Your word of the day is
Atelectasis
What is atelectasis?
A person with atelectasis has a collapse of the tiny air pockets in the lung, called alveoli. This interrupts breathing in the area where the atelectasis has occurred. Atelectasis is a condition that can accompany lung disease, such as pneumonia, COPD, and asthma. It may also develop after surgery in patients who undergo general anesthesia. What are the symptoms of atelectasis?Common symptoms of atelectasis include fever and cough. More severe symptoms include rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and coughing up blood.
I learned this word yesterday from Ali's doctor. Yep, she's got a small area of atelectasis along with walking pneumonia. Lovely!
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