Asthma

   Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. Your airways are tubes that carry air
   in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways become sore and
   swollen. That makes them very sensitive, and they may react strongly to things that you are
   allergic to or find irritating. When your airways react, they get narrower and your lungs get
   less air. This can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially
   early in the morning or at night.

   When your asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it's called an asthma attack. In a severe
   asthma attack, the airways can close so much that your vital organs do not get enough oxygen.
   People can die from severe asthma attacks.

   Asthma is treated with two kinds of medicines: quick-relief medicines to stop asthma symptoms
   and long-term control medicines to prevent symptoms.

   

   

   Bronchitis

   Bronchitis is an inflammation of the main air passages (bronchi) to your lungs. It causes a
   cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Coughing often brings up yellow or greenish
   mucus. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic.

   Acute bronchitis is often caused by the same viruses that cause colds. It usually starts as a
   sore throat, runny nose or sinus infection, then spreads to your airways. It can cause a
   lingering dry cough, but it usually goes away on its own.

   Chronic bronchitis is one type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The inflamed
   bronchi produce a lot of mucus. This leads to cough and difficulty getting air in and out of
   the lungs. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause. Breathing in other fumes and dusts over
   a long period of time may also cause chronic bronchitis. Treatment will help your symptoms,
   but chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that keeps coming back or never goes away
   completely.

   

   

   Emphysema

   Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involving damage to the
   air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. As a result, your body does not get the oxygen it needs.
   Emphysema makes it hard to catch your breath. You may also have a chronic cough and have
   trouble breathing during exercise.

   The most common cause is cigarette smoking. If you smoke, quitting can help prevent you from
   getting the disease. If you already have emphysema, not smoking might keep it from getting
   worse. Treatment is based on whether your symptoms are mild, moderate or severe. Treatments
   include inhalers, oxygen, medications and sometimes surgery to relieve symptoms and prevent
   complications.

   

   

   

   

   Lung Cancer

   Also called: Bronchogenic carcinoma

   Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is a leading cause of cancer
   death in men and women in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The
   more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk
   of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase
   risk.

   Common symptoms of lung cancer include

     o A cough that doesn't go away and gets worse over time
     o Constant chest pain
     o Coughing up blood
     o Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
     o Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis
     o Swelling of the neck and face
     o Loss of appetite or weight loss
     o Fatigue

   There are many types of lung cancer. Each type of lung cancer grows and spreads in different
   ways and is treated differently. Treatment also depends on the stage, or how advanced it is.
   Treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

   

   

   Whooping Cough

   Also called: Pertussis

   Whooping cough is an infectious bacterial disease that causes uncontrollable coughing. The
   name comes from the noise you make when you take a breath after you cough. You may have
   choking spells or may cough so hard that you vomit.

   Anyone can get whooping cough, but it is more common in infants and children. It's especially
   dangerous in infants. The coughing spells can be so bad that it is hard for infants to eat,
   drink or breathe.

   Before there was a vaccine, whooping cough was one of the most common childhood diseases and a
   major cause of childhood deaths in the U.S. There are fewer cases today because there are both
   pertussis-only vaccines and combination vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. If you
   have whooping cough, treatment with antibiotics may help if given early.

   

   

   Sinusitis

   Sinusitis means your sinuses are infected or inflamed. Your sinuses are hollow air spaces
   within the bones surrounding the nose. They produce mucus, which drains into the nose. If your
   nose is swollen, this can block the sinuses and cause pain and infection.

   Sinusitis can be acute, lasting for less than four weeks, or chronic, lasting much longer.
   Acute sinusitis often starts as a cold, which then turns into a bacterial infection.
   Allergies, pollutants, nasal problems and certain diseases can also cause sinusitis.

   Symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness, fatigue, cough and congestion. There may
   also be mucus drainage in the back of the throat, called postnasal drip. Treatments include
   antibiotics, decongestants and pain relievers. Using heat pads on the inflamed area, saline
   nasal sprays and vaporizers can also help.