A lung nodule is a small round to oval mass of tissue in the lung. A lung nodule is a small round to oval mass of tissue in the lung. Nodules in the lung can be either cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Most nodules less than 2 cm in diameter are benign. Benign lung nodules can have different causes. Many...

What Causes Costochondritis to Flare Up?
What is costochondritis? In many cases, the cause of costochondritis is unknown but viral, bacterial, or fungal infections may cause inflammation around your sternum. Costochondritis, sometimes called chest wall pain or costosternal syndrome, is a painful inflammation of the cartilage surrounding your sternum. The sternum, along with the ribs and cartilage, makes up your chest wall. Your chest wall is...

What Is a Plication of the Diaphragm Procedure?
What is the diaphragm muscle? Plication of the diaphragm muscle sutures the organ tightly in position inside the rib cage to treat breathing difficulties. Diaphram malfunction or deformity may result from congenital problems or a malfunctioning phrenic nerve. A diaphragm is a primary muscle that helps in respiration (breathing process). This dome-shaped muscle is located just below the lungs and...

What Is a Hemiarthroplasty of the Shoulder? 4 Recovery Phases
What is a hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder? A hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder involves the replacement of the ball (humeral head) with the prosthesis, and the socket (glenoid) is left intact. A hemiarthroplasty is a surgical procedure that replaces one half of the shoulder joint. The shoulder is made up of three bones: the upper arm bone (humerus), shoulder blade (scapula),...

What Gets Rid of Cold Sores Fast?
What are cold sores? Cold sores are painful, unsightly sores that usually pop up around your mouth. Certain medications, home care and alternative therapies may help you get rid of cold sores fast. Cold sores are painful, unsightly sores that usually pop up around your mouth. They are caused by a virus called the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). The sores...

What Happens If You Get Salmonella?
What is salmonella? Typically, symptoms of salmonella are present anywhere from 6 hours to 6 days after the initial infection. If you have salmonella, you will most likely experience bouts of diarrhea. Salmonella is a bacteria that makes people ill. There are many different kinds of salmonella bacteria. Animals like chickens, cows, reptiles, and pigs carry the kind that makes...

What Do the Hard and Soft Palate Separate?
The palate is a structure that forms the roof of the mouth. The palate is a structure that forms the roof of the mouth. It is divided into two separate parts, namely, the “hard palate” and “soft palate.” The hard and soft palates separate the mouth (oral cavity) from the nasal cavity. What is the hard palate? The hard palate...

What Does Laryngeal Cancer Feel Like? 11 Symptoms & Risks
Laryngeal cancer is a type of throat cancer that begins in the larynx, or voice box, which is part of the body that helps us breathe, swallow and speak. Laryngeal cancer may not show any symptoms in the early stages. Some people may experience the following: Sore throat or cough that does not go away Feeling that something is stuck...

What Is a Shoulder Subacromial Injection? Types
What is a subacromial space? Injecting corticosteroids into the subacromial space is one method to treat inflammation and pain. Injections can reduce pain and inflammation and restore the mobility of shoulder joints. A subacromial space is the area below the top of the shoulder blade (acromion) and above the rotator cuff tendons present on the top of the bone of...

What Causes Hepatitis?
What is hepatitis? Common causes of hepatitis are viruses, infections, alcohol, drugs, toxins, and others. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It can occur due to a variety of factors, but the most common cause is a virus infection. Hepatitis can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) and can have fatal complications. The liver is in the right upper...
