Asthma is a common respiratory condition where irritants trigger the airways to become inflamed and narrowed, which makes breathing difficult. During attacks, individuals may notice wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and/or shortness of breath. It is important to know how to correctly man...

Bronchiectasis is a lung disease in which the airways (bronchi) become damaged and scarred by repeated lung infections. It can cause a build-up of mucus in the airways, leading to persistent coughing and difficulty breathing.

Bronchiolitis is a type of chest infection that commonly affects infants under 12 months of age. It occurs when the very small airways in the lungs, called the bronchioles, become inflamed and swell up. Most cases of bronchiolitis start to get better on their own within a few days. However, some ...

Bronchitis is a common condition that occurs when the lungs become inflamed. It causes coughing and difficult breathing. Acute bronchitis refers to the short-term type, and may occur in the aftermath of cold or flu. While the cough may be severe, it typically lasts for only a few weeks.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, covers conditions affecting the lungs. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the two main conditions, usually caused by smoking. Medications and lifestyle changes can help slow the progression of the disease.

Coughing is your body's way of getting rid of any foreign material or mucus in your lungs. Coughing can be a response to breathing in dust or fumes that irritate the nerve endings in the airways, or can be a symptom of a medical problem, such as a lung infection caused by bacteria or a virus, or ...

Novel coronavirus (Covid-19) is a new strain of the coronavirus identified in Wuhan City in China in December 2019.This novel (new) coronavirus has caused a global infectious disease pandemic for more than two years.

Croup is a common childhood condition characterised by a barking cough and noisy breathing. It occurs when an infection with a virus causes inflammation and swelling of the voice box and windpipe, making it harder to breathe. Croup can be a serious, life-threatening condition, but most cases will...

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs. This leads to breathing difficulties, tiredness, lung infections and a shortened life expectancy. While treatment for CF continues to improve, healthy lifestyle choices can help maintain a good quality of...

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a term that covers a large group of medical conditions in which damage to and scarring of lung tissue leads to long-term breathing difficulties. Causes are varied, but include smoking, radiation therapy, exposure to allergens and irritants and connective tissue ...

Lung cancer is the name for cancers that arise in lung tissue. Abnormal cells can interfere with lung function and spread to other parts of the body. Smoking is a major risk factor, although non-smokers can also develop lung cancer.

Middle-East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, is a viral infection that mainly affects the respiratory system. It was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and has been linked to the Middle East in all cases since.

Sleep Apnoea is a sleep disorder in which breathing stops or is slowed for short periods during sleep. It can cause mild symptoms like daytime tiredness or a morning headache, but can also lead to serious complications that can be life threatening. It is important to treat sleep apnoea.

Occupational lung disease is a term that covers a range of lung diseases that can develop from workplace (occupational) exposure to substances that damage the lungs. Some substances can result in immediate changes, whereas others can take years for disease to appear or develop.

Pleural effusion occurs when there is a build-up of excess fluid in the space between the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity, known as the pleural space. It can occur as a result of many different medical conditions.

Pleurisy is the inflammation of thin membranes lining the lungs and inner chest wall, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. As the lungs expand the membranes rub together, causing sharp, stabbing chest pains. Medications are often needed to help treat the condition.

Pneumonia is a lung infection, usually caused by bacteria or viruses, often after a cold or flu. It causes air sacs in the lung to fill with fluid and mucus, affecting breathing. Pneumonia can be more serious in children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

A pneumothorax is the presence of air or gas in the space between the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity, known as the pleural space. When air is forced into this space, there is a loss of negative pressure inside it, which causes the lung on the affected side to collapse.

SARS is a highly infectious respiratory viral disease, which presents much like flu (fever, sore throat, dry cough, headache, chills, stiff muscles). Quarantining of patients is the only option, however there have been no reported cases of SARS since 2004.

A common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms include a stuffy or runny nose, coughing and sneezing. They are not usually serious and will generally get better by themselves within a few days to a week.