HCE Blog

In people who suffer from asthma, the bronchial tubes in their lungs are always inflamed and are easily irritated. When faced with an irritant or trigger, the airways swell even more, tightening and making it even harder for the person to breathe. Mucus created in the lungs is produced in excess and closes the airways even more. Several different things can trigger an asthma attack, from changi...

You go outside as the weather begins to change. The cold bite of winter has left the air and things are beginning to grow again. But there it is. You see it. A yellow powder covering your car. Pollen. You run back inside, but it’s too late. You’ve been exposed. Your nose starts to run and you begin to sneeze. It’s that time of year again:  Allergy season. Or maybe your eyes water and itch whe...

Some of the most mundane tasks can be surprisingly dangerous. We hear a lot about people injuring themselves while cooking, gardening, or fishing because of some slip up with a sharp object. Maybe you’ve even dealt with one of these injuries. A cut that’s too deep for just some antibacterial ointment and a bandage, one that requires a little more medical attention. These deep cuts or scratches ...

The front of your skull is composed of a series of hollow connecting areas that make up your sinuses. Just about the whole upper portion of your face has some sort of sinus cavity behind it. There are a pair in your forehead, a pair in your cheeks, and several along your nose between your eyes. No matter their location, they all branch off to join your nasal passages. The system is delicate and...

One of the most underappreciated functions of the body is mucus production. Yes, it’s pretty nasty, but mucus helps keep your sensitive nasal cavities flushed out of foreign— and possibly harmful—  materials. It also keeps your nose from drying out while you’re breathing which saves you from some aches and pains. Mucus is mostly composed of water, but it contains helpful things like proteins a...

Sinusitis is an infection that is a little hard to pin down as it has symptoms that are similar to other illnesses. As you may have gathered from its name, sinusitis is an infection in the sinuses. Irritation in the sinuses can cause them to become inflamed, which can lead to infection. This infection causes increased mucus production in the sinuses, but the swelling in these cavities prevents ...

Cases of measles are popping up all across the country. So far, 10 states have reported cases of measles— including Texas. These outbreaks are getting closer and closer to home, so you may want to take some precautions to keep you and your family safe. Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread through the air via an infected person’s cough or sneeze. According to the CDC, measles is...

  It happened again. You got the flu. Your body aches, your nose keeps running, you can barely hold food down, and you don’t want to get out of bed. All you want to do is cuddle up with a nice warm cup of chicken soup like your grandma used to make … but you’re out of paid sick time. Should you go to work and risk spreading the virus to your coworkers? Probably not. And should you even eat c...

Is your child feeling sick? Well, don’t call the school office just yet! Normal body temperature is 98.6 °F, but everyone’s body temperature (adults and children) fluctuates throughout the day depending on age, activity level, and many other factors. The magic number for fever in everyone though, no matter the age, is 100.4 °F. It’s important to know that fever itself isn’t an illness but a sy...

Did you know that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) falls are the leading cause of accidental deaths and injuries among the elderly population of America? And according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), slips, trips, and falls make up the majority of workplace accidents. Those are some pretty harrowing facts. Elderly people aren’t the o...