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What happens if you miss a dose of chemotherapy or a radiation treatment? Cancer treatment is designed to kill as many cancer cells as possible. If you miss treatments, the cancer cell killing does not happen. The cancer cells have an opportunity to continue to grow. They may become more resistant to treatment.

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.

Mouth sores (mucositis) can be caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These cancer treatments target rapidly dividing cancer cells. The treatments can affect other rapidly dividing cells, such as those in your mucous membranes that line your mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and anus. You may notice discomfort anywhere along your GI tract.

You have a cancer diagnosis. Why stop smoking now?

Fatigue is the most common symptom experienced by people with cancer who are receiving cancer treatment. You may feel tired at certain times of day, tired all the time, or too tired to participate in activities of daily living and self-care. You may be tired from your cancer, tired from the effects of treatment or both.

Insomnia and other sleep/wake disturbances are experienced commonly by people with cancer. Some people have trouble falling asleep. Other people wake up during the night and are unable to go back to sleep. Problems sleeping are caused by anxiety, medications, cancer symptoms, and the effects of cancer treatment.

Dyspnea, or being short of breath, experiencing “air hunger,” or having difficulty catching your breath, is a subjective symptom. There are no tools that can measure your sense of breathlessness. You may feel short of breath even though the pulse oximeter may read 93%. The important thing is to treat this symptom until you are comfortable and feel as if you are no longer short of breath.

Nausea can be one of the most upsetting side effects of cancer treatment. Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, or chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), is a side effect common to many chemotherapy medications. You will be prescribed medications to help relieve CINV. There are also ways to help relieve CINV without using medications.

Constipation and diarrhea are often experienced by people with cancer. When you are constipated, you may have fewer bowel movements than what is normal for you. Your bowel movements may be hard or dry, and more difficult to pass. When your platelet counts are low (thrombocytopenia), constipation may increase your risk of rectal bleeding. You may notice blood in the toilet after you move your bowels.

Diarrhea and constipation are experienced commonly by people with cancer. When you have diarrhea, you may have unformed, watery, or liquid bowel movements.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause hair loss (alopecia). Chemotherapy and radiation therapy target rapidly target growing cells, including cancer cells and hair follicles.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a program for people with chronic lung disease. These may include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis and interstitial lung disease.

Low blood cell counts (cytopenias) can be caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These cancer treatments target rapidly dividing cancer cells. The treatments can also affect other rapidly dividing cells, such as those in your bone marrow. You may experience low white blood cell count (neutropenia), low red blood cell count (anemia) or low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). A blood test called a Complete Blood Count (CBC) checks your levels of each blood cell type.

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.

The nocturnal oximetry test is often referred to as overnight oxygen test or “noc ox”. This test evaluates your oxygen needs while you sleep. This test will help you doctor determine the best treatment for you.

As a patient in a health care setting, you are at risk of getting an infection while you are being treated for something else. Patients and their loved ones can play a role in asking and reminding health care providers to wash their hands. Your hands can spread germs too, so protect yourself by washing your hands often. Hand-washing is one of the most important ways to prevent infections.

The Microlike peak flow & FEV1 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 asma-1 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.

Many medications are available as inhaled treatments. Inhaled methods deliver medication directly to the airway, which is useful for respiratory problems.

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 airflow 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

Allergy tests can be done to help identify if you are allergic and what you are allergic to. Once allergies are identified specific avoidance and treatment measures can be recommended. There are several types of allergy testing.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a germ (bacterium). The germ is called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This germ often affects the lungs. It may involve any organ and may infect anyone at any age.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which air passage in the back of the throat is blocked during sleep by the tongue and soft tissue. This can lead to loud snoring and lapses in breathing that can occur hundreds of times a night.

For some people, lack of restful sleep is a constant and potentially dangerous problem. People may have a medical condition known as a sleep disorder. A sleep disorder interferes with the body's ability to sleep normally. Sleep disorders are very common and include the following conditions: Obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder and circadian rhythm disorders.

A lung nodule is also called a spot on your lung (pulmonary nodule). It is usually round or oval in shape. They are easy to find but can be hard to diagnose. Nodules can be present in your body years before they are discovered by a doctor.

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.

Esophageal cancer forms in the tissues that line the esophagus, or the long, hollow tube that connects the mouth and stomach. There are two types of esophageal cancer, adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

There is almost no disease that exercise doesn't benefit. As such, just because you've had a heart attack, a weak heart (congestive heart failure) or other heart disease, doesn't mean that you have to sit around and do nothing. In fact, with regular exercise (greater than 150 minutes a week), you may hasten your recovery, improve heart function and even get off of some of the medications you're on.

Intradermal skin tests are done to help identify if you or your child are allergic and what you are allergic to.

Patch skin testing may be used to find out if a rash is from direct contact with an allergen. This will help your doctor identify the best treatment for you/your child.

Prick skin tests are done to help identify if you/your child are allergic and what you are allergic to.

The purpose of aspirin desensitization is to induce a tolerance to aspirin in a person who is sensitive to aspirin. During the aspirin desensitization procedure you are given increasing doses of aspirin over time.

Bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration are procedures to collect and examine bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside some of your larger bones.

A bronchoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the airways in the lungs.

As part of your evaluation for Sjögren’s syndrome, a lip biopsy has been recommended. This Test Facts will answer common questions related to this biopsy procedure.

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.

Sputum induction is a procedure to help a patient cough up secretions from the lungs more easily. The principle is to create extra moisture in the airways of the lungs. This will loosen and thin out secretions so they may be coughed up more easily. A sputum induction procedure is done to obtain a high quality sputum specimen.

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.

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.

A common cause of a painful joint is synovitis (inflammation of the lining of the joint). An injection of corticosteroid and/or local anaesthetic medication directly into the joint can sometimes be helpful in reducing the inflammation and providing pain relief. Reduction in pain may make physical therapy more effective.

A liver biopsy is a procedure used for making the diagnosis of abnormal liver conditions. A small piece of liver tissue is removed using a special needle for examination under a microscope.

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

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.

Pulmonary function testing measures how well you are breathing. There are different types of breathing tests that can be done during pulmonary function testing. They include spirometry, lung volumes and diffusing capacity.

The pressure volume study measures how well you are breathing. There are different types of breathing tests that can be done during the pressure volume study. They include spirometry, lung volumes, and transpulmonary pressure.

Exhaled nitric oxide is a simple test to measure the amount of nitric oxide in your breath. Nitric oxide is one of the many gases people exhale. It is a marker of airway inflammation. The results from this test make it easier for you and your doctor to monitor your asthma and find the best treatment plan for you.

The irritant challenge test evaluates how sensitive the airways in your lungs are when exposed to a specific chemical or irritant. A spirometry breathing test is done before and after the exposure.

Your doctor has suggested you have an oxygen titration test as part of your evaluation at National Jewish Health. The oxygen titration test evaluates your oxygen needs at rest and during exercise. This test will help your doctor determine the best treatment for you.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a broad category of lung diseases that includes more than 130 disorders which are characterized by scarring (fibrosis) and/or inflammation of the lungs.

A Diskus® consists of a plastic device containing powdered medication. A Diskus is breath activated. This means when you inhale, the Diskus 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 Diskus a desirable method for inhalation treatment.

Your doctor has suggested you have a High Altitude Simulation Test as part of the evaluation at National Jewish Health. A High Altitude Simulation Test (HAST) is a test to determine if you need supplemental oxygen when you fly on an airplane or go to a higher altitude.