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...
Throat clearing is a normal response to irritation inside the throat. However, frequent throat clearing can be a symptom of an underlying condition. Possible causes include nasal allergies, acid reflux, vocal cord growths, and tic...
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.
Asthma is a disease of the lungs that can lead to medical and lifestyle complications, including sleep problems, pneumonia, and respiratory failure. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening. Find out what can cause these complications...
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...
Marijuana has several potential physical and psychological effects on the body, such as lung irritation and increased appetite. Learn more about the effects of marijuana on the body here.
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...
Pain under the right breast often results from muscle strain or a minor injury, and it will usually get better on its own. However, pain in this area can also be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as a gastrointestinal issue,...
A dry cough is a type of cough that does not bring up phlegm. Dry coughs are often short-lived and rarely a cause for concern. However, a chronic dry cough can be a symptom of an underlying condition. Learn more about the causes and...
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,...
The cold is a common illness that usually resolves within 7–10 days. In this article, learn about what to expect, how long a cold is contagious, and when to see a doctor.
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...
An analysis of published trials calls for research into vitamin C's effects on critically ill patients after finding it can cut time in ICU by 8 percent.
Stomach pain when breathing is often due to a problem with the diaphragm or the tissues in the chest cavity. Possible causes include injuries, hiatal hernia, pregnancy, pleurisy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Learn more here.
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.
When researchers examined mice that had recovered from severe influenza, they came upon a surprising discovery: Taste bud cells had grown in the animals' lungs. The team believes the cells may play a role in immunity.
New research suggests a hormone released from fat tissue is critical in the development of obesity-related asthma and may be a target of future treatments for the disease.
Teens and young adults who were exposed to HIV and antiretroviral therapy before birth but are HIV-negative themselves are at increased risk of obesity and asthma-like symptoms.
Causes of painful respiration can include infections, injuries, and inflammation. Pain when breathing can sometimes also be due a potentially life-threatening condition, so it is important to be able to recognize signs that indicate a...
Knowing the steps of CPR can help save a person's life. In this article, we look at CPR steps, including how to prepare, when to use it, and which techniques to use.
The human body is full of mucus. This viscous goo isn't just a nuisance that gets coughed up or sneezed out -- it can bind to drugs, toxins or microbes, potentially impacting human health. However, relatively little is known about such...
A new study shows urban children with poorly controlled asthma, particularly those who are ethnic minorities, also suffer academically. Kids who were kept home due to asthma symptoms weren't able to do as well in the classroom.
Smoking cigarettes can affect the body in many ways, raising the risk of several serious health conditions. Learn more about the effects of smoking cigarettes in this article.
Racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity -- life-threatening maternal complications associated with childbirth -- have persisted and increased at high rates among U.S. women, according to an analysis of nearly 20 years...
For years, scientists have been trying to come up with a better way to protect people against tuberculosis, the disease caused by infection with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) bacteria. Researchers say new hope is on the horizon...
Aspiration can refer to a medical condition or a medical procedure. The procedure involves a doctor using a suction tube to remove fluid from a person’s body. Pulmonary aspiration is a condition that occurs when someone inhales a foreign...
Tachypnea is a respiratory condition that results in fast and shallow breathing. Causes include a lack of oxygen or excess carbon dioxide. Learn more about tachypnea here.
Back pain when breathing can indicate an underlying health condition, such as infection, inflammation, or spinal curvature. The symptom can also signal a medical emergency, such as a heart attack or pulmonary embolism. Learn more here.
Respiratory alkalosis occurs when the blood pH level is out of balance. Causes include breathing too fast, which may be a side effect of another condition. Learn more about respiratory alkalosis, including how doctors treat it, here.
Children exclusively breastfed for the first three months of life had significantly lower odds of having eczema at age 6 compared with peers who were not breastfed or were breastfed for less time, according to preliminary research.
After completing up to four years of egg oral immunotherapy (eOIT) treatment, certain participants were able to safely incorporate egg into their diet for five years.
Whooping cough is an infection that is more common in children, but adults can also contract it. The symptoms are usually less severe in adults than in children. This article discusses the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of whooping...
Symptoms of acute respiratory failure include shortness of breath and confusion. Causes include lung-related conditions and chest trauma. Learn more about acute respiratory failure here.
Enlarged adenoids are common in children. This article provides an overview of enlarged adenoids, including how to recognize this condition, its causes and risk factors, and possible treatments.
Asthma risk factors include smoking, dust mites, and environmental pollutants, as well as many others. Steering clear of these risk factors can help people avoid developing the condition. Learn more about how to prevent asthma here.
Scientists report motor skills problems in children exposed during pregnancy to plasticizer chemicals known as phthalates that are widely used in personal care products like moisturizers and lipstick, as well as plastic containers and...
In the largest study of its kind, researchers have found new clues into the parts of the human genome associated with the higher rates of asthma in those of African ancestry.
According to a new study, birch pollen allergen immunotherapy modifies the gene expression and microbiome profile of the nasal epithelium to correspond to those of healthy controls.
The lungs are self-cleaning organs, but people can also use certain methods to clear mucus and open up the airways. In this article, we look at seven natural ways in which people can try to cleanse their lungs.
Allergic asthma occurs when people are around certain triggers. Symptoms may include chest tightness. Treatment may be possible at home or with lifestyle changes. Learn more here.
Most asthma treatments are safe to use during pregnancy. Uncontrolled asthma can increase the risk of complications. In this article, we discuss the effects of asthma in pregnancy and the best treatments.
Using Shrinky Dinks, a popular children's toy, engineers have created wearable, disposable respiration sensors that track the rate and volume of a wearer's breath. The new device will help sufferers of asthma and many other pulmonary...
A new electronic decision support tool for managing asthma has the potential to improve the quality of asthma care in primary care settings, suggests a new study.