Respiratory health Archive

A nagging cough can have many hidden causes. Learn which conditions doctors look for and why a chest x‑ray may be important.

Repeated infections in one lung can point to hidden airway damage, aspiration, immune problems, or inflammation. Tests like CT and bronchoscopy may help identify the cause.

Flare‑ups of COPD can speed lung decline, sap energy, and raise the risk of death. Outlook may depend on smoking status and inhaler treatments.

Managing emphysema involves more than an occasional lung test. Learn how breathing studies, oxygen checks, and symptoms can be used to track your lung health.

Severe emphysema can bring crippling breathlessness and the need fro supplemental oxygen. Learn how doctors define the final stage and what it may mean for longevity.

Thunderstorm asthma is an attack that starts or worsens after a thunderstorm. It can occur in anyone with asthma, but it most often affects people with seasonal allergies. There are several risk factors that make experiencing this phenomenon more likely, so it's important to know what these are.

A 2026 study found that low vitamin D levels may increase the risk of hospitalization for respiratory infections (such as colds, flu, pneumonia, and bronchitis) by as much as 33%. Sunlight, foods containing vitamin D, and supplements help maintain healthy vitamin D levels.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), marked by breathing pauses during sleep, is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. A 2025 study found that people at high risk for OSA also had about 40% higher odds of depression and other mental health conditions.

Climate change is causing longer, more intense allergy seasons, with increased amounts of pollen. This might make it harder for people to predict when their allergies might crank up, when to begin preparing for them, and how to discern the difference between allergy symptoms and upper respiratory illness. Strategies to cope include noting daily pollen counts, staying indoors when counts are high, checking with a doctor about new or worsening symptoms, and wearing a mask when outside for more than a few minutes.