Diseases & conditions A-Z List
Diseases & Conditions A-Z List - «B»:
-
Breath sounds
Breath sounds are the noises produced by the structures of the lungs during breathing.
See also: Wheezing
Considerations
The lung sounds are best heard with a stethoscope. This is called auscultation.
Normal lung sounds occur in all parts of the chest area, including above the collarbones and at t...
-
Breathing - slowed or stopped
Breathing that slows down or stops from any cause is called apnea.
Considerations
Apnea can come and go and be temporary. This can occur with obstructive sleep apnea, for example.
Prolonged apnea means a person has stopped breathing. If the heart is still active, the condition is known as respirato...
-
Breathing difficulties - first aid
Breathing difficulties can be described in several different ways. You may be short of breath, unable to take a deep breath, gasping for air, or feel like you are not getting enough air.
See also: Choking
Considerations
If you are having difficulty breathing, it is almost always a medical emergenc...
-
Breathing difficulty
Breathing difficulty involves a sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing or a feeling of not getting enough air.
See also: Difficulty breathing - first aid
Considerations
No standard definition exists for difficulty breathing. Some people may feel breathless with only mild exercise (for e...
-
Breathing difficulty - lying down
Breathing difficulty while lying down is an abnormal condition in which a person must keep the head elevated (by sitting or standing) to be able to breathe deeply or comfortably. The condition may also cause a person to wake up suddenly during the night feeling short of breath (paroxysmal nocturnal ...
-
Brief reactive psychosis
Brief reactive psychosis is a sudden, short-term display of psychotic behavior, such as hallucinations or delusions, that occurs with a stressful event.
Causes
Brief reactive psychosis is triggered by extreme stress (such as a traumatic accident or loss of a loved one), and is followed by a return ...
-
Bringing your child to visit a very ill sibling
Bringing a healthy child to visit a very ill sibling in the hospital can help the whole family. But, before you take you child to visit their ill sibling, you need to prepare them for the visit so that they know what to expect.
How to Prepare Your Child
There are several things you can do to prepar...
-
Broad nasal bridge
Broad nasal bridge is a widening of the top part of the nose.
Considerations
Broad nasal bridge can be a normal facial feature, but it can also be associated with certain genetic or congenital (present from birth) disorders.
Causes
Basal cell nevus syndrome
Fetal hydantoin effect (mother took...
-
Broken bone
If more pressure is put on a bone than it can stand, it will split or break. A break of any size is called a fracture. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open fracture (compound fracture).
A stress fracture is a hairline crack in the bone that develops because of repeated or prol...
-
Broken or knocked out tooth
The dentist's term for a knocked out tooth is "avulsed."
Considerations
A permanent tooth that is knocked out can sometimes be reimplanted. In most cases, only permanent, adult teeth are reimplanted into the mouth. Baby teeth are usually left out.ÂÂ
Immediately contact your dentist when a t...
-
Brompheniramine overdose
Brompheniramine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine, which helps relieve allergy symptoms. Brompheniramine overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.
This is for information only and not for use in the tre...
-
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is destruction and widening of the large airways.
If the condition is present at birth, it is called congenital bronchiectasis.
If it develops later in life, it is called acquired bronchiectasis.
Causes
Bronchiectasis is often caused by recurrent inflammation or infection of the ai...
-
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is swelling and mucus buildup in the smallest air passages in the lungs (bronchioles), usually due to a viral infection.
Causes
Bronchiolitis usually affects children under the age of 2, with a peak age of 3 - 6 months. It is a common, and sometimes severe illness. Respiratory syncyti...
-
Bronchiolitis - discharge
Your child has bronchiolitis, which causes swelling and mucus to buildup in the smallest air passages of the lungs. In the hospital, the doctors and nurses helped your child breathe better. They also made sure your child received enough liquids.
What to Expect at Home
Most children will still have ...
-
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs. Bronchitis may be short-lived (acute) or chronic, meaning that it lasts a long time and often recurs.
See also: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Causes
Acute bronchitis generally follows a viral respiratory infection. At...