are also clinical trials that test new ways to stop cancer from recurring coming back or reduce the side effects of cancer treatment clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country see the treatment options section that follows for links to current treatment clinical trials these have been retrieved from nci s listing of clinical trials follow up tests may be needed some of the tests that were done to diagnose the cancer or to find out the stage of the cancer may be repeated some tests will be repeated in order to see how well the treatment is working decisions about whether to continue change or stop treatment may be based on the results of these tests some of the tests will continue to be done from time to time after treatment has ended the results of these tests can show if your condition has changed or if the cancer has recurred come back these tests are sometimes called follow up tests or check ups treatment options by stage occult non small cell lung cancer treatment of occult non small cell lung cancer depends on the stage of the disease occult tumors are often found at an early stage the tumor is in the lung only and sometimes can be cured by surgery check the list of nci supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with occult non small cell lung cancer for more specific results refine the search by using other search features such as the location of the trial the type of treatment or the name of the drug talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you general information about clinical trials is available from the nci website stage 0 carcinoma in situ treatment of stage 0 may include the following surgery wedge resection or segmental resection photodynamic therapy for tumors in or near the bronchus electrocautery cryosurgery or laser surgery for tumors in or near the bronchus check the list of nci supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with stage 0 non small cell lung cancer for more specific results refine the search by using other search features such as the location of the trial the type of treatment or the name of the drug talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you general information about clinical trials is available from the nci website stage i non small cell lung cancer treatment of stage i non small cell lung cancer may include the following surgery wedge resection segmental resection sleeve resection or lobectomy external radiation therapy including stereotactic body radiation therapy for patients who cannot have surgery or choose not to have surgery a clinical trial of chemotherapy or radiation therapy following surgery a clinical trial of treatment given through an endoscope such as photodynamic therapy pdt a clinical trial of surgery followed by chemoprevention check the list of nci supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with stage i non small cell lung cancer for more specific results refine the search by using other search features such as the location of the trial the type of treatment or the name of the drug talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you general information about clinical trials is available from the nci website stage ii non small cell lung cancer treatment of stage ii non small cell lung cancer may include the following surgery wedge resection segmental resection sleeve resection lobectomy or pneumonectomy chemotherapy followed by surgery surgery followed by chemotherapy external radiation therapy for patients who cannot have surgery a clinical trial of radiation therapy following surgery check the list of nci supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with stage ii non small cell lung cancer for more specific results refine the search by using other search features such as the location of the trial the type of treatment or the name of the drug talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you general information about clinical trials is available from the nci website stage iiia non small cell lung cancer treatment of stage iiia non small cell lung cancer that can be removed with surgery may include the following surgery followed by chemotherapy surgery followed by radiation therapy chemotherapy followed by surgery surgery followed by chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by surgery a clinical trial of new combinations of treatments treatment of stage iiia non small cell lung cancer that cannot be removed with surgery may include the following chemotherapy and radiation therapy given over the same period of time or one followed by the other external radiation therapy alone for patients who cannot be treated with combined therapy or as palliative treatment to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life internal radiation therapy or laser surgery as palliative treatment to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life a clinical trial of new combinations of treatments for more information about supportive care for signs and symptoms including cough shortness of breath and chest pain see the pdq summary on cardiopulmonary syndromes non small cell lung cancer of the superior sulcus often called pancoast tumor begins in the upper part of the lung and spreads to nearby tissues such as the chest wall large blood vessels and spine treatment of pancoast tumors may include the following radiation therapy alone radiation therapy followed by surgery chemotherapy and radiation therapy given as separate treatments over the same period of time surgery may also be done after chemotherapy and radiation therapy surgery alone a clinical trial of new combinations of treatments some stage iiia non small cell lung tumors that have grown into the chest wall may be completely removed treatment of chest wall tumors may include the following surgery surgery and radiation therapy radiation therapy alone chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy and or surgery a clinical trial of new combinations of treatments check the list of nci supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with stage iii non small cell lung cancer for more specific results refine the search by using other search features such as the location of the trial the type of treatment or the name of the drug talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you general information about clinical trials is available from the nci website stage iiib non small cell lung cancer treatment of stage iiib non small cell lung cancer may include the following chemotherapy followed by external radiation therapy chemotherapy and radiation therapy given as separate treatments over the same period of time chemotherapy followed by surgery external radiation therapy alone for patients who cannot be treated with chemotherapy external radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life laser therapy and or internal radiation therapy to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life clinical trials of new external radiation therapy schedules and new types of treatment a clinical trial of chemotherapy and radiation therapy combined with a radiosensitizer clinical trials of targeted therapy combined with chemotherapy and radiation therapy for more information about supportive care for signs and symptoms such as cough shortness of breath and chest pain see the following pdq summaries cardiopulmonary syndromes cancer pain check the list of nci supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with stage iii non small cell lung cancer for more specific results refine the search by using other search features such as the location of the trial the type of treatment or the name of the drug talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you general information about clinical trials is available from the nci website stage iv non small cell lung cancer treatment of stage iv non small cell lung cancer may include the following chemotherapy chemotherapy followed by more chemotherapy as maintenance therapy to help keep cancer from progressing combination chemotherapy and targeted therapy with a monoclonal antibody such as bevacizumab cetuximab or necitumumab targeted therapy with a monoclonal antibody such as nivolumab pembrolizumab or atezolizumab targeted therapy with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as erlotinib gefitinib afatinib crizotinib or ceritinib external radiation therapy as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life laser therapy and or internal radiation therapy for tumors that are blocking the airways a clinical trial of new drugs and combinations of treatments for more information about supportive care for signs and symptoms including cough shortness of breath and chest pain see the following pdq summaries cardiopulmonary syndromes cancer pain last days of life check the list of nci supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with stage iv non small cell lung cancer for more specific results refine the search by using other search features such as the location of the trial the type of treatment or the name of the drug talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you general information about clinical trials is available from the nci website
Keywords: cancer, cell, therapy, trial, clinical, radiation, lung, surgery, small, chemotherapy


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Question: what research or clinical trials is being done for non small cell lung cancer
Answer: new types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials this summary section describes treatments that are being studied in clinical trials it may not mention every new treatment being studied information about clinical trials is available from the nci website chemoprevention chemoprevention is the use of drugs vitamins or other substances to reduce the risk of cancer or to reduce the risk cancer will recur come back for lung cancer chemoprevention is used to lessen the chance that a new tumor will form in the lung radiosensitizers radiosensitizers are substances that make tumor cells easier to kill with radiation therapy the combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy given with a radiosensitizer is being studied in the treatment of non small cell lung cancer new combinations new combinations of treatments are being studied in clinical trials patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial for some patients taking part in a clinical trial may be the best treatment choice clinical trials are part of the cancer research process clinical trials are done to find out if new cancer treatments are safe and effective or better than the standard treatment many of today s standard treatments for cancer are based on earlier clinical trials patients who take part in a clinical trial may receive the standard treatment or be among the first to receive a new treatment patients who take part in clinical trials also help improve the way cancer will be treated in the future even when clinical trials do not lead to effective new treatments they often answer important questions and help move research forward patients can enter clinical trials before during or after starting their cancer treatment some clinical trials only include patients who have not yet received treatment other trials test treatments for patients whose cancer has not gotten better there are also clinical trials that test new ways to stop cancer from recurring coming back or reduce the side effects of cancer treatment clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country see the treatment options section that follows for links to current treatment clinical trials these have been retrieved from nci s listing of clinical trials
Keywords: trial, clinical, cancer, new, patient, part, treatment, lung, studied, reduce


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Question: what is are small cell lung cancer
Answer: key points small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the lung there are two main types of small cell lung cancer smoking is the major risk factor for small cell lung cancer signs and symptoms of small cell lung cancer include coughing shortness of breath and chest pain tests and procedures that examine the lungs are used to detect find diagnose and stage small cell lung cancer certain factors affect prognosis chance of recovery and treatment options for most patients with small cell lung cancer current treatments do not cure the cancer small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the lung the lungs are a pair of cone shaped breathing organs that are found in the chest the lungs bring oxygen into the body when you breathe in and take out carbon dioxide when you breathe out each lung has sections called lobes the left lung has two lobes the right lung which is slightly larger has three a thin membrane called the pleura surrounds the lungs two tubes called bronchi lead from the trachea windpipe to the right and left lungs the bronchi are sometimes also affected by lung cancer small tubes called bronchioles and tiny air sacs called alveoli make up the inside of the lungs there are two types of lung cancer small cell lung cancer and non small cell lung cancer this summary is about small cell lung cancer and its treatment see the following pdq summaries for more information about lung cancer non small cell lung cancer treatment unusual cancers of childhood treatment lung cancer prevention lung cancer screening there are two main types of small cell lung cancer these two types include many different types of cells the cancer cells of each type grow and spread in different ways the types of small cell lung cancer are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look when viewed under a microscope small cell carcinoma oat cell cancer combined small cell carcinoma for most patients with small cell lung cancer current treatments do not cure the cancer if lung cancer is found patients should think about taking part in one of the many clinical trials being done to improve treatment clinical trials are taking place in most parts of the country for patients with all stages of small cell lung cancer information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the nci website
Keywords: lung, cancer, cell, small, type, two, called, patient, found, trial


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Question: who is at risk for small cell lung cancer
Answer: smoking is the major risk factor for small cell lung cancer anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer not having risk factors doesn t mean that you will not get cancer talk to your doctor if you think you may be at risk for lung cancer risk factors for lung cancer include the following smoking cigarettes pipes or cigars now or in the past this is the most important risk factor for lung cancer the earlier in life a person starts smoking the more often a person smokes and the more years a person smokes the greater the risk of lung cancer being exposed to secondhand smoke being exposed to radiation from any of the following radiation therapy to the breast or chest radon in the home or workplace imaging tests such as ct scans atomic bomb radiation being exposed to asbestos chromium nickel beryllium arsenic soot or tar in the workplace living where there is air pollution having a family history of lung cancer being infected with the human immunodeficiency virus hiv taking beta carotene supplements and being a heavy smoker older age is the main risk factor for most cancers the chance of getting cancer increases as you get older when smoking is combined with other risk factors the risk of lung cancer is increased
Keywords: cancer, risk, factor, lung, smoking, exposed, get, person, radiation, smoke


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Question: what are the symptoms of small cell lung cancer
Answer: signs and symptoms of small cell lung cancer include coughing shortness of breath and chest pain these and other signs and symptoms may be caused by small cell lung cancer or by other conditions check with your doctor if you have any of the following chest discomfort or pain a cough that doesnt go away or gets worse over time trouble breathing wheezing blood in sputum mucus coughed up from the lungs hoarseness trouble swallowing loss of appetite weight loss for no known reason feeling very tired swelling in the face and or veins in the neck
Keywords: lung, cancer, cell, small, symptom, chest, loss, pain, sign, trouble


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Question: how to diagnose small cell lung cancer
Answer: tests and procedures that examine the lungs are used to detect find diagnose and stage small cell lung cancer the following tests and procedures may be used physical exam and history an exam of the body to check general signs of health including checking for signs of disease such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual a history of the patients health habits including smoking and past jobs illnesses and treatments will also be taken laboratory tests medical procedures that test samples of tissue blood urine or other substances in the body these tests help to diagnose disease plan and check treatment or monitor the disease over time chest x ray an x ray of the organs and bones inside the chest an x ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film making a picture of areas inside the body ct scan cat scan of the brain chest and abdomen a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles the pictures are made by a computer linked to an x ray machine a dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly this procedure is also called computed tomography computerized tomography or computerized axial tomography sputum cytology a microscope is used to check for cancer cells in the sputum mucus coughed up from the lungs biopsy the removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer the different ways a biopsy can be done include the following fine needle aspiration fna biopsy of the lung the removal of tissue or fluid from the lung using a thin needle a ct scan ultrasound or other imaging procedure is used to find the abnormal tissue or fluid in the lung a small incision may be made in the skin where the biopsy needle is inserted into the abnormal tissue or fluid a sample is removed with the needle and sent to the laboratory a pathologist then views the sample under a microscope to look for cancer cells a chest x ray is done after the procedure to make sure no air is leaking from the lung into the chest bronchoscopy a procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas a bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs a bronchoscope is a thin tube like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing it may also have a tool to remove tissue samples which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer thoracoscopy a surgical procedure to look at the organs inside the chest to check for abnormal areas an incision cut is made between two ribs and a thoracoscope is inserted into the chest a thoracoscope is a thin tube like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing it may also have a tool to remove tissue or lymph node samples which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer in some cases this procedure is used to remove part of the esophagus or lung if certain tissues organs or lymph nodes cant be reached a thoracotomy may be done in this procedure a larger incision is made between the ribs and the chest is opened thoracentesis the removal of fluid from the space between the lining of the chest and the lung using a needle a pathologist views the fluid under a microscope to look for cancer cells mediastinoscopy a surgical procedure to look at the organs tissues and lymph nodes between the lungs for abnormal areas an incision cut is made at the top of the breastbone and a mediastinoscope is inserted into the chest a mediastinoscope is a thin tube like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing it may also have a tool to remove tissue or lymph node samples which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer light and electron microscopy a laboratory test in which cells in a sample of tissue are viewed under regular and high powered microscopes to look for certain changes in the cells immunohistochemistry a test that uses antibodies to check for certain antigens in a sample of tissue the antibody is usually linked to a radioactive substance or a dye that causes the tissue to light up under a microscope this type of test may be used to tell the difference between different types of cancer
Keywords: tissue, lung, procedure, cancer, chest, microscope, cell, sample, test, used


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Question: what are the stages of small cell lung cancer
Answer: key points after small cell lung cancer has been diagnosed tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the chest or to other parts of the body there are three ways that cancer spreads in the body cancer may spread from where it began to other parts of the body the following stages are used for small cell lung cancer limited stage small cell lung cancer extensive stage small cell lung cancer after small cell lung cancer has been diagnosed tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the chest or to other parts of the body the process used to find out if cancer has spread within the chest or to other parts of the body is called staging the information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease it is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment some of the tests used to diagnose small cell lung cancer are also used to stage the disease see the general information section other tests and procedures that may be used in the staging process include the following mri magnetic resonance imaging of the brain a procedure that uses a magnet radio waves and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body this procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging nmri ct scan cat scan a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body such as the brain chest or upper abdomen taken from different angles the pictures are made by a computer linked to an x ray machine a dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly this procedure is also called computed tomography computerized tomography or computerized axial tomography pet scan positron emission tomography scan a procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body a small amount of radioactive glucose sugar is injected into a vein the pet scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do a pet scan and ct scan may be done at the same time this is called a pet ct bone scan a procedure to check if there are rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells in the bone a very small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream the radioactive material collects in the bones and is detected by a scanner there are three ways that cancer spreads in the body cancer can spread through tissue the lymph system and the blood tissue the cancer spreads from where it began by growing into nearby areas lymph system the cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the lymph system the cancer travels through the lymph vessels to other parts of the body blood the cancer spreads from where it began by getting into the blood the cancer travels through the blood vessels to other parts of the body cancer may spread from where it began to other parts of the body when cancer spreads to another part of the body it is called metastasis cancer cells break away from where they began the primary tumor and travel through the lymph system or blood lymph system the cancer gets into the lymph system travels through the lymph vessels and forms a tumor metastatic tumor in another part of the body blood the cancer gets into the blood travels through the blood vessels and forms a tumor metastatic tumor in another part of the body the metastatic tumor is the same type of cancer as the primary tumor for example if small cell lung cancer spreads to the brain the cancer cells in the brain are actually lung cancer cells the disease is metastatic small cell lung cancer not brain cancer the following stages are used for small cell lung cancer limited stage small cell lung cancer in limited stage cancer is in the lung where it started and may have spread to the area between the lungs or to the lymph nodes above the collarbone extensive stage small cell lung cancer in extensive stage cancer has spread beyond the lung or the area between the lungs or the lymph nodes above the collarbone to other places in the body
Keywords: cancer, cell, body, lung, spread, small, stage, lymph, part, tumor


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Question: what are the treatments for small cell lung cancer
Answer: key points there are different types of treatment for patients with small cell lung cancer five types of standard treatment are used surgery chemotherapy radiation therapy laser therapy endoscopic stent placement new types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial patients can enter clinical trials before during or after starting their cancer treatment follow up tests may be needed there are different types of treatment for patients with small cell lung cancer different types of treatment are available for patients with small cell lung cancer some treatments are standard the currently used treatment and some are being tested in clinical trials a treatment clinical trial is a research study meant to help improve current treatments or obtain information on new treatments for patients with cancer when clinical trials show that a new treatment is better than the standard treatment the new treatment may become the standard treatment patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial some clinical trials are open only to patients who have not started treatment five types of standard treatment are used surgery surgery may be used if the cancer is found in one lung and in nearby lymph nodes only because this type of lung cancer is usually found in both lungs surgery alone is not often used during surgery the doctor will also remove lymph nodes to find out if they have cancer in them sometimes surgery may be used to remove a sample of lung tissue to find out the exact type of lung cancer even if the doctor removes all the cancer that can be seen at the time of the operation some patients may be given chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells that are left treatment given after the surgery to lower the risk that the cancer will come back is called adjuvant therapy chemotherapy chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing when chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body systemic chemotherapy when chemotherapy is placed directly into the cerebrospinal fluid an organ or a body cavity such as the abdomen the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas regional chemotherapy the way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated see drugs approved for small cell lung cancer for more information radiation therapy radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high energy x rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing there are two types of radiation therapy external radiation therapy uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the cancer internal radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles seeds wires or catheters that are placed directly into or near the cancer the way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated external radiation therapy is used to treat small cell lung cancer and may also be used as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life radiation therapy to the brain to lessen the risk that cancer will spread to the brain may also be given laser therapy laser therapy is a cancer treatment that uses a laser beam a narrow beam of intense light to kill cancer cells endoscopic stent placement an endoscope is a thin tube like instrument used to look at tissues inside the body an endoscope has a light and a lens for viewing and may be used to place a stent in a body structure to keep the structure open an endoscopic stent can be used to open an airway blocked by abnormal tissue new types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials information about clinical trials is available from the nci website patients may want to think about taking part in a clinical trial for some patients taking part in a clinical trial may be the best treatment choice clinical trials are part of the cancer research process clinical trials are done to find out if new cancer treatments are safe and effective or better than the standard treatment many of today s standard treatments for cancer are based on earlier clinical trials patients who take part in a clinical trial may receive the standard treatment or be among the first to receive a new treatment patients who take part in clinical trials also help improve the way cancer will be treated in the future even when clinical trials do not lead to effective new treatments they often answer important questions and help move research forward patients can enter clinical trials before during or after starting their cancer treatment some clinical trials only include patients who have not yet received treatment other trials test treatments for patients whose cancer has not gotten better there are also clinical trials that test new ways to stop cancer from recurring coming back or reduce the side effects of cancer treatment clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country see the treatment options section that follows for links to current treatment clinical trials these have been retrieved from nci s listing of clinical trials follow up tests may be needed some of the tests that were done to diagnose the cancer or to find out the stage of the cancer may be repeated some tests will be repeated in order to see how well the treatment is working decisions about whether to continue change or stop treatment may be based on the results of these tests some of the tests will continue to be done from time to time after treatment has ended the results of these tests can show if your condition has changed or if the cancer has recurred come back these tests are sometimes called follow up tests or check ups treatment options by stage limited stage small cell lung cancer treatment of limited stage small cell lung cancer may include the following combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the chest radiation therapy to the brain may later be given to patients with complete responses combination chemotherapy alone for patients who cannot be given radiation therapy surgery followed by chemotherapy surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy radiation therapy to the brain may be given to patients who have had a complete response to prevent the spread of cancer to the brain clinical trials of new chemotherapy surgery and radiation treatments check the list of nci supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer for more specific results refine the search by using other search features such as the location of the trial the type of treatment or the name of the drug talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you general information about clinical trials is available from the nci website extensive stage small cell lung cancer treatment of extensive stage small cell lung cancer may include the following combination chemotherapy radiation therapy to the brain spine bone or other parts of the body where the cancer has spread as palliative therapy to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life radiation therapy to the chest may be given to patients who respond to chemotherapy radiation therapy to the brain may be given to patients who have had a complete response to prevent the spread of cancer to the brain clinical trials of new chemotherapy treatments check the list of nci supported cancer clinical trials that are now accepting patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer for more specific results refine the search by using other search features such as the location of the trial the type of treatment or the name of the drug talk with your doctor about clinical trials that may be right for you general information about clinical trials is available from the nci website
Keywords: cancer, trial, clinical, therapy, patient, radiation, cell, chemotherapy, lung, type


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Question: what is are lung cancer
Answer: key points lung cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the lung lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women lung cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the lung the lungs are a pair of cone shaped breathing organs in the chest the lungs bring oxygen into the body as you breathe in they release carbon dioxide a waste product of the body s cells as you breathe out each lung has sections called lobes the left lung has two lobes the right lung is slightly larger and has three lobes a thin membrane called the pleura surrounds the lungs two tubes called bronchi lead from the trachea windpipe to the right and left lungs the bronchi are sometimes also involved in lung cancer tiny air sacs called alveoli and small tubes called bronchioles make up the inside of the lungs there are two types of lung cancer small cell lung cancer and non small cell lung cancer see the following pdq summaries for more information about lung cancer lung cancer screening non small cell lung cancer treatment small cell lung cancer treatment lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women more people die from lung cancer than from any other type of cancer lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the united states after skin cancer the number of new cases and deaths from lung cancer is highest in black men
Keywords: lung, cancer, cell, called, small, death, lobe, men, two, right


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Question: how to prevent lung cancer
Answer: key points avoiding risk factors and increasing protective factors may help prevent lung cancer the following are risk factors for lung cancer cigarette cigar and pipe smoking secondhand smoke family history hiv infection environmental risk factors beta carotene supplements in heavy smokers the following are protective factors for lung cancer not smoking quitting smoking lower exposure to workplace risk factors lower exposure to radon it is not clear if the following decrease the risk of lung cancer diet physical activity the following do not decrease the risk of lung cancer beta carotene supplements in nonsmokers vitamin e supplements cancer prevention clinical trials are used to study ways to prevent cancer new ways to prevent lung cancer are being studied in clinical trials avoiding risk factors and increasing protective factors may help prevent lung cancer avoiding cancer risk factors may help prevent certain cancers risk factors include smoking being overweight and not getting enough exercise increasing protective factors such as quitting smoking and exercising may also help prevent some cancers talk to your doctor or other health care professional about how you might lower your risk of cancer the following are risk factors for lung cancer cigarette cigar and pipe smoking tobacco smoking is the most important risk factor for lung cancer cigarette cigar and pipe smoking all increase the risk of lung cancer tobacco smoking causes about 9 out of 10 cases of lung cancer in men and about 8 out of 10 cases of lung cancer in women studies have shown that smoking low tar or low nicotine cigarettes does not lower the risk of lung cancer studies also show that the risk of lung cancer from smoking cigarettes increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the number of years smoked people who smoke have about 20 times the risk of lung cancer compared to those who do not smoke secondhand smoke being exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke is also a risk factor for lung cancer secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes from a burning cigarette or other tobacco product or that is exhaled by smokers people who inhale secondhand smoke are exposed to the same cancer causing agents as smokers although in smaller amounts inhaling secondhand smoke is called involuntary or passive smoking family history having a family history of lung cancer is a risk factor for lung cancer people with a relative who has had lung cancer may be twice as likely to have lung cancer as people who do not have a relative who has had lung cancer because cigarette smoking tends to run in families and family members are exposed to secondhand smoke it is hard to know whether the increased risk of lung cancer is from the family history of lung cancer or from being exposed to cigarette smoke hiv infection being infected with the human immunodeficiency virus hiv the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome aids is linked with a higher risk of lung cancer people infected with hiv may have more than twice the risk of lung cancer than those who are not infected since smoking rates are higher in those infected with hiv than in those not infected it is not clear whether the increased risk of lung cancer is from hiv infection or from being exposed to cigarette smoke environmental risk factors radiation exposure being exposed to radiation is a risk factor for lung cancer atomic bomb radiation radiation therapy imaging tests and radon are sources of radiation exposure atomic bomb radiation being exposed to radiation after an atomic bomb explosion increases the risk of lung cancer radiation therapy radiation therapy to the chest may be used to treat certain cancers including breast cancer and hodgkin lymphoma radiation therapy uses x rays gamma rays or other types of radiation that may increase the risk of lung cancer the higher the dose of radiation received the higher the risk the risk of lung cancer following radiation therapy is higher in patients who smoke than in nonsmokers imaging tests imaging tests such as ct scans expose patients to radiation low dose spiral ct scans expose patients to less radiation than higher dose ct scans in lung cancer screening the use of low dose spiral ct scans can lessen the harmful effects of radiation radon radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil it seeps up through the ground and leaks into the air or water supply radon can enter homes through cracks in floors walls or the foundation and levels of radon can build up over time studies show that high levels of radon gas inside the home or workplace increase the number of new cases of lung cancer and the number of deaths caused by lung cancer the risk of lung cancer is higher in smokers exposed to radon than in nonsmokers who are exposed to it in people who have never smoked about 30 of deaths caused by lung cancer have been linked to being exposed to radon workplace exposure studies show that being exposed to the following substances increases the risk of lung cancer asbestos arsenic chromium nickel beryllium cadmium tar and soot these substances can cause lung cancer in people who are exposed to them in the workplace and have never smoked as the level of exposure to these substances increases the risk of lung cancer also increases the risk of lung cancer is even higher in people who are exposed and also smoke air pollution studies show that living in areas with higher levels of air pollution increases the risk of lung cancer beta carotene supplements in heavy smokers taking beta carotene supplements pills increases the risk of lung cancer especially in smokers who smoke one or more packs a day the risk is higher in smokers who have at least one alcoholic drink every day the following are protective factors for lung cancer not smoking the best way to prevent lung cancer is to not smoke quitting smoking smokers can decrease their risk of lung cancer by quitting in smokers who have been treated for lung cancer quitting smoking lowers the risk of new lung cancers counseling the use of nicotine replacement products and antidepressant therapy have helped smokers quit for good in a person who has quit smoking the chance of preventing lung cancer depends on how many years and how much the person smoked and the length of time since quitting after a person has quit smoking for 10 years the risk of lung cancer decreases 30 to 50 see the following for more information on quitting smoking tobacco includes help with quitting cigarette smoking health risks and how to quit lower exposure to workplace risk factors laws that protect workers from being exposed to cancer causing substances such as asbestos arsenic nickel and chromium may help lower their risk of developing lung cancer laws that prevent smoking in the workplace help lower the risk of lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke lower exposure to radon lowering radon levels may lower the risk of lung cancer especially among cigarette smokers high levels of radon in homes may be reduced by taking steps to prevent radon leakage such as sealing basements it is not clear if the following decrease the risk of lung cancer diet some studies show that people who eat high amounts of fruits or vegetables have a lower risk of lung cancer than those who eat low amounts however since smokers tend to have less healthy diets than nonsmokers it is hard to know whether the decreased risk is from having a healthy diet or from not smoking physical activity some studies show that people who are physically active have a lower risk of lung cancer than people who are not however since smokers tend to have different levels of physical activity than nonsmokers it is hard to know if physical activity affects the risk of lung cancer the following do not decrease the risk of lung cancer beta carotene supplements in nonsmokers studies of nonsmokers show that taking beta carotene supplements does not lower their risk of lung cancer vitamin e supplements studies show that taking vitamin e supplements does not affect the risk of lung cancer cancer prevention clinical trials are used to study ways to prevent cancer cancer prevention clinical trials are used to study ways to lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer some cancer prevention trials are conducted with healthy people who have not had cancer but who have an increased risk for cancer other prevention trials are conducted with people who have had cancer and are trying to prevent another cancer of the same type or to lower their chance of developing a new type of cancer other trials are done with healthy volunteers who are not known to have any risk factors for cancer the purpose of some cancer prevention clinical trials is to find out whether actions people take can prevent cancer these may include eating fruits and vegetables exercising quitting smoking or taking certain medicines vitamins minerals or food supplements new ways to prevent lung cancer are being studied in clinical trials clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country information about clinical trials can be found in the clinical trials section of the nci website check the list of nci supported cancer clinical trials for prevention trials for non small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer that are now accepting patients these include trials for quitting smoking
Keywords: cancer, lung, risk, smoking, factor, smoke, radiation, lower, trial, prevent


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Question: who is at risk for lung cancer
Answer: key points avoiding risk factors and increasing protective factors may help prevent lung cancer the following are risk factors for lung cancer cigarette cigar and pipe smoking secondhand smoke family history hiv infection environmental risk factors beta carotene supplements in heavy smokers the following are protective factors for lung cancer not smoking quitting smoking lower exposure to workplace risk factors lower exposure to radon it is not clear if the following decrease the risk of lung cancer diet physical activity the following do not decrease the risk of lung cancer beta carotene supplements in nonsmokers vitamin e supplements cancer prevention clinical trials are used to study ways to prevent cancer new ways to prevent lung cancer are being studied in clinical trials avoiding risk factors and increasing protective factors may help prevent lung cancer avoiding cancer risk factors may help prevent certain cancers risk factors include smoking being overweight and not getting enough exercise increasing protective factors such as quitting smoking and exercising may also help prevent some cancers talk to your doctor or other health care professional about how you might lower your risk of cancer the following are risk factors for lung cancer cigarette cigar and pipe smoking tobacco smoking is the most important risk factor for lung cancer cigarette cigar and pipe smoking all increase the risk of lung cancer tobacco smoking causes about 9 out of 10 cases of lung cancer in men and about 8 out of 10 cases of lung cancer in women studies have shown that smoking low tar or low nicotine cigarettes does not lower the risk of lung cancer studies also show that the risk of lung cancer from smoking cigarettes increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the number of years smoked people who smoke have about 20 times the risk of lung cancer compared to those who do not smoke secondhand smoke being exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke is also a risk factor for lung cancer secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes from a burning cigarette or other tobacco product or that is exhaled by smokers people who inhale secondhand smoke are exposed to the same cancer causing agents as smokers although in smaller amounts inhaling secondhand smoke is called involuntary or passive smoking family history having a family history of lung cancer is a risk factor for lung cancer people with a relative who has had lung cancer may be twice as likely to have lung cancer as people who do not have a relative who has had lung cancer because cigarette smoking tends to run in families and family members are exposed to secondhand smoke it is hard to know whether the increased risk of lung cancer is from the family history of lung cancer or from being exposed to cigarette smoke hiv infection being infected with the human immunodeficiency virus hiv the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome aids is linked with a higher risk of lung cancer people infected with hiv may have more than twice the risk of lung cancer than those who are not infected since smoking rates are higher in those infected with hiv than in those not infected it is not clear whether the increased risk of lung cancer is from hiv infection or from being exposed to cigarette smoke environmental risk factors radiation exposure being exposed to radiation is a risk factor for lung cancer atomic bomb radiation radiation therapy imaging tests and radon are sources of radiation exposure atomic bomb radiation being exposed to radiation after an atomic bomb explosion increases the risk of lung cancer radiation therapy radiation therapy to the chest may be used to treat certain cancers including breast cancer and hodgkin lymphoma radiation therapy uses x rays gamma rays or other types of radiation that may increase the risk of lung cancer the higher the dose of radiation received the higher the risk the risk of lung cancer following radiation therapy is higher in patients who smoke than in nonsmokers imaging tests imaging tests such as ct scans expose patients to radiation low dose spiral ct scans expose patients to less radiation than higher dose ct scans in lung cancer screening the use of low dose spiral ct scans can lessen the harmful effects of radiation radon radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil it seeps up through the ground and leaks into the air or water supply radon can enter homes through cracks in floors walls or the foundation and levels of radon can build up over time studies show that high levels of radon gas inside the home or workplace increase the number of new cases of lung cancer and the number of deaths caused by lung cancer the risk of lung cancer is higher in smokers exposed to radon than in nonsmokers who are exposed to it in people who have never smoked about 30 of deaths caused by lung cancer have been linked to being exposed to radon workplace exposure studies show that being exposed to the following substances increases the risk of lung cancer asbestos arsenic chromium nickel beryllium cadmium tar and soot these substances can cause lung cancer in people who are exposed to them in the workplace and have never smoked as the level of exposure to these substances increases the risk of lung cancer also increases the risk of lung cancer is even higher in people who are exposed and also smoke air pollution studies show that living in areas with higher levels of air pollution increases the risk of lung cancer beta carotene supplements in heavy smokers taking beta carotene supplements pills increases the risk of lung cancer especially in smokers who smoke one or more packs a day the risk is higher in smokers who have at least one alcoholic drink every day the following are protective factors for lung cancer not smoking the best way to prevent lung cancer is to not smoke quitting smoking smokers can decrease their risk of lung cancer by quitting in smokers who have been treated for lung cancer quitting smoking lowers the risk of new lung cancers counseling the use of nicotine replacement products and antidepressant therapy have helped smokers quit for good in a person who has quit smoking the chance of preventing lung cancer depends on how many years and how much the person smoked and the length of time since quitting after a person has quit smoking for 10 years the risk of lung cancer decreases 30 to 50 see the following for more information on quitting smoking tobacco includes help with quitting cigarette smoking health risks and how to quit lower exposure to workplace risk factors laws that protect workers from being exposed to cancer causing substances such as asbestos arsenic nickel and chromium may help lower their risk of developing lung cancer laws that prevent smoking in the workplace help lower the risk of lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke lower exposure to radon lowering radon levels may lower the risk of lung cancer especially among cigarette smokers high levels of radon in homes may be reduced by taking steps to prevent radon leakage such as sealing basements it is not clear if the following decrease the risk of lung cancer diet some studies show that people who eat high amounts of fruits or vegetables have a lower risk of lung cancer than those who eat low amounts however since smokers tend to have less healthy diets than nonsmokers it is hard to know whether the decreased risk is from having a healthy diet or from not smoking physical activity some studies show that people who are physically active have a lower risk of lung cancer than people who are not however since smokers tend to have different levels of physical activity than nonsmokers it is hard to know if physical activity affects the risk of lung cancer the following do not decrease the risk of lung cancer beta carotene supplements in nonsmokers studies of nonsmokers show that taking beta carotene supplements does not lower their risk of lung cancer vitamin e supplements studies show that taking vitamin e supplements does not affect the risk of lung cancer cancer prevention clinical trials are used to study ways to prevent cancer cancer prevention clinical trials are used to study ways to lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer some cancer prevention trials are conducted with healthy people who have not had cancer but who have an increased risk for cancer other prevention trials are conducted with people who have had cancer and are trying to prevent another cancer of the same type or to lower their chance of developing a new type of cancer other trials are done with healthy volunteers who are not known to have any risk factors for cancer the purpose of some cancer prevention clinical trials is to find out whether actions people take can prevent cancer these may include eating fruits and vegetables exercising quitting smoking or taking certain medicines vitamins minerals or food supplements new ways to prevent lung cancer are being studied in clinical trials clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country information about clinical trials can be found in the clinical trials section of the nci website check the list of nci supported cancer clinical trials for prevention trials for non small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer that are now accepting patients these include trials for quitting smoking
Keywords: cancer, lung, risk, smoking, factor, smoke, radiation, lower, trial, people


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Question: what is are lung cancer
Answer: key points lung cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the lung lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the united states different factors increase or decrease the risk of lung cancer lung cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the lung the lungs are a pair of cone shaped breathing organs inside the chest the lungs bring oxygen into the body when breathing in and send carbon dioxide out of the body when breathing out each lung has sections called lobes the left lung has two lobes the right lung which is slightly larger has three a thin membrane called the pleura surrounds the lungs two tubes called bronchi lead from the trachea windpipe to the right and left lungs the bronchi are sometimes involved in lung cancer small tubes called bronchioles and tiny air sacs called alveoli make up the inside of the lungs there are two types of lung cancer small cell lung cancer and non small cell lung cancer see the following pdq summaries for more information about lung cancer lung cancer prevention non small cell lung cancer treatment small cell lung cancer treatment lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the united states lung cancer is the third most common type of non skin cancer in the united states lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and in women
Keywords: lung, cancer, cell, called, small, breathing, cause, death, leading, state


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Question: who is at risk for lung cancer
Answer: different factors increase or decrease the risk of lung cancer anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor anything that decreases your chance of getting a disease is called a protective factor for information about risk factors and protective factors for lung cancer see the pdq summary on lung cancer prevention key points screening tests have risks the risks of lung cancer screening tests include the following finding lung cancer may not improve health or help you live longer false negative test results can occur false positive test results can occur chest x rays and low dose spiral ct scans expose the chest to radiation talk to your doctor about your risk for lung cancer and your need for screening tests screening tests have risks decisions about screening tests can be difficult not all screening tests are helpful and most have risks before having any screening test you may want to discuss the test with your doctor it is important to know the risks of the test and whether it has been proven to reduce the risk of dying from cancer the risks of lung cancer screening tests include the following finding lung cancer may not improve health or help you live longer screening may not improve your health or help you live longer if you have lung cancer that has already spread to other places in your body when a screening test result leads to the diagnosis and treatment of a disease that may never have caused symptoms or become life threatening it is called overdiagnosis it is not known if treatment of these cancers would help you live longer than if no treatment were given and treatments for cancer may have serious side effects harms of treatment may happen more often in people who have medical problems caused by heavy or long term smoking false negative test results can occur screening test results may appear to be normal even though lung cancer is present a person who receives a false negative test result one that shows there is no cancer when there really is may delay seeking medical care even if there are symptoms false positive test results can occur screening test results may appear to be abnormal even though no cancer is present a false positive test result one that shows there is cancer when there really isn t can cause anxiety and is usually followed by more tests such as biopsy which also have risks a biopsy to diagnose lung cancer can cause part of the lung to collapse sometimes surgery is needed to reinflate the lung harms of diagnostic tests may happen more often in patients who have medical problems caused by heavy or long term smoking chest x rays and low dose spiral ct scans expose the chest to radiation radiation exposure from chest x rays and low dose spiral ct scans may increase the risk of cancer younger people and people at low risk for lung cancer are more likely to develop lung cancer caused by radiation exposure talk to your doctor about your risk for lung cancer and your need for screening tests talk to your doctor or other health care provider about your risk for lung cancer whether a screening test is right for you and about the benefits and harms of the screening test you should take part in the decision about whether a screening test is right for you see the pdq summary on cancer screening overview for more information
Keywords: test, cancer, lung, risk, screening, result, false, chest, factor, help


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Question: how to diagnose kaposi sarcoma
Answer: tests that examine the skin lungs and gastrointestinal tract are used to detect find and diagnose kaposi sarcoma the following tests and procedures may be used physical exam and history an exam of the body to check general signs of health including checking skin and lymph nodes for signs of disease such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual a history of the patient s health habits and past illnesses and treatments will also be taken chest x ray an x ray of the organs and bones inside the chest an x ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film making a picture of areas inside the body this is used to find kaposi sarcoma in the lungs biopsy the removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer one of the following types of biopsies may be done to check for kaposi sarcoma lesions in the skin excisional biopsy a scalpel is used to remove the entire skin growth incisional biopsy a scalpel is used to remove part of a skin growth core biopsy a wide needle is used to remove part of a skin growth fine needle aspiration fna biopsy a thin needle is used to remove part of a skin growth an endoscopy or bronchoscopy may be done to check for kaposi sarcoma lesions in the gastrointestinal tract or lungs endoscopy for biopsy a procedure to look at organs and tissues inside the body to check for abnormal areas an endoscope is inserted through an incision cut in the skin or opening in the body such as the mouth an endoscope is a thin tube like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing it may also have a tool to remove tissue or lymph node samples which are checked under a microscope for signs of disease this is used to find kaposi sarcoma lesions in the gastrointestinal tract bronchoscopy for biopsy a procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas a bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs a bronchoscope is a thin tube like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing it may also have a tool to remove tissue samples which are checked under a microscope for signs of disease this is used to find kaposi sarcoma lesions in the lungs after kaposi sarcoma has been diagnosed tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body the following tests and procedures may be used to find out if cancer has spread to other parts of the body blood chemistry studies a procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs and tissues in the body an unusual higher or lower than normal amount of a substance can be a sign of disease ct scan cat scan a procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body such as the lung liver and spleen taken from different angles the pictures are made by a computer linked to an x ray machine a dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly this procedure is also called computed tomography computerized tomography or computerized axial tomography pet scan positron emission tomography scan a procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body a small amount of radioactive glucose sugar is injected into a vein the pet scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells do this imaging test checks for signs of cancer in the lung liver and spleen cd34 lymphocyte count a procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amount of cd34 cells a type of white blood cell a lower than normal amount of cd34 cells can be a sign the immune system is not working well
Keywords: body, used, procedure, biopsy, cell, kaposi, lung, sarcoma, sign, skin


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Question: what is are goodpasture syndrome
Answer: goodpasture syndrome is a pulmonary renal syndrome which is a group of acute illnesses involving the kidneys and lungs goodpasture syndrome includes all of the following conditions glomerulonephritisinflammation of the glomeruli which are tiny clusters of looping blood vessels in the kidneys that help filter wastes and extra water from the blood the presence of anti glomerular basement membrane gbm antibodies the gbm is part of the glomeruli and is composed of collagen and other proteins bleeding in the lungs in goodpasture syndrome immune cells produce antibodies against a specific region of collagen the antibodies attack the collagen in the lungs and kidneys ernest goodpasture first described the syndrome during the influenza pandemic of 1919 when he reported on a patient who died from bleeding in the lungs and kidney failure diagnostic tools to confirm goodpasture syndrome were not available at that time so it is not known whether the patient had true goodpasture syndrome or vasculitis vasculitis is an autoimmune conditiona disorder in which the bodys immune system attacks the bodys own cells and organsthat involves inflammation in the blood vessels and can cause similar lung and kidney problems goodpasture syndrome is sometimes called anti gbm disease however anti gbm disease is only one cause of pulmonary renal syndromes including goodpasture syndrome goodpasture syndrome is fatal unless quickly diagnosed and treated
Keywords: syndrome, goodpasture, kidney, lung, gbm, anti, antibody, blood, collagen, renal


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Question: what are the symptoms of goodpasture syndrome
Answer: the symptoms of goodpasture syndrome may initially include fatigue nausea vomiting and weakness the lungs are usually affected before or at the same time as the kidneys and symptoms can include shortness of breath and coughing sometimes with blood the progression from initial symptoms to the lungs being affected may be very rapid symptoms that occur when the kidneys are affected include blood in the urine or foamy urine swelling in the legs and high blood pressure
Keywords: symptom, affected, blood, include, goodpasture, kidney, lung, syndrome, urine, high


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Question: what are the treatments for goodpasture syndrome
Answer: goodpasture syndrome is usually treated with immunosuppressive medications such as cyclophosphamide to keep the immune system from making antibodies corticosteroid medications to suppress the bodys autoimmune response plasmapheresisa procedure that uses a machine to remove blood from the body separate certain cells from the plasma and return just the cells to the persons body the anti gbm antibodies remain in the plasma and are not returned to the persons body plasmapheresis is usually continued for several weeks and immunosuppressive medications may be given for 6 to 12 months depending on the response to therapy in most cases bleeding in the lungs stops and no permanent lung damage occurs damage to the kidneys however may be long lasting if the kidneys fail blood filtering treatments called dialysis or kidney transplantation may become necessary
Keywords: body, kidney, medication, antibody, blood, damage, goodpasture, immunosuppressive, lung, syndrome


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Question: what to do for goodpasture syndrome
Answer: goodpasture syndrome is a pulmonary renal syndrome which is a group of acute illnesses involving the kidneys and lungs goodpasture syndrome includes all of the following conditions glomerulonephritis the presence of anti glomerular basement membrane gbm antibodies bleeding in the lungs goodpasture syndrome is fatal unless quickly diagnosed and treated people who smoke or use hair dyes appear to be at increased risk for this condition exposure to hydrocarbon fumes metallic dust and certain drugs may also raise a persons risk the symptoms of goodpasture syndrome may initially include fatigue nausea vomiting and weakness the lungs are usually affected before or at the same time as the kidneys and symptoms can include shortness of breath and coughing sometimes with blood symptoms that occur when the kidneys are affected include blood in the urine or foamy urine swelling in the legs and high blood pressure a urinalysis blood test chest x ray and kidney biopsy are used to diagnose goodpasture syndrome goodpasture syndrome is usually treated with immunosuppressive medications corticosteroid medications and plasmapheresis
Keywords: syndrome, goodpasture, blood, kidney, include, lung, symptom, medication, risk, usually


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Question: what are the symptoms of nocardiosis
Answer: the symptoms of nocardiosis vary depending on which part of your body is affected nocardiosis infection most commonly occurs in the lung if your lungs are infected you can experience fever weight loss night sweats cough chest pain pneumonia when lung infections occur the infection commonly spreads to the brain if your central nervous system brain and spinal cord is infected you can experience headache weakness confusion seizures sudden abnormal electrical activity in the brain skin infections can occur when open wounds or cuts come into contact with contaminated soil if your skin is affected you can experience ulcers nodules sometimes draining and spreading along lymph nodes
Keywords: infection, brain, experience, lung, nocardiosis, affected, commonly, infected, skin, symptom


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Question: what are the treatments for hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Answer: how might hypoplastic left heart syndrome hlhs be treated once the diagnosis of hlhs is made the baby will be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit a breathing machine ventilator may be needed to help the baby breathe a medicine called prostaglandin e1 is used to keep blood circulating to the body by keeping the ductus arteriosus open these measures do not solve the problem and ultimately the baby will require surgery the first surgery called the norwood operation occurs within the baby s first few days of life stage i of the norwood procedure consists of building a new aorta by using the pulmonary valve and artery connecting the hypoplastic old aorta and coronary arteries to the new aorta removing the wall between the atria atrial septum making an artificial connection from either the right ventricle or a body wide artery to the pulmonary artery to maintain blood flow to the lungs called a shunt afterwards the baby usually goes home the child will need to take daily medicines and be closely followed by a pediatric cardiologist who will determine when the second stage of surgery should be done stage ii of the operation is called the glenn shunt or hemi fontan procedure this procedure connects the major vein carrying blue blood from the top half of the body the superior vena cava directly to blood vessels to the lungs pulmonary arteries to get oxygen the surgery is usually done when the child is 4 to 6 months of age during stages i and ii the child may still appear somewhat blue cyanotic stage iii the final step is called the fontan procedure the rest of the veins that carry blue blood from the body the inferior vena cava are connected directly to the blood vessels to the lungs the right ventricle now serves only as the pumping chamber for the body no longer the lungs and the body this surgery is usually performed when the baby is 18 months 3 years old after this final step the baby is no longer blue some patients may need more surgeries in their 20s or 30s if they develop hard to control arrhythmias or other complications of the fontan procedure in some hospitals heart transplantation is considered a better choice than the three step surgery process however there are few donated hearts available for small infants
Keywords: baby, surgery, blood, body, artery, called, procedure, stage, heart, lung


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Question: what causes syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
Answer: what causes syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone many things can cause syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone siadh including brain injury brain infection brain abscesses subarachnoid hemorrhage encephalitis meningitis guillain barr syndrome delirium tremens multiple sclerosis lung cancer pancreatic cancer thymoma ovarian cancer lymphoma pneumonia chronic obstructive pulmonary disease lung abscess tuberculosis cystic fibrosis surgery and drugs siadh has also been reported in association with aids temporal arteritis polyarteritis nodosa sarcoidosis rocky mountain spotted fever carcinoma of the cervix olfactory neuroblastoma and herpes zoster infection of the chest wall often the underlying cause of the condition can not be determined in these cases the condition is said to be idiopathic
Keywords: cause, syndrome, antidiuretic, brain, cancer, hormone, inappropriate, abscess, infection, lung


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Question: how to diagnose antisynthetase syndrome
Answer: how is antisynthetase syndrome diagnosed a diagnosis of antisynthetase syndrome is often suspected based on the presence of characteristic signs and symptoms once other conditions that cause similar features have been ruled out additional testing can then be ordered to confirm the diagnosis determine the severity of the condition and inform treatment this testing varies based on the signs and symptoms present in each person but may include blood tests to evaluate levels of muscle enzymes such as creatine kinase and aldolase laboratory tests to look for the presence of autoantibodies associated with antisynthetase syndrome high resolution computed tomography hrct of the lungs electromyography emg muscle biopsy pulmonary function testing magnetic resonance imaging mri of affected muscles evaluation of swallowing difficulties and aspiration risk lung biopsy
Keywords: antisynthetase, syndrome, muscle, testing, based, biopsy, diagnosis, lung, presence, test


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Question: what is are pulmonary vein stenosis
Answer: pulmonary vein stenosis is a very rare and serious condition in which there is a blockage in the blood vessels that bring oxygen rich blood from the lungs back to the heart this condition can be isolated to one vein but often affects multiple veins stenosis occurs when there is an abnormal thickening and narrowing of the walls of the veins pulmonary vein stenosis is a progressive condition and may lead to total obstruction to a blood vessel most commonly all of the pulmonary veins of one lung are affected causing pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension surgery and catheterization to widen the narrow veins is usually a short term solution since the obstruction typically recurs
Keywords: vein, pulmonary, stenosis, blood, hypertension, lung, obstruction, vessel, blockage, bring


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Question: what is are ebstein s anomaly
Answer: ebstein s anomaly is a rare heart defect in which parts of the tricuspid valve which separates the right ventricle from the right atrium are abnormal the abnormality causes the tricuspid valve to leak blood backwards into the right atrium the backup of blood flow can lead to heart swelling and fluid buildup in the lungs or liver sometimes not enough blood gets out of the heart into the lungs and the person may appear blue symptoms range from mild to very severe treatment depends on the severity of the defect and may include medications oxygen therapy or surgery
Keywords: blood, heart, right, anomaly, atrium, defect, ebstein, lung, tricuspid, valve


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Question: what are the symptoms of lung agenesis
Answer: what are the signs and symptoms of lung agenesis the human phenotype ontology provides the following list of signs and symptoms for lung agenesis if the information is available the table below includes how often the symptom is seen in people with this condition you can use the medlineplus medical dictionary to look up the definitions for these medical terms signs and symptoms approximate number of patients when available respiratory insufficiency 90 abnormal lung lobation 50 abnormality of the aorta 50 anomalous pulmonary venous return 50 aplasia hypoplasia of the lungs 50 atria septal defect 50 patent ductus arteriosus 50 abnormality of the aortic valve 7 5 abnormality of the helix 7 5 abnormality of the ribs 7 5 abnormality of the tricuspid valve 7 5 aplasia hypoplasia of the thumb 7 5 complete atrioventricular canal defect 7 5 congenital diaphragmatic hernia 7 5 preaxial hand polydactyly 7 5 proximal placement of thumb 7 5 seizures 7 5 short distal phalanx of finger 7 5 single transverse palmar crease 7 5 spina bifida 7 5 triphalangeal thumb 7 5 ventriculomegaly 7 5 vertebral segmentation defect 7 5 abnormality of the cardiac septa autosomal recessive inheritance bilateral lung agenesis coarctation of aorta congenital onset neonatal death tracheal atresia the human phenotype ontology hpo has collected information on how often a sign or symptom occurs in a condition much of this information comes from orphanet a european rare disease database the frequency of a sign or symptom is usually listed as a rough estimate of the percentage of patients who have that feature the frequency may also be listed as a fraction the first number of the fraction is how many people had the symptom and the second number is the total number of people who were examined in one study for example a frequency of 25 25 means that in a study of 25 people all patients were found to have that symptom because these frequencies are based on a specific study the fractions may be different if another group of patients are examined sometimes no information on frequency is available in these cases the sign or symptom may be rare or common
Keywords: abnormality, lung, sign, frequency, agenesis, information, number, patient, people, symptom


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Question: what is are cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
Answer: cryptogenic organizing pneumonia cop is a form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia characterized by lung inflammation and scarring that obstructs the small airways and air sacs of the lungs alveoli signs and symptoms may include flu like symptoms such as cough fever malaise fatigue and weight loss cop often affects adults in midlife 40 to 60 years of age the exact underlying cause of the condition is unknown idiopathic treatment varies based on the severity of the condition but generally includes glucocorticoids
Keywords: pneumonia, cop, cryptogenic, idiopathic, lung, organizing, symptom, airway, based, cause


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Question: what is are congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Answer: congenital diaphragmatic hernia cdh is the lack of development before birth of all or part of the diaphragm which normally separates the organs in the abdomen from those in the chest cavity it can range in severity from a thinned area in the diaphragm to its complete absence cdh may allow the stomach and intestines to move into the chest cavity crowding the heart and lungs this can then lead to underdevelopment of the lungs pulmonary hypoplasia potentially causing life threatening complications cdh has many different causes and occurs with other malformations in some cases treatment options depend on the severity of the defect
Keywords: cdh, cavity, chest, congenital, diaphragm, diaphragmatic, hernia, lung, severity, causing


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Question: what is are catamenial pneumothorax
Answer: catamenial pneumothorax is an extremely rare condition that affects women pneumothorax is the medical term for a collapsed lung a condition in which air or gas is trapped in the space surrounding the lungs causing the lungs to collapse women with catamenial pneumothorax have recurrent episodes of pneumothorax that occur within 72 hours before or after the start of menstruation the exact cause of catamenial pneumothorax is unknown and several theories have been proposed many cases are associated with the abnormal development of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus endometriosis some believe that catamenial pneumothorax is the most common form of thoracic endometriosis a condition in which the endometrial tissue grows in or around the lungs a diagnosis of catamenial pneumothorax is usually suspected when a woman of reproductive age and with endometriosis has episodes of pneumothorax treatment is with hormones and surgery
Keywords: pneumothorax, catamenial, lung, endometriosis, woman, endometrial, episode, tissue, case, cause


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Question: what is are lung adenocarcinoma
Answer: lung adenocarcinoma is a cancer that occurs due to abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth in the lungs it is a subtype of non small cell lung cancer that is often diagnosed in an outer area of the lung early lung cancers may not be associated with any signs and symptoms as the condition progresses affected people can experience chest pain a persistent cough fatigue coughing up blood loss of appetite unexplained weight loss shortness of breath and or wheezing the underlying cause of lung adenocarcinoma is generally unknown however risk factors for developing a lung cancer include smoking exposure to secondhand smoke and other toxic chemicals a family history of lung cancer previous radiation treatment to the chest or breast and hiv infection treatment varies based on the severity of the condition the associated signs and symptoms and the affected person s overall health it may include a combination of surgery radiation therapy chemotherapy targeted therapy and or watchful waiting
Keywords: lung, cancer, adenocarcinoma, cell, chest, include, radiation, sign, symptom, therapy


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Question: what are the symptoms of lung adenocarcinoma
Answer: what are the signs and symptoms of lung adenocarcinoma the human phenotype ontology provides the following list of signs and symptoms for lung adenocarcinoma if the information is available the table below includes how often the symptom is seen in people with this condition you can use the medlineplus medical dictionary to look up the definitions for these medical terms signs and symptoms approximate number of patients when available alveolar cell carcinoma autosomal recessive inheritance the human phenotype ontology hpo has collected information on how often a sign or symptom occurs in a condition much of this information comes from orphanet a european rare disease database the frequency of a sign or symptom is usually listed as a rough estimate of the percentage of patients who have that feature the frequency may also be listed as a fraction the first number of the fraction is how many people had the symptom and the second number is the total number of people who were examined in one study for example a frequency of 25 25 means that in a study of 25 people all patients were found to have that symptom because these frequencies are based on a specific study the fractions may be different if another group of patients are examined sometimes no information on frequency is available in these cases the sign or symptom may be rare or common
Keywords: sign, frequency, information, number, patient, people, symptom, available, lung, study


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Question: what is are schistosomiasis
Answer: schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic worms although the worms that cause schistosomiasis are not found in the united states more than 200 million people are infected worldwide infection occurs through contact with contaminated water the parasite in its infective stages is called a cercaria it swims freely in open bodies of water on contact with humans the parasite burrows into the skin matures into another stage schistosomula then migrates to the lungs and liver where it matures into the adult form the adult worm then migrates to its preferred body part bladder rectum intestines liver portal venous system the veins that carry blood from the intestines to liver spleen lungs depending on its species schistosomiasis is common in many tropical and subtropical areas worldwide it can be treated safely and effectively with praziquantel
Keywords: schistosomiasis, liver, worm, adult, body, contact, intestine, lung, parasite, stage


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Question: what is are congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia
Answer: congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia is a rare developmental disorder present from birth that affects the lungs infants with this condition have abnormally widened lymphatic vessels within the lungs the lymphatic system which helps the immune system protect the body against infection and disease consists of a network of tubular channels that drain a thin watery fluid known as lymph from different areas of the body into the bloodstream lymph which is made up of proteins fats and certain white blood cells called lymphocytes accumulates in the tiny spaces between tissue cells infants with congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia often develop severe potentially life threatening respiratory distress shortly after birth they may also develop cyanosis a condition caused by low levels of circulating oxygen in the blood which causes the skin to have a bluish tint the exact cause of the condition is unknown congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia can occur as a primary or secondary disorder primary congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia can occur as an isolated defect within the lungs or as part of a a generalized form of lymphatic vessel malformation that affects the entire body secondary congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia occurs secondary to another condition often involving the heart
Keywords: congenital, lymphangiectasia, pulmonary, body, lung, lymphatic, secondary, cell, primary, system


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Question: what causes eisenmenger syndrome
Answer: what causes eisenmenger syndrome eisenmenger syndrome is caused by a defect in the heart most often the defect is one called a ventricular septal defect vsd a hole between the two pumping chambers the left and right ventricles of the heart other heart defects that can lead to eisenmenger syndrome include atrial septal defect asd and patent ductus arteriosus pda the hole allows blood that has already picked up oxygen from the lungs to flow abnormally back into the lungs instead of going out to the rest of the body over time this increased blood flow can damage the small blood vessels in the lungs this causes high blood pressure in the lungs as a result the blood backs up and does not go to the lungs to pick up oxygen instead the blood goes from the right side to the left side of the heart and oxygen poor blood travels to the rest of the body
Keywords: blood, defect, lung, eisenmenger, heart, syndrome, cause, oxygen, flow, hole


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Question: what are the symptoms of lemierre syndrome
Answer: what are the symptoms reported in children who have lemierre syndrome in children and adolescents lemierre syndrome usually begins with a severe sore throat persistent fever and possibly chills some cases begin with acute otitis media as the syndrome progresses there is neck pain and tender swelling along the internal jugular vein if undiagnosed the next stage is the metastasis of septic emboli to the lungs abdominal organs brain or heart lung involvement typically results in a productive cough a cough that brings up mucus or phlegm and chest pain girls may report abdominal pain and have enlargement of the liver hepatomegaly and jaundice all of which indicate involvement of the liver
Keywords: syndrome, lemierre, pain, abdominal, begin, cough, involvement, liver, lung, symptom


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Question: what is are bronchiolitis obliterans
Answer: bronchiolitis obliterans is an inflammatory obstruction of the lung s tiniest airways the bronchioles the bronchioles may become damaged and inflamed after inhalation of toxic fumes as a result of respiratory infections in association with connective tissue disorders or after bone marrow or heart lung transplants this leads to extensive scarring that blocks the airways leading to a dry cough shortness of breath fatigue and wheezing in the absence of a cold or asthma while there is no way to reverse the disease treatments are available to stabilize or slow the progression another similarly named disease bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia is a completely different disease
Keywords: bronchiolitis, obliterans, airway, bronchiole, lung, another, asthma, available, become, block


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Question: what is are children s interstitial lung disease
Answer: children s interstitial and diffuse lung disease child is not a single condition but a group of rare lung diseases found in infants children and adolescents that can range from mild to severe all types of child decrease a child s ability to supply oxygen to their body these diseases make it difficult for the lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide and can cause fluid and other materials to collect in the lungs early diagnosis and treatment is important for any type of child see the children s interstitial lung disease foundation to see a list of different ilds and to find more information about diagnosis treatment and help finding a specialist
Keywords: child, lung, interstitial, diagnosis, disease, oxygen, see, type, collect, decrease


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Question: what are the treatments for children s interstitial lung disease
Answer: how might child be treated there is no single treatment for interstitial lung diseases in children different forms of child require different treatments and support depending on the condition the goals of treatment for child is to relieve symptoms provide support to maximize growth and development and to prevent exposure to preventable illnesses that could make the child worse see the children s interstitial and diffuse lung disease foundation for more detailed information about treatment
Keywords: child, interstitial, lung, different, support, treatment, depending, detailed, disease, exposure


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Question: what is are acute respiratory distress syndrome
Answer: acute respiratory distress syndrome ards is a life threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the blood people who develop ards often are very ill with another disease or have major injuries the condition leads to a buildup of fluid in the air sacs which prevents enough oxygen from passing into the bloodstream symptoms may include difficulty breathing low blood pressure and organ failure rapid breathing and shortness of breath
Keywords: acute, ards, blood, breathing, distress, enough, lung, oxygen, prevents, respiratory


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Question: what are the treatments for acute respiratory distress syndrome
Answer: how might acute respiratory distress syndrome ards be treated typically people with ards need to be in an intensive care unit icu the goal of treatment is to provide breathing support and treat the cause of ards this may involve medications to treat infections reduce inflammation and remove fluid from the lungs a breathing machine is used to deliver high doses of oxygen and continued pressure called peep positive end expiratory pressure to the damaged lungs patients often need to be deeply sedated with medications when using this equipment some research suggests that giving medications to temporarily paralyze a person with ards will increase the chance of recovery treatment continues until the patient is well enough to breathe on his her own more detailed information about the treatment of ards can be accessed through the national heart lung and blood institute nhlbi and medscape reference an article detailing oxygen therapy is also available
Keywords: ards, lung, medication, acute, breathing, distress, need, oxygen, pressure, respiratory


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Question: what is are aspergillosis
Answer: aspergillosis is an infection growth or allergic response caused by the aspergillus fungus there are several different kinds of aspergillosis one kind is allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis also called abpa a condition where the fungus causes allergic respiratory symptoms similar to asthma such as wheezing and coughing but does not actually invade and destroy tissue another kind of aspergillosis is invasive aspergillosis this infection usually affects people with weakened immune systems due to cancer aids leukemia organ transplantation chemotherapy or other conditions or events that reduce the number of normal white blood cells in this condition the fungus invades and damages tissues in the body invasive aspergillosis most commonly affects the lungs but can also cause infection in many other organs and can spread throughout the body commonly affecting the kidneys and brain aspergilloma a growth fungus ball that develops in an area of previous lung disease such as tuberculosis or lung abscess is a third kind of aspergillosis this type of aspergillosis is composed of a tangled mass of fungus fibers blood clots and white blood cells the fungus ball gradually enlarges destroying lung tissue in the process but usually does not spread to other areas
Keywords: aspergillosis, fungus, kind, lung, allergic, blood, infection, tissue, organ, spread


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Question: what is are alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Answer: alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency aatd is a disorder that causes a deficiency or absence of the alpha 1 antitrypsin aat protein in the blood aat is made in the liver and sent through the bloodstream to the lungs to protect the lungs from damage having low levels of att or no att can allow the lungs to become damaged making breathing hard age of onset and severity of aatd can vary based on how much att an affected person is missing in adults symptoms may include shortness of breath reduced ability to exercise wheezing respiratory infections fatigue vision problems and weight loss some people have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd or asthma liver disease cirrhosis may occur in affected children or adults rarely aatd can cause a skin condition called panniculitis aatd is caused by mutations in the serpina1 gene and is inherited in a codominant manner treatment is based on each person s symptoms and may include bronchodilators antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections intravenous therapy of aat and or lung transplantation in severe cases
Keywords: aatd, lung, aat, alpha, antitrypsin, att, deficiency, based, liver, person


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Question: what causes alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Answer: what causes alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency aatd is caused by mutations in the serpina1 gene this gene gives the body instructions to make a protein called alpha 1 antitrypsin aat which protects the body from an enzyme called neutrophil elastase neutrophil elastase helps the body fight infections but it can also attack healthy tissues especially the lungs if not controlled by aat mutations that cause aat can cause a deficiency or absence of aat or a form of aat that does not work well this allows neutrophil elastase to destroy lung tissue causing lung disease in addition abnormal aat can build up in the liver and cause damage to the liver the severity of aatd may also be worsened by environmental factors such as exposure to tobacco smoke dust and chemicals
Keywords: aat, cause, alpha, antitrypsin, deficiency, body, elastase, lung, neutrophil, gene


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Question: what are the treatments for alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Answer: how might alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency be treated treatment of alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency aatd depends on the symptoms and severity in each person copd and other related lung diseases are typically treated with standard therapy bronchodilators and inhaled steroids can help open the airways and make breathing easier intravenous augmentation therapy regular infusion of purified human aat to increase aat concentrations has been recommended for people with established fixed airflow obstruction determined by a specific lung function test this therapy raises the level of the aat protein in the blood and lungs lung transplantation may be an appropriate option for people with end stage lung disease liver transplantation is the definitive treatment for advanced liver disease when present panniculitis may resolve on its own or after dapsone or doxycycline therapy when this therapy does not help it has responded to intravenous augmentation therapy in higher than usual doses all people with severe aatd should have pulmonary function tests every 6 to 12 months those with att serum concentrations 10 to 20 of normal should have periodic evaluation of liver function to detect liver disease people with established liver disease should have periodic ultrasounds of the liver to monitor for fibrotic changes and liver cancer hepatocellular carcinoma yearly vaccinations against influenza and pneumococcus are recommended to lessen the progression of lung disease vaccination against hepatitis a and b is recommended to lessen the risk of liver disease people with aatd should avoid smoking and occupations with exposure to environmental pollutants parents older and younger siblings and children of a person with severe aatd should be evaluated to identify as early as possible those who would benefit from treatment and preventive measures
Keywords: liver, lung, therapy, people, aatd, alpha, antitrypsin, deficiency, function, recommended


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Question: what is are tracheoesophageal fistula
Answer: tracheoesophageal fistula tef is a life threatening condition in which there is an abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea windpipe the esophagus and trachea run next to each other through the chest cavity the esophagus carries food and saliva to the stomach while the trachea carries air to the lungs tef can lead to severe and fatal lung complications saliva and gastric secretions can be aspirated into the lungs and normal swallowing and digestion of food cannot occur most affected people are diagnosed immediately after birth or during infancy symptoms may include frothy bubbles of mucus in the mouth and nose episodes of coughing and choking and worsening symptoms during feeding tef may be isolated or it may occur with other physical or developmental abnormalities most commonly esophageal atresia in many cases the cause is unknown but it has been associated with some chromosome disorders in some cases it may be acquired later in life after a cancer infection ruptured diverticula or trauma treatment includes immediate surgical repair with survival rates of almost 100
Keywords: esophagus, lung, tef, trachea, carry, case, fistula, life, saliva, tracheoesophageal


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Question: what is are primary spontaneous pneumothorax
Answer: primary spontaneous pneumothorax is an abnormal accumulation of air in the pleural space the space between the lungs and the chest cavity that can result in the partial or complete collapse of a lung it is called primary because it occurs in the absence of lung disease such as emphysema and spontaneous because the pneumothhorax was not caused by an injury such as a rib fracture primary spontaneous pneumothorax is likely caused by the formation of small sacs of air blebs in lung tissue that rupture causing air to leak into the pleural space this air creates pressure on the lung and can lead to its collapse symptoms may include chest pain on the side of the collapsed lung and shortness of breath the blebs that lead to primary spontaneous pneumothorax may be present in an individual s lung or lungs for a long time before they rupture a change in air pressure or a very sudden deep breath may cause a rupture to occur in most cases there are no prior signs of illness once a bleb ruptures and causes a pneumothorax rates for recurrence may be as high as 13 to 60 percent many researchers believe that genetic factors may play a role in the development of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in rare cases the condition can be caused by mutations in the flcn gene in these cases the condition follows an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance in addition several genetic disorders have been linked to primary spontaneous pneumothorax including marfan syndrome homocystinuria and birt hogg dube syndrome
Keywords: lung, pneumothorax, primary, spontaneous, air, rupture, bleb, case, caused, space


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Question: how to diagnose tracheobronchopathia osteoplastica
Answer: how is tracheobronchopathia osteoplastica diagnosed fiberoptic bronchoscopy is thought to be the best procedure to diagnose tracheobronchopathia osteoplastica to this procedure is done when it is important to see the airways or to get samples of mucus or tissue from the lungs it involves placing a thin tube like instrument through the nose or mouth and down into the lungs during this procedure a bronchial biopsy is usually performed but samples are sometimes hard to obtain to is usually an incidental finding during fiberoptic bronchoscopy and is rarely suspected before the procedure is done
Keywords: procedure, osteoplastica, tracheobronchopathia, bronchoscopy, diagnose, done, fiberoptic, lung, sample, usually


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procedure, osteoplastica, tracheobronchopathia, bronchoscopy, diagnose, done, fiberoptic, lung, sample, usually


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Question: what is are nocardiosis
Answer: nocardiosis is a rare disorder that affects the brain skin and or lungs it occurs mainly in people with a weakened immune system this condition usually starts in the lungs and can spread to other body organs affected individuals usually experience problems with their lungs chest pain coughing up blood fevers brain headaches and seizures and skin skin infections ulcers and abscesses the nocardia bacteria are found in soil around the world people contract this disease by either inhaling contaminated dust or if soil containing nocardia bacteria get into an open wound while anyone can contract this condition people with a weakened immune system or chronic lung disease are at greatest risk of this condition
Keywords: lung, people, skin, bacteria, brain, contract, immune, nocardia, soil, usually


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Question: what is are swyer james syndrome
Answer: swyer james syndrome is a rare condition in which the lung or portion of the lung does not grow normally and is slightly smaller than the opposite lung usually following bronchiolitis in childhood it is typically diagnosed after a chest x ray or ct scan which shows unilateral pulmonary hyperlucency one lung appearing less dense and diminished pulmonary arteries affected individuals may not have any symptoms or more commonly they may have recurrent pulmonary infections and common respiratory symptoms the cause of the condition is not completely understood
Keywords: lung, pulmonary, james, swyer, symptom, syndrome, affected, cause, commonly, completely


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Question: what causes swyer james syndrome
Answer: what causes swyer james syndrome the cause of swyer james syndrome is not completely understood most experts agree that the initial abnormality occurs in the distal bronchi air tubes that bring air to and from the lungs after an infection during early childhood the smaller size of the affected lung may be due to the infection inhibiting the normal growth of the lung a number of reports have described swyer james syndrome following childhood histories including radiation therapy measles pertussis whooping cough tuberculosis breathing in a foreign body mycoplasma and viral infections especially adenovirus research has suggested that a hyper immune reaction in the lung producing an unusual abundance of antibodies may play a role in sustaining airway damage after the initial infection some have argued a pre existing lung abnormality may predispose individuals to the condition although bronchial damage of some kind during childhood is generally considered to play an important role many affected individuals have had no known history of an airway infection it is possible that some unknown factors present at birth may contribute to the development of swyer james syndrome
Keywords: infection, james, lung, swyer, syndrome, cause, childhood, individual, play, role


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Question: what are the treatments for swyer james syndrome
Answer: how might swyer james syndrome be treated individuals with swyer james syndrome reportedly have been treated conservatively in the past however although there are few reports published it has been recognized that surgical treatment should be considered when infections cannot be controlled there have been reports of affected individuals being treated with pneumonectomy removal of a lung lobectomy removal of one or more lobes of a lung or segmentectomy removal of a specific segment it has been proposed that individuals with swyer james syndrome may benefit from lung volume reduction surgery lvrs a procedure in which damaged tissue is removed from the lung lvrs was reportedly performed successfully in an individual with swyer james syndrome and it has been suggested that the procedure could be used for managing the condition in other affected individuals because it has shown to be effective for improving pulmonary function and symptoms
Keywords: individual, james, swyer, syndrome, lung, removal, treated, lvrs, procedure, report


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Question: what is are yellow nail syndrome
Answer: yellow nail syndrome is characterized by yellow nails that lack a cuticle grow slowly and are loose or detached onycholysis yellow nail syndrome is often associated with diseases of the lung or lymphedema yellow nail syndrome often affects older adults though it can occur at any age while the exact cause of this condition is unknown it has been shown to run in some families which suggests that there may be a genetic component in some cases unfortunately there is no cure for this condition but there are therapies available to treat the related lung diseases and lymphedema
Keywords: nail, yellow, syndrome, disease, lung, lymphedema, often, age, characterized, component


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Question: what is are birt hogg dube syndrome
Answer: birt hogg dube syndrome bhds is a rare complex genetic disorder with three main clinical findings non cancerous benign skin tumors lung cysts and or history of pneumothorax collapsed lung and various types of renal tumors fibrofolliculomas are a type of benign skin tumor specific to bhds they typically occur on the face neck and upper torso most people with bhds also have multiple cysts in both lungs that can be seen on high resolution chest ct scan while these cysts usually do not cause any symptoms they put people at increased risk for spontaneous pneumothorax bhds is caused by mutations in the flcn gene the condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion
Keywords: bhds, cyst, lung, tumor, benign, birt, dube, hogg, people, syndrome


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Question: what are the treatments for birt hogg dube syndrome
Answer: how might lung cysts associated with birt hogg dube syndrome be treated at the time of diagnosis of birt hogg dube bhd syndrome a computed tomography ct scan or high resolution ct scan if available should be done to determine the number location and size of any cysts in the lungs there is no recommended management of the lung cysts lung cysts related to bhd have not been associated with long term disability or fatality the main concern is that the cysts may increase the chance of developing a collapsed lung pneumothorax if an individual with bhd experiences any symptoms of a collapsed lung such as chest pain discomfort or shortness of breath they should immediately go to a physician for a chest x ray or ct scan therapy of a collapsed lung depends on the symptoms how long it has been present and the extent of any underlying lung conditions it is thought that collapsed lung can be prevented by avoiding scuba diving piloting airplanes and cigarette smoking individuals with bhd who have a history of multiple instances of collapsed lung or signs of lung disease are encouraged to see a lung specialist pulmonologist
Keywords: lung, collapsed, cyst, bhd, birt, dube, hogg, scan, syndrome, individual


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Question: what is are pulmonary alveolar proteinosis acquired
Answer: acquired pulmonary alveolar proteinosis pap is a rare acquired lung disorder characterized by the accumulation of grainy material consisting mostly of protein and fat lipoproteinaceous material in the air sacs of the lungs alveoli most cases affect adults between the ages of 20 50 the symptoms can vary greatly some individuals may not show symptoms while others may experience progressive difficulty breathing and shortness of breath upon exertion other signs and symptoms may include a dry chronic cough fatigue weight loss chest pain and a general feeling of ill health in rare cases the coughing up of blood rounding and swelling of the tips of the fingers and cyanosis may be present most cases occur for no known reason but some cases may occur secondary to environmental exposures or underlying diseases some researchers believe it may be an autoimmune disorder the treatment varies from case to case depending upon the age of the affected individual and severity of the disease acquired pap differs from congenital pap an extremely rare form of pap that occurs in some newborns
Keywords: case, acquired, pap, rare, symptom, lung, material, occur, proteinosis, pulmonary


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Question: what are the treatments for pulmonary alveolar proteinosis acquired
Answer: how might acquired pulmonary alveolar proteinosis be treated the treatment of pap varies from case to case depending upon the age of an affected individual and severity of the disease approximately one third of individuals with idiopathic pap of unknown cause will improve without treatment spontaneous remission the other two thirds may be treated by a whole lung lavage a procedure in which one lung is cleansed with a salt solution while the other is pumped with pure oxygen in some cases the procedure may need to be performed once in others it may need to be repeated many times over several years in secondary pap due to environmental exposure or an underlying disorder removal and avoidance of the causative agent e g silica exposure or treatment of the underlying disorder may improve symptoms inhaled gm csf granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor a blood stimulating medication has been shown to improve the condition in some individuals with pap lung transplantation has been used to treat adults with pap as a last resort according to the medical literature in some cases pap has recurred in adults who have received lung transplantation
Keywords: pap, case, lung, improve, individual, need, procedure, pulmonary, stimulating, third


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Question: what are the symptoms of thymic renal anal lung dysplasia
Answer: what are the signs and symptoms of thymic renal anal lung dysplasia the human phenotype ontology provides the following list of signs and symptoms for thymic renal anal lung dysplasia if the information is available the table below includes how often the symptom is seen in people with this condition you can use the medlineplus medical dictionary to look up the definitions for these medical terms signs and symptoms approximate number of patients when available abnormal lung lobation 90 abnormality of female internal genitalia 90 abnormality of the fingernails 90 abnormality of the nose 90 abnormality of the parathyroid gland 90 aplasia hypoplasia of the lungs 90 aplasia hypoplasia of the thymus 90 hypoplasia of the ear cartilage 90 hypoplastic toenails 90 intestinal malrotation 90 intrauterine growth retardation 90 low set posteriorly rotated ears 90 malar flattening 90 multicystic kidney dysplasia 90 oligohydramnios 90 urogenital fistula 90 abnormality of metabolism homeostasis abnormality of the endocrine system abnormality of the respiratory system anal atresia autosomal recessive inheritance renal agenesis ureteral agenesis ureteral dysgenesis the human phenotype ontology hpo has collected information on how often a sign or symptom occurs in a condition much of this information comes from orphanet a european rare disease database the frequency of a sign or symptom is usually listed as a rough estimate of the percentage of patients who have that feature the frequency may also be listed as a fraction the first number of the fraction is how many people had the symptom and the second number is the total number of people who were examined in one study for example a frequency of 25 25 means that in a study of 25 people all patients were found to have that symptom because these frequencies are based on a specific study the fractions may be different if another group of patients are examined sometimes no information on frequency is available in these cases the sign or symptom may be rare or common
Keywords: abnormality, sign, frequency, lung, anal, dysplasia, information, number, patient, renal


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Question: what is are pulmonary arterial hypertension
Answer: pulmonary arterial hypertension pah is a progressive condition that affects the heart and lungs it is characterized by abnormally high blood pressure hypertension in the pulmonary artery the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs the most common signs and symptoms are shortness of breath dyspnea during exertion and fainting spells as the condition worsens people can experience dizziness swelling edema of the ankles or legs chest pain and a racing pulse most cases of pah occur in individuals with no family history of the disorder although some cases are due to mutations in the bmpr2 gene and inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern a gene mutation has not yet been identified in most individuals when pah is inherited from an affected relative it is called familial pah cases with no identifiable cause may be referred to as idiopathic pah pah can also occur secondary to an underlying disorder such as connective tissue diseases hiv infection chronic hemolytic anemia and congenital heart disease to name a few pah can also be induced by certain drugs and toxins for example fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine appetite suppressants now banned by the fda toxic rapeseed oil and amphetamines
Keywords: pah, blood, case, heart, hypertension, pulmonary, arterial, lung, mutation, occur


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Question: what is are mycobacterium malmoense
Answer: mycobacterium malmoense m malmoense is a bacterium naturally found in the environment such as in wet soil house dust water dairy products domestic and wild animals food and human waste m malmoense infections most often occur in adults with lung disease and manifests as a lung infection skin and tissue infections with m malmoense have also been described in young children m malmoense may cause an infection of lymphnodes in the neck i e cervical lymphadenitis
Keywords: malmoense, infection, lung, mycobacterium, adult, animal, bacterium, cervical, described, domestic


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Question: what is are pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis
Answer: pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a disorder in which tiny fragments microliths of calcium phosphate gradually accumulate in the small air sacs alveoli of the lungs these deposits eventually cause widespread damage to the alveoli and surrounding lung tissue interstitial lung disease people with this disorder may also develop a persistent cough and difficulty breathing dyspnea especially during physical exertion chest pain that worsens when coughing sneezing or taking deep breaths is another common feature people with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis may also develop calcium phosphate deposits in other organs and tissue of the body though the course of the disease can be variable many cases slowly progress to lung fibrosis respiratory failure or cor pulmonale the only effective therapy is lung transplantation in some cases pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is caused by mutations in the slc34a2 gene and inherited in an autosomal recessive manner
Keywords: lung, alveolar, microlithiasis, pulmonary, calcium, case, deposit, disorder, people, phosphate


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Question: what is are congenital lobar emphysema
Answer: congenital lobar emphysema is a rare respiratory disorder in which air can enter the lungs but cannot escape causing overinflation hyperinflation of the lobes of the lung it is most often detected in newborns or young infants but some cases do not become apparent until adulthood signs and symptoms may include difficulty breathing and respiratory distress in infancy an enlarged chest compressed lung tissue cyanosis and underdevelopment of the cartilage that supports the bronchial tube bronchial hypoplasia this disorder may be severe enough to cause associated heart problems 15 of cases or so mild as to never become apparent some cases may be caused by autosomal dominant inheritance while others occur for no apparent reason sporadic
Keywords: apparent, case, lung, become, bronchial, congenital, disorder, emphysema, lobar, respiratory


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Question: what is are alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Answer: alpha 1 antitrypsin an tee trip sin deficiency or aat deficiency is a condition that raises your risk for lung disease especially if you smoke and other diseases some people who have severe aat deficiency develop emphysema em fi se ma often when they re only in their forties or fifties emphysema is a serious lung disease in which damage to the airways makes it hard to breathe a small number of people who have aat deficiency develop cirrhosis sir ro sis and other serious liver diseases cirrhosis is a disease in which the liver becomes scarred the scarring prevents the organ from working well in people who have aat deficiency cirrhosis and other liver diseases usually occur in infancy and early childhood a very small number of people who have aat deficiency have a rare skin disease called necrotizing panniculitis pa nik yu li tis this disease can cause painful lumps under or on the surface of the skin this article focuses on aat deficiency as it relates to lung disease overview alpha 1 antitrypsin also called aat is a protein made in the liver normally the protein travels through the bloodstream it helps protect the body s organs from the harmful effects of other proteins the lungs are one of the main organs that the aat protein protects aat deficiency occurs if the aat proteins made in the liver aren t the right shape they get stuck inside liver cells and can t get into the bloodstream as a result not enough aat proteins travel to the lungs to protect them this increases the risk of lung disease also because too many aat proteins are stuck in the liver liver disease can develop severe aat deficiency occurs if blood levels of the aat protein fall below the lowest amount needed to protect the lungs aat deficiency is an inherited condition inherited means it s passed from parents to children through genes doctors don t know how many people have aat deficiency many people who have the condition may not know they have it estimates of how many people have aat deficiency range from about 1 in every 1 600 people to about 1 in every 5 000 people outlook people who have aat deficiency may not have serious complications and they may live close to a normal lifespan among people with aat deficiency who have a related lung or liver disease about 3percent die each year smoking is the leading risk factor for life threatening lung disease if you have aat deficiency smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of earlier lung related symptoms and lung damage if you have severe aat deficiency smoking can shorten your life by as much as 20 years aat deficiency has no cure but treatments are available treatments often are based on the type of disease you develop
Keywords: aat, deficiency, lung, people, liver, protein, develop, many, risk, protect


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Question: who is at risk for alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Answer: alpha 1 antitrypsin aat deficiency occurs in all ethnic groups however the condition occurs most often in white people of european descent aat deficiency is an inherited condition inherited means the condition is passed from parents to children through genes if you have bloodline relatives with known aat deficiency you re at increased risk for the condition even so it doesn t mean that you ll develop one of the diseases related to the condition some risk factors make it more likely that you ll develop lung disease if you have aat deficiency smoking is the leading risk factor for serious lung disease if you have aat deficiency your risk for lung disease also may go up if you re exposed to dust fumes or other toxic substances
Keywords: deficiency, aat, risk, lung, antitrypsin, develop, factor, inherited, mean, occurs


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Question: what are the symptoms of alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Answer: the first lung related symptoms of alpha 1 antitrypsin aat deficiency may include shortness of breath less ability to be physically active and wheezing these signs and symptoms most often begin between the ages of 20 and 40 other signs and symptoms may include repeated lung infections tiredness a rapid heartbeat upon standing vision problems and weight loss some people who have severe aat deficiency develop emphysema em fi se ma often when they re only in their forties or fifties signs and symptoms of emphysema include problems breathing wheezing and a chronic ongoing cough at first many people who have aat deficiency are diagnosed with asthma this is because wheezing also is a symptom of asthma also people who have aat deficiency respond well to asthma medicines
Keywords: deficiency, symptom, aat, asthma, include, people, sign, wheezing, first, lung


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Question: how to diagnose alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Answer: alpha 1 antitrypsin aat deficiency usually is diagnosed after you develop a lung or liver disease that s related to the condition your doctor may suspect aat deficiency if you have signs or symptoms of a serious lung condition especially emphysema without any obvious cause he or she also may suspect aat deficiency if you develop emphysema when you re 45 years old or younger specialists involved many doctors may be involved in the diagnosis of aat deficiency these include primary care doctors pulmonologists lung specialists and hepatologists liver specialists to diagnose aat deficiency your doctor will ask about possible risk factors risk factors include smoking and exposure to dust fumes and other toxic substances ask about your medical history a common sign of aat deficiency is if you have a lung or liver disease without any obvious causes or risk factors another sign is if you have emphysema at an unusually early age 45 years or younger ask about your family s medical history if you have bloodline relatives who have aat deficiency you re more likely to have the condition diagnostic tests your doctor may recommend tests to confirm a diagnosis of aat deficiency he or she also may recommend tests to check for lung or liver related conditions a genetic test is the most certain way to check for aat deficiency this test will show whether you have faulty aat genes a blood test also may be used this test checks the level of aat protein in your blood if the level is a lot lower than normal it s likely that you have aat deficiency lung related tests if you have a lung disease related to aat deficiency your doctor may recommend lung function tests and high resolution computed tomography to mog rah fee scanning also called ct scanning lung function tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out how fast you can breathe air out and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood these tests may show how severe your lung disease is and how well treatment is working high resolution ct scanning uses x rays to create detailed pictures of parts of the body a ct scan can show whether you have emphysema or another lung disease and how severe it is
Keywords: aat, deficiency, lung, test, emphysema, liver, related, check, risk, specialist


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Question: what are the treatments for alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Answer: alpha 1 antitrypsin aat deficiency has no cure but its related lung diseases have many treatments most of these treatments are the same as the ones used for a lung disease called copd chronic obstructive pulmonary disease if you have symptoms related to aat deficiency your doctor may recommend medicines called inhaled bronchodilators brong ko di la tors and inhaled steroids these medicines help open your airways and make breathing easier they also are used to treat asthma and copd flu and pneumococcal noo mo kok al vaccines to protect you from illnesses that could make your condition worse prompt treatment of lung infections also can help protect your lungs pulmonary rehabilitation rehab rehab involves treatment by a team of experts at a special clinic in rehab you ll learn how to manage your condition and function at your best extra oxygen if needed a lung transplant a lung transplant may be an option if you have severe breathing problems if you have a good chance of surviving the transplant surgery you may be a candidate for it augmentation og men ta shun therapy is a treatment used only for people who have aat related lung diseases this therapy involves getting infusions of the aat protein the infusions raise the level of the protein in your blood and lungs not enough research has been done to show how well this therapy works however some research suggests that this therapy may slow the development of aat deficiency in people who don t have severe disease people who have aat deficiency and develop related liver or skin diseases will be referred to doctors who treat those diseases future treatments researchers are working on possible treatments that will target the faulty aat genes and replace them with healthy genes these treatments are in the early stages of development researchers also are studying therapies that will help misshapen aat proteins move from the liver into the bloodstream they re also studying a type of augmentation therapy in which the aat protein is inhaled instead of injected into a vein if you re interested in new treatments ask your doctor about ongoing clinical trials for aat deficiency
Keywords: aat, lung, treatment, deficiency, therapy, disease, protein, related, help, people


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Question: how to prevent alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
Answer: you can t prevent alpha 1 antitrypsin aat deficiency because the condition is inherited passed from parents to children through genes if you inherit two faulty aat genes you ll have aat deficiency even so you may never develop one of the diseases related to the condition you can take steps to prevent or delay lung diseases related to aat deficiency one important step is to quit smoking if you don t smoke don t start talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit smoking if you have trouble quitting smoking on your own consider joining a support group many hospitals workplaces and community groups offer classes to help people quit smoking for more information about how to quit smoking go to the health topics smoking and your heart article and the national heart lung and blood institute s your guide to a healthy heart although these resources focus on heart health they include basic information about how to quit smoking also try to avoid secondhand smoke and places with dust fumes or other toxic substances that you may inhale check your living and working spaces for things that may irritate your lungs examples include flower and tree pollen ash allergens air pollution wood burning stoves paint fumes and fumes from cleaning products and other household items if you have a lung disease related to aat deficiency ask your doctor whether you might benefit from augmentation therapy this is a treatment in which you receive infusions of aat protein augmentation therapy raises the level of aat protein in your blood and lungs for more information go to how is alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency treated
Keywords: aat, smoking, deficiency, lung, quit, heart, alpha, fume, prevent, related


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Question: what is are ards
Answer: ards or acute respiratory distress syndrome is a lung condition that leads to low oxygen levels in the blood ards can be life threatening because your body s organs need oxygen rich blood to work well people who develop ards often are very ill with another disease or have major injuries they might already be in the hospital when they develop ards overview to understand ards it helps to understand how the lungs work when you breathe air passes through your nose and mouth into your windpipe the air then travels to your lungs air sacs these sacs are called alveoli al vee uhl eye small blood vessels called capillaries kap ih lare ees run through the walls of the air sacs oxygen passes from the air sacs into the capillaries and then into the bloodstream blood carries the oxygen to all parts of the body including the body s organs in ards infections injuries or other conditions cause fluid to build up in the air sacs this prevents the lungs from filling with air and moving enough oxygen into the bloodstream as a result the body s organs such as the kidneys and brain don t get the oxygen they need without oxygen the organs may not work well or at all people who develop ards often are in the hospital for other serious health problems rarely people who aren t hospitalized have health problems that lead to ards such as severe pneumonia if you have trouble breathing call your doctor right away if you have severe shortness of breath call 911 outlook more people are surviving ards now than in the past one likely reason for this is that treatment and care for the condition have improved survival rates for ards vary depending on age the underlying cause of ards associated illnesses and other factors some people who survive recover completely others may have lasting damage to their lungs and other health problems researchers continue to look for new and better ways to treat ards
Keywords: ards, air, oxygen, lung, people, sac, blood, body, organ, work


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Question: what causes ards
Answer: many conditions or factors can directly or indirectly injure the lungs and lead to ards some common ones are sepsis this is a condition in which bacteria infect the bloodstream pneumonia this is an infection in the lungs severe bleeding caused by an injury to the body an injury to the chest or head like a severe blow breathing in harmful fumes or smoke inhaling vomited stomach contents from the mouth it s not clear why some very sick or seriously injured people develop ards and others don t researchers are trying to find out why ards develops and how to prevent it
Keywords: ards, injury, lung, severe, bacteria, bleeding, blow, body, caused, chest


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Question: who is at risk for ards
Answer: people at risk for ards have a condition or illness that can directly or indirectly injure their lungs direct lung injury conditions that can directly injure the lungs include pneumonia this is an infection in the lungs breathing in harmful fumes or smoke inhaling vomited stomach contents from the mouth using a ventilator this is a machine that helps people breathe rarely it can injure the lungs nearly drowning indirect lung injury conditions that can indirectly injure the lungs include sepsis this is a condition in which bacteria infect the bloodstream severe bleeding caused by an injury to the body or having many blood transfusions an injury to the chest or head such as a severe blow pancreatitis pan kre a ti tis this is a condition in which the pancreas becomes irritated or infected the pancreas is a gland that releases enzymes and hormones fat embolism em bo lizm this is a condition in which fat blocks an artery a physical injury like a broken bone can lead to a fat embolism drug reaction
Keywords: lung, injury, injure, fat, ards, condition, include, indirectly, pancreas, people


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Question: what are the symptoms of ards
Answer: the first signs and symptoms of ards are feeling like you can t get enough air into your lungs rapid breathing and a low blood oxygen level other signs and symptoms depend on the cause of ards they may occur before ards develops for example if pneumonia is causing ards you may have a cough and fever before you feel short of breath sometimes people who have ards develop signs and symptoms such as low blood pressure confusion and extreme tiredness this may mean that the body s organs such as the kidneys and heart aren t getting enough oxygen rich blood people who develop ards often are in the hospital for other serious health problems rarely people who aren t hospitalized have health problems that lead to ards such as severe pneumonia if you have trouble breathing call your doctor right away if you have severe shortness of breath call 911 complications from ards if you have ards you can develop other medical problems while in the hospital the most common problems are infections being in the hospital and lying down for a long time can put you at risk for infections such as pneumonia being on a ventilator also puts you at higher risk for infections a pneumothorax collapsed lung this is a condition in which air or gas collects in the space around the lungs this can cause one or both lungs to collapse the air pressure from a ventilator can cause this condition lung scarring ards causes the lungs to become stiff scarred it also makes it hard for the lungs to expand and fill with air being on a ventilator also can cause lung scarring blood clots lying down for long periods can cause blood clots to form in your body a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in your body is called a deep vein thrombosis this type of blood clot can break off travel through the bloodstream to the lungs and block blood flow this condition is called pulmonary embolism
Keywords: ards, lung, blood, cause, air, clot, problem, symptom, hospital, people


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Question: how to diagnose ards
Answer: your doctor will diagnose ards based on your medical history a physical exam and test results medical history your doctor will ask whether you have or have recently had conditions that could lead to ards for a list of these conditions go to who is at risk for ards your doctor also will ask whether you have heart problems such as heart failure heart failure can cause fluid to build up in your lungs physical exam ards may cause abnormal breathing sounds such as crackling your doctor will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope to hear these sounds he or she also will listen to your heart and look for signs of extra fluid in other parts of your body extra fluid may mean you have heart or kidney problems your doctor will look for a bluish color on your skin and lips a bluish color means your blood has a low level of oxygen this is a possible sign of ards diagnostic tests you may have ards or another condition that causes similar symptoms to find out your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests initial tests the first tests done are an arterial blood gas test this blood test measures the oxygen level in your blood using a sample of blood taken from an artery a low blood oxygen level might be a sign of ards chest x ray this test creates pictures of the structures in your chest such as your heart lungs and blood vessels a chest x ray can show whether you have extra fluid in your lungs blood tests such as a complete blood count blood chemistries and blood cultures these tests help find the cause of ards such as an infection a sputum culture this test is used to study the spit you ve coughed up from your lungs a sputum culture can help find the cause of an infection other tests other tests used to diagnose ards include chest computed tomography to mog rah fee scan or chest ct scan this test uses a computer to create detailed pictures of your lungs a chest ct scan may show lung problems such as fluid in the lungs signs of pneumonia or a tumor heart tests that look for signs of heart failure heart failure is a condition in which the heart can t pump enough blood to meet the body s needs this condition can cause fluid to build up in your lungs
Keywords: test, blood, ards, heart, lung, cause, chest, fluid, sign, failure


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Question: what are the treatments for ards
Answer: ards is treated in a hospital s intensive care unit current treatment approaches focus on improving blood oxygen levels and providing supportive care doctors also will try to pinpoint and treat the underlying cause of the condition oxygen therapy one of the main goals of treating ards is to provide oxygen to your lungs and other organs such as your brain and kidneys your organs need oxygen to work properly oxygen usually is given through nasal prongs or a mask that fits over your mouth and nose however if your oxygen level doesn t rise or it s still hard for you to breathe your doctor will give you oxygen through a breathing tube he or she will insert the flexible tube through your mouth or nose and into your windpipe before inserting the tube your doctor will squirt or spray a liquid medicine into your throat and possibly your nose to make it numb your doctor also will give you medicine through an intravenous iv line in your bloodstream to make you sleepy and relaxed the breathing tube will be connected to a machine that supports breathing a ventilator the ventilator will fill your lungs with oxygen rich air your doctor will adjust the ventilator as needed to help your lungs get the right amount of oxygen this also will help prevent injury to your lungs from the pressure of the ventilator you ll use the breathing tube and ventilator until you can breathe on your own if you need a ventilator for more than a few days your doctor may do a tracheotomy tra ke ot o me this procedure involves making a small cut in your neck to create an opening to the windpipe the opening is called a tracheostomy tra ke os to me your doctor will place the breathing tube directly into the windpipe the tube is then connected to the ventilator for more information go to the health topics oxygen therapy article supportive care supportive care refers to treatments that help relieve symptoms prevent complications or improve quality of life supportive approaches used to treat ards include medicines to help you relax relieve discomfort and treat pain ongoing monitoring of heart and lung function including blood pressure and gas exchange nutritional support people who have ards often suffer from malnutrition thus extra nutrition may be given through a feeding tube treatment for infections people who have ards are at higher risk for infections such as pneumonia being on a ventilator also increases the risk of infections doctors use antibiotics to treat pneumonia and other infections prevention of blood clots lying down for long periods can cause blood clots to form in the deep veins of your body these clots can travel to your lungs and block blood flow a condition called pulmonary embolism blood thinning medicines and other treatments such as compression stocking stockings that create gentle pressure up the leg are used to prevent blood clots prevention of intestinal bleeding people who receive long term support from a ventilator are at increased risk of bleeding in the intestines medicines can reduce this risk fluids you may be given fluids to improve blood flow through your body and to provide nutrition your doctor will make sure you get the right amount of fluids fluids usually are given through an iv line inserted into one of your blood vessels
Keywords: oxygen, blood, ventilator, tube, ards, lung, breathing, medicine, fluid, help


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Question: what is are asthma
Answer: espaol asthma az ma is a chronic long term lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing a whistling sound when you breathe chest tightness shortness of breath and coughing the coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning asthma affects people of all ages but it most often starts during childhood in the united states more than 25 million people are known to have asthma about 7million of these people are children overview to understand asthma it helps to know how the airways work the airways are tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs people who have asthma have inflamed airways the inflammation makes the airways swollen and very sensitive the airways tend to react strongly to certain inhaled substances when the airways react the muscles around them tighten this narrows the airways causing less air to flow into the lungs the swelling also can worsen making the airways even narrower cells in the airways might make more mucus than usual mucus is a sticky thick liquid that can further narrow the airways this chain reaction can result in asthma symptoms symptoms can happen each time the airways are inflamed asthma sometimes asthma symptoms are mild and go away on their own or after minimal treatment with asthma medicine other times symptoms continue to get worse when symptoms get more intense and or more symptoms occur you re having an asthma attack asthma attacks also are called flareups or exacerbations eg zas er ba shuns treating symptoms when you first notice them is important this will help prevent the symptoms from worsening and causing a severe asthma attack severe asthma attacks may require emergency care and they can be fatal outlook asthma has no cure even when you feel fine you still have the disease and it can flare up at any time however with today s knowledge and treatments most people who have asthma are able to manage the disease they have few if any symptoms they can live normal active lives and sleep through the night without interruption from asthma if you have asthma you can take an active role in managing the disease for successful thorough and ongoing treatment build strong partnerships with your doctor and other health care providers
Keywords: asthma, airway, symptom, people, attack, lung, narrow, time, night, react


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Question: what is are childhood interstitial lung disease
Answer: childhood interstitial in ter stish al lung disease or child is a broad term for a group of rare lung diseases that can affect babies children and teens these diseases have some similar symptoms such as chronic cough rapid breathing and shortness of breath these diseases also harm the lungs in similar ways for example they damage the tissues that surround the lungs alveoli al vee uhl eye air sacs and bronchial tubes airways sometimes these diseases directly damage the air sacs and airways the various types of child can decrease lung function reduce blood oxygen levels and disturb the breathing process overview researchers have only begun to study define and understand child in the last decade currently they don t know how many children have child they also don t know how many children have each type of child diagnosing child and its specific diseases is hard because child is rare and complex also child is a broad term for a group of diseases with similar symptomsit s not a precise diagnosis interstitial lung disease ild also occurs in adults however the cause of ild in adults may be different than the cause in children some types of child are similar to the adult forms of the disease they may even have the same names as the adult forms such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis noo mo ni tis immunodeficiency associated lung disease and bronchiolitis brong ke o li tis obliterans however research shows that the course and outcomes of these diseases often are very different for children than for adults some ilds only occur in children they include lung growth abnormalities neuroendocrine noor o en do krin cell hyperplasia hi per pla ze ah of infancy nehi pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis gli ko jen eh sis developmental disorders such as alveolar al ve o lar capillary dysplasia outlook each form of child may differ in its severity and how it s treated thus getting a correct diagnosis is vital for understanding and treating your child s illness you may want to consult a pediatric pulmonologist this is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating children who have lung diseases and conditions this doctor s training and experience can help him or her diagnose child the outlook for children who have child also depends on the specific type of disease they have some diseases are very severe and lead to early death others are chronic long term diseases that parents and the child s medical team must work together to manage at this time child has no cure however some children who have certain diseases such as nehi may slowly improve over time researchers are now starting to learn more about the causes of child they re also trying to find distinct patterns and traits for the various forms of child this information may help doctors better understand these diseases
Keywords: child, disease, lung, adult, form, interstitial, similar, type, cause, however


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Question: what causes childhood interstitial lung disease
Answer: researchers don t yet know all of the causes of childhood interstitial lung disease child many times these diseases have no clear cause some conditions and factors that may cause or lead to child include inherited conditions such as surfactant disorders surfactant is a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs it helps with breathing and may help protect the lungs from bacterial and viral infections birth defects that cause problems with the structure or function of the lungs aspiration as pih ra shun this term refers to inhaling substancessuch as food liquid or vomitinto the lungs inhaling these substances can injure the lungs aspiration may occur in children who have swallowing problems or gastroesophageal gas tro eh so fa je al reflux disease gerd gerd occurs if acid from the stomach backs up into the throat immune system disorders the immune system protects the body against bacteria viruses and toxins children who have immune system disorders aren t able to fight illness and disease as well as children who have healthy immune systems exposure to substances in the environment that can irritate the lungs such as molds and chemicals some cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy systemic or autoimmune diseases such as collagen vascular disease or inflammatory bowel disease systemic diseases are diseases that involve many of the body s organs autoimmune diseases occur if the body s immune system mistakenly attacks the body s tissues and cells a bone marrow transplant or a lung transplant
Keywords: lung, cause, child, disease, immune, system, body, disorder, occur, problem


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Question: who is at risk for childhood interstitial lung disease
Answer: childhood interstitial lung disease child is rare most children are not at risk for child however some factors increase the risk of developing child these risk factors include having a family history of interstitial lung disease or child having an inherited surfactant disorder or a family history of this type of disorder surfactant is a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs it helps with breathing and may help protect the lungs from bacterial and viral infections having problems with aspiration this term aspiration refers to inhaling substancessuch as food liquid or vomitinto the lungs having an immune system disorder the immune system protects the body against bacteria viruses and toxins children who have immune system disorders aren t able to fight illness and disease as well as children who have healthy immune systems being exposed to substances in the environment that can irritate the lungs such as molds and chemicals having a systemic or autoimmune disease such as collagen vascular disease or inflammatory bowel disease systemic diseases are diseases that involve many of the body s organs autoimmune diseases occur if the body s immune system mistakenly attacks the body s tissues and cells undergoing some cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy having a bone marrow transplant or a lung transplant certain types of child are more common in infants and young children while others can occur in children of any age for more information go to types of childhood interstitial lung disease the risk of death seems to be higher for children who have child and pulmonary hypertension developmental or growth disorders bone marrow transplants or certain surfactant problems
Keywords: child, lung, disorder, immune, risk, system, body, interstitial, childhood, type


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Question: what are the symptoms of childhood interstitial lung disease
Answer: childhood interstitial lung disease child has many signs and symptoms because the disease has many forms signs and symptoms may include fast breathing which also is called tachypnea tak ip ne ah labored breathing which also is called respiratory distress low oxygen levels in the blood which also is called hypoxemia hi pok se ah recurrent coughing wheezing or crackling sounds in the chest shortness of breath during exercise in older children or while eating in infants which also is called dyspnea disp ne ah poor growth or failure to gain weight recurrent pneumonia or bronchiolitis if your child has any of these signs and symptoms contact his or her doctor the doctor may refer you to a pediatric pulmonologist this is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating children who have lung diseases and conditions
Keywords: called, child, symptom, lung, sign, breathing, childhood, interstitial, many, recurrent


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Question: how to diagnose childhood interstitial lung disease
Answer: doctors diagnose childhood interstitial lung disease child based on a child s medical and family histories and the results from tests and procedures to diagnose child doctors may first need to rule out other diseases as the cause of a child s symptoms early diagnosis of child may help doctors stop or even reverse lung function problems often though doctors find child hard to diagnose because there are many types of the disease and a range of underlying causes the disease s signs and symptoms are the same as those for many other diseases the disease may coexist with other diseases going to a pediatric pulmonologist who has experience with child is helpful a pediatric pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating children who have lung diseases and conditions medical and family histories your child s medical history can help his or her doctor diagnose child the doctor may ask whether your child has severe breathing problems that occur often has had severe lung infections had serious lung problems as a newborn has been exposed to possible lung irritants in the environment such as birds molds dusts or chemicals has ever had radiation or chemotherapy treatment has an autoimmune disease certain birth defects or other medical conditions autoimmune diseases occur if the body s immune system mistakenly attacks the bodys tissues and cells the doctor also may ask how old your child was when symptoms began and whether other family members have or have had severe lung diseases if they have your child may have an inherited form of child diagnostic tests and procedures no single test can diagnose the many types of child thus your child s doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests for some of these tests infants and young children may be given medicine to help them relax or sleep a chest x ray this painless test creates pictures of the structures inside your child s chest such as the heart lungs and blood vessels a chest x ray can help rule out other lung diseases as the cause of your child s symptoms a high resolution ct scan hrct an hrct scan uses x rays to create detailed pictures of your child s lungs this test can show the location extent and severity of lung disease lung function tests these tests measure how much air your child can breathe in and out how fast he or she can breathe air out and how well your child s lungs deliver oxygen to the blood lung function tests can assess the severity of lung disease infants and young children may need to have these tests at a center that has special equipment for children bronchoalveolar lavage brong ko al ve o lar lah vahzh for this procedure the doctor injects a small amount of saline salt water through a tube inserted in the child s lungs the fluid helps bring up cells from the tissues around the air sacs the doctor can then look at these cells under a microscope this procedure can help detect an infection lung injury bleeding aspiration or an airway problem various tests to rule out conditions such as asthma cystic fibrosis acid reflux heart disease neuromuscular disease and immune deficiency various tests for systemic diseases linked to child systemic diseases are diseases that involve many of the body s organs blood tests to check for inherited genetic diseases and disorders if these tests don t provide enough information your child s doctor may recommend a lung biopsy a lung biopsy is the most reliable way to diagnose child and the specific disease involved a lung biopsy is a surgical procedure that s done in a hospital before the biopsy your child will receive medicine to make him or her sleep during the biopsy the doctor will take small samples of lung tissue from several places in your child s lungs this often is done using video assisted thoracoscopy thor ah kos ko pe for this procedure the doctor inserts a small tube with a light and camera endoscope into your child s chest through small cuts between the ribs the endoscope provides a video image of the lungs and allows the doctor to collect tissue samples after the biopsy the doctor will look at these samples under a microscope
Keywords: child, lung, test, disease, diagnose, biopsy, help, procedure, doctor, medical


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Question: what are the treatments for childhood interstitial lung disease
Answer: childhood interstitial lung disease child is rare and little research has been done on how to treat it at this time child has no cure however some children who have certain diseases such as neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy may slowly improve over time current treatment approaches include supportive therapy medicines and in the most serious cases lung transplants supportive therapy supportive therapy refers to treatments that help relieve symptoms or improve quality of life supportive approaches used to relieve common child symptoms include oxygen therapy if your child s blood oxygen level is low he or she may need oxygen therapy this treatment can improve breathing support growth and reduce strain on the heart bronchodilators these medications relax the muscles around your childs airways which helps open the airways and makes breathing easier breathing devices children who have severe disease may need ventilators or other devices to help them breathe easier extra nutrition this treatment can help improve your child s growth and help him or her gain weight close monitoring of growth is especially important techniques and devices to help relieve lung congestion these may include chest physical therapy cpt or wearing a vest that helps move mucus a sticky substance to the upper airways so it can be coughed up cpt may involve pounding the chest and back over and over with your hands or a device to loosen mucus in the lungs so that your child can cough it up supervised pulmonary rehabilitation pr pr is a broad program that helps improve the well being of people who have chronic ongoing breathing problems medicines corticosteroids are a common treatment for many children who have child these medicines help reduce lung inflammation other medicines can help treat specific types or causes of child for example antimicrobial medicines can treat a lung infection acid blocking medicines can prevent acid reflux which can lead to aspiration lung transplant a lung transplant may be an option for children who have severe child if other treatments haven t worked currently lung transplants are the only effective treatment for some types of child that have a high risk of death such as alveolar capillary dysplasia and certain surfactant dysfunction mutations early diagnosis of these diseases gives children the chance to receive lung transplants so far child doesn t appear to come back in patients transplanted lungs for more information about this treatment go to the health topics lung transplant article
Keywords: child, lung, help, medicine, therapy, transplant, improve, breathing, device, supportive


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Question: how to prevent childhood interstitial lung disease
Answer: at this time most types of childhood interstitial lung disease child can t be prevented people who have a family history of inherited genetic interstitial lung disease may want to consider genetic counseling a counselor can explain the risk of children inheriting child you and your child can take steps to help prevent infections and other illnesses that worsen child and its symptoms for example make hand washing a family habit to avoid germs and prevent illnesses try to keep your child away from people who are sick even a common cold can cause problems for someone who has child talk with your child s doctor about vaccines that your child needs such as an annual flu shot make sure everyone in your household gets all of the vaccines that their doctors recommend talk with your child s doctor about how to prevent your child from getting respiratory syncytial sin sit e al virus this common virus leads to cold and flu symptoms for most people however it can make children who have lung diseases very sick avoid exposing your child to air pollution tobacco smoke and other substances that can irritate his or her lungs strongly advise your child not to smoke now or in the future
Keywords: child, lung, prevent, interstitial, make, people, cold, common, sick, symptom


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Question: what are the symptoms of marfan syndrome
Answer: marfan syndrome can affect many parts of the body as a result the signs and symptoms of the disorder vary from person to person even in the same family marfan complications also vary depending on how the condition affects your body marfan syndrome most often affects the connective tissue of the heart eyes bones lungs and covering of the spinal cord this can cause many complications some of which are life threatening marfan traits marfan syndrome often affects the long bones of the body this can lead to signs or traits such as a tall thin build long arms legs fingers and toes and flexible joints a spine that curves to one side this condition is called scoliosis a chest that sinks in or sticks out these conditions are called pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum respectively teeth that are too crowded flat feet stretch marks on the skin also are a common trait in people who have marfan syndrome stretch marks usually appear on the lower back buttocks shoulders breasts thighs and abdomen not everyone who has these traits has marfan syndrome some of these traits also are signs of other connective tissue disorders complications of marfan syndrome heart and blood vessel complications the most serious complications of marfan syndrome involve the heart and blood vessels marfan syndrome can affect the aorta the main blood vessel that supplies oxygen rich blood to the body in marfan syndrome the aorta can stretch and grow weak this condition is called aortic dilation or aortic aneurysm if the aorta stretches and grows weak it may tear and leak blood this condition called aortic dissection can lead to severe heart problems or even death aortic dissection can cause severe pain in either the front or back of the chest or abdomen the pain can travel upward or downward if you have symptoms of aortic dissection call 911 marfan syndrome also can cause problems with the heart s mitral mi trul valve this valve controls blood flow between the upper and lower chambers on the left side of the heart marfan syndrome can lead to mitral valve prolapse mvp mvp is a condition in which the flaps of the mitral valve are floppy and don t close tightly mvp can cause shortness of breath palpitations pal pi ta shuns chest pain and other symptoms if you have mvp your doctor may hear a heart murmur if he or she listens to your heart with a stethoscope a heart murmur is an extra or unusual sound heard during the heartbeat eye complications marfan syndrome can cause many eye problems a common problem in marfan syndrome is a dislocated lens in one or both of the eyes in this condition the lens the part of the eye that helps focus light shifts up down or to the side this can affect your eyesight a dislocated lens often is the first sign that someone has marfan syndrome other eye complications of marfan syndrome include nearsightedness early glaucoma high pressure in the fluid in the eyes and early cataracts clouding of an eye s lens a detached retina also can occur nervous system complications fluid surrounds your brain and spinal cord a substance called dura covers the fluid in marfan syndrome the dura can stretch and grow weak this condition called dural ectasia ek ta ze ah can occur in people who have marfan syndrome as they grow older eventually the bones of the spine may wear away symptoms of this condition are lower back pain abdominal pain headache and numbness in the legs lung complications marfan syndrome can cause sudden pneumothorax noo mo thor aks or collapsed lung in this condition air or gas builds up in the space between the lungs and chest wall if enough air or gas builds up a lung can collapse the most common symptoms of a collapsed lung are sudden pain in one side of the lung and shortness of breath conditions such as scoliosis a curved spine and pectus excavatum a chest that sinks in can prevent the lungs from expanding fully this can cause breathing problems marfan syndrome also can cause changes in the lung tissue and it can lead to early emphysema em fi se ma marfan syndrome also has been linked to sleep apnea in people who have marfan syndrome the shape of the face oral cavity or teeth may increase the risk of sleep apnea sleep apnea causes one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes they often occur 5 to 30 times or more an hour typically normal breathing then starts again sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound
Keywords: marfan, syndrome, cause, complication, heart, lung, eye, called, pain, symptom


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Question: what is are hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Answer: hypersensitivity pneumonitis noo mo ni tis or hp is a disease in which the lungs become inflamed from breathing in foreign substances such as molds dusts and chemicals these substances also are known as antigens an tih jens people are exposed to antigens at home while at work and in other settings however most people who breathe in these substances don t develop hp overview to understand hp it helps to understand how the lungs work when you breathe air passes through your nose and mouth into your windpipe the air then travels to your lungs air sacs these sacs are called alveoli al vee uhl eye small blood vessels called capillaries run through the walls of the air sacs when air reaches the air sacs the oxygen in the air passes through the air sac walls into the blood in the capillaries the capillaries connect to a network of arteries and veins that move blood through your body in hp the air sacs become inflamed and may fill with fluid this makes it harder for oxygen to pass through the air sacs and into the bloodstream the two main types of hp are acute short term and chronic ongoing both types can develop as a result of repeatedly breathing in an antigen over time your lungs can become sensitive to that antigen if this happens they ll become inflamed which can lead to symptoms and may even cause long term lung damage with acute hp symptoms usually occur within 29 hours of exposure to an antigen you re sensitive to acute hp can cause chills body aches coughing and chest tightness after hours or days of no contact with the antigen symptoms usually go away if acute hp isn t found and treated early chronic hp may develop symptoms of chronic hp occur slowly over months chronic hp can cause a worsening cough shortness of breath with physical activity fatigue tiredness and weight loss severe hp may cause clubbing a widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes with chronic hp symptoms may continue and or worsen even after avoiding the antigen sometimes chronic hp can cause long term lung damage such as pulmonary fibrosis pull mun ary fi bro sis this is a condition in which tissue deep in your lungs becomes scarred over time outlook avoiding or reducing your contact with antigens can help prevent and treat hp for example cleaning heating and ventilation filters can help reduce your contact with mold wetting compost prior to handling it can reduce contact with harmful dust if hp is caught early avoiding the antigen that caused it may be the only treatment you need if you have chronic hp your doctor may prescribe medicines to reduce lung inflammation researchers continue to study why some people develop hp after being exposed to antigens while others don t they re also looking for better ways to quickly pinpoint which antigens are causing hp in people who are believed to have the disease
Keywords: antigen, air, lung, chronic, sac, cause, symptom, acute, become, develop


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Question: what causes hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Answer: repeatedly breathing in foreign substances can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis hp examples of these substances include molds dusts and chemicals mold often is the cause of hp these substances also are known as antigens over time your lungs can become sensitive to antigens if this happens your lungs will become inflamed which can lead to symptoms and may even cause long term lung damage antigens may be found in the home workplace or in other settings antigens can come from many sources such as bird droppings humidifiers heating systems and hot tubs liquid chemicals used in the landscaping and florist industries moldy hay straw and grain chemicals released during the production of plastics and electronics and chemicals released during painting mold released during lumber milling construction and wood stripping
Keywords: antigen, cause, chemical, lung, mold, released, substance, become, hypersensitivity, pneumonitis


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Question: how to diagnose hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Answer: to diagnose hypersensitivity pneumonitis hp your doctor must pinpoint the antigen that s causing the disease and its source an antigen is a substance that your body reacts against such as molds dusts and chemicals your doctor will ask you detailed questions about your current and past jobs your hobbies and leisure activities the types of places where you spend time your exposure to damp and moldy places your doctor also will do a physical exam and look at test results to diagnose hp physical exam during the physical exam your doctor will ask about your signs and symptoms such as coughing and weight loss your doctor also will look for signs of hp for example he or she will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope for abnormal breathing sounds hp can cause a crackling sound when you breathe your doctor also may look for signs of pulmonary fibrosis a possible complication of chronic ongoing hp pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which tissue deep in your lungs becomes scarred over time your doctor also may check for clubbing clubbing is the widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes a low level of oxygen in the blood causes this condition diagnostic tests and procedures to help diagnose hp your doctor may recommend or more of the following tests or procedures chest x ray or chest computed tomography ct scan a chest x ray and chest ct scan create pictures of the structures inside your chest such as your heart lungs and blood vessels these pictures can show signs of hp lung function tests lung function tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out how fast you can breathe air out and how well your lungs can deliver oxygen to your blood one of these tests is spirometry spi rom eh tre during this test a technician will ask you to take a deep breath then you ll blow as hard as you can into a tube connected to a small machine the machine is called a spirometer the machine measures how much air you breathe out it also measures how fast you can blow air out pulse oximetry this test measures the amount of oxygen in your blood a small sensor is attached to your finger or ear the sensor uses light to estimate how much oxygen is in your blood precipitin test this blood test looks for antibodies proteins that your body creates in response to antigens the presence of these proteins may suggest hp challenge test during this test you re re exposed to the suspected antigen then you ll be watched for signs and symptoms of hp bronchoscopy for bronchoscopy bron kos ko pee your doctor passes a thin flexible tube through your nose or sometimes your mouth down your throat and into your airways at the tip of the tube are a light and mini camera this allows your doctor to see your windpipe and airways your doctor may insert forceps a device used to grab or hold things through the tube to collect a tissue sample you ll be given medicine to make you relaxed and sleepy during the procedure bronchoalveolar lavage during bronchoscopy your doctor may inject a small amount of salt water saline through the tube into your lungs this method is called bronchoalveolar lavage brong ko al ve o lar lah vahzh this fluid washes the lungs and helps bring up cells from the airways and the area around the air sacs your doctor will look at these cells under a microscope surgical lung biopsy to confirm a diagnosis of hp your doctor may do a surgical lung biopsy your doctor can use a biopsy to rule out other causes of symptoms and check the condition of your lungs for a surgical lung biopsy your doctor takes samples of lung tissue from several places in your lungs he or she then looks at them under a microscope your doctor may use one of the following methods to get lung tissue samples video assisted thoracoscopy thor ah kos ko pee for this procedure your doctor inserts a small lighted tube with a camera endoscope into your chest through small cuts between your ribs the endoscope provides a video image of your lungs and allows your doctor to collect tissue samples this procedure is done in a hospital you ll be given medicine to help you sleep through the procedure thoracotomy thor ah kot o me for this procedure your doctor removes a few small pieces of lung tissue through a cut in the chest wall between your ribs thoracotomy is done in a hospital you ll be given medicine to help you sleep through the procedure
Keywords: lung, test, procedure, chest, blood, look, small, tissue, tube, air


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Question: what are the treatments for hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Answer: the best way to treat hypersensitivity pneumonitis hp is to avoid the antigen that caused it an antigen is a substance that your body reacts against such as molds dusts and chemicals in acute short term hp symptoms usually go away once you re no longer in contact with the antigen in chronic ongoing hp you may need medicines to relieve your symptoms people who have chronic hp may develop pulmonary fibrosis this is a condition in which tissue deep in your lungs becomes scarred over time people who have this condition may need further treatment such as oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation rehab avoiding antigens once the antigen that caused the hp and its source are found you can take steps to avoid it if hp is caught early avoiding the antigen may be the only treatment you need avoiding an antigen may be easier at home than at work for example if your pet bird moldy carpet or hot tub is the source of the antigen you can remove it from your home if your heating system is the source of the antigen you can have your system properly serviced however if the antigen is at work you may need to talk with your supervisor about your condition and ways to protect yourself for example masks or personal respirators may help protect you from antigens in the air a personal respirator is a device that helps filter the air you breathe in some people who have hp may need to move to a different home or change jobs to avoid antigens after hurricanes for example some people have to move from their homes to avoid molds that could harm their lungs however moving and changing jobs sometimes isn t possible medicines and other treatments if you have chronic hp your doctor may prescribe medicines called corticosteroids these medicines reduce lung inflammation prednisone is an example of a corticosteroid long term use of prednisone especially at high doses can cause serious side effects thus if your doctor prescribes this medicine he or she may reduce the dose over time examples of side effects from corticosteroids are increased risk of infections high blood pressure high blood sugar and osteoporosis thinning of the skin and bones people who develop pulmonary fibrosis may need medicines oxygen therapy and or pulmonary rehab pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which tissue deep in your lungs becomes scarred over time if you smoke try to quit smoking can make hp symptoms worse and lead to other lung diseases talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit also try to avoid secondhand smoke
Keywords: antigen, medicine, need, avoid, example, lung, people, pulmonary, home, fibrosis


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Question: how to diagnose sarcoidosis
Answer: your doctor will diagnose sarcoidosis based on your medical history a physical exam and test results he or she will look for granulomas inflamed lumps in your organs your doctor also will try to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms medical history your doctor may ask you detailed questions about your medical history for example he or she may ask whether you have a family history of sarcoidosis have had any jobs that may have raised your risk for the disease have ever been exposed to inhaled beryllium metal this type of metal is used to make aircrafts and weapons have had contact with organic dust from birds or hay exposure to beryllium metal and organic dust can cause inflamed lumps in your lungs that look like the granulomas from sarcoidosis however these lumps are signs of other conditions physical exam your doctor will check you for signs and symptoms of sarcoidosis signs and symptoms may include red bumps on your skin swollen lymph nodes an enlarged liver spleen or salivary glands or redness in your eyes your doctor also will check for other causes of your symptoms your doctor may listen to your lungs and heart abnormal breathing or heartbeat sounds could be a sign that sarcoidosis is affecting your lungs or heart diagnostic tests you may have tests to confirm a diagnosis and to find out how sarcoidosis is affecting you tests include a chest x ray lung function tests biopsy and other tests to assess organ damage chest x ray a chest x ray is a painless test that creates pictures of the structures inside your chest such as your heart and lungs the test may show granulomas or enlarged lymph nodes in your chest about 95 percent of people who have sarcoidosis have abnormal chest xrays lung function tests lung function tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out how fast you can breathe air out and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood these tests can show whether sarcoidosis is affecting your lungs biopsy your doctor may do a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis or rule out other causes of your symptoms a biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue from one of your affected organs usually doctors try to biopsy the organs that are easiest to access examples include the skin tear glands or the lymph nodes that are just under the skin if this isn t possible your doctor may use a positron emission tomography pet scan to pinpoint areas for biopsy for this test a small amount of radioactive substance is injected into a vein usually in your arm the substance which releases energy travels through the blood and collects in organs or tissues special cameras detect the energy and convert it into three dimensional 3d pictures if lung function tests or a chest x ray shows signs of sarcoidosis in your lungs your doctor may do a bronchoscopy bron kos ko pee to get a small sample of lung tissue during this procedure a thin flexible tube is passed through your nose or sometimes your mouth down your throat and into the airways to reach your lung tissue for more information go to the health topics bronchoscopy article other tests to assess organ damage you also may have other tests to assess organ damage and find out whether you need treatment for example your doctor may recommend blood tests and or an ekg electrocardiogram if youre diagnosed with sarcoidosis you should see an ophthalmologist eye specialist even if you dont have eye symptoms in sarcoidosis eye damage can occur without symptoms
Keywords: test, lung, sarcoidosis, chest, organ, symptom, biopsy, sign, cause, ray


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Question: what are the treatments for sarcoidosis
Answer: not everyone who has sarcoidosis needs treatment sometimes the disease goes away on its own whether you need treatment and what type of treatment you need depend on your signs and symptoms which organs are affected and whether those organs are working well if the disease affects certain organssuch as your eyes heart or brainyou ll need treatment even if you don t have any symptoms in either case whether you have symptoms or not you should see your doctor for ongoing care he or she will want to check to make sure that the disease isn t damaging your organs for example you may need routine lung function tests to make sure that your lungs are working well if the disease isn t worsening your doctor may watch you closely to see whether the disease goes away on its own if the disease does start to get worse your doctor can prescribe treatment the goals of treatment include relieving symptoms improving organ function controlling inflammation and reducing the size of granulomas inflamed lumps preventing pulmonary fibrosis lung scarring if your lungs are affected your doctor may prescribe topical treatments and or medicines to treat the disease medicines prednisone prednisone a type of steroid is the main treatment for sarcoidosis this medicine reduces inflammation in most people prednisone relieves symptoms within a couple of months although most people need to take prednisone for 12 months or longer your doctor may lower the dose within a few months after you start the medicine long term use of prednisone especially at high doses can cause serious side effects work with your doctor to decide whether the benefits of this medicine outweigh the risks if your doctor prescribes this treatment he or she will find the lowest dose that controls your disease when you stop taking prednisone you should cut back slowly as your doctor advises this will help prevent flareups of sarcoidosis cutting back slowly also allows your body to adjust to not having the medicine if a relapse or flareup occurs after you stop taking prednisone you may need a second round of treatment if you remain stable for more than 1 year after stopping this treatment the risk of relapse is low other medicines other medicines besides prednisone also are used to treat sarcoidosis examples include hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine known as antimalarial medicines these medicines work best for treating sarcoidosis that affects the skin or brain your doctor also may prescribe an antimalarial if you have a high level of calcium in your blood due to sarcoidosis medicines that suppress the immune system such as methotrexate azathioprine or leflunomide these medicines work best for treating sarcoidosis that affects your lungs eyes skin or joints your doctor may prescribe these medicines if your sarcoidosis worsens while you re taking prednisone or if you can t handle prednisone s side effects if you have lofgren s syndrome with pain or fever your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs nsaids such as ibuprofen if you re wheezing and coughing you may need inhaled medicine to help open your airways you take inhaled medicine using an inhaler this device allows the medicine to go straight to your lungs anti tumor necrosis factor drugs originally developed to treat arthritis are being studied to treat sarcoidosis ongoing research researchers continue to look for new and better treatments for sarcoidosis they re currently studying treatments aimed at the immune system researchers also are studying antibiotics as a possible treatment for sarcoidosis that affects the skin for more information about ongoing research go to the clinical trials section of this article
Keywords: medicine, sarcoidosis, prednisone, need, lung, prescribe, symptom, whether, organ, treatment


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Question: what is are cystic fibrosis
Answer: cystic fibrosis sis tik fi bro sis or cf is an inherited disease of the secretory see kreh tor ee glands secretory glands include glands that make mucus and sweat inherited means the disease is passed from parents to children through genes people who have cf inherit two faulty genes for the diseaseone from each parent the parents likely don t have the disease themselves cf mainly affects the lungs pancreas liver intestines sinuses and sex organs overview mucus is a substance made by tissues that line some organs and body cavities such as the lungs and nose normally mucus is a slippery watery substance it keeps the linings of certain organs moist and prevents them from drying out or getting infected if you have cf your mucus becomes thick and sticky it builds up in your lungs and blocks your airways airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs the buildup of mucus makes it easy for bacteria to grow this leads to repeated serious lung infections over time these infections can severely damage your lungs the thick sticky mucus also can block tubes or ducts in your pancreas an organ in your abdomen as a result the digestive enzymes that your pancreas makes can t reach your small intestine these enzymes help break down food without them your intestines can t fully absorb fats and proteins this can cause vitamin deficiency and malnutrition because nutrients pass through your body without being used you also may have bulky stools intestinal gas a swollen belly from severe constipation and pain or discomfort cf also causes your sweat to become very salty thus when you sweat you lose large amounts of salt this can upset the balance of minerals in your blood and cause many health problems examples of these problems include dehydration a lack of fluid in your body increased heart rate fatigue tiredness weakness decreased blood pressure heat stroke and rarely death if you or your child has cf you re also at higher risk for diabetes or two bone thinning conditions called osteoporosis os te o po ro sis and osteopenia os te o pee nee uh cf also causes infertility in men and the disease can make it harder for women to get pregnant the term infertility refers to the inability to have children outlook the symptoms and severity of cf vary if you or your child has the disease you may have serious lung and digestive problems if the disease is mild symptoms may not show up until the teen or adult years the symptoms and severity of cf also vary over time sometimes you ll have few symptoms other times your symptoms may become more severe as the disease gets worse you ll have more severe symptoms more often lung function often starts to decline in early childhood in people who have cf over time damage to the lungs can cause severe breathing problems respiratory failure is the most common cause of death in people who have cf as treatments for cf continue to improve so does life expectancy for those who have the disease today some people who have cf are living into their forties or fifties or longer early treatment for cf can improve your quality of life and increase your lifespan treatments may include nutritional and respiratory therapies medicines exercise and other treatments your doctor also may recommend pulmonary rehabilitation pr pr is a broad program that helps improve the well being of people who have chronic ongoing breathing problems
Keywords: lung, cause, mucus, symptom, people, problem, child, organ, severe, time


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Question: what are the symptoms of cystic fibrosis
Answer: the signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis cf vary from person to person and over time sometimes you ll have few symptoms other times your symptoms may become more severe one of the first signs of cf that parents may notice is that their baby s skin tastes salty when kissed or the baby doesn t pass stool when first born most of the other signs and symptoms of cf happen later they re related to how cf affects the respiratory digestive or reproductive systems of the body cystic fibrosis respiratory system signs and symptoms people who have cf have thick sticky mucus that builds up in their airways this buildup of mucus makes it easier for bacteria to grow and cause infections infections can block the airways and cause frequent coughing that brings up thick sputum spit or mucus that s sometimes bloody people who have cf tend to have lung infections caused by unusual germs that don t respond to standard antibiotics for example lung infections caused by bacteria called mucoid pseudomonas are much more common in people who have cf than in those who don t an infection caused by these bacteria may be a sign of cf people who have cf have frequent bouts of sinusitis si nu si tis an infection of the sinuses the sinuses are hollow air spaces around the eyes nose and forehead frequent bouts of bronchitis bron ki tis and pneumonia nu mo ne ah also can occur these infections can cause long term lung damage as cf gets worse you may have more serious problems such as pneumothorax noo mo thor aks or bronchiectasis brong ke ek ta sis some people who have cf also develop nasal polyps growths in the nose that may require surgery digestive system signs and symptoms in cf mucus can block tubes or ducts in your pancreas an organ in your abdomen these blockages prevent enzymes from reaching your intestines as a result your intestines can t fully absorb fats and proteins this can cause ongoing diarrhea or bulky foul smelling greasy stools intestinal blockages also may occur especially in newborns too much gas or severe constipation in the intestines may cause stomach pain and discomfort a hallmark of cf in children is poor weight gain and growth these children are unable to get enough nutrients from their food because of the lack of enzymes to help absorb fats and proteins as cf gets worse other problems may occur such as pancreatitis pan kre ah ti tis this is a condition in which the pancreas become inflamed which causes pain rectal prolapse frequent coughing or problems passing stools may cause rectal tissue from inside you to move out of your rectum liver disease due to inflamed or blocked bile ducts diabetes gallstones reproductive system signs and symptoms men who have cf are infertile because they re born without a vas deferens the vas deferens is a tube that delivers sperm from the testes to the penis women who have cf may have a hard time getting pregnant because of mucus blocking the cervix or other cf complications other signs symptoms and complications other signs and symptoms of cf are related to an upset of the balance of minerals in your blood cf causes your sweat to become very salty as a result your body loses large amounts of salt when you sweat this can cause dehydration a lack of fluid in your body increased heart rate fatigue tiredness weakness decreased blood pressure heat stroke and rarely death cf also can cause clubbing and low bone density clubbing is the widening and rounding of the tips of your fingers and toes this sign develops late in cf because your lungs aren t moving enough oxygen into your bloodstream low bone density also tends to occur late in cf it can lead to bone thinning disorders called osteoporosis and osteopenia
Keywords: cause, sign, symptom, infection, mucus, people, frequent, lung, occur, system


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Question: what are the treatments for cystic fibrosis
Answer: cystic fibrosis cf has no cure however treatments have greatly improved in recent years the goals of cf treatment include preventing and controlling lung infections loosening and removing thick sticky mucus from the lungs preventing or treating blockages in the intestines providing enough nutrition preventing dehydration a lack of fluid in the body depending on the severity of cf you or your child may be treated in a hospital specialists involved if you or your child has cf you may be treated by a cf specialist this is a doctor who is familiar with the complex nature of cf often a cf specialist works with a medical team of nurses physical therapists dietitians and social workers cf specialists often are located at major medical centers the united states also has more than 100 cf care centers these centers have teams of doctors nurses dietitians respiratory therapists physical therapists and social workers who have special training related to cf care most cf care centers have pediatric and adult programs or clinics for more information about cf care centers go to the cystic fibrosis foundation s care center network web page treatment for lung problems the main treatments for lung problems in people who have cf are chest physical therapy cpt exercise and medicines your doctor also may recommend a pulmonary rehabilitation pr program chest physical therapy cpt also is called chest clapping or percussion it involves pounding your chest and back over and over with your hands or a device to loosen the mucus from your lungs so that you can cough it up you might sit down or lie on your stomach with your head down while you do cpt gravity and force help drain the mucus from your lungs some people find cpt hard or uncomfortable to do several devices have been developed that may help with cpt such as an electric chest clapper known as a mechanical percussor an inflatable therapy vest that uses high frequency airwaves to force the mucus that s deep in your lungs toward your upper airways so you can cough it up a small handheld device that you exhale through the device causes vibrations that dislodge the mucus a mask that creates vibrations that help break the mucus loose from your airway walls breathing techniques also may help dislodge mucus so you can cough it up these techniques include forcing out a couple of short breaths or deeper breaths and then doing relaxed breathing this may help loosen the mucus in your lungs and open your airways exercise aerobic exercise that makes you breathe harder can help loosen the mucus in your airways so you can cough it up exercise also helps improve your overall physical condition however cf causes your sweat to become very salty as a result your body loses large amounts of salt when you sweat thus your doctor may recommend a high salt diet or salt supplements to maintain the balance of minerals in your blood if you exercise regularly you may be able to cut back on your cpt however you should check with your doctor first medicines if you have cf your doctor may prescribe antibiotics anti inflammatory medicines bronchodilators or medicines to help clear the mucus these medicines help treat or prevent lung infections reduce swelling and open up the airways and thin mucus if you have mutations in a gene called g551d which occurs in about 5 percent of people who have cf your doctor may prescribe the oral medicine ivacaftor approved for people with cf who are 6 years of age and older antibiotics are the main treatment to prevent or treat lung infections your doctor may prescribe oral inhaled or intravenous iv antibiotics oral antibiotics often are used to treat mild lung infections inhaled antibiotics may be used to prevent or control infections caused by the bacteria mucoid pseudomonas for severe or hard to treat infections you may be given antibiotics through an iv tube a tube inserted into a vein this type of treatment may require you to stay in a hospital anti inflammatory medicines can help reduce swelling in your airways due to ongoing infections these medicines may be inhaled or oral bronchodilators help open the airways by relaxing the muscles around them these medicines are inhaled they re often taken just before cpt to help clear mucus out of your airways you also may take bronchodilators before inhaling other medicines into your lungs your doctor may prescribe medicines to reduce the stickiness of your mucus and loosen it up these medicines can help clear out mucus improve lung function and prevent worsening lung symptoms treatments for advanced lung disease if you have advanced lung disease you may need oxygen therapy oxygen usually is given through nasal prongs or a mask if other treatments haven t worked a lung transplant may be an option if you have severe lung disease a lung transplant is surgery to remove a person s diseased lung and replace it with a healthy lung from a deceased donor pulmonary rehabilitation your doctor may recommend pr as part of your treatment plan pr is a broad program that helps improve the well being of people who have chronic ongoing breathing problems pr doesn t replace medical therapy instead it s used with medical therapy and may include exercise training nutritional counseling education on your lung disease or condition and how to manage it energy conserving techniques breathing strategies psychological counseling and or group support pr has many benefits it can improve your ability to function and your quality of life the program also may help relieve your breathing problems even if you have advanced lung disease you can still benefit from pr for more information go to the health topics pulmonary rehabilitation article treatment for digestive problems cf can cause many digestive problems such as bulky stools intestinal gas a swollen belly severe constipation and pain or discomfort digestive problems also can lead to poor growth and development in children nutritional therapy can improve your strength and ability to stay active it also can improve growth and development in children nutritional therapy also may make you strong enough to resist some lung infections a nutritionist can help you create a nutritional plan that meets your needs in addition to having a well balanced diet that s rich in calories fat and protein your nutritional therapy may include oral pancreatic enzymes to help you digest fats and proteins and absorb more vitamins supplements of vitamins a d e and k to replace the fat soluble vitamins that your intestines can t absorb high calorie shakes to provide you with extra nutrients a high salt diet or salt supplements that you take before exercising a feeding tube to give you more calories at night while you re sleeping the tube may be threaded through your nose and throat and into your stomach or the tube may be placed directly into your stomach through a surgically made hole before you go to bed each night you ll attach a bag with a nutritional solution to the entrance of the tube it will feed you while you sleep other treatments for digestive problems may include enemas and mucus thinning medicines to treat intestinal blockages sometimes surgery is needed to remove an intestinal blockage your doctor also may prescribe medicines to reduce your stomach acid and help oral pancreatic enzymes work better treatments for cystic fibrosis complications a common complication of cf is diabetes the type of diabetes associated with cf often requires different treatment than other types of diabetes another common cf complication is the bone thinning disorder osteoporosis your doctor may prescribe medicines that prevent your bones from losing their density
Keywords: lung, help, medicine, mucus, therapy, airway, infection, problem, cpt, treatment


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Question: what is are pleurisy and other pleural disorders
Answer: pleurisy plur ih se is a condition in which the pleura is inflamed the pleura is a membrane that consists of two large thin layers of tissue one layer wraps around the outside of your lungs the other layer lines the inside of your chest cavity between the layers of tissue is a very thin space called the pleural space normally this space is filled with a small amount of fluidabout 4 teaspoons full the fluid helps the two layers of the pleura glide smoothly past each other as you breathe in and out pleurisy occurs if the two layers of the pleura become irritated and inflamed instead of gliding smoothly past each other they rub together every time you breathe in the rubbing can cause sharp pain many conditions can cause pleurisy including viral infections other pleural disorders pneumothorax air or gas can build up in the pleural space when this happens it s called a pneumothorax noo mo thor aks a lung disease or acute lung injury can cause a pneumothorax some lung procedures also can cause a pneumothorax examples include lung surgery drainage of fluid with a needle bronchoscopy bron kos ko pee andmechanical ventilation sometimes the cause of a pneumothorax isn t known the most common symptoms of a pneumothorax are sudden pain in one side of the lung and shortness of breath the air or gas in the pleural space also can put pressure on the lung and cause it to collapse pleurisy and pneumothorax a small pneumothorax may go away without treatment a large pneumothorax may require a procedure to remove air or gas from the pleural space a very large pneumothorax can interfere with blood flow through your chest and cause your blood pressure to drop this is called a tension pneumothorax pleural effusion in some cases of pleurisy excess fluid builds up in the pleural space this is called a pleural effusion a lot of extra fluid can push the pleura against your lung until the lung or part of it collapses this can make it hard for you to breathe sometimes the extra fluid gets infected and turns into an abscess when this happens it s called an empyema em pi e ma you can develop a pleural effusion even if you don t have pleurisy for example pneumonia nu mo ne ah heart failure cancer or pulmonary embolism pull mun ary em bo lizm can lead to a pleural effusion hemothorax blood also can build up in the pleural space this condition is called a hemothorax he mo thor aks an injury to your chest chest or heart surgery or lung or pleural cancer can cause a hemothorax a hemothorax can put pressure on the lung and cause it to collapse a hemothorax also can cause shock in shock not enough blood and oxygen reach your body s vital organs outlook pleurisy and other pleural disorders can be serious depending on their causes if the condition that caused the pleurisy or other pleural disorder isn t too serious and is diagnosed and treated early you usually can expect a full recovery
Keywords: pleural, cause, lung, pneumothorax, pleurisy, space, called, layer, hemothorax, pleura


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Question: what causes pleurisy and other pleural disorders
Answer: pleurisy many conditions can cause pleurisy viral infections are likely the most common cause other causes of pleurisy include bacterial infections such as pneumonia nu mo ne ah and tuberculosis and infections from fungi or parasites pulmonary embolism a blood clot that travels through the blood vessels to the lungs autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis cancer such as lung cancer lymphoma and mesothelioma mez o thee lee o ma chest and heart surgery especially coronary artery bypass grafting lung diseases such as lam lymphangioleiomyomatosis or asbestosis as bes to sis inflammatory bowel disease familial mediterranean fever an inherited condition that often causes fever and swelling in the abdomen or lungs other causes of pleurisy include chest injuries pancreatitis an inflamed pancreas and reactions to certain medicines reactions to certain medicines can cause a condition similar to lupus these medicines include procainamide hydralazine and isoniazid sometimes doctors can t find the cause of pleurisy pneumothorax lung diseases or acute lung injury can make it more likely that you will develop a pneumothorax a buildup of air or gas in the pleural space such lung diseases may include copd chronic obstructive pulmonary disease tuberculosis and lam surgery or a chest injury also may cause a pneumothorax you can develop a pneumothorax without having a recognized lung disease or chest injury this is called a spontaneous pneumothorax smoking increases your risk of spontaneous pneumothorax having a family history of the condition also increases your risk pleural effusion the most common cause of a pleural effusion a buildup of fluid in the pleural space is heart failure lung cancer lam pneumonia tuberculosis and other lung infections also can lead to a pleural effusion sometimes kidney or liver disease can cause fluid to build up in the pleural space asbestosis sarcoidosis sar koy do sis and reactions to some medicines also can lead to a pleural effusion hemothorax an injury to the chest chest or heart surgery or lung or pleural cancer can cause a hemothorax buildup of blood in the pleural space a hemothorax also can be a complication of an infection for example pneumonia tuberculosis or a spontaneous pneumothorax
Keywords: cause, lung, pleural, pneumothorax, chest, pleurisy, infection, injury, include, tuberculosis


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Question: how to diagnose pleurisy and other pleural disorders
Answer: your doctor will diagnose pleurisy or another pleural disorder based on your medical history a physical exam and test results your doctor will want to rule out other causes of your symptoms he or she also will want to find the underlying cause of the pleurisy or other pleural disorder so it can be treated medical history your doctor may ask detailed questions about your medical history he or she likely will ask you to describe any pain especially what it feels like where it s located and whether you can feel it in your arms jaw or shoulders when it started and whether it goes away and then comes back what makes it better or worse your doctor also may ask whether you have other symptoms such as shortness of breath coughing or palpitations palpitations are feelings that your heart is skipping a beat fluttering or beating too hard or fast your doctor also may ask whether you ve ever had heart disease smoked traveled to places where you may have been exposed to tuberculosis had a job that exposed you to asbestos asbestos is a mineral that at one time was widely used in many industries your doctor also may ask about medicines you take or have taken reactions to some medicines can cause pleurisy or other pleural disorders physical exam your doctor will listen to your breathing with a stethoscope to find out whether your lungs are making any abnormal sounds if you have pleurisy the inflamed layers of the pleura make a rough scratchy sound as they rub against each other when you breathe doctors call this a pleural friction rub if your doctor hears the friction rub he or she will know that you have pleurisy if you have a pleural effusion fluid buildup in the pleural space will prevent a friction rub but if you have a lot of fluid your doctor may hear a dull sound when he or she taps on your chest or he or she may have trouble hearing any breathing sounds muffled or dull breathing sounds also can be a sign of a pneumothorax a buildup of air or gas in the pleural space diagnostic tests depending on the results of your physical exam your doctor may recommend tests chest x ray achest x rayis a painless test that creates a picture of the structures in your chest such as your heart lungs and blood vessels this test may show air or fluid in the pleural space a chest x ray also may show what s causing a pleural disorderfor example pneumonia a fractured rib or a lung tumor sometimes a chest x ray is taken while you lie on your side this position can show fluid that didn t appear on an x ray taken while you were standing chest ct scan a chest computed tomography to mog rah fee scan orchest ct scan is a painless test that creates precise pictures of the structures in your chest this test provides a computer generated picture of your lungs that can show pockets of fluid a chest ct scan also may show signs of pneumonia a lung abscess a tumor or other possible causes of pleural disorders ultrasound this test uses sound waves to create pictures of your lungs an ultrasound may show where fluid is located in your chest the test also can show some tumors chest mri a chest magnetic resonance imaging scan orchest mri uses radio waves magnets and a computer to created detailed pictures of the structures in your chest this test can show pleural effusions and tumors this test also is called a magnetic resonance mr scan or a nuclear magnetic resonance nmr scan blood tests blood testscan show whether you have an illness that increases your risk of pleurisy or another pleural disorder such illnesses include bacterial or viral infections pneumonia pancreatitis an inflamed pancreas kidney disease or lupus arterial blood gas test for this test a blood sample is taken from an artery usually in your wrist the blood s oxygen and carbon dioxide levels are checked this test shows how well your lungs are taking in oxygen thoracentesis once your doctor knows whether fluid has built up in the pleural space and where it is he or she can remove a sample for testing this is done using a procedure calledthoracentesis thor ah sen te sis during the procedure your doctor inserts a thin needle or plastic tube into the pleural space and draws out the excess fluid after the fluid is removed from your chest it s sent for testing the risks of thoracentesissuch as pain bleeding and infectionusually are minor they get better on their own or they re easily treated your doctor may do a chest x ray after the procedure to check for complications fluid analysis the fluid removed during thoracentesis is examined under a microscope it s checked for signs of infection cancer or other conditions that can cause fluid or blood to build up in the pleural space biopsy your doctor may suspect that tuberculosis or cancer has caused fluid to build up in your pleural space if so he or she may want to look at a small piece of the pleura under a microscope to take a tissue sample your doctor may do one of the following procedures insert a needle into your chest to remove a small sample of the pleura s outer layer insert a tube with a light on the end endoscope into tiny cuts in your chest wall so that he or she can see the pleura your doctor can then snip out small pieces of tissue this procedure must be done in a hospital you ll be given medicine to make you sleep during the procedure snip out a sample of the pleura through a small cut in your chest wall this is called an open pleural biopsy it s usually done if the sample from the needle biopsy is too small for an accurate diagnosis this procedure must be done in a hospital you ll be given medicine to make you sleep during the procedure
Keywords: chest, pleural, test, fluid, show, procedure, lung, pleurisy, scan, space


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Question: what causes pneumonia
Answer: many germs can cause pneumonia examples include different kinds of bacteria viruses and less often fungi most of the time the body filters germs out of the air that we breathe to protect the lungs from infection your immune system the shape of your nose and throat your ability to cough and fine hair like structures called cilia sil e ah help stop the germs from reaching your lungs for more information go to the diseases and conditions index how the lungs work article sometimes though germs manage to enter the lungs and cause infections this is more likely to occur if your immune system is weak a germ is very strong your body fails to filter germs out of the air that you breathe for example if you can t cough because you ve had a stroke or are sedated germs may remain in your airways sedated means you re given medicine to make you sleepy when germs reach your lungs your immune system goes into action it sends many kinds of cells to attack the germs these cells cause the alveoli air sacs to become red and inflamed and to fill up with fluid and pus this causes the symptoms of pneumonia germs that can cause pneumonia bacteria bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia in adults some people especially the elderly and those who are disabled may get bacterial pneumonia after having the flu or even a common cold many types of bacteria can cause pneumonia bacterial pneumonia can occur on its own or develop after you ve had a cold or the flu this type of pneumonia often affects one lobe or area of a lung when this happens the condition is called lobar pneumonia the most common cause of pneumonia in the united states is the bacterium streptococcus strep to kok us pneumoniae or pneumococcus nu mo kok us lobar pneumonia another type of bacterial pneumonia is called atypical pneumonia atypical pneumonia includes legionella pneumophila this type of pneumonia sometimes is called legionnaire s disease and it has caused serious outbreaks outbreaks have been linked to exposure to cooling towers whirlpool spas and decorative fountains mycoplasma pneumonia this is a common type of pneumonia that usually affects people younger than 40 years old people who live or work in crowded places like schools homeless shelters and prisons are at higher risk for this type of pneumonia it s usually mild and responds well to treatment with antibiotics however mycoplasma pneumonia can be very serious it may be associated with a skin rash and hemolysis the breakdown of red blood cells chlamydophila pneumoniae this type of pneumonia can occur all year and often is mild the infection is most common in people 65 to 79 years old viruses respiratory viruses cause up to one third of the pneumonia cases in the united states each year these viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than 5 years old most cases of viral pneumonia are mild they get better in about 1 to 3 weeks without treatment some cases are more serious and may require treatment in a hospital if you have viral pneumonia you run the risk of getting bacterial pneumonia as well the flu virus is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in adults other viruses that cause pneumonia include respiratory syncytial virus rhinovirus herpes simplex virus severe acute respiratory syndrome sars and more fungi three types of fungi in the soil in some parts of the united states can cause pneumonia these fungi are coccidioidomycosis kok sid e oy do mi ko sis this fungus is found in southern california and the desert southwest histoplasmosis his to plaz mo sis this fungus is found in the ohio and mississippi river valleys cryptococcus krip to kok us this fungus is found throughout the united states in bird droppings and soil contaminated with bird droppings most people exposed to these fungi don t get sick but some do and require treatment serious fungal infections are most common in people who have weak immune systems due to the long term use of medicines to suppress their immune systems or having hiv aids pneumocystis jiroveci nu mo sis tis ye ro vech e formerly pneumocystis carinii sometimes is considered a fungal pneumonia however it s not treated with the usual antifungal medicines this type of infection is most common in people who have hiv aids or cancer have had an organ transplant and or blood and marrow stem cell transplant take medicines that affect their immune systems other kinds of fungal infections also can lead to pneumonia
Keywords: pneumonia, cause, germ, common, type, virus, people, immune, lung, system


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Question: what are the symptoms of pneumonia
Answer: the signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe many factors affect how serious pneumonia is including the type of germ causing the infection and your age and overall health for more information go to who is at risk for pneumonia see your doctor promptly if you have a high fever have shaking chills have a cough with phlegm a slimy substance which doesn t improve or worsens develop shortness of breath with normal daily activities have chest pain when you breathe or cough feel suddenly worse after a cold or the flu people who have pneumonia may have other symptoms including nausea feeling sick to the stomach vomiting and diarrhea symptoms may vary in certain populations newborns and infants may not show any signs of the infection or they may vomit have a fever and cough or appear restless sick or tired and without energy older adults and people who have serious illnesses or weak immune systems may have fewer and milder symptoms they may even have a lower than normal temperature if they already have a lung disease it may get worse older adults who have pneumonia sometimes have sudden changes in mental awareness complications of pneumonia often people who have pneumonia can be successfully treated and not have complications but some people especially those in high risk groups may have complications such as bacteremia bak ter e me ah this serious complication occurs if the infection moves into your bloodstream from there it can quickly spread to other organs including your brain lung abscesses an abscess occurs if pus forms in a cavity in the lung an abscess usually is treated with antibiotics sometimes surgery or drainage with a needle is needed to remove the pus pleural effusion pneumonia may cause fluid to build up in the pleural space this is a very thin space between two layers of tissue that line the lungs and the chest cavity pneumonia can cause the fluid to become infecteda condition called empyema em pi e ma if this happens you may need to have the fluid drained through a chest tube or removed with surgery
Keywords: pneumonia, symptom, complication, lung, people, abscess, chest, cough, fluid, serious


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Question: how to diagnose pneumonia
Answer: pneumonia can be hard to diagnose because it may seem like a cold or the flu you may not realize it s more serious until it lasts longer than these other conditions your doctor will diagnose pneumonia based on your medical history a physical exam and test results medical history your doctor will ask about your signs and symptoms and how and when they began to find out what type of germ is causing the pneumonia he or she also may ask about any recent traveling you ve done your hobbies your exposure to animals your exposure to sick people at home school or work your past and current medical conditions and whether any have gotten worse recently any medicines you take whether you smoke whether you ve had flu or pneumonia vaccinations physical exam your doctor will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope if you have pneumonia your lungs may make crackling bubbling and rumbling sounds when you inhale your doctor also may hear wheezing your doctor may find it hard to hear sounds of breathing in some areas of your chest diagnostic tests if your doctor thinks you have pneumonia he or she may recommend one or more of the following tests chest x ray a chest x ray is a painless test that creates pictures of the structures inside your chest such as your heart lungs and blood vessels a chest x ray is the best test for diagnosing pneumonia however this test won t tell your doctor what kind of germ is causing the pneumonia blood tests blood tests involve taking a sample of blood from a vein in your body a complete blood count cbc measures many parts of your blood including the number of white blood cells in the blood sample the number of white blood cells can show whether you have a bacterial infection your doctor also may recommend a blood culture to find out whether the infection has spread to your bloodstream this test is used to detect germs in the bloodstream a blood culture may show which germ caused the infection if so your doctor can decide how to treat the infection other tests your doctor may recommend other tests if you re in the hospital have serious symptoms are older or have other health problems sputum test your doctor may look at a sample of sputum spit collected from you after a deep cough this may help your doctor find out what germ is causing your pneumonia then he or she can plan treatment chest computed tomography ct scan a chest ct scan is a painless test that creates precise pictures of the structures in your chest such as your lungs a chest ct scan is a type of x ray but its pictures show more detail than those of a standard chest xray pleural fluid culture for this test a fluid sample is taken from the pleural space a thin space between two layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity doctors use a procedure called thoracentesis thor ah sen te sis to collect the fluid sample the fluid is studied for germs that may cause pneumonia pulse oximetry for this test a small sensor is attached to your finger or ear the sensor uses light to estimate how much oxygen is in your blood pneumonia can keep your lungs from moving enough oxygen into your bloodstream if you re very sick your doctor may need to measure the level of oxygen in your blood using a blood sample the sample is taken from an artery usually in your wrist this test is called an arterial blood gas test bronchoscopy bronchoscopy bron kos ko pee is a procedure used to look inside the lungs airways if you re in the hospital and treatment with antibiotics isn t working well your doctor may use this procedure your doctor passes a thin flexible tube through your nose or mouth down your throat and into the airways the tube has a light and small camera that allow your doctor to see your windpipe and airways and take pictures your doctor can see whether something is blocking your airways or whether another factor is contributing to your pneumonia
Keywords: test, blood, pneumonia, chest, lung, sample, whether, germ, fluid, picture


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Question: what is are respiratory failure
Answer: respiratory res pih rah tor e failure is a condition in which not enough oxygen passes from your lungs into your blood your body s organs such as your heart and brain need oxygen rich blood to work well respiratory failure also can occur if your lungs can t properly remove carbon dioxide a waste gas from your blood too much carbon dioxide in your blood can harm your body s organs both of these problemsa low oxygen level and a high carbon dioxide level in the bloodcan occur at the same time diseases and conditions that affect your breathing can cause respiratory failure examples include copd chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and spinal cord injuries copd prevents enough air from flowing in and out of the airways spinal cord injuries can damage the nerves that control breathing overview to understand respiratory failure it helps to understand how the lungs work when you breathe air passes through your nose and mouth into your windpipe the air then travels to your lungs air sacs these sacs are called alveoli al vee uhl eye small blood vessels called capillaries run through the walls of the air sacs when air reaches the air sacs the oxygen in the air passes through the air sac walls into the blood in the capillaries at the same time carbon dioxide moves from the capillaries into the air sacs this process is called gas exchange in respiratory failure gas exchange is impaired respiratory failure can be acute short term or chronic ongoing acute respiratory failure can develop quickly and may require emergency treatment chronic respiratory failure develops more slowly and lasts longer signs and symptoms of respiratory failure may include shortness of breath rapid breathing and air hunger feeling like you can t breathe in enough air in severe cases signs and symptoms may include a bluish color on your skin lips and fingernails confusion and sleepiness one of the main goals of treating respiratory failure is to get oxygen to your lungs and other organs and remove carbon dioxide from your body another goal is to treat the underlying cause of the condition acute respiratory failure usually is treated in an intensive care unit chronic respiratory failure can be treated at home or at a long term care center outlook the outlook for respiratory failure depends on the severity of its underlying cause how quickly treatment begins and your overall health people who have severe lung diseases may need long term or ongoing breathing support such as oxygen therapy or the help of a ventilator ven til a tor a ventilator is a machine that supports breathing it blows airor air with increased amounts of oxygeninto your airways and then your lungs
Keywords: failure, respiratory, air, lung, blood, oxygen, sac, breathing, carbon, dioxide


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Question: what causes respiratory failure
Answer: diseases and conditions that impair breathing can cause respiratory failure these disorders may affect the muscles nerves bones or tissues that support breathing or they may affect the lungs directly when breathing is impaired your lungs can t easily move oxygen into your blood and remove carbon dioxide from your blood gas exchange this can cause a low oxygen level or high carbon dioxide level or both in your blood respiratory failure can occur as a result of conditions that affect the nerves and muscles that control breathing examples include muscular dystrophy amyotrophic lateral sclerosis als spinal cord injuries and stroke damage to the tissues and ribs around the lungs an injury to the chest can cause this damage problems with the spine such as scoliosis a curve in the spine this condition can affect the bones and muscles used for breathing drug or alcohol overdose an overdose affects the area of the brain that controls breathing during an overdose breathing becomes slow and shallow lung diseases and conditions such as copd chronic obstructive pulmonary disease pneumonia ards acute respiratory distress syndrome pulmonary embolism and cystic fibrosis these diseases and conditions can affect the flow of air and blood into and out of your lungs ards and pneumonia affect gas exchange in the air sacs acute lung injuries for example inhaling harmful fumes or smoke can injure your lungs normal lungs and conditions causing respiratory failure
Keywords: lung, affect, breathing, condition, respiratory, blood, cause, failure, muscle, overdose


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Question: what are the treatments for respiratory failure
Answer: treatment for respiratory failure depends on whether the condition is acute short term or chronic ongoing and its severity treatment also depends on the condition s underlying cause acute respiratory failure can be a medical emergency it often is treated in an intensive care unit at a hospital chronic respiratory failure often can be treated at home if chronic respiratory failure is severe your doctor may recommend treatment in a long term care center one of the main goals of treating respiratory failure is to get oxygen to your lungs and other organs and remove carbon dioxide from your body another goal is to treat the underlying cause of the condition oxygen therapy and ventilator support if you have respiratory failure you may receive oxygen therapy extra oxygen is given through a nasal cannula two small plastic tubes or prongs that are placed in both nostrils or through a mask that fits over your nose and mouth oxygen therapy oxygen also can be given through a tracheostomy tra ke os to me this is a surgically made hole that goes through the front of your neck and into your windpipe a breathing tube also called a tracheostomy or trach tube is placed in the hole to help you breathe tracheostomy if the oxygen level in your blood doesn t increase or if you re still having trouble breathing your doctor may recommend a ventilator a ventilator is a machine that supports breathing it blows airor air with increased amounts of oxygeninto your airways and then your lungs ventilator your doctor will adjust the ventilator as needed this will help your lungs get the right amount of oxygen it also can prevent the machine s pressure from injuring your lungs you ll use the ventilator until you can breathe on your own other treatments to help you breathe noninvasive positive pressure ventilation nppv and a rocking bed are two methods that can help you breathe better while you sleep these methods are very useful for people who have chronic respiratory failure nppv is a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep your airways open while you sleep you wear a mask or other device that fits over your nose or your nose and mouth a tube connects the mask to a machine which blows air into the tube cpap continuous positive airway pressure is one type of nppv for more information go to the health topics cpap article although the article focuses on cpap treatment for sleep apnea it explains how cpap works a rocking bed consists of a mattress on a motorized platform the mattress gently rocks back and forth when your head rocks down the organs in your abdomen and your diaphragm the main muscle used for breathing slide up helping you exhale when your head rocks up the organs in your abdomen and your diaphragm slide down helping you inhale fluids you may be given fluids to improve blood flow throughout your body and to provide nutrition your doctor will make sure you get the right amount of fluids too much fluid can fill the lungs and make it hard for you to get the oxygen you need not enough fluid can limit the flow of oxygen rich blood to the body s organs fluids usually are given through an intravenous iv line inserted in one of your blood vessels medicines your doctor may prescribe medicines to relieve discomfort treatments for the underlying cause of respiratory failure once your doctor figures out what s causing your respiratory failure he or she will plan how to treat that disease or condition treatments may include medicines procedures and other therapies
Keywords: failure, oxygen, respiratory, fluid, ventilator, lung, tube, breathe, chronic, cpap


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Question: what is are primary ciliary dyskinesia
Answer: primary ciliary sil e ar e dyskinesia dis kih ne ze ah or pcd is a rare disease that affects tiny hair like structures that line the airways these structures are called cilia sil e ah cilia move together in wave like motions they carry mucus a slimy substance toward the mouth to be coughed or sneezed out of the body the mucus contains inhaled dust bacteria and other small particles if the cilia don t work well bacteria stay in your airways this can cause breathing problems infections and other disorders pcd mainly affects the sinuses ears and lungs some people who have pcd have breathing problems from the moment of birth sperm cells have structures that are like cilia in men who have pcd these structures also may not work well this can cause fertility problems fertility refers to the ability to have children fertility problems also occur in some women who have pcd these problems likely are due to faulty cilia in the fallopian tubes the fallopian tubes carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus overview pcd is an inherited disease inherited means the disease is passed from parents to children through genes with pcd this process is very complex researchers are still learning how the disease is inherited and which genes are involved generally a child must inherit faulty genes from both parents to have pcd these genes affect how cilia grow and function faulty genes may cause the cilia to be the wrong size or shape or move in the wrong way sometimes the cilia are missing altogether no single faulty gene causes all cases of pcd rather many genes are associated with the disease if a child inherits a faulty gene or genes from only one parent he or she may be a pcd carrier carriers usually have no symptoms of pcd however carriers can pass faulty pcd genes on to their children the symptoms and severity of pcd vary from person to person if you or your child has the disease you may have serious sinus ear and or lung infections if the disease is mild it may not show up until the teen or adult years the symptoms and severity of pcd also vary over time sometimes you may have few symptoms other times your symptoms may become more severe some people who have pcd have a condition called situs inversus si tus in ver sus this is a condition in which the internal organs for example the heart stomach spleen liver and gallbladder are in opposite positions from where they normally are a correct and early diagnosis of pcd is very important it will allow you or your child to get the proper treatment to keep your airways and lungs as healthy as possible an early diagnosis and proper treatment also can prevent or delay lung damage outlook many people who have pcd have normal lifespans however about 25 percent of people who have the disease may develop respiratory failure a life threatening condition a small number of people who have pcd need lung transplants scientists continue to study the faulty genes that cause pcd further studies of the disease will likely lead to earlier diagnoses better treatments and improved outcomes
Keywords: pcd, gene, cilium, child, faulty, cause, lung, people, problem, symptom


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Question: what are the symptoms of primary ciliary dyskinesia
Answer: primary ciliary dyskinesia pcd mainly affects the sinuses ears and lungs one sign that you might have pcd is if you have chronic ongoing infections in one or more of these areas common signs symptoms and complications linked to pcd include the following sinuses chronic nasal congestion runny nose with mucus and pus discharge chronic sinus infections chronic nasal congestion runny nose with mucus and pus discharge chronic sinus infections ears chronic middle ear infections hearing loss chronic middle ear infections hearing loss lungs respiratory distress breathing problems in newborns chronic cough recurrent pneumonia collapse of part or all of a lung respiratory distress breathing problems in newborns chronic cough recurrent pneumonia collapse of part or all of a lung pcd also can cause fertility problems in men and women fertility refers to the ability to have children in men pcd can affect cilia like structures that help sperm cells move because the sperm cells don t move well men who have the disease usually are unable to father children fertility problems also occur in some women who have pcd these problems likely are due to faulty cilia in the fallopian tubes the fallopian tubes carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus about half of all people who have pcd have kartagener s syndrome this syndrome involves three disorders chronic sinusitis si nu si tis bronchiectasis brong ke ek tah sis and situs inversus chronic sinusitis is a condition in which the sinuses are infected or inflamed the sinuses are hollow air spaces around the nasal passages bronchiectasis is a condition in which damage to the airways causes them to widen and become flabby and scarred situs inversus is a condition in which the internal organs for example the heart stomach spleen liver and gallbladder are in opposite positions from where they normally are situs inversus can occur without pcd in fact only 25 percent of people who have the condition also have pcd by itself situs inversus may not affect your health however in pcd it s a sign of kartagener s syndrome some people who have pcd have abnormally placed organs and congenital heart defects when do symptoms occur the symptoms and severity of pcd vary from person to person if you or your child has the disease you may have serious sinus ear and or lung infections if the disease is mild it may not show up until the teen or adult years the symptoms and severity of pcd also vary over time sometimes you may have few symptoms other times your symptoms may become more severe some people who have pcd have breathing problems when they re born and need extra oxygen for several days afterward airway infections are common diagnosing pcd in children can be hard this is because some pcd symptomssuch as ear infections chronic cough and runny noseare common in children even if they don t have pcd also the disease may be confused with another condition such as cystic fibrosis a correct and early diagnosis of pcd is very important it will allow you or your child to get the proper treatment to keep your airways and lungs as healthy as possible an early diagnosis and proper treatment also can prevent or delay ongoing and long term lung damage
Keywords: pcd, chronic, infection, lung, sinus, symptom, child, ear, problem, inversus


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Question: what are the treatments for primary ciliary dyskinesia
Answer: unfortunately no treatment is available yet to fix faulty airway cilia cilia are tiny hair like structures that line the airways thus treatment for primary ciliary dyskinesia pcd focuses on which symptoms and complications you have the main goals of treating pcd are to control and treat lung sinus and ear infections remove trapped mucus from the lungs and airways specialists involved many doctors may help care for someone who has pcd for example a neonatologist may suspect pcd or another lung disorder if a newborn has breathing problems at birth a neonatologist is a doctor who specializes in treating newborns a pediatrician may suspect pcd if a child has chronic ongoing sinus ear and or lung infections a pediatrician is a doctor who specializes in treating children this type of doctor provides children with ongoing care from an early age and treats conditions such as ear infections and breathing problems an otolaryngologist also may help diagnose and treat pcd this type of doctor treats ear nose and throat disorders and also is called an ear nose and throat ent specialist if a child has chronic sinus or ear infections an ent specialist may be involved in the child s care a pulmonologist may help diagnose or treat lung problems related to pcd this type of doctor specializes in diagnosing and treating lung diseases and conditions most people who have pcd have lung problems at some point in their lives a pathologist is a doctor who specializes in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope this type of doctor may help diagnose pcd by looking at cilia under a microscope a pathologist also may look at mucus samples to see what types of bacteria are causing infections this information can help your doctor decide which treatments to prescribe treatments for breathing and lung problems standard treatments for breathing and lung problems in people who have pcd are chest physical therapy cpt exercise and medicines one of the main goals of these treatments is to get you to cough coughing clears mucus from the airways which is important for people who have pcd for this reason your doctor also may advise you to avoid medicines that suppress coughing chest physical therapy cpt also is called chest clapping or percussion it involves pounding your chest and back over and over with your hands or a device to loosen the mucus from your lungs so that you can cough it up you might sit down or lie on your stomach with your head down while you do cpt gravity and force help drain the mucus from your lungs some people find cpt hard or uncomfortable to do several devices have been made to help with cpt such as an electric chest clapper known as a mechanical percussor an inflatable therapy vest that uses high frequency airwaves the airwaves force the mucus that s deep in your lungs toward your upper airways so you can cough it up a small hand held device that you breathe out through the device causes vibrations that dislodge the mucus a mask that creates vibrations to help break the mucus loose from your airway walls breathing techniques also may help dislodge mucus so you can cough it up these techniques include forcing out a couple of short breaths or deeper breaths and then doing relaxed breathing this may help loosen the mucus in your lungs and open your airways exercise aerobic exercise that makes you breathe harder helps loosen the mucus in your airways so you can cough it up exercise also helps improve your overall physical condition talk with your doctor about what types and amounts of exercise are safe for you or your child medicines if you have pcd your doctor may prescribe antibiotics bronchodilators or anti inflammatory medicines these medicines help treat lung infections open up the airways and reduce swelling antibiotics are the main treatment to prevent or treat lung infections your doctor may prescribe oral or intravenous iv antibiotics oral antibiotics often are used to treat mild lung infections for severe or hard to treat infections you may be given iv antibiotics through a tube inserted into a vein to help decide which antibiotics you need your doctor may send mucus samples to a pathologist the pathologist will try to find out which bacteria are causing the infection bronchodilators help open the airways by relaxing the muscles around them you inhale these medicines often they re taken just before cpt to help clear mucus from your lungs you also may take bronchodilators before inhaling other medicines into your lungs anti inflammatory medicines can help reduce swelling in your airways that s caused by ongoing infections these medicines may be inhaled or oral treatments for sinus and ear infections to treat infections your doctor may recommend saline nasal washes and anti inflammatory nasal spray if these treatments aren t enough you may need medicines such as antibiotics if antibiotics don t work surgery may be an option tympanostomy tim pan os toe me is a procedure in which small tubes are inserted into the eardrums to help drain mucus from the ears this procedure may help children who have hearing problems caused by pcd nasal or sinus surgery may help drain the sinuses and provide short term relief of symptoms however the long term benefits of this treatment are unclear treatments for advanced lung disease people who have pcd may develop a serious lung condition called bronchiectasis this condition often is treated with medicines hydration drinking plenty of fluids and cpt if bronchiectasis severely affects part of your lung surgery may be used to remove that area of lung in very rare cases if other treatments haven t worked lung transplant may be an option for severe lung disease a lung transplant is surgery to remove a person s diseased lung and replace it with a healthy lung from a deceased donor
Keywords: lung, help, mucus, pcd, infection, airway, medicine, treat, treatment, antibiotic


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Question: how to prevent polycythemia vera
Answer: primary polycythemia polycythemia vera can t be prevented however with proper treatment you can prevent or delay symptoms and complications sometimes you can prevent secondary polycythemia by avoiding things that deprive your body of oxygen for long periods for example you can avoid mountain climbing living at a high altitude or smoking people who have serious heart or lung diseases may develop secondary polycythemia treatment for the underlying disease may improve the secondary polycythemia following a healthy lifestyle to lower your risk of heart and lung diseases also will help you prevent secondary polycythemia
Keywords: polycythemia, prevent, secondary, disease, heart, lung, vera, climbing, delay, deprive


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Question: what is are respiratory distress syndrome
Answer: respiratory distress syndrome rds is a breathing disorder that affects newborns rds rarely occurs in full term infants the disorder is more common in premature infants born about 6 weeks or more before their due dates rds is more common in premature infants because their lungs aren t able to make enough surfactant sur fak tant surfactant is a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs it helps keep them open so that infants can breathe in air once they re born without enough surfactant the lungs collapse and the infant has to work hard to breathe he or she might not be able to breathe in enough oxygen to support the body s organs the lack of oxygen can damage the baby s brain and other organs if proper treatment isn t given most babies who develop rds show signs of breathing problems and a lack of oxygen at birth or within the first few hours that follow overview rds is a common lung disorder in premature infants in fact nearly all infants born before 28 weeks of pregnancy develop rds rds might be an early phase of bronchopulmonary dysplasia brong ko pul mo nar e dis pla ze ah or bpd this is another breathing disorder that affects premature babies rds usually develops in the first 24 hours after birth if premature infants still have breathing problems by the time they reach their original due dates they may be diagnosed with bpd some of the life saving treatments used for rds may cause bpd some infants who have rds recover and never get bpd infants who do get bpd have lungs that are less developed or more damaged than the infants who recover infants who develop bpd usually have fewer healthy air sacs and tiny blood vessels in their lungs both the air sacs and the tiny blood vessels that support them are needed to breathe well outlook due to improved treatments and medical advances most infants who have rds survive however these babies may need extra medical care after going home some babies have complications from rds or its treatments serious complications include chronic ongoing breathing problems such as asthma and bpd blindness and brain damage
Keywords: infant, rds, bpd, lung, baby, breathing, premature, breathe, disorder, develop


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Question: what causes respiratory distress syndrome
Answer: the main cause of respiratory distress syndrome rds is a lack of surfactant in the lungs surfactant is a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs a fetus s lungs start making surfactant during the third trimester of pregnancy weeks 26 through labor and delivery the substance coats the insides of the air sacs in the lungs this helps keep the lungs open so breathing can occur after birth without enough surfactant the lungs will likely collapse when the infant exhales breathes out the infant then has to work harder to breathe he or she might not be able to get enough oxygen to support the body s organs some full term infants develop rds because they have faulty genes that affect how their bodies make surfactant
Keywords: lung, surfactant, infant, body, coat, distress, enough, inside, rds, syndrome


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Question: who is at risk for respiratory distress syndrome
Answer: certain factors may increase the risk that your infant will have respiratory distress syndrome rds these factors include premature delivery the earlier your baby is born the greater his or her risk for rds most cases of rds occur in babies born before 28 weeks of pregnancy stress during your baby s delivery especially if you lose a lot of blood infection your having diabetes your baby also is at greater risk for rds if you require an emergency cesarean delivery c section before your baby is full term you may need an emergency c section because of a condition such as a detached placenta that puts you or your infant at risk planned c sections that occur before a baby s lungs have fully matured also can increase the risk of rds your doctor can do tests before delivery that show whether it s likely that your baby s lungs are fully developed these tests assess the age of the fetus or lung maturity
Keywords: baby, risk, rds, delivery, lung, section, distress, emergency, fully, infant


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Question: what are the symptoms of respiratory distress syndrome
Answer: signs and symptoms of respiratory distress syndrome rds usually occur at birth or within the first few hours that follow they include rapid shallow breathing sharp pulling in of the chest below and between the ribs with each breath grunting sounds flaring of the nostrils the infant also may have pauses in breathing that last for a few seconds this condition is called apnea ap ne ah respiratory distress syndrome complications depending on the severity of an infant s rds he or she may develop other medical problems lung complications lung complications may include a collapsed lung atelectasis leakage of air from the lung into the chest cavity pneumothorax and bleeding in the lung hemorrhage some of the life saving treatments used for rds may cause bronchopulmonary dysplasia another breathing disorder blood and blood vessel complications infants who have rds may develop sepsis an infection of the bloodstream this infection can be life threatening lack of oxygen may prevent a fetal blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus from closing after birth as it should this condition is called patent ductus arteriosus or pda the ductus arteriosus connects a lung artery to a heart artery if it remains open it can strain the heart and increase blood pressure in the lung arteries other complications complications of rds also may include blindness and other eye problems and a bowel disease called necrotizing enterocolitis en ter o ko li tis infants who have severe rds can develop kidney failure some infants who have rds develop bleeding in the brain this bleeding can delay mental development it also can cause mental retardation or cerebral palsy
Keywords: lung, rds, complication, infant, blood, called, develop, bleeding, include, respiratory


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Question: what are the treatments for respiratory distress syndrome
Answer: treatment for respiratory distress syndrome rds usually begins as soon as an infant is born sometimes in the delivery room most infants who show signs of rds are quickly moved to a neonatal intensive care unit nicu there they receive around the clock treatment from health care professionals who specialize in treating premature infants the most important treatments for rds are surfactant replacement therapy breathing support from a ventilator or nasal continuous positive airway pressure ncpap machine these machines help premature infants breathe better oxygen therapy surfactant replacement therapy surfactant is a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs it helps keep them open so that an infant can breathe in air once he or she is born babies who have rds are given surfactant until their lungs are able to start making the substance on their own surfactant usually is given through a breathing tube the tube allows the surfactant to go directly into the baby s lungs once the surfactant is given the breathing tube is connected to a ventilator or the baby may get breathing support from ncpap surfactant often is given right after birth in the delivery room to try to prevent or treat rds it also may be given several times in the days that follow until the baby is able to breathe better some women are given medicines called corticosteroids during pregnancy these medicines can speed up surfactant production and lung development in a fetus even if you had these medicines your infant may still need surfactant replacement therapy after birth breathing support infants who have rds often need breathing support until their lungs start making enough surfactant until recently a mechanical ventilator usually was used the ventilator was connected to a breathing tube that ran through the infant s mouth or nose into the windpipe today more and more infants are receiving breathing support from ncpap ncpap gently pushes air into the baby s lungs through prongs placed in the infant s nostrils oxygen therapy infants who have breathing problems may get oxygen therapy oxygen is given through a ventilator or ncpap machine or through a tube in the nose this treatment ensures that the infants organs get enough oxygen to work well for more information go to the health topics oxygen therapy article other treatments other treatments for rds include medicines supportive therapy and treatment for patent ductus arteriosus pda pda is a condition that affects some premature infants medicines doctors often give antibiotics to infants who have rds to control infections if the doctors suspect that an infant has an infection supportive therapy treatment in the nicu helps limit stress on babies and meet their basic needs of warmth nutrition and protection such treatment may include using a radiant warmer or incubator to keep infants warm and reduce the risk of infection ongoing monitoring of blood pressure heart rate breathing and temperature through sensors taped to the babies bodies using sensors on fingers or toes to check the amount of oxygen in the infants blood giving fluids and nutrients through needles or tubes inserted into the infants veins this helps prevent malnutrition and promotes growth nutrition is critical to the growth and development of the lungs later babies may be given breast milk or infant formula through feeding tubes that are passed through their noses or mouths and into their throats checking fluid intake to make sure that fluid doesn t build up in the babies lungs treatment for patent ductus arteriosus pda is a possible complication of rds in this condition a fetal blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus doesn t close after birth as it should the ductus arteriosus connects a lung artery to a heart artery if it remains open it can strain the heart and increase blood pressure in the lung arteries pda is treated with medicines catheter procedures and surgery for more information go to the health topics patent ductus arteriosus article
Keywords: infant, surfactant, breathing, lung, baby, rds, therapy, given, oxygen, tube


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Question: how to prevent respiratory distress syndrome
Answer: taking steps to ensure a healthy pregnancy might prevent your infant from being born before his or her lungs have fully developed these steps include seeing your doctor regularly during your pregnancy following a healthy diet avoiding tobacco smoke alcohol and illegal drugs managing any medical conditions you have preventing infections if you re having a planned cesarean delivery c section your doctor can do tests before delivery to show whether it s likely that your baby s lungs are fully developed these tests assess the age of the fetus or lung maturity your doctor may give you injections of a corticosteroid medicine if he or she thinks you may give birth too early this medicine can speed up surfactant production and development of the lungs brain and kidneys in your baby treatment with corticosteroids can reduce your baby s risk of respiratory distress syndrome rds if the baby does develop rds it will probably be fairly mild corticosteroid treatment also can reduce the chances that your baby will have bleeding in the brain
Keywords: baby, lung, corticosteroid, brain, delivery, developed, pregnancy, rds, reduce, respiratory


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Question: what is are holes in the heart
Answer: holes in the heart are simple congenital kon jen ih tal heart defects congenital heart defects are problems with the heart s structure that are present at birth these defects change the normal flow of blood through the heart the heart has two sides separated by an inner wall called the septum with each heartbeat the right side of the heart receives oxygen poor blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs the left side of the heart receives oxygen rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the body the septum prevents mixing of blood between the two sides of the heart however some babies are born with holes in the upper or lower septum a hole in the septum between the heart s two upper chambers is called an atrial septal defect asd a hole in the septum between the heart s two lower chambers is called a ventricular septal defect vsd asds and vsds allow blood to pass from the left side of the heart to the right side thus oxygen rich blood mixes with oxygen poor blood as a result some oxygen rich blood is pumped to the lungs instead of the body over the past few decades the diagnosis and treatment of asds and vsds have greatly improved children who have simple congenital heart defects can survive to adulthood they can live normal active lives because their heart defects close on their own or have been repaired
Keywords: heart, blood, defect, side, hole, oxygen, septum, two, body, lung


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Question: how to diagnose obesity hypoventilation syndrome
Answer: obesity hypoventilation syndrome ohs is diagnosed based on your medical history signs and symptoms and test results specialists involved a critical care specialist pulmonologist lung specialist and or sleep specialist may diagnose and treat your condition a sleep specialist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats sleep problems examples of such doctors include lung and nerve specialists and ear nose and throat specialists other types of doctors also can be sleep specialists your health care team also may include a registered dietitian or nutritionist to help you plan and follow a healthy diet your primary care doctor also might oversee weight loss treatment and progress an exercise physiologist or trainer to assess your fitness level and help create a physical activity plan that s safe for you a bariatric surgeon if weight loss surgery is an option for you medical history and physical exam your doctor will ask about your signs and symptoms such as loud snoring or daytime sleepiness he or she also may ask about your use of alcohol and certain medicines such as sedatives and narcotics these substances can worsen ohs during the physical exam your doctor will listen to your heart with a stethoscope he or she also will check to see whether another disease or condition could be the cause of your poor breathing diagnostic tests in ohs poor breathing leads to too much carbon dioxide and too little oxygen in the blood an arterial blood gas test can measure the levels of these gases in your blood for this test a blood sample is taken from an artery usually in your wrist the sample is then sent to a laboratory where the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels are measured other tests also can measure the carbon dioxide level or oxygen level in your blood these tests include a serum bicarbonate test and pulse oximetry a serum bicarbonate test measures the amount of carbon dioxide in the liquid part of your blood called the serum for this test a blood sample is taken from a vein usually in your wrist or hand pulse oximetry measures the level of oxygen in your blood for this test a small sensor is attached to your finger or ear the sensor uses light to estimate how much oxygen is in your blood other tests your doctor may recommend other tests to help check for conditions and problems related to ohs polysomnogram a polysomnogram psg is a type of sleep study you usually have to stay overnight at a sleep center for a psg the test records brain activity eye movements heart rate and blood pressure a psg also records the amount of oxygen in your blood how much air is moving through your nose while you breathe snoring and chest movements the chest movements show whether you re making an effort to breathe your doctor might use the psg results to help diagnose sleep related breathing disorders such as sleep apnea lung function tests lung function tests also called pulmonary function tests measure how well your lungs work for example these tests show how much air you can take into your lungs this amount is compared with that of other people your age height and sex this allows your doctor to see whether you re in the normal range how much air you can blow out of your lungs and how fast you can do it how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood the strength of your breathing muscles chest x ray a chest x ray is a test that creates pictures of the structures inside your chest such as your heart lungs and blood vessels this test can help rule out other conditions that might be causing your signs and symptoms ekg electrocardiogram an ekg is a test that detects and records the heart s electrical activity the test shows how fast the heart is beating and its rhythm steady or irregular an ekg also records the strength and timing of electrical signals as they pass through your heart the results from an ekg might show whether ohs has affected your heart function other tests a complete blood count cbc can show whether your body is making too many red blood cells as a result of ohs a cbc measures many parts of your blood including red blood cells a toxicology screen is a group of tests that shows which medicines and drugs you ve taken and how much of them you ve taken a blood or urine sample usually is collected for a toxicology screen
Keywords: test, blood, lung, sleep, specialist, heart, oxygen, much, oh, show


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Question: how to diagnose vasculitis
Answer: your doctor will diagnose vasculitis based on your signs and symptoms your medical history a physical exam and test results specialists involved depending on the type of vasculitis you have and the organs affected your doctor may refer you to various specialists including a rheumatologist joint and muscle specialist an infectious disease specialist a dermatologist skin specialist a pulmonologist lung specialist a nephrologist kidney specialist a neurologist nervous system specialist a cardiologist heart specialist an ophthalmologist eye specialist a urologist urinary tract and urogenital system specialist diagnostic tests and procedures many tests are used to diagnose vasculitis blood tests blood tests can show whether you have abnormal levels of certain blood cells and antibodies proteins in your blood these tests may look at hemoglobin and hematocrit a low hemoglobin or hematocrit level suggests anemia a complication of vasculitis vasculitis can interfere with the body s ability to make enough red blood cells vasculitis also can be linked to increased destruction of red blood cells antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies anca these antibodies are present in people who have certain types of vasculitis erythrocyte sedimentation rate esr a high esr may be a sign of inflammation in the body the amount of c reactive protein crp in your blood a high crp level suggests inflammation biopsy a biopsy often is the best way for your doctor to make a firm diagnosis of vasculitis during a biopsy your doctor will take a small sample of your body tissue to study under a microscope he or she will take the tissue sample from a blood vessel or an organ a pathologist will study the sample for signs of inflammation or tissue damage a pathologist is a doctor who specializes in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope blood pressure people who have vasculitis should have their blood pressure checked routinely vasculitis that damages the kidneys can cause high blood pressure urinalysis for this test you ll provide a urine sample for analysis this test detects abnormal levels of protein or blood cells in the urine abnormal levels of these substances can be a sign of vasculitis affecting the kidneys ekg electrocardiogram an ekg is a simple painless test that records the heart s electrical activity you might have this test to show whether vasculitis is affecting your heart echocardiography echocardiography is a painless test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart the test gives information about the size and shape of your heart and how well your heart chambers and valves are working chest x ray a chest x ray is a painless test that creates pictures of the structures inside your chest such as your heart lungs and blood vessels abnormal chest x ray results may show whether vasculitis is affecting your lungs or your large arteries such as the aorta or the pulmonary arteries lung function tests lung function tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out how fast you can breathe air out and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood lung function tests can help your doctor find out whether airflow into and out of your lungs is restricted or blocked abdominal ultrasound an abdominal ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of the organs and structures in your abdomen the picture may show whether vasculitis is affecting your abdominal organs computed tomography scan a computed tomography to mog rah fee scan or ct scan is a type of x ray that creates more detailed pictures of your internal organs than a standard x ray the results from this test can show whether you have a type of vasculitis that affects your abdominal organs or blood vessels magnetic resonance imaging a magnetic resonance imaging mri test uses radio waves magnets and a computer to create detailed pictures of your internal organs other advanced imaging techniques several new imaging techniques are now being used to help diagnose vasculitis duplex ultrasonography combines an image of the structure of the blood vessel with a color image of the blood flow through that vein or artery 18f fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography fdg pet identifies areas that show higher glucose metabolism leading to problems in the blood vessels angiography angiography an jee og ra fee is a test that uses dye and special x rays to show blood flowing through your blood vessels the dye is injected into your bloodstream special x ray pictures are taken while the dye flows through your blood vessels the dye helps highlight the vessels on the x ray pictures doctors use angiography to help find out whether blood vessels are narrowed swollen deformed or blocked
Keywords: blood, test, vasculitis, specialist, vessel, lung, picture, ray, organ, show


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Question: what causes endocarditis
Answer: infective endocarditis ie occurs if bacteria fungi or other germs invade your bloodstream and attach to abnormal areas of your heart certain factors increase the risk of this happening a common underlying factor in ie is a structural heart defect especially faulty heart valves usually your immune system will kill germs in your bloodstream however if your heart has a rough lining or abnormal valves the invading germs can attach and multiply in the heart other factors also can play a role in causing ie common activities such as brushing your teeth or having certain dental procedures can allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream this is even more likely to happen if your teeth and gums are in poor condition having a catheter tube or another medical device inserted through your skin especially for long periods also can allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream people who use intravenous iv drugs also are at risk for ie because of the germs on needles and syringes bacteria also may spread to the blood and heart from infections in other parts of the body such as the gut skin or genitals endocarditis complications as the bacteria or other germs multiply in your heart they form clumps with other cells and matter found in the blood these clumps are called vegetations vej eh ta shuns as ie worsens pieces of the vegetations can break off and travel to almost any other organ or tissue in the body there the pieces can block blood flow or cause a new infection as a result ie can cause a range of complications heart complications heart problems are the most common complication of ie they occur in one third to one half of all people who have the infection these problems may include a new heart murmur heart failure heart valve damage heart block or rarely a heart attack central nervous system complications these complications occur in as many as 20 to 40 percent of people who have ie central nervous system complications most often occur when bits of the vegetation called emboli em bo li break away and lodge in the brain the emboli can cause local infections called brain abscesses or they can cause a more widespread brain infection called meningitis men in ji tis emboli also can cause strokes or seizures this happens if they block blood vessels or affect the brain s electrical signals these complications can cause long term damage to the brain and may even be fatal complications in other organs ie also can affect other organs in the body such as the lungs kidneys and spleen lungs the lungs are especially at risk when ie affects the right side of the heart this is called right sided infective endocarditis a vegetation or blood clot going to the lungs can cause a pulmonary embolism pe and lung damage a pe is a sudden blockage in a lung artery other lung complications include pneumonia and a buildup of fluid or pus around the lungs kidneys ie can cause kidney abscesses and kidney damage the infection also can inflame the internal filtering structures of the kidneys signs and symptoms of kidney complications include back or side pain blood in the urine or a change in the color or amount of urine in some cases ie can cause kidney failure spleen the spleen is an organ located in the left upper part of the abdomen near the stomach in some people who have ie the spleen enlarges especially in people who have long term ie sometimes emboli also can damage the spleen signs and symptoms of spleen problems include pain or discomfort in the upper left abdomen and or left shoulder a feeling of fullness or the inability to eat large meals and hiccups
Keywords: heart, complication, cause, lung, kidney, blood, infection, spleen, called, damage


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Question: what is are pulmonary embolism
Answer: pulmonary embolism pull mun ary em bo lizm or pe is a sudden blockage in a lung artery the blockage usually is caused by a blood clot that travels to the lung from a vein in the leg a clot that forms in one part of the body and travels in the bloodstream to another part of the body is called an embolus em bo lus pe is a serious condition that can damage part of your lung because of a lack of blood flow to your lung tissue this damage may lead to pulmonary hypertension increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries cause low oxygen levels in your blood damage other organs in your body because of a lack of oxygen if a blood clot is large or if there are many clots pe can cause death overview pe most often is a complication of a condition called deep vein thrombosis dvt in dvt blood clots form in the deep veins of the bodymost often in the legs these clots can break free travel through the bloodstream to the lungs and block an artery deep vein clots are not like clots in veins close to the skin s surface those clots remain in place and do not cause pe outlook the exact number of people affected by dvt and pe isn t known estimates suggest these conditions affect 300 000 to 600 000 people in the united states each year if left untreated about 30 percent of patients who have pe will die most of those who die do so within the first few hours of the event the good news is that a prompt diagnosis and proper treatment can save lives and help prevent the complications of pe
Keywords: clot, blood, lung, vein, pulmonary, artery, body, damage, deep, dvt


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Question: what causes pulmonary embolism
Answer: major causes pulmonary embolism pe usually begins as a blood clot in a deep vein of the leg this condition is called deep vein thrombosis the clot can break free travel through the bloodstream to the lungs and block an artery the animation below shows how a blood clot from a deep vein in the leg can travel to the lungs causing pulmonary embolism click the start button to play the animation written and spoken explanations are provided with each frame use the buttons in the lower right corner to pause restart or replay the animation or use the scroll bar below the buttons to move through the frames blood clots can form in the deep veins of the legs if blood flow is restricted and slows down this can happen if you don t move around for long periods such as after some types of surgery during a long trip in a car or airplane if you must stay in bed for an extended time blood clots are more likely to develop in veins damaged from surgery or injured in other ways other causes rarely an air bubble part of a tumor or other tissue travels to the lungs and causes pe also if a large bone in the body such as the thigh bone breaks fat from the bone marrow can travel through the blood if the fat reaches the lungs it can cause pe
Keywords: blood, cause, clot, vein, deep, lung, travel, embolism, leg, pulmonary


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Question: how to diagnose pulmonary embolism
Answer: pulmonary embolism pe is diagnosed based on your medical history a physical exam and test results doctors who treat patients in the emergency room often are the ones to diagnose pe with the help of a radiologist a radiologist is a doctor who deals with x rays and other similar tests medical history and physical exam to diagnose pe the doctor will ask about your medical history he or she will want to find out your deep vein thrombosis dvt and pe risk factors see how likely it is that you could have pe rule out other possible causes for your symptoms your doctor also will do a physical exam during the exam he or she will check your legs for signs of dvt he or she also will check your blood pressure and your heart and lungs diagnostic tests many tests can help diagnose pe which tests you have will depend on how you feel when you get to the hospital your risk factors available testing options and other conditions you could possibly have you may have one or more of the following tests ultrasound doctors can use ultrasound to look for blood clots in your legs ultrasound uses sound waves to check blood flow in your veins for this test gel is put on the skin of your legs a hand held device called a transducer is moved back and forth over the affected areas the transducer gives off ultrasound waves and detects their echoes as they bounce off the vein walls and blood cells a computer turns the echoes into a picture on a computer screen allowing the doctor to see blood flow in your legs if the doctor finds blood clots in the deep veins of your legs he or she will recommend treatment dvt and pe both are treated with the same medicines computed tomography scans doctors can use computed tomography to mog rah fee scans or ct scans to look for blood clots in the lungs and legs for this test dye is injected into a vein in your arm the dye makes the blood vessels in your lungs and legs show up on x ray images you ll lie on a table and an x ray tube will rotate around you the tube will take pictures from many angles this test allows doctors to detect most cases of pe the test only takes a few minutes results are available shortly after the scan is done lung ventilation perfusion scan a lung ventilation perfusion scan or vq scan uses a radioactive substance to show how well oxygen and blood are flowing to all areas of your lungs this test can help detect pe pulmonary angiography pulmonary angiography an jee og rah fee is another test used to diagnose pe this test isn t available at all hospitals and a trained specialist must do the test for this test a flexible tube called a catheter is threaded through the groin upper thigh or arm to the blood vessels in the lungs dye is injected into the blood vessels through the catheter x ray pictures are taken to show blood flowing through the blood vessels in the lungs if a blood clot is found your doctor may use the catheter to remove it or deliver medicine to dissolve it blood tests certain blood tests may help your doctor find out whether you re likely to have pe a d dimer test measures a substance in the blood that s released when a blood clot breaks down high levels of the substance may mean a clot is present if your test is normal and you have few risk factors pe isn t likely other blood tests check for inherited disorders that cause blood clots blood tests also can measure the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood a clot in a blood vessel in your lungs may lower the level of oxygen in your blood other tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms your doctor may use one or more of the following tests echocardiography echo this test uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart doctors use echo to check heart function and detect blood clots inside the heart ekg electrocardiogram an ekg is a simple painless test that detects and records the heart s electrical activity chest x ray this test creates pictures of your lungs heart large arteries ribs and diaphragm the muscle below your lungs chest mri magnetic resonance imaging this test uses radio waves and magnetic fields to create pictures of organs and structures inside the body mri often can provide more information than an x ray
Keywords: test, blood, lung, clot, leg, scan, heart, picture, ray, vessel


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Question: what is are pulmonary hypertension
Answer: pulmonary hypertension pull mun ary hi per ten shun or ph is increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries these arteries carry blood from your heart to your lungs to pick up oxygen ph causes symptoms such as shortness of breath during routine activity for example climbing two flights of stairs tiredness chest pain and a racing heartbeat as the condition worsens its symptoms may limit all physical activity overview to understand ph it helps to understand how your heart and lungs work your heart has two sides separated by an inner wall called the septum each side of your heart has an upper and lower chamber the lower right chamber of your heart the right ventricle ven trih kul pumps blood to your pulmonary arteries the blood then travels to your lungs where it picks up oxygen the upper left chamber of your heart the left atrium ay tree um receives the oxygen rich blood from your lungs the blood is then pumped into the lower left chamber of your heart the left ventricle from the left ventricle the blood is pumped to the rest of your body through an artery called the aorta for more information about the heart and lungs go to the diseases and conditions index how the heart works and how the lungs work articles ph begins with inflammation and changes in the cells that line your pulmonary arteries other factors also can affect the pulmonary arteries and cause ph for example the condition may develop if the walls of the arteries tighten the walls of the arteries are stiff at birth or become stiff from an overgrowth of cells blood clots form in the arteries these changes make it hard for your heart to push blood through your pulmonary arteries and into your lungs as a result the pressure in your arteries rises also because your heart is working harder than normal your right ventricle becomes strained and weak your heart may become so weak that it can t pump enough blood to your lungs this causes heart failure heart failure is the most common cause of death in people who have ph ph is divided into five groups based on its causes in all groups the average pressure in the pulmonary arteries is higher than 25 mmhg at rest or 30 mmhg during physical activity the pressure in normal pulmonary arteries is 820 mmhg at rest the mmhg is millimeters of mercurythe units used to measure blood pressure other diseases or conditions such as heart and lung diseases or blood clots usually cause ph some people inherit the condition that is their parents pass the genes for ph on to them in some cases the cause isn t known outlook ph has no cure however research for new treatments is ongoing the earlier ph is treated the easier it is to control treatments include medicines procedures and other therapies these treatments can relieve ph symptoms and slow the progress of the disease lifestyle changes also can help control symptoms
Keywords: heart, artery, blood, lung, pulmonary, cause, left, pressure, mmhg, symptom


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Question: how to diagnose pulmonary hypertension
Answer: your doctor will diagnose pulmonary hypertension ph based on your medical and family histories a physical exam and the results from tests and procedures ph can develop slowly in fact you may have it for years and not know it this is because the condition has no early signs or symptoms when symptoms do occur they re often like those of other heart and lung conditions such as asthma this makes ph hard to diagnose medical and family histories your doctor may ask about your signs and symptoms and how and when they began he or she also may ask whether you have other medical conditions that can cause ph your doctor will want to know whether you have any family members who have or have had ph people who have a family history of ph are at higher risk for the condition physical exam during the physical exam your doctor will listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope he or she also will check your ankles and legs for swelling and your lips and skin for a bluish color these are signs of ph diagnostic tests and procedures your doctor may recommend tests and procedures to confirm a diagnosis of ph and to look for its underlying cause your doctor also will use test results to find out the severity of your ph tests and procedures to confirm a diagnosis echocardiography echocardiography ek o kar de og ra fee or echo uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart this test can estimate the pressure in your pulmonary arteries echo also can show the size and thickness of your right ventricle and how well it s working chest x ray a chest x ray takes pictures of the structures in your chest such as your heart lungs and blood vessels this test can show whether your pulmonary arteries and right ventricle are enlarged the pulmonary arteries and right ventricle may get larger if the right ventricle has to work hard to pump blood through the pulmonary arteries a chest x ray also may show signs of an underlying lung disease that s causing or contributing to ph ekg electrocardiogram an ekg is a simple painless test that records the heart s electrical activity this test also shows whether your heart s rhythm is steady or irregular an ekg may show whether your right ventricle is enlarged or strained right heart catheterization this procedure measures the pressure in your pulmonary arteries it also shows how well your heart is pumping blood to the rest of your body right heart catheterization kath e ter ih za shun can find any leaks between the left and right side of the heart during this procedure a thin flexible tube called a catheter is put into a blood vessel in your groin upper thigh or neck the tube is threaded into the right side of your heart and into the pulmonary arteries through the tube your doctor can do tests and treatments on your heart tests to look for the underlying cause of pulmonary hypertension ph has many causes so many tests may need to be done to find its underlying cause chest ct scan a chest computed tomography to mog ra fee scan or chest ct scan creates pictures of the structures inside your chest such as your heart lungs and blood vessels these pictures can show signs of ph or a condition that may be causing ph chest mri chest magnetic resonance imaging or chest mri shows how your right ventricle is working the test also shows blood flow in your lungs chest mri also can help detect signs of ph or an underlying condition causing ph lung function tests lung function tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out how fast you can breathe air out and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood these tests can help detect a lung disease that may be causing ph polysomnogram psg this test records brain activity eye movements heart rate and blood pressure while you sleep a psg also measures the level of oxygen in your blood a low oxygen level during sleep is common in ph and it can make the condition worse a psg usually is done while you stay overnight at a sleep center for more information about this test go to the diseases and conditions index sleep studies article lung ventilation perfusion vq scan a lung vq scan measures air and blood flow in your lungs this test can help detect blood clots in your lung s blood vessels blood tests blood tests are used to rule out other diseases such as hiv liver disease and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis finding out the severity of pulmonary hypertension exercise testing is used to find out the severity of ph this testing consists of either a 6 minute walk test or a cardiopulmonary exercise test a 6 minute walk test measures the distance you can quickly walk in 6 minutes a cardiopulmonary exercise test measures how well your lungs and heart work while you exercise on a treadmill or bicycle during exercise testing your doctor will rate your activity level your level is linked to the severity of your ph the rating system ranges from class 1 to class 4 class 1 has no limits you can do regular physical activities such as walking or climbing stairs these activities don t cause ph symptoms such as tiredness shortness of breath or chest pain class 2 has slight or mild limits you re comfortable while resting but regular physical activity causes ph symptoms class 3 has marked or noticeable limits you re comfortable while resting however walking even one or two blocks or climbing one flight of stairs can cause ph symptoms class 4 has severe limits you re not able to do any physical activity without discomfort you also may have ph symptoms while at rest over time you may need more exercise tests to find out how well your treatments are working each time testing is done your doctor will compare your activity level with the previous one
Keywords: test, heart, lung, blood, chest, pulmonary, right, show, activity, cause


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Question: what are the treatments for pulmonary hypertension
Answer: pulmonary hypertension ph has no cure however treatment may help relieve symptoms and slow the progress of the disease ph is treated with medicines procedures and other therapies treatment will depend on what type of ph you have and its severity for more information go to types of pulmonary hypertension group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension pah includes ph that s inherited that has no known cause or that s caused by certain drugs or conditions treatments for group 1 pah include medicines and medical procedures medicines your doctor may prescribe medicines to relax the blood vessels in your lungs and reduce excess cell growth in the blood vessels as the blood vessels relax more blood can flow through them your doctor may prescribe medicines that are taken by mouth inhaled or injected examples of medicines for group 1 pah include phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors such as sildenafil prostanoids such as epoprostenol endothelin receptor antagonists such as bosentan and ambrisentan calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem your doctor may prescribe one or more of these medicines to find out which of these medicines works best you ll likely have an acute vasoreactivity test this test shows how the pressure in your pulmonary arteries reacts to certain medicines the test is done during right heart catheterization medical and surgical procedures if you have group 1 pah your doctor may recommend one or more of the following procedures atrial septostomy sep tos toe me for this procedure a thin flexible tube called a catheter is put into a blood vessel in your leg and threaded to your heart the tube is then put through the wall that separates your right and left atria the upper chambers of your heart this wall is called the septum a tiny balloon on the tip of the tube is inflated this creates an opening between the atria this procedure relieves the pressure in the right atria and increases blood flow atrial septostomy is rarely done in the united states lung transplant a lung transplant is surgery to replace a person s diseased lung with a healthy lung from a deceased donor this procedure may be used for people who have severe lung disease that s causing pah heartlung transplant a heartlung transplant is surgery in which both the heart and lung are replaced with healthy organs from a deceased donor group 2 pulmonary hypertension conditions that affect the left side of the heart such as mitral valve disease can cause group 2 ph treating the underlying condition will help treat ph treatments may include lifestyle changes medicines and surgery group 3 pulmonary hypertension lung diseases such as copd chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial lung disease can cause group 3 ph certain sleep disorders such as sleep apnea also can cause group 3 ph if you have this type of ph you may need oxygen therapy this treatment raises the level of oxygen in your blood you ll likely get the oxygen through soft plastic prongs that fit into your nose oxygen therapy can be done at home or in a hospital your doctor also may recommend other treatments if you have an underlying lung disease group 4 pulmonary hypertension blood clots in the lungs or blood clotting disorders can cause group 4 ph if you have this type of ph your doctor will likely prescribe blood thinning medicines these medicines prevent clots from forming or getting larger sometimes doctors use surgery to remove scarring in the pulmonary arteries due to old blood clots group 5 pulmonary hypertension various diseases and conditions such as thyroid disease and sarcoidosis can cause group 5 ph an object such as a tumor pressing on the pulmonary arteries also can cause group 5 ph group 5 ph is treated by treating its cause all types of pulmonary hypertension several treatments may be used for all types of ph these treatments include diuretics also called water pills these medicines help reduce fluid buildup in your body including swelling in your ankles and feet blood thinning medicines these medicines help prevent blood clots from forming or getting larger digoxin this medicine helps the heart beat stronger and pump more blood digoxin sometimes is used to control the heart rate if abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter occur oxygen therapy this treatment raises the level of oxygen in your blood physical activity regular activity may help improve your ability to be active talk with your doctor about a physical activity plan that s safe for you research is ongoing for better ph treatments these treatments offer hope for the future
Keywords: group, medicine, blood, pulmonary, lung, hypertension, cause, heart, treatment, procedure


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Question: what is are oxygen therapy
Answer: oxygen therapy is a treatment that provides you with extra oxygen a gas that your body needs to work well normally your lungs absorb oxygen from the air however some diseases and conditions can prevent you from getting enough oxygen oxygen therapy may help you function better and be more active oxygen is supplied in a metal cylinder or other container it flows through a tube and is delivered to your lungs in one of the following ways through a nasal cannula which consists of two small plastic tubes or prongs that are placed in both nostrils through a face mask which fits over your nose and mouth through a small tube inserted into your windpipe through the front of your neck your doctor will use a needle or small incision cut to place the tube oxygen delivered this way is called transtracheal oxygen therapy oxygen therapy can be done in a hospital another medical setting or at home if you need oxygen therapy for a chronic ongoing disease or condition you might receive home oxygen therapy overview to learn how oxygen therapy works it helps to understand how your respiratory system works this system is a group of organs and tissues that help you breathe the respiratory system includes the airways and lungs the airways carry oxygen rich air to your lungs they also carry carbon dioxide a waste gas out of your lungs air enters your body through your nose or mouth which moistens and warms the air the air then travels through your voice box and down your windpipe the windpipe divides into two tubes called bronchi that enter your lungs within your lungs your bronchi branch into thousands of smaller thinner tubes called bronchioles brong ke ols these tubes end in bunches of tiny round air sacs called alveoli al vee uhl eye each of the air sacs is covered in a mesh of tiny blood vessels called capillaries kap ih lare ees the capillaries connect to a network of arteries and veins that move blood throughout your body when air reaches the air sacs the oxygen in the air passes through the air sac walls into the blood in the capillaries the oxygen rich blood then travels to the heart through the pulmonary vein and its branches the heart pumps the oxygen rich blood to your organs for more information go to the health topics how the lungs work article certain acute short term and chronic ongoing diseases and conditions can affect the transfer of oxygen from the alveoli into the blood examples include pneumonia nu mo ne ah and copd chronic obstructive pulmonary disease your doctor will decide whether you need oxygen therapy based on the results of tests such as an arterial blood gas test and a pulse oximetry test these tests measure how much oxygen is in your blood a low oxygen level is a sign that you need oxygen therapy oxygen is considered a medicine so your doctor must prescribe it outlook oxygen therapy helps many people function better and be more active it also may help decrease shortness of breath and fatigue tiredness improve sleep in some people who have sleep related breathing disorders increase the lifespan of some people who have copd although you may need oxygen therapy long term it doesn t have to limit your daily routine portable oxygen units can make it easier for you to move around and do many daily activities talk with your doctor if you have questions about whether certain activities are safe for you a home equipment provider will work with you to make sure you have the supplies and equipment you need trained staff also will show you how to use the equipment correctly and safely oxygen therapy generally is safe but it can pose a fire hazard to use your oxygen safely follow the instructions you receive from your home equipment provider
Keywords: oxygen, therapy, air, blood, lung, tube, need, called, help, work


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Question: how to diagnose deep vein thrombosis
Answer: your doctor will diagnose deep vein thrombosis dvt based on your medical history a physical exam and test results he or she will identify your risk factors and rule out other causes of your symptoms for some people dvt might not be diagnosed until after they receive emergency treatment for pulmonary embolism pe medical history to learn about your medical history your doctor may ask about your overall health any prescription medicines you re taking any recent surgeries or injuries you ve had whether you ve been treated for cancer physical exam your doctor will check your legs for signs of dvt such as swelling or redness he or she also will check your blood pressure and your heart and lungs diagnostic tests your doctor may recommend tests to find out whether you have dvt common tests the most common test for diagnosing deep vein blood clots is ultrasound this test uses sound waves to create pictures of blood flowing through the arteries and veins in the affected leg your doctor also may recommend a d dimer test or venography ve nog rah fee a d dimer test measures a substance in the blood that s released when a blood clot dissolves if the test shows high levels of the substance you may have a deep vein blood clot if your test results are normal and you have few risk factors dvt isn t likely your doctor may suggest venography if an ultrasound doesn t provide a clear diagnosis for venography dye is injected into a vein in the affected leg the dye makes the vein visible on an x ray image the x ray will show whether blood flow is slow in the vein which may suggest a blood clot other tests other tests used to diagnose dvt include magnetic resonance imaging mri and computed tomography to mog rah fee or ct scanning these tests create pictures of your organs and tissues you may need blood tests to check whether you have an inherited blood clotting disorder that can cause dvt this may be the case if you have repeated blood clots that are not related to another cause blood clots in an unusual location such as the liver kidney or brain also may suggest an inherited clotting disorder if your doctor thinks that you have pe he or she may recommend more tests such as a lung ventilation perfusion scan vq scan a lung vq scan shows how well oxygen and blood are flowing to all areas of the lungs for more information about diagnosing pe go to the health topics pulmonary embolism article
Keywords: test, blood, vein, dvt, clot, deep, lung, whether, recommend, show


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Question: what causes sleep apnea
Answer: when you re awake throat muscles help keep your airway stiff and open so air can flow into your lungs when you sleep these muscles relax which narrows your throat normally this narrowing doesnt prevent air from flowing into and out of your lungs but if you have sleep apnea your airway can become partially or fully blocked because your throat muscles and tongue relax more than normal your tongue and tonsils tissue masses in the back of your mouth are large compared with the opening into your windpipe you re overweight the extra soft fat tissue can thicken the wall of the windpipe this narrows the inside of the windpipe which makes it harder to keep open the shape of your head and neck bony structure may cause a smaller airway size in the mouth and throat area the aging process limits your brain signals ability to keep your throat muscles stiff during sleep thus your airway is more likely to narrow or collapse not enough air flows into your lungs if your airway is partially or fully blocked during sleep as a result loud snoring and a drop in your blood oxygen level can occur if the oxygen drops to a dangerous level it triggers your brain to disturb your sleep this helps tighten the upper airway muscles and open your windpipe normal breathing then starts again often with a loud snort or choking sound frequent drops in your blood oxygen level and reduced sleep quality can trigger the release of stress hormones these hormones raise your heart rate and increase your risk for high blood pressure heart attack stroke and arrhythmias irregular heartbeats the hormones also can raise your risk for or worsen heart failure untreated sleep apnea also can lead to changes in how your body uses energy these changes increase your risk for obesity and diabetes
Keywords: sleep, airway, muscle, throat, windpipe, keep, lung, narrow, open, oxygen


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Question: what is are idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: pulmonary fibrosis pull mun ary fi bro sis is a disease in which tissue deep in your lungs becomes thick and stiff or scarred over time the formation of scar tissue is called fibrosis as the lung tissue thickens your lungs can t properly move oxygen into your bloodstream as a result your brain and other organs don t get the oxygen they need for more information go to the how the lungs work section of this article sometimes doctors can find out what s causing fibrosis but in most cases they can t find a cause they call these cases idiopathic id ee o path ick pulmonary fibrosis ipf ipf is a serious disease that usually affects middle aged and older adults ipf varies from person to person in some people fibrosis happens quickly in others the process is much slower in some people the disease stays the same for years ipf has no cure yet many people live only about 3 to 5 years after diagnosis the most common cause of death related to ipf is respiratory failure other causes of death include pulmonary hypertension hi per ten shun heart failure pulmonary embolism em bo lizm pneumonia nu mo ne ah and lung cancer genetics may play a role in causing ipf if more than one member of your family has ipf the disease is called familial ipf research has helped doctors learn more about ipf as a result they can more quickly diagnose the disease now than in the past also researchers are studying several medicines that may slow the progress of ipf these efforts may improve the lifespan and quality of life for people who have the disease
Keywords: ipf, fibrosis, lung, pulmonary, people, cause, tissue, case, quickly, result


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Question: what causes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: sometimes doctors can find out what is causing pulmonary fibrosis lung scarring for example exposure to environmental pollutants and certain medicines can cause the disease environmental pollutants include inorganic dust silica and hard metal dusts and organic dust bacteria and animal proteins medicines that are known to cause pulmonary fibrosis in some people include nitrofurantoin an antibiotic amiodarone a heart medicine methotrexate and bleomycin both chemotherapy medicines and many other medicines in most cases however the cause of lung scarring isnt known these cases are called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ipf with ipf doctors think that something inside or outside of the lungs attacks them again and again over time these attacks injure the lungs and scar the tissue inside and between the air sacs this makes it harder for oxygen to pass through the air sac walls into the bloodstream the following factors may increase your risk of ipf cigarette smoking viral infections including epstein barr virus which causes mononucleosis influenza a virus hepatitis c virus hiv and herpes virus 6 genetics also may play a role in causing ipf some families have at least two members who have ipf researchers have found that 9 out of 10 people who have ipf also have gastroesophageal reflux disease gerd gerd is a condition in which acid from your stomach backs up into your throat some people who have gerd may regularly breathe in tiny drops of acid from their stomachs the acid can injure their lungs and lead to ipf more research is needed to confirm this theory
Keywords: ipf, cause, lung, medicine, fibrosis, pulmonary, virus, acid, dust, people


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Question: what are the symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: the signs and symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ipf develop over time they may not even begin to appear until the disease has done serious damage to your lungs once they occur they re likely to get worse over time the most common signs and symptoms are shortness of breath this usually is the main symptom of ipf at first you may be short of breath only during exercise over time you ll likely feel breathless even at rest a dry hacking cough that doesn t get better over time you may have repeated bouts of coughing that you can t control other signs and symptoms that you may develop over time include rapid shallow breathing gradual unintended weight loss fatigue tiredness or malaise a general feeling of being unwell aching muscles and joints clubbing which is the widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes clubbing ipf may lead to other medical problems including a collapsed lung lung infections blood clots in the lungs and lung cancer as the disease worsens you may develop other potentially life threatening conditions including respiratory failure pulmonary hypertension and heart failure
Keywords: lung, time, symptom, develop, ipf, pulmonary, sign, clubbing, idiopathic, including


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Question: how to diagnose idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ipf causes the same kind of scarring and symptoms as some other lung diseases this makes it hard to diagnose seeking medical help as soon as you have symptoms is important if possible seek care from a pulmonologist this is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating lung problems your doctor will diagnose ipf based on your medical history a physical exam and test results tests can help rule out other causes of your symptoms and show how badly your lungs are damaged medical history your doctor may ask about your age your history of smoking things in the air at your job or elsewhere that could irritate your lungs your hobbies your history of legal and illegal drug use other medical conditions that you have your family s medical history how long you ve had symptoms diagnostic tests no single test can diagnose ipf your doctor may recommend several of the following tests chest x ray a chest x ray is a painless test that creates a picture of the structures in your chest such as your heart and lungs this test can show shadows that suggest scar tissue however many people who have ipf have normal chest x rays at the time they re diagnosed high resolution computed tomography a high resolution computed tomography scan or hrct scan is an x ray that provides sharper and more detailed pictures than a standard chest x ray hrct can show scar tissue and how much lung damage you have this test can help your doctor spot ipf at an early stage or rule it out hrct also can help your doctor decide how likely you are to respond to treatment lung function tests your doctor may suggest a breathing test called spirometry spi rom eh tree to find out how much lung damage you have this test measures how much air you can blow out of your lungs after taking a deep breath spirometry also measures how fast you can breathe the air out if you have a lot of lung scarring you won t be able to breathe out a normal amount of air pulse oximetry for this test your doctor attaches a small sensor to your finger or ear the sensor uses light to estimate how much oxygen is in your blood arterial blood gas test for this test your doctor takes a blood sample from an artery usually in your wrist the sample is sent to a laboratory where its oxygen and carbon dioxide levels are measured this test is more accurate than pulse oximetry the blood sample also can be tested to see whether an infection is causing your symptoms skin test for tuberculosis for this test your doctor injects a substance under the top layer of skin on one of your arms this substance reacts to tuberculosis tb if you have a positive reaction a small hard lump will develop at the injection site 48 to 72 hours after the test this test is done to rule out tb exercise testing exercise testing shows how well your lungs move oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of your bloodstream when you re active during this test you walk or pedal on an exercise machine for a few minutes an ekg electrocardiogram checks your heart rate a blood pressure cuff checks your blood pressure and a pulse oximeter shows how much oxygen is in your blood your doctor may place a catheter a flexible tube in an artery in one of your arms to draw blood samples these samples will provide a more precise measure of the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood your doctor also may ask you to breathe into a tube that measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood lung biopsy for a lung biopsy your doctor will take samples of lung tissue from several places in your lungs the samples are examined under a microscope a lung biopsy is the best way for your doctor to diagnose ipf this procedure can help your doctor rule out other conditions such as sarcoidosis sar koy do sis cancer or infection lung biopsy also can show your doctor how far your disease has advanced doctors use several procedures to get lung tissue samples video assisted thoracoscopy thor ah kos ko pee this is the most common procedure used to get lung tissue samples your doctor inserts a small tube with an attached light and camera into your chest through small cuts between your ribs the tube is called an endoscope the endoscope provides a video image of the lungs and allows your doctor to collect tissue samples this procedure must be done in a hospital you ll be given medicine to make you sleep during the procedure bronchoscopy bron kos ko pee for a bronchoscopy your doctor passes a thin flexible tube through your nose or mouth down your throat and into your airways at the tube s tip are a light and mini camera they allow your doctor to see your windpipe and airways your doctor then inserts a forceps through the tube to collect tissue samples you ll be given medicine to help you relax during the procedure bronchoalveolar lavage brong ko al ve o lar lah vahzh during bronchoscopy your doctor may inject a small amount of salt water saline through the tube into your lungs this fluid washes the lungs and helps bring up cells from the area around the air sacs these cells are examined under a microscope thoracotomy thor ah kot o me for this procedure your doctor removes a few small pieces of lung tissue through a cut in the chest wall between your ribs thoracotomy is done in a hospital you ll be given medicine to make you sleep during the procedure
Keywords: lung, test, sample, blood, procedure, tissue, tube, chest, help, show


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Question: what are the treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: doctors may prescribe medicines oxygen therapy pulmonary rehabilitation pr and lung transplant to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ipf medicines currently no medicines are proven to slow the progression of ipf prednisone azathioprine a zah thi o preen and n acetylcysteine a seh til sis tee in have been used to treat ipf either alone or in combination however experts have not found enough evidence to support their use prednisone prednisone is an anti inflammatory medicine you usually take it by mouth every day however your doctor may give it to you through a needle or tube inserted into a vein in your arm for several days after that you usually take it by mouth because prednisone can cause serious side effects your doctor may prescribe it for 3 to 6 months or less at first then if it works for you your doctor may reduce the dose over time and keep you on it longer azathioprine azathioprine suppresses your immune system you usually take it by mouth every day because it can cause serious side effects your doctor may prescribe it with prednisone for only 3 to 6 months if you don t have serious side effects and the medicines seem to help you your doctor may keep you on them longer n acetylcysteine n acetylcysteine is an antioxidant that may help prevent lung damage you usually take it by mouth several times a day a common treatment for ipf is a combination of prednisone azathioprine and n acetylcysteine however this treatment was recently found harmful in a study funded by the national heart lung and blood institute nhlbi if you have ipf and take this combination of medicines talk with your doctor do not stop taking the medicines on your own the nhlbi currently supports research to compare n acetylcysteine treatment with placebo treatment sugar pills in patients who have ipf new medicines being studied researchers like those in the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis network are studying new treatments for ipf with the support and guidance of the nhlbi these researchers continue to look for new ipf treatments and therapies some of these researchers are studying medicines that may reduce inflammation and prevent or reduce scarring caused by ipf if you re interested in joining a research study talk with your doctor for more information about ongoing research go to the clinical trials section of this article other treatments other treatments that may help people who have ipf include the following flu andpneumonia vaccines may help prevent infections and keep you healthy cough medicines or oral codeine may relieve coughing vitamin d calcium and a bone building medicine may help prevent bone loss if you re taking prednisone or another corticosteroid anti reflux therapy may help control gastroesophageal reflux disease gerd most people who have ipf also have gerd oxygen therapy if the amount of oxygen in your blood gets low you may need oxygen therapy oxygen therapy can help reduce shortness of breath and allow you to be more active oxygen usually is given through nasal prongs or a mask at first you may need it only during exercise and sleep as your disease worsens you may need it all the time for more information go to the health topics oxygen therapy article pulmonary rehabilitation pr is now a standard treatment for people who have chronic ongoing lung disease pr is a broad program that helps improve the well being of people who have breathing problems the program usually involves treatment by a team of specialists in a special clinic the goal is to teach you how to manage your condition and function at your best pr doesn t replace medical therapy instead it s used with medical therapy and may include exercise training nutritional counseling education on your lung disease or condition and how to manage it energy conserving techniques breathing strategies psychological counseling and or group support for more information go to the health topics pulmonary rehabilitation article lung transplant your doctor may recommend a lung transplant if your condition is quickly worsening or very severe a lung transplant can improve your quality of life and help you live longer some medical centers will consider patients older than 65 for lung transplants if they have no other serious medical problems the major complications of a lung transplant are rejection and infection rejection refers to your body creating proteins that attack the new organ you will have to take medicines for the rest of your life to reduce the risk of rejection because the supply of donor lungs is limited talk with your doctor about a lung transplant as soon as possible for more information go to the health topics lung transplant article
Keywords: lung, medicine, ipf, help, therapy, transplant, oxygen, prednisone, pulmonary, usually


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Question: what is are cough
Answer: a cough is a natural reflex that protects your lungs coughing helps clear your airways of lung irritants such as smoke and mucus a slimy substance this helps prevent infections a cough also can be a symptom of a medical problem prolonged coughing can cause unpleasant side effects such as chest pain exhaustion light headedness and loss of bladder control coughing also can interfere with sleep socializing and work overview coughing occurs when the nerve endings in your airways become irritated the airways are tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs certain substances such as smoke and pollen medical conditions and medicines can irritate these nerve endings a cough can be acute subacute or chronic depending on how long it lasts an acute cough lasts less than 3 weeks common causes of an acute cough are a common cold or other upper respiratory res pi rah tor e infections examples of other upper respiratory infections include the flu pneumonia nu mo ne ah and whooping cough a subacute cough lasts 3 to 8 weeks this type of cough remains even after a cold or other respiratory infection is over a chronic cough lasts more than 8 weeks common causes of a chronic cough are upper airway cough syndrome uacs asthma and gastroesophageal gas tro eh so fa je al reflux disease or gerd uacs is a term used to describe conditions that inflame the upper airways and cause a cough examples include sinus infections and allergies these conditions can cause mucus to run down your throat from the back of your nose this is called postnasal drip asthma is a long term lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways gerd occurs if acid from your stomach backs up into your throat outlook the best way to treat a cough is to treat its cause for example asthma is treated with medicines that open the airways your doctor may recommend cough medicine if the cause of your cough is unknown and the cough causes a lot of discomfort cough medicines may harm children if your child has a cough talk with his or her doctor about how to treat it
Keywords: cough, cause, airway, infection, coughing, last, lung, medicine, upper, common


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Question: what causes cough
Answer: coughing occurs when the nerve endings in your airways become irritated certain irritants and allergens medical conditions and medicines can irritate these nerve endings irritants and allergens an irritant is something you re sensitive to for example smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke can irritate your lungs smoking also can lead to medical conditions that can cause a cough other irritants include air pollution paint fumes or scented products like perfumes or air fresheners an allergen is something you re allergic to such as dust animal dander mold or pollens from trees grasses and flowers coughing helps clear your airways of irritants and allergens this helps prevent infections medical conditions many medical conditions can cause acute subacute or chronic cough common causes of an acute cough are a common cold or other upper respiratory infections examples of other upper respiratory infections include the flu pneumonia and whooping cough an acute cough lasts less than 3 weeks a lingering cough that remains after a cold or other respiratory infection is gone often is called a subacute cough a subacute cough lasts 3 to 8 weeks common causes of a chronic cough are upper airway cough syndrome uacs asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease gerd a chronic cough lasts more than 8 weeks uacs is a term used to describe conditions that inflame the upper airways and cause a cough examples include sinus infections and allergies these conditions can cause mucus a slimy substance to run down your throat from the back of your nose this is called postnasal drip asthma is a long term lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways gerd is a condition in which acid from your stomach backs up into your throat other conditions that can cause a chronic cough include respiratory infections a cough from an upper respiratory infection can develop into a chronic cough chronic bronchitis bron ki tis this condition occurs if the lining of the airways is constantly irritated and inflamed smoking is the main cause of chronic bronchitis bronchiectasis brong ke ek tah sis this is a condition in which damage to the airways causes them to widen and become flabby and scarred this prevents the airways from properly moving mucus out of your lungs an infection or other condition that injures the walls of the airways usually causes bronchiectasis copd chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd is a disease that prevents enough air from flowing in and out of the airways lung cancer in rare cases a chronic cough is due to lung cancer most people who develop lung cancer smoke or used to smoke heart failure heart failure is a condition in which the heart can t pump enough blood to meet the body s needs fluid can build up in the body and lead to many symptoms if fluid builds up in the lungs it can cause a chronic cough medicines certain medicines can cause a chronic cough examples of these medicines are ace inhibitors and beta blockers ace inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure hbp beta blockers are used to treat hbp migraine headaches and glaucoma
Keywords: cough, cause, chronic, airway, infection, condition, lung, irritant, respiratory, upper


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Question: how to diagnose cough
Answer: your doctor will diagnose the cause of your cough based on your medical history a physical exam and test results medical history your doctor will likely ask questions about your cough he or she may ask how long you ve had it whether you re coughing anything up such as mucus a slimy substance and how much you cough your doctor also may ask about your medical history including whether you have allergies asthma or other medical conditions whether you have heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth these may be signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease gerd whether you ve recently had a cold or the flu whether you smoke or spend time around others who smoke whether you ve been around air pollution a lot of dust or fumes physical exam to check for signs of problems related to cough your doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs he or she will listen for wheezing a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe or other abnormal sounds diagnostic tests your doctor may recommend tests based on the results of your medical history and physical exam for example if you have symptoms of gerd your doctor may recommend a ph probe this test measures the acid level of the fluid in your throat other tests may include an exam of the mucus from your nose or throat this test can show whether you have a bacterial infection a chest x ray a chest x ray takes a picture of your heart and lungs this test can help diagnose conditions such as pneumonia and lung cancer lung function tests these tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out how fast you can breathe air out and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood lung function tests can help diagnose asthma and other conditions an x ray of the sinuses this test can help diagnose a sinus infection
Keywords: test, whether, lung, cough, diagnose, medical, exam, history, air, help


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Question: what is are bronchiectasis
Answer: bronchiectasis brong ke ek ta sis is a condition in which damage to the airways causes them to widen and become flabby and scarred the airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs bronchiectasis usually is the result of an infection or other condition that injures the walls of your airways or prevents the airways from clearing mucus mucus is a slimy substance that the airways produce to help remove inhaled dust bacteria and other small particles in bronchiectasis your airways slowly lose their ability to clear out mucus when mucus can t be cleared it builds up and creates an environment in which bacteria can grow this leads to repeated serious lung infections each infection causes more damage to your airways over time the airways lose their ability to move air in and out this can prevent enough oxygen from reaching your vital organs bronchiectasis can lead to serious health problems such as respiratory failure atelectasis at eh lek tah sis and heart failure bronchiectasis overview bronchiectasis can affect just one section of one of your lungs or many sections of both lungs the initial lung damage that leads to bronchiectasis often begins in childhood however symptoms may not occur until months or even years after you start having repeated lung infections in the united states common childhood infectionssuch as whooping cough and measlesused to cause many cases of bronchiectasis however these causes are now less common because of vaccines and antibiotics now bronchiectasis usually is due to a medical condition that injures the airway walls or prevents the airways from clearing mucus examples of such conditions include cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary sil e ar e dyskinesia dis kih ne ze ah or pcd bronchiectasis that affects only one part of the lung may be caused by a blockage rather than a medical condition bronchiectasis can be congenital kon jen ih tal or acquired congenital bronchiectasis affects infants and children it s the result of a problem with how the lungs form in a fetus acquired bronchiectasis occurs as a result of another condition or factor this type of bronchiectasis can affect adults and older children acquired bronchiectasis is more common than the congenital type outlook currently bronchiectasis has no cure however with proper care most people who have it can enjoy a good quality of life early diagnosis and treatment of bronchiectasis are important the sooner your doctor starts treating bronchiectasis and any underlying conditions the better your chances of preventing further lung damage
Keywords: bronchiectasis, airway, lung, mucus, affect, cause, damage, infection, acquired, congenital


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Question: what causes bronchiectasis
Answer: damage to the walls of the airways usually is the cause of bronchiectasis a lung infection may cause this damage examples of lung infections that can lead to bronchiectasis include severe pneumonia nu mo ne ah whooping cough or measles uncommon in the united states due to vaccination tuberculosis fungal infections conditions that damage the airways and raise the risk of lung infections also can lead to bronchiectasis examples of such conditions include cystic fibrosis this disease leads to almost half of the cases of bronchiectasis in the united states immunodeficiency disorders such as common variable immunodeficiency and less often hiv and aids allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis as per ji lo sis this is an allergic reaction to a fungus called aspergillus the reaction causes swelling in the airways disorders that affect cilia sil e ah function such as primary ciliary dyskinesia cilia are small hair like structures that line your airways they help clear mucus a slimy substance out of your airways chronic ongoing pulmonary aspiration as pih ra shun this is a condition in which you inhale food liquids saliva or vomited stomach contents into your lungs aspiration can inflame the airways which can lead to bronchiectasis connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis sjgrens syndrome and crohns disease other conditions such as an airway blockage also can lead to bronchiectasis many things can cause a blockage such as a growth or a noncancerous tumor an inhaled object such as a piece of a toy or a peanut that you inhaled as a child also can cause an airway blockage a problem with how the lungs form in a fetus may cause congenital bronchiectasis this condition affects infants and children
Keywords: airway, bronchiectasis, cause, lead, lung, infection, blockage, condition, damage, state


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Question: who is at risk for bronchiectasis
Answer: people who have conditions that damage the lungs or increase the risk of lung infections are at risk for bronchiectasis such conditions include cystic fibrosis this disease leads to almost half of the cases of bronchiectasis in the united states immunodeficiency disorders such as common variable immunodeficiency and less often hiv and aids allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis this is an allergic reaction to a fungus called aspergillus the reaction causes swelling in the airways disorders that affect cilia function such as primary ciliary dyskinesia cilia are small hair like structures that line your airways they help clear mucus a slimy substance out of your airways bronchiectasis can develop at any age overall two thirds of people who have the condition are women however in children the condition is more common in boys than in girls
Keywords: bronchiectasis, airway, risk, allergic, cilium, common, condition, disorder, lung, people


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Question: what are the symptoms of bronchiectasis
Answer: the initial airway damage that leads to bronchiectasis often begins in childhood however signs and symptoms may not appear until months or even years after you start having repeated lung infections the most common signs and symptoms of bronchiectasis are a daily cough that occurs over months or years daily production of large amounts of sputum spit sputum which you cough up and spit out may contain mucus a slimy substance trapped particles and pus shortness of breath and wheezing a whistling sound when you breathe chest pain clubbing the flesh under your fingernails and toenails gets thicker if your doctor listens to your lungs with a stethoscope he or she may hear abnormal lung sounds over time you may have more serious symptoms you may cough up blood or bloody mucus and feel very tired children may lose weight or not grow at a normal rate complications of bronchiectasis severe bronchiectasis can lead to other serious health conditions such as respiratory failure and atelectasis respiratory failure is a condition in which not enough oxygen passes from your lungs into your blood the condition also can occur if your lungs can t properly remove carbon dioxide a waste gas from your blood respiratory failure can cause shortness of breath rapid breathing and air hunger feeling like you can t breathe in enough air in severe cases signs and symptoms may include a bluish color on your skin lips and fingernails confusion and sleepiness atelectasis is a condition in which one or more areas of your lungs collapse or don t inflate properly as a result you may feel short of breath your heart rate and breathing rate may increase and your skin and lips may turn blue if bronchiectasis is so advanced that it affects all parts of your airways it may cause heart failure heart failure is a condition in which the heart can t pump enough blood to meet the body s needs the most common signs and symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath or trouble breathing tiredness and swelling in the ankles feet legs abdomen and veins in the neck
Keywords: bronchiectasis, failure, lung, symptom, heart, blood, breath, sign, rate, shortness


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Question: how to diagnose bronchiectasis
Answer: your doctor may suspect bronchiectasis if you have a daily cough that produces large amounts of sputum spit to find out whether you have bronchiectasis your doctor may recommend tests to identify any underlying causes that require treatment rule out other causes of your symptoms find out how much your airways are damaged diagnostic tests and procedures chest ct scan a chest computed tomography to mog ra fee scan or chest ct scan is the most common test for diagnosing bronchiectasis this painless test creates precise pictures of your airways and other structures in your chest a chest ct scan can show the extent and location of lung damage this test gives more detailed pictures than a standard chest x ray chest x ray this painless test creates pictures of the structures in your chest such as your heart and lungs a chest x ray can show areas of abnormal lung and thickened irregular airway walls other tests your doctor may recommend other tests such as blood tests these tests can show whether you have an underlying condition that can lead to bronchiectasis blood tests also can show whether you have an infection or low levels of certain infection fighting blood cells a sputum culture lab tests can show whether a sample of your sputum contains bacteria such as the bacteria that cause tuberculosis or fungi lung function tests these tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out how fast you can breathe air out and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood lung function tests help show how much lung damage you have a sweat test or other tests for cystic fibrosis bronchoscopy if your bronchiectasis doesn t respond to treatment your doctor may recommend bronchoscopy bron kos ko pee doctors use this procedure to look inside the airways during bronchoscopy a flexible tube with a light on the end is inserted through your nose or mouth into your airways the tube is called a bronchoscope it provides a video image of your airways you ll be given medicine to numb your upper airway and help you relax during the procedure bronchoscopy can show whether you have a blockage in your airways the procedure also can show the source of any bleeding in your airways
Keywords: test, airway, chest, show, lung, bronchiectasis, whether, bronchoscopy, procedure, scan


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Question: what are the treatments for bronchiectasis
Answer: bronchiectasis often is treated with medicines hydration and chest physical therapy cpt your doctor may recommend surgery if the bronchiectasis is isolated to a section of lung or you have a lot of bleeding if the bronchiectasis is widespread and causing respiratory failure your doctor may recommend oxygen therapy the goals of treatment are to treat any underlying conditions and lung infections remove mucus a slimy substance from your lungs maintaining good hydration helps with mucus removal prevent complications early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause of bronchiectasis may help prevent further lung damage in addition any disease associated with the bronchiectasis such as cystic fibrosisor immunodeficiency also should be treated medicines your doctor may prescribe antibiotics bronchodilators expectorants or mucus thinning medicines to treat bronchiectasis antibiotics antibiotics are the main treatment for the repeated lung infections that bronchiectasis causes oral antibiotics often are used to treat these infections for hard to treat infections your doctor may prescribe intravenous iv antibiotics these medicines are given through an iv line inserted into your arm your doctor may help you arrange for a home care provider to give you iv antibiotics at home expectorants and mucus thinning medicines your doctor may prescribe expectorants and mucus thinners to help you cough up mucus expectorants help loosen the mucus in your lungs they often are combined with decongestants which may provide extra relief mucus thinners such as acetylcysteine loosen the mucus to make it easier to cough up for some of these treatments little information is available to show how well they work hydration drinking plenty of fluid especially water helps prevent airway mucus from becoming thick and sticky good hydration helps keep airway mucus moist and slippery which makes it easier to cough up chest physical therapy cpt also is called physiotherapy fiz e o ther ah pe or chest clapping or percussion this technique is generally performed by a respiratory therapist but can be done by a trained member of the family it involves the therapist pounding your chest and back over and over with his or her hands or a device doing this helps loosen the mucus from your lungs so you can cough it up you can sit with your head tilted down or lie on your stomach with your head down while you do cpt gravity and force help drain the mucus from your lungs some people find cpt hard or uncomfortable to do several devices can help with cpt such as an electric chest clapper known as a mechanical percussor an inflatable therapy vest that uses high frequency air waves to force mucus toward your upper airways so you can cough it up a small handheld device that you breathe out through it causes vibrations that dislodge the mucus a mask that creates vibrations to help break loose mucus from your airway walls some of these methods and devices are popular with patients and doctors but little information is available on how well they actually work choice usually is based on convenience and cost several breathing techniques also are used to help move mucus to the upper airway so it can be coughed up these techniques include forced expiration technique fet and active cycle breathing acb fet involves forcing out a couple of breaths and then doing relaxed breathing acb is fet that involves deep breathing exercises other treatments depending on your condition your doctor also may recommend bronchodilators inhaled corticosteroids oxygen therapy or surgery bronchodilators bronchodilators relax the muscles around your airways this helps open your airways and makes breathing easier most bronchodilators are inhaled medicines you will use an inhaler or a nebulizer to breathe in a fine mist of medicine inhaled bronchodilators work quickly because the medicine goes straight to your lungs your doctor may recommend that you use a bronchodilator right before you do cpt inhaled corticosteroids if you also have wheezing or asthma with your bronchiectasis your doctor may prescribe inhaled corticosteroids used to treat inflammation in the airways oxygen therapy oxygen therapy can help raise low blood oxygen levels for this treatment you ll receive oxygen through nasal prongs or a mask oxygen therapy can be done at home in a hospital or in another health facility for more information go to the health topics oxygen therapy article surgery your doctor may recommend surgery if no other treatments have helped and only one part of your airway is affected if you have major bleeding in your airway your doctor may recommend surgery to remove part of your airway or a procedure to control the bleeding in very rare instances of severe bronchiectasis your doctor may recommend that you receive a lung transplant replacing your diseased lungs with a healthy set of lungs
Keywords: mucus, help, lung, airway, bronchiectasis, therapy, medicine, oxygen, bronchodilator, recommend


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Question: how to prevent bronchiectasis
Answer: to prevent bronchiectasis it s important to prevent the lung infections and lung damage that can cause it childhood vaccines for measles and whooping cough prevent infections related to these illnesses these vaccines also reduce complications from these infections such as bronchiectasis avoiding toxic fumes gases smoke and other harmful substances also can help protect your lungs proper treatment of lung infections in children also may help preserve lung function and prevent lung damage that can lead to bronchiectasis stay alert to keep children and adults from inhaling small objects such as pieces of toys and food that might stick in a small airway if you think you your child or someone else has inhaled a small object seek prompt medical care in some cases treating the underlying cause of bronchiectasis can slow or prevent its progression
Keywords: lung, prevent, bronchiectasis, infection, child, small, damage, help, object, vaccine


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Question: what is are bronchitis
Answer: espaol bronchitis bron ki tis is a condition in which the bronchial tubes become inflamed these tubes carry air to your lungs for more information about the bronchial tubes and airways go to the diseases and conditions index how the lungs work article people who have bronchitis often have a cough that brings up mucus mucus is a slimy substance made by the lining of the bronchial tubes bronchitis also may cause wheezing a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe chest pain or discomfort a low fever and shortness of breath bronchitis overview the two main types of bronchitis are acute short term and chronic ongoing acute bronchitis infections or lung irritants cause acute bronchitis the same viruses that cause colds and the flu are the most common cause of acute bronchitis these viruses are spread through the air when people cough they also are spread through physical contact for example on hands that have not been washed sometimes bacteria cause acute bronchitis acute bronchitis lasts from a few days to 10 days however coughing may last for several weeks after the infection is gone several factors increase your risk for acute bronchitis examples include exposure to tobacco smoke including secondhand smoke dust fumes vapors and air pollution avoiding these lung irritants as much as possible can help lower your risk for acute bronchitis most cases of acute bronchitis go away within a few days if you think you have acute bronchitis see your doctor he or she will want to rule out other more serious health conditions that require medical care chronic bronchitis chronic bronchitis is an ongoing serious condition it occurs if the lining of the bronchial tubes is constantly irritated and inflamed causing a long term cough with mucus smoking is the main cause of chronic bronchitis viruses or bacteria can easily infect the irritated bronchial tubes if this happens the condition worsens and lasts longer as a result people who have chronic bronchitis have periods when symptoms get much worse than usual chronic bronchitis is a serious long term medical condition early diagnosis and treatment combined with quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke can improve quality of life the chance of complete recovery is low for people who have severe chronic bronchitis
Keywords: bronchitis, acute, chronic, cause, tube, bronchial, lung, people, serious, smoke


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Question: what causes bronchitis
Answer: acute bronchitis infections or lung irritants cause acute bronchitis the same viruses that cause colds and the flu are the most common cause of acute bronchitis sometimes bacteria can cause the condition certain substances can irritate your lungs and airways and raise your risk for acute bronchitis for example inhaling or being exposed to tobacco smoke dust fumes vapors or air pollution raises your risk for the condition these lung irritants also can make symptoms worse being exposed to a high level of dust or fumes such as from an explosion or a big fire also may lead to acute bronchitis chronic bronchitis repeatedly breathing in fumes that irritate and damage lung and airway tissues causes chronic bronchitis smoking is the major cause of the condition breathing in air pollution and dust or fumes from the environment or workplace also can lead to chronic bronchitis people who have chronic bronchitis go through periods when symptoms become much worse than usual during these times they also may have acute viral or bacterial bronchitis
Keywords: bronchitis, cause, acute, chronic, fume, lung, dust, air, exposed, irritate


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Question: how to diagnose bronchitis
Answer: your doctor usually will diagnose bronchitis based on your signs and symptoms he or she may ask questions about your cough such as how long you ve had it what you re coughing up and how much you cough your doctor also will likely ask about your medical history whether you ve recently had a cold or the flu whether you smoke or spend time around others who smoke whether you ve been exposed to dust fumes vapors or air pollution your doctor will use a stethoscope to listen for wheezing a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe or other abnormal sounds in your lungs he or she also may look at your mucus to see whether you have a bacterial infection test the oxygen levels in your blood using a sensor attached to your fingertip or toe recommend a chest x ray lung function tests or blood tests
Keywords: whether, test, ask, blood, bronchitis, cough, diagnose, lung, smoke, sound


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Question: what are the treatments for bronchitis
Answer: the main goals of treating acute and chronic bronchitis are to relieve symptoms and make breathing easier if you have acute bronchitis your doctor may recommend rest plenty of fluids and aspirin for adults or acetaminophen to treat fever antibiotics usually aren t prescribed for acute bronchitis this is because they don t work against virusesthe most common cause of acute bronchitis however if your doctor thinks you have a bacterial infection he or she may prescribe antibiotics a humidifier or steam can help loosen mucus and relieve wheezing and limited air flow if your bronchitis causes wheezing you may need an inhaled medicine to open your airways you take this medicine using an inhaler this device allows the medicine to go straight to your lungs your doctor also may prescribe medicines to relieve or reduce your cough and treat your inflamed airways especially if your cough persists if you have chronic bronchitis and also have been diagnosed with copd chronic obstructive pulmonary disease you may need medicines to open your airways and help clear away mucus these medicines include bronchodilators inhaled and steroids inhaled or pill form if you have chronic bronchitis your doctor may prescribe oxygen therapy this treatment can help you breathe easier and it provides your body with needed oxygen one of the best ways to treat acute and chronic bronchitis is to remove the source of irritation and damage to your lungs if you smoke it s very important to quit talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit smoking try to avoid secondhand smoke and other lung irritants such as dust fumes vapors and air pollution for more information about how to quit smoking go to the diseases and conditions index smoking and your heart article and the national heart lung and blood institute s your guide to a healthy heart although these resources focus on heart health they include general information about how to quit smoking
Keywords: bronchitis, medicine, acute, chronic, heart, help, lung, quit, smoking, relieve


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Question: how to prevent bronchitis
Answer: you can t always prevent acute or chronic bronchitis however you can take steps to lower your risk for both conditions the most important step is to quit smoking or not start smoking for more information about how to quit smoking go to the diseases and conditions index smoking and your heart article and the national heart lung and blood institute s your guide to a healthy heart although these resources focus on heart health they include general information about how to quit smoking also try to avoid other lung irritants such as secondhand smoke dust fumes vapors and air pollution for example wear a mask over your mouth and nose when you use paint paint remover varnish or other substances with strong fumes this will help protect your lungs wash your hands often to limit your exposure to germs and bacteria your doctor also may advise you to get a yearly flu shot and a pneumonia vaccine
Keywords: smoking, heart, lung, quit, bronchitis, condition, fume, information, paint, prevent


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Question: what is are asbestos related lung diseases
Answer: asbestos related lung diseases are diseases caused by exposure to asbestos as bes tos fibers asbestos is a mineral that in the past was widely used in many industries asbestos is made up of tiny fibers that can escape into the air when breathed in these fibers can stay in your lungs for a long time if the fibers build up in your lungs they can lead to pleural plaque in this condition the tissue around the lungs and diaphragm the muscle below your lungs thickens and hardens this tissue is called the pleura pleural plaque usually causes no symptoms rarely as the pleura thickens it can trap and compress part of the lung this may show up as a mass on an x ray image pleural effusion in this condition excess fluid builds up in the pleural space the pleural space is the area between the lungs and the chest wall asbestosis as bes toe sis in this condition the lung tissue becomes scarred people who have asbestosis are at greater risk for lung cancer especially if they smoke lung cancer this type of cancer forms in the lung tissue usually in the cells lining the air passages mesothelioma mez o thee lee o ma this disease is cancer of the pleura asbestos also can cause cancer in the lining of the abdominal cavity this lining is known as the peritoneum per ih to ne um asbestos related lung diseases overview until the 1970s asbestos was widely used in many industries in the united states for example it was used to insulate pipes boilers and ships make brakes strengthen cement and fireproof many items such as drywall people who worked around asbestos during that time are at risk for asbestos related lung diseases people at highest risk include unprotected workers who made installed or removed products containing asbestos people who worked near others who did these jobs also are at risk family members of workers who were exposed to asbestos family members may have breathed in asbestos fibers that workers brought home on their clothes shoes or bodies people who live in areas with large deposits of asbestos in the soil this risk is limited to areas where the deposits were disturbed and asbestos fibers got into the air asbestos fibers also can be released into the air when older buildings containing asbestos made products are destroyed removing these products during building renovations also can release asbestos fibers into the air generally being around asbestos made products isnt a danger as long as the asbestos is enclosed this prevents the fibers from getting into the air people in the united states are less likely to have asbestos related lung diseases now because the mineral is no longer widely used the use of asbestos is heavily restricted and rules and standards are now in place to protect workers and others from asbestos exposure asbestos is found in only a few new products such as gaskets used in brakes however many countries do not yet restrict asbestos use people in those countries are still exposed to the mineral outlook the outlook for people who have asbestos related lung diseases can vary it will depend on which disease a person has and how much it has damaged the lungs no treatments can reverse the effects of asbestos on your lungs however treatments may help relieve symptoms slow the progress of the disease and prevent complications if you ve been exposed to asbestos let your doctor know he or she can watch you for signs of asbestos related problems and start treatment early if needed early treatment may help prevent or delay complications quitting smoking and making other lifestyle changes may help people who are at high risk for asbestos related lung diseases these lifestyle changes may prevent more serious diseases such as cancer
Keywords: asbestos, lung, disease, fiber, people, related, air, cancer, risk, used


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Question: what causes asbestos related lung diseases
Answer: significant exposure to asbestos fibers causes asbestos related lung diseases significant usually means you were exposed for at least several months to visible dust from the fibers asbestos fibers are very small when you breathe in they can get stuck deep in your lungs the fibers remain in your lung tissue for a long time and may cause scarring and inflammation this can lead to pleural plaque and widespread pleural thickening pleural effusion asbestosis lung cancer or mesothelioma generally asbestos related lung diseases develop 10 to 40 or more years after a person has been exposed to asbestos being around products that contain asbestos isn t a danger as long as the asbestos is enclosed this prevents the fibers from getting into the air
Keywords: asbestos, lung, fiber, cause, disease, pleural, related, exposed, long, significant


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Question: who is at risk for asbestos related lung diseases
Answer: until the late 1970s asbestos was widely used in many industries in the united states during that time workplace rules to ensure workers safety around asbestos weren t required by law asbestos was used in or with many products examples include steam pipes boilers furnaces and furnace ducts wallboard floor and ceiling tiles wood burning stoves and gas fireplaces car brakes clutches and gaskets railroad engines roofing and shingles and wall patching materials and paints asbestos also was used in many other products such as fireproof gloves ironing board covers cooking pot handles and hairdryers anyone employed for a prolonged period in mining milling making or installing asbestos products before the late 1970s is at risk for asbestos related lung diseases some examples of these workers include miners aircraft and auto mechanics building construction workers electricians shipyard workers boiler operators building engineers railroad workers in general the risk is greatest for people who worked with asbestos and were exposed for at least several months to visible dust from asbestos fibers the risk for asbestos related lung diseases also depends on how much asbestos you were exposed to how long you were exposed to asbestos and how often during that time you were in direct contact with it the size shape and chemical makeup of the asbestos fibers different types of asbestos fibers can affect the lungs differently for example chrysotile asbestos a curly fiber is less likely to cause mesothelioma than amphibole asbestos a straight fiber your personal risks such as smoking or having an existing lung disease family members of people exposed to asbestos on the job also may be at risk family members may have breathed in asbestos fibers that were brought home on workers clothes shoes and bodies people who live in areas that have large deposits of asbestos in the soil also are at risk for asbestos related lung diseases however this risk is limited to areas where the deposits were disturbed and asbestos fibers got into the air asbestos fibers also can be released into the air when older buildings containing asbestos made products are destroyed removing the products such as during a building renovation also can release asbestos fibers into the air generally being around asbestos made products isnt a danger as long as the asbestos is enclosed this prevents the fibers from getting into the air people in the united states are less likely to develop asbestos related lung diseases today than in the past this is because the mineral no longer is widely used also where asbestos is still used rules and standards are now in place to protect workers and others from asbestos exposure
Keywords: asbestos, fiber, risk, lung, worker, product, disease, related, used, exposed


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Question: what are the symptoms of asbestos related lung diseases
Answer: the signs and symptoms of asbestos related lung diseases vary they depend on which disease you have and how much it has damaged your lungs signs and symptoms may not appear for 10 to 40 or more years after exposure to asbestos if you have pleural plaque you may not have any signs or symptoms pleural effusion may cause pain on one side of the chest both conditions often are found with a chest x ray these conditions may occur earlier than other asbestos related lung diseases the main symptom of asbestosis is shortness of breath with physical exertion you also may have a dry cough and feel tired if your doctor listens to your lungs with a stethoscope he or she may hear a crackling sound when you breathe in the symptoms of lung cancer may include a worsening cough or a cough that won t go away trouble breathing ongoing chest pain and coughing up blood other symptoms of lung cancer include frequent lung infections fatigue tiredness and weight loss without a known cause symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath and chest pain due to pleural effusion
Keywords: lung, symptom, asbestos, chest, cough, disease, include, pleural, related, sign


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Question: how to diagnose asbestos related lung diseases
Answer: your doctor will diagnose an asbestos related lung disease based on your past exposure to asbestos your symptoms a physical exam and test results specialists involved your primary care doctor such as a family doctor or internist may provide ongoing care if you have an asbestos related lung disease other specialists also may be involved in your care including a pulmonologist this is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating lung diseases radiologist this is a doctor who is specially trained to supervise x ray tests and look at x ray pictures surgeon or oncologist an oncologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer the surgeon or oncologist may take a tissue sample from your lungs to study under a microscope pathologist a pathologist is a doctor who specializes in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope a pathologist may study your tissue sample exposure to asbestos your doctor will want to know about your history of asbestos exposure he or she may ask about your work history and your spouse s or other family members work histories your doctor also may ask about your location and surroundings for example he or she may ask about areas of the country where you ve lived if you know you were exposed to asbestos your doctor may ask questions to find out how much asbestos you were exposed to for example were you surrounded by visible asbestos dust how long you were exposed to asbestos and how often during that time you were in direct contact with it symptoms your doctor may ask whether you have any symptoms such as shortness of breath or coughing the symptoms of asbestos related lung diseases vary they depend on which disease you have and how much it has damaged your lungs your doctor also may ask whether you smoke smoking along with asbestos exposure raises your risk for lung cancer physical exam your doctor will listen to your breathing with a stethoscope to find out whether your lungs are making any strange sounds if you have a pleural effusion with a lot of fluid buildup your doctor might hear a dull sound when he or she taps on your chest or he or she might have trouble hearing any breathing sounds if you have asbestosis your doctor may hear a crackling sound when you breathe in your doctor will check your legs for swelling which may be a sign of lung related problems he or she also will check your fingers and toes for clubbing clubbing is the widening and rounding of the fingertips and toes clubbing most often is linked to heart and lung diseases that cause lower than normal blood oxygen levels chest x ray a chest x ray is the most common test for detecting asbestos related lung diseases this painless test creates pictures of the structures inside your chest such as the lungs a chest x ray cant detect asbestos fibers in the lungs however it can show asbestos related diseases such as pleural plaque and pleural effusion pleural effusion also can be a sign of a more severe disease such as mesothelioma a chest x ray also can show asbestosis often the lung tissue will appear very white on the x ray pictures the size shape location and degree of whiteness can help your doctor figure out how much lung damage you have severe asbestosis may affect the whole lung and have a honeycomb look on the x ray pictures if you have lung cancer a chest x ray may show masses or abnormal fluid if you have mesothelioma a chest x ray will show thickening of the pleura the pleura is the tissue around the lungs and diaphragm the muscle below your lungs the chest xray also will usually show signs of pleural effusion in people who have mesothelioma other diagnostic tests to help confirm a chest x ray finding or to find out how much lung damage you have you may have more tests chest computed tomography scan a chest computed tomography to mog ra fee scan or chest ct scan is a painless test that creates precise pictures of the structures inside your chest such as your lungs a ct scan is a type of x ray but its pictures show more detail than standard chest x ray pictures a chest ct scan may be very helpful for finding asbestosis in its earliest stages before a standard chest x ray can detect it lung function tests lung function tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out how fast you can breathe air out and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood these tests can show whether your lung function is impaired they also can help your doctor track your disease over time biopsy the only way to confirm a diagnosis of lung cancer or mesothelioma is for a pathologist to check samples of your lung cells or tissues a pathologist is a doctor who identifies diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope doctors have many ways to collect tissue samples one way is through bronchoscopy bron kos ko pee for this procedure your doctor will pass a thin flexible tube through your nose or sometimes your mouth down your throat and into your airways he or she will then take a sample of tissue from your lungs if your doctor thinks you have mesothelioma you may have a thoracoscopy thor ah kos ko pee for this procedure you ll be given medicine so you don t feel any pain your doctor will make a small cut through your chest wall he or she will put a thin tube with a light on it into your chest between two ribs this allows your doctor to see inside your chest and get tissue samples
Keywords: lung, chest, asbestos, ray, test, tissue, disease, picture, related, show


