Pleural effusion, sometimes known as “water on the lungs,” is the accumulation of excess fluid between the layers of the pleura outside the lungs. The pleura are thin membranes that border the lungs and the interior of the chest cavity, lubricating and making breathing easier. The pleura normally contains a

Pneumonia is an illness that causes the air sacs in one or both lungs to become inflamed. The air sacs may become clogged with fluid or pus (purulent material), resulting in a cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and trouble breathing. The severity of pneumonia can range from minor

An ectopic pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside of the uterus’s main cavity. Ectopic pregnancy is most commonly found in a fallopian tube, which transports eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. A tubal pregnancy is a form of ectopic pregnancy. A tubal pregnancy, the most

An enlarged heart can be caused by a short-term load on the body, such as pregnancy, or by a medical condition, such as heart muscle weakness, coronary artery disease, heart valve abnormalities, or irregular heart rhythms. Certain conditions may cause the heart muscle to become thicker or cause one of

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a tiny, pear-shaped organ located on the right side of the belly, immediately behind the liver. Gallstones can be as little as a grain of sand or as huge as a golf ball in size. Some people

A fracture is the same thing as a “broken bone.” Fractures come in many shapes and sizes. Sprains are caused by the stretching and tearing of the ligaments that keep joints together. When the bones of a joint dislocate, it’s known as a dislocation. Excessive force, such as being hit