Respiratory

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can both make it hard to breathe. They both block the flow of air, but not for the same reason. Understanding the differences between these two lung diseases can improve your treatment and outcome.

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.

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.

A collapsed lung (pneumothorax) is a medical emergency that can occur due to trauma, like a car accident, or can occur spontaneously. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, and an elevated heart rate are all symptoms of a collapsed lung. Medical treatment may include surgery to fix the injury.

Croup is caused by several common viral infections that cause the upper airways to swell. Its hallmark symptom is a barky cough. Croup is generally not serious and can be treated at home, but severe cases need immediate medical attention.

This article will review the symptoms, causes, and management of cystic fibrosis. Symptoms of cystic fibrosis may be present at birth, such as salty sweat or an inability to pass stool. Symptoms that may develop later include a cough, difficulty breathing, lung infections, and sinus problems, among others.

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

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.

This article will review the symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention of non-small cell lung cancer. The primary symptoms of this condition include cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, and hoarseness. A history of smoking is the predominant cause.

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.

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.

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.

This article will discuss the respiratory illness whooping cough that can occur in children, adolescents, and adults. Symptoms include fatigue and malaise, a low-grade fever, excessive tearing, red eyes, severe coughing, a “whooping” sound on inspiration, and vomiting after coughing.