Respiratory Diseases
Information about respiratory diseases
152 conditions
Infectious Tracheobronchitis
That persistent, hacking cough that keeps you up at night and makes your chest feel raw might be more than just a simple cold. Infectious tracheobronchitis, commonly known as acute bronchitis, occurs when viruses or bacteria inflame the airways that carry air to your lungs. The trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (the tubes branching into your lungs) become swollen and produce excess mucus, triggering that familiar urge to cough.
Coronavirus Infection (Non-SARS)
That scratchy throat and runny nose you get every winter might be caused by a coronavirus - not the pandemic variety, but one of four other coronaviruses that have been quietly circulating among humans for decades. These common coronaviruses (229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1) are responsible for a significant portion of what we simply call "the common cold."
Viral Pneumonitis
Viral pneumonitis affects millions of people each year, often developing when a seemingly routine viral infection progresses into something more serious. This condition involves inflammation of the lung tissue caused by viruses rather than bacteria, and it typically emerges after initial symptoms like fever, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing have already taken hold. Understanding how a common cold can evolve into viral pneumonitis is important for recognizing when symptoms warrant medical attention and for knowing what to expect during treatment and recovery.
Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea at Rest)
You're sitting quietly on your couch, watching television, when suddenly you feel like you can't catch your breath. Your chest feels tight, and each breath requires conscious effort. This unsettling experience is dyspnea at rest - shortness of breath that occurs when you're not physically active. Unlike the breathlessness you might feel after climbing stairs or running, this type happens during quiet activities or even complete rest.
Abnormal Breath Sounds (Wheezing)
You're sitting quietly when you notice a high-pitched whistling sound coming from your chest with each breath. That distinctive noise is wheezing, and it's your respiratory system's way of signaling that something is interfering with the normal flow of air through your airways. While it might sound alarming, wheezing is actually quite common and often manageable once you understand what's causing it.
Difficulty Breathing (Dyspnea on Exertion)
You climb a flight of stairs that never bothered you before, but halfway up, you find yourself stopping to catch your breath. Your heart pounds, and you feel like you can't get enough air. This experience, called dyspnea on exertion, affects millions of people and can signal everything from simple deconditioning to serious underlying conditions. Dyspnea on exertion means becoming unusually short of breath during activities that normally wouldn't cause breathing problems.
Emphysema
When Barbara started avoiding her daily walks because she felt breathless after just a few blocks, she assumed it was normal aging. Like millions of others, she didn't realize her lungs were quietly changing in ways that would gradually reshape her life. Emphysema develops slowly, often going unnoticed for years before symptoms become obvious.
Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary edema affects millions of people worldwide and remains one of the most frightening respiratory emergencies. This serious condition occurs when fluid accumulates in the tiny air sacs of the lungs, making it extremely difficult to breathe. The hallmark symptoms include sudden gasping for air and coughing up pink, frothy sputum that signals the lungs are filling with fluid. Understanding pulmonary edema is crucial because it can develop rapidly and requires prompt medical attention. The sensation patients experience is often compared to trying to breathe underwater, except the fluid is coming from inside the body itself rather than from an external source.
Acute Viral Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Acute viral upper respiratory infections affect billions of people worldwide each year, making them among the most common illnesses that disrupt daily life. These infections target the nose, throat, sinuses, and upper airways, and they rank as a leading reason for missed work and school days globally. Despite their prevalence and the significant impact they have on public health and productivity, these infections remain one of medicine's most persistent diagnostic and treatment challenges.
Chronic Rhinitis (Non-allergic)
Nonallergic rhinitis affects roughly 24 million Americans, causing persistent nasal congestion and runny nose symptoms that continue year-round without any identifiable allergen trigger. Unlike allergic rhinitis, this condition develops independently of seasonal changes or specific environmental allergens, yet can be just as disruptive to daily life. Understanding this common condition is essential for those experiencing chronic nasal symptoms that don't fit the typical allergy pattern.
Bronchial Asthma
More than 25 million Americans live with airways that react dramatically to triggers most people barely notice. A whiff of pollen, a burst of laughter, or even cold air can transform normal breathing into a struggle as airways narrow and fill with mucus. This chronic condition, known as bronchial asthma, affects people of all ages but often makes its first appearance during childhood.
Chronic Cough (Persistent Cough)
Your morning cup of coffee gets interrupted again by that familiar, nagging cough. It's been going on for months now, leaving you exhausted and your throat raw. If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with chronic cough, one of the most common reasons people visit their doctor.
Acute Bacterial Pneumonia (Community-Acquired)
Your body temperature spikes to 102°F, your chest feels like someone's sitting on it, and every cough sends sharp pain through your ribs. What started as a mild cold three days ago has transformed into something much more serious. This could be community-acquired pneumonia, one of the most common bacterial infections that sends people to the hospital.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - Gold Stage 3 Severe
When climbing a single flight of stairs leaves someone gasping for air, or when a simple cold turns into weeks of severe breathing problems, they might be experiencing COPD Gold Stage 3. This advanced form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease represents a significant milestone in the progression of lung damage, where breathing becomes a daily struggle that affects nearly every aspect of life.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Acute Exacerbation and Pneumothorax
When chronic obstructive pulmonary disease takes a dangerous turn, patients can face a perfect storm of breathing difficulties. COPD affects roughly 16 million Americans, but when this progressive lung condition suddenly worsens during what doctors call an acute exacerbation, the weakened lung tissue can sometimes tear or rupture, allowing air to leak into the chest cavity.
Acute Sinusitis (Bacterial and Viral)
That throbbing pressure behind your cheekbones and forehead isn't just another headache - it could be acute sinusitis, one of the most common reasons people visit their doctor each year. This condition occurs when the hollow spaces around your nose become inflamed and swollen, trapping mucus and creating the perfect environment for infection to take hold.
Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (Viral)
Acute viral respiratory tract infections are among the most common illnesses that people experience, affecting millions worldwide each year. These infections, commonly known as the common cold or flu, target the nose, throat, sinuses, and sometimes the upper airways. While they typically cause familiar symptoms like a scratchy throat and stuffy nose, understanding what doctors mean by an acute viral respiratory tract infection can help you recognize and manage these frequent health challenges more effectively.
Acute Dyspnea (Shortness of Breath)
Acute dyspnea, the medical term for sudden shortness of breath, is one of the most common reasons people seek emergency medical care. The condition can strike unexpectedly, causing a sensation of breathlessness, chest tightness, and the distressing feeling that each inhale is somehow insufficient. Understanding what happens during these episodes and when to seek help can make an important difference in outcomes.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with Acute Bacterial Exacerbation
Millions of people with COPD experience acute bacterial exacerbations, a sudden worsening of symptoms that can escalate from manageable chronic disease to a medical emergency within hours. During these exacerbations, patients often notice a deepening of their usual cough, a shift in sputum color to yellow-green, and a significant increase in breathing difficulty that surpasses their baseline symptoms. What begins as typical COPD manifestations can rapidly progress into a serious condition requiring emergency care. Understanding these exacerbations is crucial for patients and healthcare providers alike, as early recognition and intervention can make a significant difference in outcomes and quality of life.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - Mild Stage
You might notice you're slightly more winded climbing stairs than you used to be, or that persistent cough seems to hang around longer after each cold. These seemingly minor changes could signal the early stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as COPD. At this mild stage, the condition often flies under the radar, dismissed as normal aging or blamed on being out of shape.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Get the latest health information, research breakthroughs, and patient stories delivered directly to your inbox.