What Is a Lung Abscess?
Lung abscess is an infection of the lung. Pus-containing cavities form that are made up of bacteria or other microorganisms, dead (necrotic) tissue, and fl uid. People over age 60 have a greater risk of getting abscesses.
What Causes a Lung Abscess?
Aspiration is the most important reason for formation of lung abscesses. Aspiration means that foreign material (usually food, drink, vomit, or secretions from the mouth) is breathed into the lungs. Infl ammation, pneumonia, and abscess formation can occur in 7 to 14 days. Stroke, seizure disorders, drug abuse, alcoholism, poor oral hygiene (gum...

Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lung grow out of control and form a mass. Nearly 90% of lung cancers start in the lining of air passages or air sacs. Air passages are tubes called bronchi (main tubes) and bronchioles (smaller tubes). Air sacs (alveoli) are at the ends of the tubes. Lung cancer is usually divided into two types: non–small cell and small cell. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers among both men and women. Every year, more than 170,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States....

Pneumothorax is a condition in which air leaks from a hole in a lung and gets trapped between the lung and the chest wall (the pleural space). A small amount of fl uid in this space normally keeps the outside of the lung from getting stuck against the inside of the chest. This keeps the lung expanded. When air gets into the pleural space, the lung partly or completely collapses....

Your caregiver has diagnosed you as having a rib fracture (a break). This can occur by a blow to the chest, by a fall against a hard object, or by violent coughing or sneezing. There may be one or many breaks. Rib fractures may heal on their own within 3 to 8 weeks. The longer healing period is usually associated with a continued cough or other aggravating activities....