Agonal breathing may sound like gasping, snorting, heavy or labored breathing, gurgling, or groaning. Learn about causes and treatment Agonal breathing may sound like: Gasping Snorting Heavy breathing Labored breathing Gurgling Groaning Gasping associated with agonal breathing is a brainstem reflex and not true breathing. The gasping is caused solely by residual nervous system activity …

Getting a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease can be very frightening. You may have lots of questions for your doctor about how to treat it and if you will ever recover. You may be concerned that your condition will affect your projected lifespan. Most people can expect to live a long life with an autoimmune disease, though. There are effective …

What facts should I know about wrinkles? Share Your Story One of the most reliable signs of aged skin is an increase in the number and depth of wrinkles. Other signs include irregular pigmentation, skin thinning, and laxity. Many of the changes found in older skin, but not all, are due to the exposure to ultraviolet light. Wrinkles fall into …

Why do your breasts get bigger before your period? Many women notice their breasts become larger the week before menstruation. Breast swelling and tenderness before your period occur due to an increase in hormones during the menstrual cycle. Many women may notice that their breasts become larger just before a week of menses, whereas others may not experience such symptoms. …

What is bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)? Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) is a type of noninvasive ventilation. It is used when you have a condition that makes it hard to breathe like sleep apnea, COPD, asthma, heart conditions and other ailments. A bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machine is a noninvasive type of ventilation. It is used to help …

A defense mechanism is a way to escape from unpleasant thoughts, events, or actions. Repression or dis-associative amnesia involves pushing the unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and impulses deep into the unconscious part of the mind. In other words, the person completely forgets the act and the circumstances surrounding it. Repression is thought to give rise to anxiety, which starts when a forbidden …

A spirometer measures the breathing capacity of your lungs. A spirometer measures the breathing capacity of your lungs. It correlates the amount of air you can breathe out in 1 second and the total volume of air you can exhale in one forced breath. It is used to diagnose chronic lung condition such as: Asthma (especially exercise-induced asthma) Occupational-related lung …

Monocytosis or a monocyte count higher than 800/µL in adults indicates that the body is fighting an infection. Monocytosis or a monocyte count higher than 800/µL in adults indicates that the body is fighting an infection. Some conditions that may attribute to a high monocyte count include: Viral infections such as infectious mononucleosis, mumps, and measles Parasitic infections such as …

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a value related to your red blood cells. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is a value related to your red blood cells. If your MCV goes up, it could indicate: Low vitamin B12 level Folate deficiency (folic acid is a nutrient) Liver disease Alcoholism Hypothyroidism Carbon monoxide poisoning Aplastic anemia (a condition where the body stops …

What does boron do for the body? Boron is a trace mineral that affects hormone and enzyme metabolism, immune function, bone formation, brain function and other systems in the body. Boron is a trace mineral found in many foods and in the environment. It is also available as a dietary supplement. It is called an ultra-trace mineral, which means it …