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Showing posts from April, 2022

Asthma Control Obstacles in Black and Brown People - Verywell Health

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Asthma is a disease of the airways that cause them to narrow and become swollen. The most common symptoms of an asthma attack include wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Asthma is a chronic condition, which means it does not have a cure. People who have asthma take medicines to control their symptoms. Asthma has a higher impact on people of color (POC) when compared to White people. Black people have a 40% greater chance of having asthma and are three times more likely to die from asthma-related causes. It is important for POC to know their risk for developing asthma. If they have been diagnosed with asthma, it is critical to follow a treatment plan to control symptoms and avoid long-term lung damage. This article will discuss the problems that POC face when trying to get asthma treatment, and resources POC can use for support. Zoe Hansen / Verywell Receiving Appropriate Treatment Racial discrimination in the United States has negative

Bronchopleural Fistula and Endobronchial Valve Placement in a Patient With COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Case Report With Literature Review - Cureus

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Bronchopleural fistulas (BPFs) are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Though most commonly seen after surgical interventions, they are increasingly reported as complications of COVID-19 infection. We present the case of an 86-year-old man with COVID-19 pneumonia and subsequent bronchopleural fistula (BPF) with persistent air leak. Endobronchial valves were placed in apical and posterior segments of the right upper lobe resulting in successful cessation of the air leak. The purpose of the case report and literature review is to help guide the management of persistent air leak. Introduction A bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a communication between the bronchial tree and the pleura, allowing air to leak into the pleural space, resulting in high morbidity and mortality [1]. The most common cause of BPF is surgical procedures with an incidence of 4.5-20% after pneumonectomy and 0.5% after lobectomy [2]. BPF can also be seen as a consequence of chronic obstructive pulmon

This 2-Minute Quiz Can Tell You if You are at Increased Risk for Pneumococcal Pneumonia - PR Newswire

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New American Lung Association campaign educates adults about a potentially severe lung disease CHICAGO , April 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pneumococcal pneumonia is a lung disease that can cause hospitalization or even be life-threatening. Through a new educational campaign, the American Lung Association is offering an easy, two-minute online quiz to help adults determine if they are at increased risk for pneumococcal pneumonia and if they should talk to their healthcare provider about getting vaccinated. Pneumococcal pneumonia is the most common type of bacterial pneumonia. It is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt your life for weeks. In severe cases, it can put you in the hospital and even be life-threatening. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pneumococcal pneumonia causes an estimated 150,000 hospitalizations each year in the U.S. "Pneumococcal pneumonia can happen any time of the year, so it is i

How To Cope With Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

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It can feel overwhelming to be diagnosed with a chronic disease like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy The autoimmune disease can affect the joints on both sides of your body. You may experience pain and inflammation in your fingers, hands, wrists, knees, ankles, feet and toes. RA can also more rarely cause damage to your skin, eyes, lungs and heart. "Rheumatoid arthritis attacks various structures of the body, most commonly the joint tissues," explains rheumatologist Matthew Bunyard, MD. "But it's a systemic disease, so it can cause troubles outside of the joints in some cases." Medications are available that can not only help reduce joint pain and swelling, but also slow the progress of the disease.

Testing for asthma: What to know - Medical News Today

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Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects breathing. To diagnose asthma, a doctor may assess symptoms and use a range of breathing tests to measure lung function. Breathing tests can help a doctor see how well the lungs are working and determine whether a person's symptoms are due to asthma or another condition. In this article, we look at the different tests a doctor may use to diagnose asthma and what people can expect during testing. Asthma is a long-term lung condition that makes moving air through the airways more difficult. There are a few types of asthma, including: Asthma can affect anyone at any age. Most people who have asthma receive a diagnosis at a young age, but older adults can also develop asthma. Asthma can cause wheezing, tightness in the chest, or coughing. People may find that certain factors trigger or worsen their symptoms, such as cold air, exercise, or allergens. An asthma attack can occur if symptoms are severe. Asthma attacks can also lead to hospita

Is Kennel Cough Contagious to Humans: Symptoms and Treatment - Healthline

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If your pup has a bad, hacking cough that won't go away, it could be kennel cough. In extremely rare circumstances, you can develop it, too. Kennel cough, also known as infectious tracheobronchitis, is a group of contagious respiratory diseases that often affect dogs. While uncommon, kennel cough can be passed from animals to humans. Read on to learn how kennel cough is transmitted to humans, who's at risk, and how the disease is treated. Kennel cough is a respiratory infection that's caused by both bacteria and a virus. It affects a dog's lungs, windpipe, and voice box. The most common bacteria behind kennel cough is called Bordetella bronchiseptica . In fact, a lot of people refer to kennel cough as bordetella. Research has shown that this bacteria is closely related to the one that causes whooping cough in humans. Kennel cough is usually caused by a combination of both Bordetella and viruses, such as canine distemper or canine influenza. These viruses weaken the

Ascites | Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - Nursing Times

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Ascites is a distressing symptom and is often indicative of decompensated liver cirrhosis, so it requires careful management and empathetic care. This article comes with a self-assessment enabling you to test your knowledge after reading it Abstract Ascites is a distressing symptom that requires demanding treatments, such as taking diuretics, reducing dietary salt or fluid intake, and draining ascitic fluid out of the abdomen (paracentesis). It is also often a sign that liver cirrhosis has progressed from a stable to a decompensated state – and patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis have a poor prognosis. Nurses in advanced roles deal with many aspects of ascites management, from eliciting patient consent and prescribing albumin to performing paracentesis and monitoring electrolytes. This article offers an overview of ascites, its causes, diagnosis, complications and management, with a focus on ascites due to liver cirrhosis. Citation: Mortimore G (2018) Management of asc