A chaotic household, as well as child and parent depression, are risk factors for worse asthma outcomes in urban minority children, according to a new article.
Inhaled steroids are often the best treatment for conditions that cause trouble breathing, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. This article provides an overview of inhaled steroids, including their types,...
'Back to school asthma' -- a seasonal peak in cases associated with the start of the school year in September -- is linked to a tripling in the rate of family doctor (GP) appointments across England.
COPD is a group of conditions that have clear links to lung cancer. Smoking tobacco is the primary preventable risk factor for both of these diseases. Learn more about COPD and lung cancer here.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are both respiratory conditions that fall under the classification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. The symptoms may overlap. Learn more here.
Bronchodilators are drugs that open the airways, relieving the symptoms of respiratory conditions, such as asthma and emphysema. This article looks at how they work, types, and how to take them.
The symptoms of end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include frequent lung infections, difficulty eating, and shortness of breath. Coping methods typically include palliative care and open discussions. Learn more here.
Home nebulizers are an effective way to deliver medicine into the airways. Learn more about home nebulizer therapy here, including how to use the equipment.
Many different types of breathing treatment are available, including bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and antimicrobial drugs. Learn more about these and other treatments here.
It is possible for people who don’t smoke to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It may develop due to exposure to secondhand smoke, industrial fumes, or other toxins. Learn more about COPD in people who don’t smoke here.
Researchers have studied which genes are expressed in overactive immune cells in mice with asthma-like inflammation of the airways. Their results suggest that the synthesis and breakdown of fats plays an important part in the process.
Pneumonia is a disease that can kill. Risk factors include age, with very young children and older adults at a higher risk than others. Existing medical conditions are another risk factor. However, people can also recovery from...
Congestion is common in babies, often affecting the nose or chest. It is usually harmless but can be uncomfortable. In this article, we look at the causes of and treatments for baby congestion.
Pursed lip breathing is a breathing technique that can help people get more air into their lungs. This technique may be particularly beneficial for people with respiratory conditions, such as COPD. Learn more about the benefits of pursed...
Some potential causes of shortness of breath when lying down include heart failure, obesity, and emphysema. Learn more about the causes of shortness of breath when lying down here, along with their treatment options.
Many factors can cause a chronic sore throat, including allergies, smoking, and infections. In this article, we explore the possible causes and describe when to see a doctor.
Intrinsic (nonallergic) and extrinsic (allergic) asthma are subtypes of asthma that have similar symptoms but different triggers. Learn more about their differences, causes, and treatments here.
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a serious bacterial infection of the lungs. Symptoms include a persistent bad cough, chest pain, and breathlessness. TB can be life-threatening if a person does not receive treatment, which typically...
Good heart and lung (cardiorespiratory) fitness in middle age is associated with a lower long term risk of chronic lung disease (COPD), suggests new research.
Status asthmaticus is a life-threatening asthma state with symptoms that include anxiety, fatigue, and shortness of breath. An inhaler may not treat the symptoms, so a person should seek immediate medical treatment. Learn more here.
Intermittent asthma causes symptoms such as shortness of breath and coughing. However, these symptoms are not present all the time. Treatment includes the use of inhalers. Learn more about intermittent asthma here.
Cold-induced asthma involves cold weather triggering asthma symptoms such as coughing and wheezing. Treatment can include using an inhaler and moving to a warmer environment. Learn more here.
Stress can make a person more susceptible to asthma triggers. In this article, we look at the link between stress and asthma. We also discuss ways to reduce stress.
Lung diffusion tests measure how well a person’s lungs take in oxygen from the air. This test helps diagnose and monitor a range of lung-related conditions. Learn about its uses, procedure, and results here.
A child's risk of developing asthma is the lower the more the microbiota of the child's home resembles that of a farm house. This was shown by a study conducted by the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare that analysed...
Spacers are plastic tubes that attach to the end of an inhaler. In this article, we discuss their benefits, how to use and clean them, and tips for using inhalers.
A bullectomy is a type of surgery to remove enlarged air sacs called bullae from the lung. Learn more about the uses, procedure, and risks of a bullectomy here.
Exercise-induced asthma involves asthma symptoms occurring during or after exercise. In this article, we explore the causes, symptoms, and ways to prevent asthma from arising during exercise.
Doctors consider asthma to be severe when symptoms do not respond well to the usual treatments. This article discusses the definition, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments of severe asthma.
More than 1 in 10 people with a range of non-cancerous lung diseases may be sick as a result of inhaling vapors, gas, dust or fumes at work, according to a new statement.
Seasonal allergies to different types of grass or tree pollen are more common in people with anxiety disorders, while patients with depression are more likely to suffer from perennial allergies triggered by allergens such as animal hair....
Research groups have solved a century-long puzzle about the presence of protein crystals in asthma. Normally, proteins do not crystallize in the body, but there are some instances where this process does occur.
A new study finds that a skin patch may be useful in treating children with a painful, chronic condition called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) triggered by milk. Among 20 children with EoE who wore Viaskin Milk -- a skin patch measuring...
A new study looks at the correlation between exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) and childhood anxiety, by looking at the altered neurochemistry in pre-adolescents.
New research shows that the asthma drug benralizumab failed to decrease annual COPD exacerbation rates for patients with moderate to very severe COPD, a history of frequent moderate and/or severe exacerbations, and eosinophilic...
An app that allows parents and doctors to monitor a child's asthma has a big impact on managing the disease. When families monitored symptoms with eAsthma Tracker and adjusted care accordingly, children had better asthma control and made...
A new review of studies on levels of urban exposure to airborne pollutants and their effects on human health suggests that advanced instrumentation and information technology will soon allow researchers and policymakers to gauge the...
In the first study to evaluate inhaler technique in children hospitalized for asthma -- the group at highest risk for complications and death from asthma -- researchers found that nearly half of participants demonstrated improper inhaler...
A large, multi-ethnic genome-wide association study (GWAS) of asthma identified novel associations with potential relevance for asthma susceptibility in older adults of diverse racial backgrounds.
Air pollution from diesel engines may worsen allergy-induced lung impairment more when tiny particles are filtered from the exhaust than when they are not, according to new research published online in the American Thoracic Society's...
About 4 million children worldwide develop asthma each year because of inhaling nitrogen dioxide air pollution, according to a new study. The study, based on data from 2010 to 2015, estimates that 64 percent of these new cases of asthma...
Scientists could be a step closer to providing more precise pollen forecasts to people who live with asthma or hay fever. This follows the first results of a major three-year project to analyze airborne grass pollen. For the first time,...
Compared to privately insured patients, individuals who lack insurance or use Medicaid are more likely to be transferred to another hospital after receiving initial treatment in the emergency department (ED). The uninsured are also at...
Restriction or inhalation of common sugar could one day treat a range of respiratory diseases, according to new research. The study in mice reveals how the ability of cells to use glucose helps to regulate the immune system during lung...
Dietary intake of two fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, may have opposite effects on the severity of asthma in children and may also play opposite roles in modifying their response to indoor air pollution, according to new research.