Amphibole
Definition: Any of a group of rock-forming minerals of similar crystal structure.
Source: The Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Examples: Chrysotile is a less dusty material and is more easily eliminated from the human body than amphiboles
Archive for February, 2006
Alveolus or alevoli
Definition: The alveolus or alveoli are the final branchings of the respiratory tree and perform gas exchange for the lung. The thin gas-blood barrier between the alveolar space and the pulmonary capillaries allows for rapid gas exchange. Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuses through the alveolar epithelium and the capillary endothelium.
There are two types of alveolar epithelial cells. Type I cells thinly line the alveolar walls. Type II cells produce surfactant - a lubricant that reduces surface tension.
Adenocarcinoma
Definition: Adenocarcinoma is a group of cancerous cells with glandular (secretory) properties that begin growing in the cells that line some internal organs.
Adenocarcinoma is one of three types of non-small cell lung cancer. These cells grow and spread slowly; they are the most common of lung cancer.
Also Known As: Non-small cell lung cance
E.g Adenocarcinoma lung
Let’s study Glossary of Terms ( Lung Disease ) - acute
Let’s study Glossary of Terms ( Lung Disease ).We kick off with our 1st word - acute
Definition: Acute is the term used to indicate a rapid onset of an illness, condition, or disease that follows a short but severe course.
Source: Tuberculosis by Diane Yancey
Pronunciation: uh kyoot’
Examples: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome can be caused by any major lung inflammation or injury
8th symptom: asthma
There’re some scientific name e.g Bronchial asthma; Exercise induced asthma - bronchial
Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, characterized by periodic attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
Asthma is a disease in which inflammation of the airways causes airflow into and out of the lungs to be restricted. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles of the bronchial tree become tight and the lining of the air passages swells, reducing airflow and producing the characteristic wheezing sound. Mucus production is increased.
Most people with asthma have periodic wheezing attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some asthmatics have chronic shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Other asthmatics may have cough as their predominant symptom. Asthma attacks can last minutes to days, and can become dangerous if the airflow becomes severely restricted.
In sensitive individuals, asthma symptoms can be triggered by inhaled allergens (allergy triggers), such as pet dander, dust mites, cockroach allergens, molds, or pollens. Asthma symptoms can also be triggered by respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, tobacco smoke and other pollutants, stress, food, or drug allergies. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) provoke asthma in some patients.
Asthma is found in 3-5% of adults and 7-10% of children. Half of the people with asthma develop it before age 10, and most develop it before age 30. Asthma symptoms can decrease over time, especially in children.
Many people with asthma have an individual and/or family history of allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or eczema. Others have no history of allergies or evidence of allergic problems.
Symptoms
* wheezing
o usually begins suddenly
o is episodic
o may be worse at night or in early morning
o aggravated by exposure to cold air
o aggravated by exercise
o aggravated by heartburn (reflux)
o resolves spontaneously
o relieved by bronchodilators (drugs that open the airways)
* cough with or without sputum (phlegm) production
* shortness of breath that is aggravated by exercise
* breathing that requires increased work
* intercostal retractions (pulling of the skin between the ribs when breathing)
Emergency symptoms:
* extreme difficulty breathing
* bluish color to the lips and face
* severe anxiety due to shortness of breath
* rapid pulse
* sweating
* decreased level of consciousness (severe drowsiness or confusion) during an asthma attack
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
* nasal flaring
* chest pain
* tightness in the chest
* abnormal breathing pattern, in which exhalation (breathing out) takes more than twice as long as inspiration (breathing in)
* breathing which temporarily stops
Signs and tests
Your doctor will listen to the chest during an episode, to listen for wheezing sounds. However, lung sounds are usually normal between asthma episodes.
Tests may include:
* Lung function tests
* Peak flow measurements
* Chest x-ray
* Allergy skin or blood tests
* Arterial blood gas
* Eosinophil count (a type of white blood cell)
Remember, asthma is also a symptom of mesothelioma
7th symptom : difficulty swallowing
Difficulty swallowing also means dysphagia, impaired swallowing
Difficulty when swallowing is the sensation that food is stuck in the throat or upper chest. This may be felt high in the neck or lower down, behind the breastbone (sternum).
Swallowing is a complex act that involves the mouth, throat area, and esophagus (tube that transports food to the stomach). Many nerves and muscles affect the correct function of these parts. Part of the act of swallowing is under conscious (voluntary) control. However, much of swallowing is involuntary.
Problems at any point — from chewing food and moving it into the back of the mouth, to moving the food into the stomach — can result in difficulty swallowing.
Frequently, symptoms of chest pain, food stuck in the throat, heaviness or pressure in the neck or upper chest, are the result of swallowing difficulties.
There are many different causes of swallowing difficulty. Your doctor can effectively distinguish among them with a thorough medical history, physical exam, and testing.
Problems related to the upper areas of the mouth and pharynx (throat) include:
* Obstruction to the passage of food or liquid:
o Emotional or anxiety disorder (globus hystericus)
o Tumors
o Cervical spine disease
o Zenker’s diverticulum
o Esophageal webs
* Nerve and muscle problems such as:
o Stroke
o Parkinson’s disease
o Huntington’s disease
o Multiple sclerosis
o ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
o Myasthenia gravis
o Muscular dystrophy
o Infections, such as polio and syphilis
o Polymyositis
Problems related to the esophagus include:
* Obstruction to the passage of food or liquid:
o Tumors
o Strictures (narrowings) that may be caused by radiation, chemical ingestions, medications, or ulcers
o Schatzki’s ring
o Foreign bodies
* Nerve and muscle problems, such as:
o Achalasia
o Diffuse esophageal spasm
o Hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (the muscle at the end of the esophagus that allows food to pass into the stomach)
o Nutcracker esophagus
o Scleroderma
Eat slowly, and chew food thoroughly. If a person suddenly shows signs of choking and difficulty breathing, the Heimlich maneuver should be performed immediately.
You may have an easier time swallowing liquids or pureed foods than solids. Avoid very cold or very hot foods if you notice that they worsen the problem.
Remember, difficulty swallowing is a symptom of mesothelioma
6th symptom: Unexplained weight loss or weight loss medication
If you’ve suffered from unexplained weight loss or seeking weight loss medication, please prepare the followings as doctor might need them
Medical history questions documenting weight loss in detail may include the following:
* When did the weight loss begin?
* Has it been sudden or gradual?
* How much weight has been lost?
* Has appetite decreased?
* Has amount or kinds of food eaten changed?
* Has physical activity level increased?
* Has there been an illness?
* Have there been dental problems or mouth sores?
* Have stress or anxiety levels increased?
* Is there vomiting?
* Is there self-induced vomiting?
* Is there an apparent increased energy level?
* Has there been excessive physical exercise?
* Is there fainting?
* Is there occasional uncontrollable hunger with palpitations, tremor, and sweating?
* Has there been a change in vision?
* Is there increased sensitivity to cold or heat?
* Is there constipation or diarrhea?
* Is there increased thirst or drinking?
* Is there increased urinary output?
* Has there been any hair loss?
* What medications/drugs are being taken?
o Diuretics?
o Laxatives?
o Alcohol?
o Street drugs?
o Has there been severe depression?
o How is the body image — are you aware of the weight loss? Are you pleased or concerned?
The physical examination may include a general physical examination and a measurement of the body weight.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:
* Nutritional assessment
* Blood tests including a chemistry profile
5th symptom: fever and not scarlet fever
Let’s talk about fever…it might a symptom of mesothelioma
Fever occurs when the body’s internal “thermostat” raises the body temperature above its normal level. This thermostat is found in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus knows what temperature your body should be (usually around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 37 degrees Celsius) and will send messages to your body to keep it that way.
Most people’s body temperatures even change a little bit during the course of the day: It’s usually a little lower in the morning and a little higher in the evening and can fluctuate as kids run around, play, and exercise.
Sometimes, though, the hypothalamus will “reset” the body to a higher temperature in response to an infection, illness, or some other cause. So, why does the hypothalamus tell the body to change to a new temperature? Researchers believe turning up the heat is the body’s way of fighting the germs that cause infections and making the body a less comfortable place for them.
What Causes Fever?
It’s important to remember that by itself fever is not an illness - it’s usually a symptom of an underlying problem. Fever has several potential causes:
Infection: Most fevers are caused by infection or other illness. Fever helps the body fight infections by stimulating natural defense mechanisms.
Overdressing: Infants, especially newborns, may get fevers if they’re overbundled or in a hot environment because they can’t regulate their body temperature.
Immunizations: Babies and children sometimes get a low-grade fever after getting vaccinated.
Although teething may cause a slight rise in body temperature, it’s probably not the cause if your baby’s or toddler’s temperature is higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius).
