Allergy/Asthma/Respiratory Problems Category

September 15, 2009

Allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies)

ALLERGIC RHINITIS OVERVIEW — Rhinitis refers to inflammation of the nasal passages. This inflammation can cause a variety of annoying symptoms, including sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, runny nose, and post-nasal drip (the sensation that mucus is draining from the sinuses down the back of the throat).

September 15, 2009

Nonallergic rhinitis (runny or stuffy nose)

NONALLERGIC RHINITIS OVERVIEW — Rhinitis refers to inflammation of the nasal passages. This inflammation can cause a variety of annoying symptoms, including sneezing, itching, nasal congestion, runny nose, and post-nasal drip (the sensation that mucus is draining from the sinuses down the back of the throat).

September 15, 2009

Acute sinusitis (sinus infection)

ACUTE SINUSITIS OVERVIEW — Rhinosinusitis, or more commonly sinusitis, is the medical term for inflammation (swelling) of the lining of the sinuses and nose. The sinuses are the hollow areas within the facial bones that are connected to the nasal openings (show figure 1). The sinuses are lined with mucous membranes, similar to the inside of the nose.

September 15, 2009

Chest pain

CHEST PAIN OVERVIEW — It is hard to know what to do when you feel pain or discomfort in the chest. Is it a heart attack or another, less serious problem? Because chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack, it is important to seek help and get treatment as quickly as possible.

July 28, 2009

Treating Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Colds develop from a virus which attacks the body and is transferred to others via touch or through the air(cough). Although it is called a “cold,” it is not is not caused as a result of air conditioning, heating, wind or cold. An URI is a phenomenon that is especially common in winter and results in a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, and sometimes has associated fever, sore throat, redness in the eyes or hoarseness. Children tend to get infected with viruses of this kind a few times a year.

July 28, 2009

Treating Strep Throat

Most sore throats are the result of viruses, allergies or changes n the weather. A small percentage of all sore throats result from the bacteria Group A Streptococcus (“Strep”). Bacterial sore throat in adults usually accompanied with fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and a lack of cough. Small children usually will have sore throat and fever alone but occasionally there can be headache, abdominal pain or a sandpaper like pink rash called scarlet fever.

July 20, 2009

Sore Throats- Is it Strep?

INTRODUCTION — A sore throat (pharyngitis) is a common problem, and usually is caused by a viral or bacterial infection.…

July 20, 2009

The Common Cold 101

INTRODUCTION — The common cold is the most frequent short-term illness in the United States. Although the illness is usually…