Respiratory Conditions

Respiratory conditions impact the lungs and the ability to breath. In this section, find out about the symptoms and treatment of apnea, orthopnea and more.

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What in the world is monkeypox, and should Americans be worried about another contagious virus spreading across the U.S. and Europe?

By Joanna Thompson

Wearing some sort of face mask is more important than ever now to protect you and others from coronavirus. But how do clean and safely store it?

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Anosmia, or the loss of the ability to detect one or more smells, is a common symptom of upper respiratory viral infections. It might also be a way to tell if you have novel coronavirus.

By Jesslyn Shields

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More than a year has passed since a new strain — SARS-CoV-2 — emerged in China and rapidly spread across the globe, infecting more than 90 million and killing more than 2 million. What has — and hasn't — changed since then?

By Sarah Gleim

The long-standing cultural belief that milk products generate phlegm is a myth, according to a 2018 literature review.

By Jesslyn Shields

The branding on cigarette boxes steers smokers who pick up the packs. But without it, smokers aren't as keen on taking a drag.

By Kate Kershner

A cystic fibrosis newborn screening test is relatively inexpensive. Learn more about the cost of a cystic fibrosis test from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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Try home remedies or pharmaceutical medications for quick relief from heavy congestion. Find out about the fastest way to cure heavy congestion from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

The life expectancy for someone with emphysema depends on many factors, including the severity of the condition. Learn more about the life expectancy for someone with emphysema from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

COPD is a progressive disease that makes it more and more difficult to breathe as the disease worsens. Learn more about COPD by reading this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Emphysema is a disease in which air becomes trapped in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe out. Learn more about emphysema in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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Pseudomonas aeruginosa is bacteria that infect immunocompromised people, and can cause pneumonia, and chronic respiratory problems in vulnerable people. Learn more about pseudomonas aeruginosa and its relationship to respiratory infections from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Exercise training has many positive effects on people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Learn more about the effects of exercise training on physical functioning patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by reading this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Emphysema occurs when the small air sacs in your lungs become damaged and destroyed. Learn more about emphysema by reading this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

There are four stages of emphysema. Learn more about the stages of emphysema by reading this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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Inflammation in your lungs can cause a condition called pleurisy, and, in very severe situations, an abscess in your lung. Learn what inflammation in your lungs can cause from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

The hiccups mean that something has irritated the nerves in your diaphragm, causing a spasm. Read this article to learn what hiccups mean.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Common bowel symptoms of cystic fibrosis include constipation, diarrhea and foul-smelling stools. Learn more about bowel symptoms of cystic fibrosis from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Diacetyl is a chemical used to make popcorn and other candy taste buttery; people who are exposed to it regularly may suffer from damage to their lungs. Learn more about the effects of diacetyl from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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Adults can experience a range of respiratory conditions. Learn about common respiratory conditions in adults from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

There are a range of respiratory conditions that can affect infants. Learn more about common respiratory conditions in infants from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

There are many diseases of the respiratory system because the respiratory system involves so many different organs and tissues. Learn what the diseases of the respiratory system are in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is often a sign of heart failure that causes frightening episodes of shortness of breath at night. Learn more about nursing interventions for paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

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Some respiratory infections, like pneumonia, are treated with antibiotics. Learn what antibiotics can help treat respiratory infections from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

There is a latex allergy diet because there are some foods related to latex that you may be allergic to if you are allergic to latex. Find out about latex allergy diets in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors