Respiratory Diseases Overview | Lung Health Disorders

Respiratory diseases affect the lungs and airways, leading to breathing difficulties, coughing, and other symptoms that require medical evaluation and treatment.
Related products/activities
Application
Pulmonary Disorders | Lung Health Issues | Respiratory Illnesses | Lung Health Disorders | Breathing Difficulties
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Dr. Helena Rodriguez

Respiratory Diseases FAQ


Image credit: verywellhealth.com

What are the most common respiratory diseases?

The most common respiratory diseases are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Some respiratory diseases are acute, like an infection that will get better with treatment, while others are or become chronic and need to be managed.

What are the symptoms of a respiratory disease?

Many respiratory diseases share symptoms, such as long-term cough. Certain symptoms are specific to one disease or another. For example, night sweats tend to occur in people with tuberculosis. Tuberculosis may be suspected if you've lived or recently traveled to a place where TB spreads.

What parts of the respiratory system are affected by a disease?

Diseases of the respiratory system may affect any of the structures and organs that have to do with breathing, including the nasal cavities, the pharynx (or throat), the larynx, the trachea (or windpipe), the bronchi and bronchioles, the tissues of the lungs, and the respiratory muscles of the chest cage.

What is the who chronic respiratory diseases programme?

The aim of the WHO Chronic Respiratory Diseases Programme is to support Member States in their efforts to reduce the toll of morbidity, disability and premature mortality related to chronic respiratory diseases, specifically asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Respiratory Diseases References

If you want to know more about Respiratory Diseases, consider exploring links below:

Explore Related Topics

How Can Digital Health Tools Enhance Emergency Inhaler Usage?

Explore the impact of digital health tools like apps and smart inhalers on improving emergency inhaler usage and asthma management.