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Lungs

Breathe in, breathe out. Hello oxygen. Goodbye carbon dioxide. With each inhale, your lungs replenish the cells and tissues in your body with life-sustaining oxygen. But when your lungs are under attack—from asthma to inflammation to COVID-19—it can take your breath away.

Editor's picks

Coronavirus Infections—Everything You Need to Know
Find out what it is, the most common symptoms, best ways to treat, and more
What Happens During an Asthma Attack and How to Treat
An asthma attack is when asthma symptoms worsen. The lining of the airways becomes inflamed, making it hard to breathe. An asthma attack can be an urgent situation that requires immediate medical attention.
Bronchitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Best Way to Treat
Bronchitis is a viral infection of the lungs that leads to swelling of the bronchial tubes. The most common symptom is a cough with mucus. It usually develops after a cold. That is why it is sometimes called a chest cold.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Know the Symptoms
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease of the lungs. It's often from inhaling toxins (poisons), most commonly tobacco smoke. It can be from smoking yourself (a significant risk factor for COPD) or from secondhand smoke.
Pulmonary Embolism: Early Warning Signs, Treatment, What to Do
A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the lungs that blocks blood flow. It typically starts in the lower legs. The clot may cause difficulty breathing or a sharp chest pain when breathing deeply. It can be life threatening.
How to Stop Wheezing: Asthma, Bronchitis & More Causes of Wheezing
Wheezing, associated with difficult breathing, is a high-pitched whine or squeaky sound that comes from deep within your lungs when you inhale and/or exhale.
Pneumonia: Know the Symptoms & How to Treat
Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs, causing the air sacs in one or both of your lungs to become inflamed. This causes a cough, chest pain, and a fever. It can be bacterial or viral.
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that makes breathing hard. It gets worse over time. Certain therapies and medications can help you breathe easier and slow the progression of the disease.

Lung diseases

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  • Ribs
    Acute Costochondritis, also called chest wall pain syndrome, causes inflammation between your ribs and breastbone. The condition itself isn’t an emergency—but it feels just like a heart attack. Here’s how to identify the symptoms and when you should go to the emergency room.

Lung Abscess

A lung abscess is a bacterial infection that occurs in the lung and causes tissues to die while a pus-filled cavity develops in its place.
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Bronchogenic Cyst

This article will review the symptoms, causes, and management of bronchogenic cysts. Symptoms in infants include difficulty breathing or feeding and blue skin. Other symptoms that are likely later in life include coughing and wheezing, recurrent lung infections, and trouble swallowing, among others.
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Goodpasture Syndrome: Understanding the Symptoms, Causes, & Importance of Treatment

This article will review the symptoms, causes, management, and prevention of Goodpasture syndrome. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, nausea, a loss of appetite, pale skin, lung symptoms such as a cough, shortness of breath, or coughing up blood, and kidney symptoms such as painful urination, reduced urination, and swelling, among others.
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Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: Symptoms, Causes, & Long-Term Treatment

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis occurs when something inhaled inflames the lungs such as exposure to mold, animals, grain/flour, or synthetic materials.
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