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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD for short, is a lung disease that affects millions of people. COPD includes diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. A person with COPD may have either emphysema or chronic bronchitis, but many have both. Some people with COPD may also have asthma-like symptoms, such as wheezing.

Corticosteroid medicine can be used to treat a number of chronic illnesses. Some people may not get the most benefit when corticosteroid medication is used as treatment. A steroid kinetic study can help identify how the body uses the medication.

The Piko peak flow meter is a small, easy to-use instrument that enables you or your child to measure lung function at home, at work, at school wherever you go. The peak flow meter measures how fast a person can blow out air after a maximum inhalation. It helps reveal how well you or your child's lungs are working. The Piko measures PEF. This is the peak expiratory flow rate. In addition, the Piko also measures FEV1. This is the Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second you exhale. Many peak flow meters measure PEF, but not FEV1. The Piko peak flow meter measures both.

Anticoagulant medicines are a group of medicines that inhibit blood clotting, helping to prevent blood clots. Blood clots can cause heart attacks and strokes. Anticoagulant medicines can be used with a number of diseases when there is an increased risk of blood clots.

Your heart is a muscle a very important muscle that your entire body depends on. As with all muscles, the heart is dependent on blood supply to provide necessary nutrients, fuel and oxygen. The heart gets its blood supply from the coronary arteries. When the coronary arteries become blocked, narrowed, or completely obstructed, the heart cannot get the nutrients, fuel, and oxygen it needs. This causes the heart to become weak, develop a heart attack or stop altogether. This blockage, narrowing or obstruction is known as Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

Omega-3 fatty acids have become quite popular because of the many positive effects on human health. Omega-3 fatty acids benefit both healthy people as well as those with cardiovascular disease. Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to improve heart health by lowering triglycerides, raising good cholesterol (HDL, or high density lipoprotein), thinning the blood preventing blood clots from forming and protecting the heart from dangerous heart rhythms. Omega-3 fatty acids may also slow the progression of plaque build-up and lower blood pressure.

PICC stands for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter . A PICC line is a catheter that is inserted into a vein in your upper arm. The catheter is advanced and positioned in a large vein in your chest just above the heart.

Lung cancers start in the lung. There are several types of lung cancer. They include non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer and carcinoid lung tumors.

A CT scan takes pictures of the inside of the body. The pictures are more detailed than a typical x-ray. During a CT scan of the chest pictures are taken of cross sections or slices of the thoracic structures in your body. A CT Guided Lung Biopsy uses real-time CT images to ensure biopsy samples are accurately taken from the desired part of the lung. These biopsy samples are checked for adequacy by a pathologist during the procedure to make sure a diagnostic sample is obtained.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer where the tumor grows on the mesothelium, which is a lining inside a body cavity. Pleural mesothelioma starts in a part of the chest called the pleura, which is the lining that surrounds the lungs and internal chest wall. It separates the lung from the chest wall. Pleural mesothelioma is different from lung cancer, which grows inside the lung. Pleural mesothelioma grows in the lining of the lung.

An impedance and pH study measures the amount of acid and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux your child has. Gastroesophageal reflux is the backward flow or reflux of food and acid from the stomach into the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that takes food from your mouth into your stomach. Everyone has some reflux. An impedance and pH study will help identify if your child has increased amounts of reflux and if it is causing trouble breathing or other symptoms.

Synchronized cardioversion is a procedure where an electrical shock is used to reset the rhythm of your heart. The electrical shock is synchronized so it happens at the appropriate time during the heart beating cycle.

During CT Enterography, pictures are taken of cross sections or slices of the abdominal structures in your body focusing on the small bowel.

Patch skin testing is a method of placing small amounts of different substances on the skin for 2 days, and examining the skin for a reaction for several days after. A positive reaction is red, raised, and often itchy. This method helps to diagnose a metal or cement allergy, and will help your doctor identify the best treatment for you.

A PET scan is a shortened name for positron emission tomography. A PET scan views functioning tissues in the body. A CT or CAT scan is a shortened name for computerized tomography. A CT scan takes pictures of the inside of the body. The pictures are more detailed than a typical x-ray. The type of PET/CT scan your doctor recommended will show detailed images and functioning tissues of your heart. The PET/CT scan can help determine if sarcoidosis has affected your heart.

A sigmoidoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the rectum and sigmoid colon. Your doctor may also do a biopsy and remove any polyps (small growths) found inside your sigmoid colon during the sigmoidoscopy.

An indirect calorimetry test requires two simple 10-minute breathing tests. It measures your daily resting energy expenditure (your calorie needs at rest). The handheld calorimeter measures oxygen consumption. This translates into your actual metabolic rate. This test replaces predictive measures. The test results will provide you with an individualized calorie goal that can help you meet your weight management goals.

A PICC line is a catheter that is inserted into a vein in your upper arm. The catheter is then advanced and positioned in a large vein in your chest just above the heart.

The bronchial provocation test evaluates how sensitive the airways in your lungs are. A spirometry breathing test is done before and after you inhale a mist.

Exercise induced bronchoconstriction or EIB, is a combined breathing and exercise test. The test can help identify what type of breathing trouble you have, if any, when you exercise.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced medical imaging technique that does not use x-rays or radiation. Instead it uses a strong magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer. This creates very clear pictures of internal body structures. An MRI is used to examine soft tissues like organs, muscles, tendons, & blood vessels in many parts of the body. This includes areas of the brain, spine, abdomen, chest, pelvis, and joints (like knees and shoulders). The MRI image offers unique information to help your doctor better plan your treatment and care.

The Tailored Barium Swallow Study is a special study that is completed in radiology. The test evaluates the mouth and the throat while swallowing. The test shows where foods and liquids go when a person swallows. It helps clinicians to identify the reasons for swallowing problems and to determine if there are ways to keep swallowing safe. A videotape is made that shows the food/liquid in the mouth, moving over the tongue, through the pharynx or throat and into the esophagus.

Because children spend most of their day at school, it is important that school professionals understand asthma and asthma management. This handout introduces asthma management concepts and gives school professionals detailed information about this student's asthma management program.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects millions of people each year. Chronic means long term, obstructive means it is hard to get air in and out of the lungs. The most familiar diseases in this group are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema there is damage to the walls of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. The earliest symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath during activity. Later the shortness of breath can occur at rest also.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic skin disease that also is called atopic eczema. The onset of AD is usually during the first five years of life. Atopic is a term used to describe allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever and AD. People with AD tend to have dry, itchy and easily irritated skin. This can continue for years and may result in damage to the skin, especially when it is scratched.

Croup is a viral infection that usually affects children between the ages of three months to six years. It is more common in boys than girls. Croup often follows a cold, although croup may begin without cold symptoms. This illness is most often seen in the fall and winter. Croup may reoccur during childhood, but attacks tend to disappear as the child grows.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria (germ). This bacteria is present on the skin and in the nose of many people. For most healthy people this bacteria does not cause a problem. This bacteria can enter the body and cause infection.

Systemic lupus erythematosus, often just called lupus, is a chronic disease that can affect almost any part of the body. People with mild lupus may only have skin rashes and/or joint pain. In more severe lupus, important organs like the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and brain can be involved.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), or atopic eczema, is a chronic, recurring skin disorder. This condition usually occurs in people who have asthma, hay fever, or food allergies or have family members who have these disorders. AD results in dry, easily irritated, itchy skin and usually leads to rubbing and scratching. When your skin is dry, it is not because it lacks grease or oil, but because it fails to retain water. For this reason, it is important to recognize this and to practice the basic principles of "soak and seal" to achieve good skin care daily.

Many people with asthma or other lung problems also have nasal and sinus symptoms. Drainage from your nose and sinuses can make asthma worse, especially at night. A salt water nasal wash, or nasal irrigation, can help reduce this.

A nebulizer delivery system consists of a nebulizer (small plastic medication cup with a lid that drops into the cup and twists) and a source for compressed air. The air flow from the compressor to the nebulizer changes the medication solution to a mist. When inhaled correctly, the medication has a better chance to reach the small airways. This increases the medication's effectiveness.

People with some lung conditions, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, mycobacterial disease and bronchiectasis often produce a large amount of mucus. If the mucus is allowed to collect in the airways, breathing may become difficult and infection may occur. The Acapella airway clearance device is a technique to help mobilize mucus from the airways. The Acapella DM is blue. The Acapella DH is green.

Animal dander (dead skin that is continually shed), urine and saliva can cause an allergic reaction. Exposure to these allergens, especially breathing in particles which include dander, cause the allergic reaction to animals.

Colorectal cancer affects both men and women, most often above 50 years of age. It is one of the most common types of cancer. Colon cancer can be prevented. Screening tests are available that identify and treat the precursors to colon cancer, colon polyps. The colon is the lower portion of the GI tract and is about 5 feet long. A colon polyp is a growth inside the colon. Colon polyps can be small, often less than 1 cm. They can also be larger than 1 cm. These are less common and more likely to develop into colon cancer.

Some people with GERD disease develop Barrett s Esophagus. The cells lining the stomach and intestines are different than the cells lining the esophagus. The cells lining the stomach need to protect the stomach from acid. The cells of the esophagus do not need to protect the esophagus from acid. If there is reflux of acid into the esophagus, the esophagus may try to protect itself over time by developing cells similar to the intestine. When these types of cells occur, Barrett s Esophagus is diagnosed. These intestine cells may show abnormal changes or dysplasia over time. This is a concern because over time dysplasia (low grade, then high grade dysplasia) can develop into cancer of the esophagus.

Multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) are common bacteria (germ) that have developed resistance to multiple types of antibiotics. These bacteria are present on the body of many people, including on the skin, in the nose or other moist areas of the body and in secretions. Antibiotic resistance often occurs following frequent antibiotic use or frequent exposure to a healthcare setting. For most healthy people these bacteria don t cause a problem.

The Hida Scan will show how your liver concentrates bile into the gall bladder and spills it into the small intestine.

Sarcoidosis is a poorly understood disease that commonly affects the lungs. It can also involve the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, eyes, skin, bones, salivary glands and heart. Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is estimated to be present in 10-25% of people with sarcoidosis.

A Stress Cardiac MRI is performed to help evaluate the blood flow in the heart arteries, looking for blockages. In addition the function and structures of the heart can be evaluated. You will be given an intravenous (IV) medicine to open the arteries of your heart as images are being taken. The MR image offers unique information to help your doctor better plan your treatment and care.

Medicine will be used to stress your heart instead of exercise. This medicine will temporarily increase your heart rate and/or open up (dilate) the heart arteries. This test may show evidence of blockages in the heart arteries when the heart is stressed.

A Cardiac Stress Test is a test to show how your heart functions when your heart rate is increased. You will exercise or be given a certain medicine to increase your heart rate. A Nuclear Cardiac Stress test is a specialized test.

An impedance and pH study measures the amount of acid and non-acid gastroesophageal reflux you have.

During a punch biopsy all or part of a skin lesion is removed. The lesion can be tested in the laboratory. The results of the biopsy will help your doctor determine your diagnosis and the best treatment for you.

Now that summer is coming to an end, it s time to think about getting ready for school, fall allergies and cooler weather. This is also a time when people with asthma may notice a change in their condition. Being prepared for these changes can make a big difference in keeping your or your child s asthma well controlled.

The colon is the lower portion of the GI tract and is about 5 feet long. Diverticulosis is a disease that occurs in the colon. Diverticula are small pockets that form in the wall of the colon. Diverticulosis means the presence of diverticula in the colon.

Oxygen is in the air we breathe and is necessary to live. When we breathe in, oxygen enters the lungs and it goes into the blood. When the lungs cannot transfer enough oxygen into the blood, an oxygen therapy program may be necessary. The major reason why oxygen therapy is used is to assure that there is enough oxygen in the blood to provide for the body's needs.

An Aerolizer consists of a plastic device to inhale medication. A capsule of powdered medication is placed in the device. The Aerolizer is breath activated. This means when you inhale, the Aerolizer automatically releases the medication. When inhaled correctly, the medication has a better chance to reach the small airways. This increases the medication's effectiveness. The portable size, efficiency and convenience make the Aerolizer a desirable method for inhalation treatment.

The metered dose inhaler (MDI) was developed in the 1950s. The propellant used in MDIs until recently contained CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons). You may find when you replace your MDI that a different propellant is used in the inhaler. This is an HFA (hydrofluoroalkane) propellant.

Spirometry is one type of pulmonary function test. Spirometry is a simple test to measure how much (volume) and how fast (flow) you can move air into and out of your lungs.

Gastroesophageal reflux is a backward flow or reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. Everybody has some reflux. Abnormal amounts of gastroesophageal reflux can cause gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This occurs when the valve of smooth muscle between the esophagus and the stomach does not function properly. This muscle band is called the lower esophageal sphincter.