Lung Medical Reference

Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of a lung disease that can be triggered by breathing in particles in dust such as fungus, molds, bacteria, proteins, and chemicals.

Most people get silicosis from a workplace where they inhale large amounts of silica dust. Learn more about the causes, risk factors, symptoms, treatments, and how to prevent this lung disease.

Black lung disease is a job-related illness caused by inhaling coal dust over a long period of time. The condition mainly affects coal miners and is also known as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP).

An endobronchial ultrasound can help diagnose lung cancer, infections, and inflammation. Learn what to expect if your doctor recommends this procedure.

Learn about the symptoms for bacterial, viral, and fungal pneumonia, and find out what you need to do get better.

Childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) is a rare disorder that affects babies, children, and teens. Get an overview of what it is and its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

Find out what you need to know about VATS pleurodesis, including how it works, conditions treated, risks, and recovery.

What does a VQ scan do? Your doctor may request this test to measure air and blood flow.

Respiratory failure is a serious problem that can be mean your body's not getting the oxygen it needs. Learn the types, causes, symptoms, and treatments of acute and chronic respiratory failure.

Learn about the various symptoms related to M. catarrhalis and how to treat them.

Learn what pneumomediastinum is, what causes it and how to manage the condition.

If you don’t feel well, how you’re breathing can sometimes help your doctor figure out what’s going on. Find out more about the different types of breathing patterns and respiration rates like dyspnea, bradypnea, tachypnea, and Kussmaul breathing.

Do you know the sounds your lungs can make and what they might mean? Find out more about wheezing, crackling, stridor, and more.

This simple gadget helps you exercise your lungs so you can breathe deeply if you’ve had surgery or have a medical condition.

Home Oxygen Therapy can help get your body the extra oxygen it needs so you can breathe better. Learn more about how to get started with home oxygen therapy.

If you’re pregnant and have tuberculosis, you need treatment right away for the safety of you and your baby.

If you have asthma or some other lung disease, testing your lungs at home can help you track your health and head off trouble before it happens.

Chest retractions are a physical sign you're not getting enough air. Here's where they happen and why.

SARS, which stands for severe acute respiratory syndrome, is a potentially deadly disease. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of SARS.

Hyperventilating is when your breathing becomes too fast. Learn how to stop hyperventilation, and what to do if your breathing won't get back to normal.

Find out what a lung biopsy is, why you might need one, the types of lung biopsy procedures, and when you'll get results.

An arterial blood gas test can find ways to help your lungs do their job. Find out when you get it and what the results mean.

If your doctor thinks you have tuberculosis, it can be diagnosed with a TB skin test or a TB blood test. Depending on your positive or negative results, your doctor may do additional TB testing. Here's what to expect.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare lung condition. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition today.

PEFR stands for peak expiratory flow rate. It's a test that measures how fast you can exhale. Learn more about PEFR, why your doctor may suggest this test, how to prepare, what to expect, and possible complications.

Find out what you need to know about your acid-base balance, and discover how it may affect your health.

Respiratory acidosis is your body's response to having too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in your lungs. Learn what causes it, its symptoms, and how to treat it.

Learn about nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. What causes it? What are the symptoms? Who’s most likely to get it?

If you have nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease, use this guide as a starting point for your next doctor visit. Ask about symptoms, treatment, and living with this condition.

Learn about the different treatments for nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. Your doctor may try medicines, surgery, and complementary therapies.

Empyema is when you have pus between your lung and the membrane around it. Learn about empyema’s symptoms, treatment, and more.

Find out how dangerous black mold is, and discover the risks, precautions you should take, and how it may affect health.

Lipoid pneumonia occurs when fat in the lungs causes inflammation. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition.

Find out more about this lung condition that can be caused by chemicals that flavor microwave popcorn and some e-cigarettes.

Find out what you need to know about non-rebreather masks and discover their uses, risks, benefits, and how they may affect health.

Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, can be a warning sign of a health problem. Learn more about dyspnea symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Certain spores in dust can cause an allergic reaction that leads to a disease called farmer's lung. Find out about its symptoms and how to treat it.

Your rib cage protects them, but your lungs can still get injured. Learn the common causes of lung injuries and how they’re treated.

Pneumonia has a job to do, and so do you. A little self-care goes a long way.

Excess fluid between your lungs and chest wall can make it hard to breathe. A thoracentesis can give you relief and results.

What is Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)? Lung Fluid That Keeps Oxygen from Organs

WebMD explains what walking pneumonia is, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent catching this infectious type of pneumonia.

Bronchiolitis, a lung infection, is a common illness among infants that causes difficulties breathing. Most cases are mild and can be treated at home. Rarely, cases can be severe and require a hospital stay.

With bronchitis, there’s usually not a whole lot you can do with medicine, but there are some ways to get relief from your symptoms. Learn what works and when you should call the doctor.

Tuberculosis is a dangerous bacterial infection that attacks your lungs. Learn more about how it’s spread, who’s at risk, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious lung infection. Learn how to stop the spread -- —by protecting yourself and those around you.

Pleurisy is a type of chest pain that affects tissues around your lungs. Learn more about pleurisy causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and complications.

You’ve just learned you have TB. Now what? Find out what it’ll take for you to get better and avoid spreading the disease to others.

If you’re coughing up something gooey, your doctor might want to have a look.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that can be dangerous, but it’s almost always curable. Learn what medications are used for each type of the disease.