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Heart Failure
Heart Failure
Heart failure refers to a condition in which the heart does not pump efficiently, and consequently, it is unable to circulate enough blood to meet the needs of the body. Inefficient pumping also causes the blood returning to the heart to back up in the veins, which can cause an accumulation of fluid in the tissues and lungs. Because many of these symptoms of heart failure are caused by the congestion of the tissues and lungs with fluid, it is frequently called congestive heart failure.
The most common causes of heart failure in the U.S. are:
Coronary artery disease – The narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup.
Cardiomyopathy – A disease of the heart muscle that causes the heart to lose its pumping efficiency.
High blood pressure
Disease of the heart valves
The most frequently reported symptoms of heart failure are: fatigue with exertion, shortness of breath especially when lying down, and general fatigue. Heart failure can be treated in a variety of ways, depending upon the cause of the failure, including coronary bypass surgery, valve replacement surgery, or heart transplantation.
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Cardiac |
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of diseases that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthmatic bronchitis. The common characteristic of these diseases is obstruction to airflow out of the lungs, and the common symptom is shortness of breath. In the U.S., an estimated 90 percent of COPD is due to smoking. Treatment includes absolute avoidance of smoking, and bronchodilators and oxygen for those with advanced disease.
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Pulmonary |
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Pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also called viral pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, or simple pneumonia. It is caused by one of several viruses including varicella (chickenpox), influenza, and adenovirus.
Pneumonia is not a single disease, but the name for several types of lung inflammation caused by infectious organisms. Pneumonia is the sixth most common cause of death in the U.S., primarily because it is a common complication of any serious illness. It is more common in males, during infancy and old age, and in those who have reduced immunity to infection. The symptoms, treatment, and outcome vary greatly, depending on the cause and on the general health of the patient.
Symptoms may include fever, headache, chills, weakness, chest pain, and a cough that produces sputum and occasionally blood. Potential complications include pleural effusion (fluid around the lung), empyema (pus in the pleural cavity), and, rarely, an abscess in the lung.
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Pulmonary |
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