Medical dictionary

What is it?   A chest CT scan is a radiological exam which produces detailed images of the bones and tissues inside your chest. It can be done with or without contrast medium, a liquid which gets clearer images from the scan.   What does it involve?   During the chest CT scan, you will be asked to lie down on a flat bed that passes into the CT scanner. It is import

What is a chest infection? A chest infection is an infection of the lungs or lower large airways (bronchi) which are typically caused by bacteria, viruses, and more rarely other organisms. They cause fever, breathlessness, fatigue, and occasionally coughing up blood. Most chest infections are mild and clear up without medication, whereas some can be severe and life-threatening. Bronch

What is chest pain? Pain in the chest is a pain in the front part of the chest, located between the neck and the upper part of the abdomen, which can be a symptom of various cardiac, respiratory, infectious, nervous pathologies, and osteoarticular or muscular injuries. Sometimes, chest pain may spread to the neck, abdomen, or back. It is a very common pain and may cause different intensi

What is chest pain in children? Chest pain in children can be described as a pain in the child’s chest, in the area around the heart and could have numerous causes from stress, to a muscle injury or a viral infection and in rare instances a heart condition. The pain may be moderate or severe and can occur with activity or without. Children often complain that their “heart

What are chest wall tumours? The chest cavity is an enclosed space which houses several major organs, including the heart, lungs, and oesophagus. The chest wall is made up of the ribcage and diaphragm, the structures of which are flexible enough to move inwards and outwards to permit breathing, while being strong enough to protect the organs inside. Like any part of the body, the chest wall

What is a chest X-ray?   Chest X-rays may be performed for a number of reasons. An x-ray is a quick, painless and effective imaging test that uses low bursts of ionising radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. When performed on the chest, it allows the doctor to examine the heart, lungs, bones, airways, and blood vessels in the chest.     &

What is a Chiari malformation? Chiari malformations are structural defects in the skull and cerebellum - the part of the brain that controls balance. These malformations occur when part of the skull is smaller than it should be, or is deformed, and causes the brain to be pushed down into the spinal canal. This results in pressure and blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which protects t

Chickenpox, also known as varicella, is an infectious disease that is more common in children under 12. It is a highly contagious, airborne disease which spreads easily through the coughs and sneezes of an infected person or by sharing food with them. It is usually more severe in adults than it is in children.   How does chickenpox evolve? Chickenpox goes through three disti

What are childhood allergies? Allergies are when the body’s immune system mistakenly recognises a substance as being dangerous and attacks it in an abnormal reaction. These reactions can be severe and can harm the sufferer’s own body. Allergic reactions can range from sneezing or itching to the airways closing up. Mild allergies are common – it is thought that as many as 25%