A pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in caring for the lungs. They find and treat lung problems. They also work with you and your primary doctor to manage long-term lung conditions.
The health of your lungs plays a big role in your ability to enjoy an active, fulfilling life. Let's look at some ways you can keep your lungs in good shape.
CF affects the secretory glands in your body. These are the glands that make mucus and sweat.
CF does not affect sexual drive or performance, but it may cause a number of symptoms.
CF first affects the small airways in the lungs. Over time, it can affect all airways.
If you have cystic fibrosis (CF), you need to work closely with your healthcare team. It will help you stay healthier, feel better, and have a better quality of life.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease. This means that CF is inherited. A person is born with CF only if two CF genes are inherited. You have to get one from your mother and the other from your father.
CF can affect how your body absorbs nutrients and fats. Good nutrition can help counteract some of these problems. It can also improve your immune system and help fight infection.
In the digestive system, CF mainly affects the pancreas. The secretions from the pancreas become thick. They then block the ducts within the pancreas.
Perimenstrual asthma (PMA) occurs when a woman's asthma symptoms get worse right before her menstrual period. Asthma flare-ups can occur, and asthma symptoms can be more severe during this time.
Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) is an asthma-like condition. It can after coming in contact with an irritant just one time.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of conditions that cause inflammation and scarring around the tiny air sacs in the lungs. This makes it hard to take in oxygen.
Interstitial lung disease is a group of conditions with inflammation and scarring around the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. The changes make it hard to take in oxygen. Read on to learn how to prevent lung infections.
Sarcoidosis is a disease that causes inflammation of the body tissues. This leads to small lumps called granulomas.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that causes inflammation and scarring in the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. This makes it harder to breathe.
Learn about common respiratory infections, such as colds and the flu, and what you can do to prevent them.
Acute or short-term bronchitis last for days or weeks. It occurs when the bronchial tubes (airways in the lungs) are irritated by a virus, bacteria, or allergen. This causes a cough that produces yellow or greenish mucus.
Pulmonary hypertension is high pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood into the lungs. This strains the lungs and heart and can lead to serious problems.
Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs. It's often caused by a virus or bacteria. Walking pneumonia is a mild form. Read on to learn more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) is when air gets trapped in the tissue outside the tubes and air sacs of the lungs. It affects newborn babies.
Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the lungs' airways (the bronchi and bronchioles) become wider than normal. Over time, the walls of the airways become thick and scarred. Mucus then builds up in the airways, raising the risk for lung infections. Here's what you should know about this condition.
Hyperventilation syndrome is a pattern of breathing where you breathe more quickly and deeply than normal. This can be very upsetting. Here's what you need to know.
ARDS is a severe lung condition. It most often happens a few days after a serious illness or injury.
Oxygen toxicity is damage to the lungs that happens from breathing in too much oxygen. It can cause coughing, trouble breathing, and even death in severe cases.
Learn how the lungs get air into and out of the body.
A helpful diagram of the different parts of the lung.
Here is information on what to expect in the hospital and at home after your procedure.
You have been diagnosed with bronchiectasis. This occurs when your bronchial tubes become blocked with mucus. Learn how to take care of yourself at home.
Your child has been hospitalized with cystic fibrosis. This is an inherited, long-term disease. It affects the lungs and digestive system most often.
"You have either had a procedure or been diagnosed with an illness that has made you ""immunocompromised."" This means that your immune system is very weak, making it hard to fight off infection. Certain cancers, cancer treatments, HIV infection, and transplant surgery are some things that can make you immunocompromised. You must be very careful. Here is information to help you prevent infection. "
You had a surgical procedure called an open lung or pulmonary lobectomy. This is the removal of a section (lobe) of one of your lungs. Here are instructions to help you care for yourself at home.
You had a procedure called a needle biopsy of one of your lungs. In this procedure, a hollow needle is used to take one or more samples of your lung tissue. The tissue is then examined under a microscope. There are several different types of needle biopsies.
You had a surgical procedure called a pneumonectomy. This is the removal of one of your lungs. These instructions will help you care for yourself at home.
You have been diagnosed with pneumonia, a serious lung infection. Most cases of pneumonia are caused by bacteria. Pneumonia most often occurs in older adults, young children, and people with chronic health problems.
A CPAP device helps you breathe better at night. The device delivers air through your nose or mouth when you breathe in to keep your air passages open.
Airway clearance techniques help to remove mucus from the airways. Clearing the airways helps to improve breathing. It also lowers the chance for infection.
Deep coughing helps keep your lungs clear. If you've had surgery, this will help you get better faster. It also helps you breathe easier and may prevent a lung infection. Follow these steps to do deep coughing.
Deep breathing helps keep your lungs clear. If you've had surgery, this will help you get better faster. Deep breathing also helps you breathe easier and may prevent a lung infection.
If you have a chronic problem with mucus, or you have increased mucus from an infection, lying with your chest lower than your belly can loosen and drain extra mucus from your lungs. The following guidelines will help you know what to do.
Acute bronchitis refers to inflammation of the central airways that usually clears up within 4 to 8 weeks. Viral infections are the most common cause. This video explores other possible causes, available treatments, and steps you can take to prevent it.
This is an infection in the smallest passageways of the lungs. It causes the passageways to swell and fill with mucus. Bronchiolitis is most common in children under the age of two. Some children only have mild symptoms. But it can be serious.
Your lungs are a pair of organs that are part of your respiratory system. They bring oxygen into your body. And they rid your body of carbon dioxide, a waste product your cells create. Let's take a minute to learn about these organs.
This is an inflammation of your airways. It can involve your windpipe and your bronchi. These are the passageways that carry air into and out of your lungs. For some people, bronchitis can become a chronic problem.
This upper airway infection is most common in young children. It causes a barking cough and makes breathing difficult.
This is a disease that affects your mucus and sweat glands. It causes the mucus your body produces to be thick and sticky. In your lungs, sticky mucus can clog your airways. This makes it hard for you to breathe. It also provides a place for bacteria to grow. That can lead to frequent lung infections.
This is a chronic and progressive disease of your lungs. It involves the tiny air sacs, called "alveoli", at the ends of the air passages in your lungs. In healthy lungs, these sacs inflate and deflate as you breathe. But with emphysema, the walls of these sacs break down. The sacs begin to rupture. This interferes with your lungs' ability to cycle air properly.
This happens when air sacs in your lung deflate, either partially or completely. They can't fill with air. They may fill with fluid. This can happen to air sacs in just one section of your lung (which we call a "lobe"). Or, the entire lung can collapse.
This happens when a pocket of air builds up in the space between your chest wall and one of your lungs. The air pocket presses and forces air out of your lung. And when you try to breathe in, your lung has no room to hold the air. It has collapsed.
When you breathe, your blood takes in oxygen. And it gets rid of a waste gas called "carbon dioxide." When you have respiratory failure, this process isn't working like it should. You may not get enough oxygen to meet your body's needs. You may not remove enough carbon dioxide from your blood. Or, you may have both problems.
This is a life-threatening condition. It happens when you breathe in too much carbon monoxide. That's a gas that you can't see, smell or taste. As you breathe it in, it builds up in your bloodstream. It takes the place of oxygen, and is carried to all the cells of your body. These cells don't get the oxygen they need. Soon, they stop working and die.
Learn about the common types of chest and lung problems, such as masses, infections, airway diseases, and other diseases.
Your chest pain is called pleurisy. It often gets worse when you take a deep breath, cough, or sneeze. Learn all about this condition.
You have been diagnosed with pleural effusion. This makes it hard or painful to breathe. Learn about symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Pulmonary edema occurs when the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs fill with fluid. The fluid buildup makes it hard for the lungs to do their job.
Follow up with your doctor as you are told. You will likely feel better in a week or two. But a dry cough can linger beyond that time. Let your doctor know if you still have symptoms (other than a dry cough) after 2 weeks.
Atelectasis is the collapse of 1 or more sections (lobes) of the lungs. Here's what you need to know about this condition.
Pulmonary histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by a fungus. Learn more about this condition, which often has no symptoms.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is lung inflammation caused by inhaling allergens in your environment.
AERD is a chronic condition that is made up of 3 conditions: asthma, sinus disease, and a high sensitivity to aspirin.
This is a range of tests that show how well your lungs are working. We use them to check the health of your lungs, and to monitor lung conditions and treatments. Let's look at some of the different tests.
Imaging tests help your healthcare provider find the problem in your chest or lungs and figure out if it affects other areas of your body.
You've been told you need an endoscopic procedure to diagnose a problem in your chest or lung. This procedure allows your healthcare provider to view the airway of your lungs and take a tissue sample (biopsy) if needed.
You've been told you need a percutaneous procedure to diagnose a problem in your chest or lung. This procedure lets the healthcare provider remove tissue or fluid (biopsy) from the chest or lung. Learn what to expect from this procedure.
You've been told you need a surgical procedure to diagnose a problem in your chest or lung. Surgical procedures are used to get large samples of tissue or lymph nodes from the chest or lung. Read on to learn more about the different procedures.
A tracheoscopy with bronchoscopy uses a thin, flexible tube to see inside your windpipe and your lower airways. Here's what you can expect during this procedure.
Learn about CT-guided lung biopsy, a procedure to collect small tissue samples from an abnormal area in your lung.
This test checks how your lungs respond or react to things in the environment. It's often done to help diagnose asthma if you have certain symptoms.
A flexible bronchoscopy is an exam of the airways of your lungs. A thin, flexible tube called a bronchoscope is used. Here's what you need to know about the test.
A pulmonary function test shows how well your lungs are working. A complete test has 3 parts. You may be given the full test or only certain parts. The full test is painless and can last 45 to 90 minutes.
To do these exercises, you will breathe in through your mouth and not your nose. The incentive spirometer only works correctly if you breathe in through your mouth.
This test tells how much air moves in and out of your lungs when you exercise. During the test, you may be asked to walk on a treadmill or ride on a stationary bike. Read on to learn what to expect before, during, and after the test.
To diagnose interstitial lung disease, your healthcare provider needs to know about your job, lifestyle, and symptoms. They'll listen to your lungs and heart and examine your nose and throat. You may also need tests.
Pulmonary angiogram is an X-ray image of the blood vessels of the lungs.
End tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) monitoring is a painless, noninvasive way to assess your breathing (respiration).
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) may have trouble staying at a healthy weight. You may lose weight even when you get enough calories. Certain things may make it necessary for you to eat a diet high in calories.
Medicines can help ease inflammation in your lungs and prevent scarring that happens with this disease.
In the hospital, some people need oxygen therapy if they are not breathing in enough oxygen on their own. This is also called supplemental oxygen.
This procedure lets your doctor see the inside of your lungs. It's done with a lighted viewing device we call a "bronchoscope." Bronchoscopy can help your doctor get a better look in your lungs than we can see with an x-ray or scan. And, simple procedures can be done through the scope.
This test is used to find out how well your lungs are working. Read on to learn what to expect.
Diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing helps you to breathe with your diaphragm. The diaphragm is a large muscle that plays an important part in breathing. It's located below your lungs. It separates your chest from your belly.
When you have lung problems, you can help yourself feel better by conserving your energy. Pacing yourself, simplifying tasks, and not bending and lifting will let you do more without getting short of breath.
When you have lung problems, it may be hard for you to breathe. Stress can make it worse. Learn to relax and control stress. This can help you to prevent shortness of breath and avoid panic.
A BiPAP is a type of ventilator, a device that helps with breathing. It may be used when a health problem is making it hard for you to breathe. Read on to learn more.
An incentive spirometer is a device that helps you do deep-breathing exercises. These exercises will help you breathe better and improve the function of your lungs.
Pulse oximetry is a quick, painless test that's used to measure the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) in your blood cells.
A bullectomy is a type of surgery done to remove extra air sacs that form when you have bullous emphysema.
This treatment gives you extra oxygen to breathe. We use it for lung conditions. It helps with COPD, pneumonia and asthma. We also use it for other conditions that affect oxygenation of your blood, like heart failure. It's not a cure for these problems. But it helps you feel less breathless. It may help you stay more active. You need a prescription for this therapy.
Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a treatment for severe asthma. BT is most often used in people whose asthma can't be controlled with medicines.
Pulmonary rehabilitation (rehab) programs help people with chronic lung problems breathe better and improve their overall health and strength. The programs are led by healthcare professionals who are trained to treat people with lung disease. With their help, you'll learn about your condition and gain skills to help you manage it.
Learn how pulmonary rehab programs can help people with chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A BPAP is a type of ventilator, a device that helps with breathing. It can help if you have COPD, obstructive sleep apnea, or an asthma flare-up.
When you have bronchiectasis, the airways of the lungs become wider than normal. These airways are called bronchi and bronchioles. Over time the walls of the airways become thick and scarred. The damaged airways can't clear mucus as well. Because of this, mucus builds up in the airways. This increases the risk for lung infections. Bronchiectasis is a long-term (chronic) condition.
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