Author Archive
What is allergic rhinitis? Allergic rhinitis (“AR”) is an immune-mediated disease (immunoglobulin E) that occurs after exposure to outdoor and/or indoor allergens (substances that produce an allergic reaction). Such allergens include dust mites, animal dander, insects, dust, molds, and pollens. When you breath in these allergens, they trigger an allergic response. The body releases certain [...]
Blood pressure basics: Blood pressure (“BP”) is usually read by listening with a stethoscope over the artery while slowly deflating a pressurized cuff. Most of the time, the cuff is placed on your upper arm. In the U.S., blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and given as two numbers, such as 120/80 [...]
What is pleurisy? Pleurisy (also called pleuritic chest pain) is chest pain caused by inflammation of the lining of the lungs, or pleura. The pain is typically sharp or stabbing, and most noticeable when you breathe deeply, cough, or sneeze. What causes pleurisy? Pleurisy occurs when the lining of the lungs become inflamed and irritate [...]
What are X-rays and how do they work? X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, but they have a higher energy than light waves and can pass through the body. The amount of the X-ray energy that passes through the body depends on the density of the bones or bodily tissues. The more dense the [...]
What is Hemoptysis? This is the medical term for coughing up blood from the lungs. This is a serious symptom and may reflect a serious underlying condition. This is different than the blood from the nose, mouth, or gastrointestinal tract. Blood from the lungs is usually bright red, but sometimes can be rust-colored. It can [...]
What is wheezing? Wheezing is a high-pitched, musical noise that occurs during breathing, when air flows through bronchial (breathing) tubes that are narrowed or partially obstructed. Wheezing is a continuous (defined as longer than 250 msec), coarse, whistling or “accordion-like” sound. What causes wheezing? The potential causes for wheezing are many. The most common cause [...]
What is TB blood testing? Recently, scientists have examined measuring Interferon Gamma in the blood as an alternative to (TST). These tests measure Interferon Gamma that is released from sensitized lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) from whole blood that was incubated overnight with certain antigens that are specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative [...]
New Research- A study was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research-International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (AACR-IASLC) joint conference in January 2010 regarding the use of a blood test to diagnose . Dr. Steven Dubinett, Professor of Medicine and Pathology and Director of the Lung Cancer Research Program at the David [...]
What is pneumonia? An inflammatory condition of the lungs, most often caused by infectious organisms, such as bacteria or viruses. In the US, there are an estimated 5-10 million cases of pneumonia each year and pneumonia is the 4th leading cause of hospitalization. What are the types of pneumonia? Doctors classify pneumonia by the (1) [...]
What are inhalers? Inhalers are small, hand-held devices that are used to deliver medication(s) directly to your lungs. Inhalers are used for a number of lung conditions, including (most commonly) and . What are the different ways inhalers deliver medicine? The two main systems are Metered-Dose inhaler (MDI) and Dry Powder inhaler (DPI). The MDI [...]