Lung Medical Reference
- What Are Chest Retractions?
Chest retractions are a physical sign you're not getting enough air. Here's where they happen and why.
- What Is Hyperventilation?
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.
- What Is SARS?
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.
- What to Expect From a Lung Biopsy
Find out what a lung biopsy is, why you might need one, the types of lung biopsy procedures, and when you'll get results.
- Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG)
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.
- TB (Tuberculosis) Tests
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.
- What Is Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis?
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare lung condition. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition today.
- PEFR: What to Know
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.
- What Is Respiratory Acidosis?
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.
- What to Know About Acid-Base Balance
Find out what you need to know about your acid-base balance, and discover how it may affect your health.
- Talking to Your Doctor About NTM Lung Disease
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.
- What Is Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease?
Learn about nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. What causes it? What are the symptoms? Who’s most likely to get it?
- NTM Lung Disease: A Diagnosis Challenge
It isn’t easy to diagnose nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. Learn about the symptoms to watch for and tests your doctor will use.
- Treatment for Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease
Learn about the different treatments for nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. Your doctor may try medicines, surgery, and complementary therapies.
- What Is Empyema?
Empyema is when you have pus between your lung and the membrane around it. Learn about empyema’s symptoms, treatment, and more.
- Can Black Mold Kill You?
Find out how dangerous black mold is, and discover the risks, precautions you should take, and how it may affect health.
- What Is Lipoid Pneumonia?
Lipoid pneumonia occurs when fat in the lungs causes inflammation. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition.
- What Is Popcorn Lung?
Find out more about this lung condition that can be caused by chemicals that flavor microwave popcorn and some e-cigarettes.
- What to Know About Non-Rebreather Masks
Find out what you need to know about non-rebreather masks and discover their uses, risks, benefits, and how they may affect health.
- Dyspnea: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, can be a warning sign of a health problem. Learn more about dyspnea symptoms, causes, and treatments.
- What Is Farmer's Lung?
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.
- Do I Have a Lung Injury?
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: How to Feel Better
Pneumonia has a job to do, and so do you. A little self-care goes a long way.
- What Is Thoracentesis?
Excess fluid between your lungs and chest wall can make it hard to breathe. A thoracentesis can give you relief and results.
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
What is Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)? Lung Fluid That Keeps Oxygen from Organs
- What Is Walking Pneumonia?
WebMD explains what walking pneumonia is, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent catching this infectious type of pneumonia.
- What Is Bronchiolitis?
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.
- Bronchitis Home Remedies: What Helps You Feel Better?
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 Prevention: What to Know
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious lung infection. Learn how to stop the spread -- —by protecting yourself and those around you.
- What You Must Do if You Have TB
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.
- Pleurisy (Pleuritis)
Pleurisy is a type of chest pain that affects tissues around your lungs. Learn more about pleurisy causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and complications.
- Tuberculosis (TB): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
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.
- What Is a Sputum Culture?
If you’re coughing up something gooey, your doctor might want to have a look.
- What Are the Symptoms of Tuberculosis?
Did you know you could have tuberculosis (TB) and not know it? Learn the symptoms that let you know you have this serious – but treatable – condition.
- Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung)
Pneumothorax happens when air gets into the space between the lung and the inner wall of the chest. WebMD explains how a collapsed lung can happen in people who are otherwise healthy and in people with lung disease.
- Bronchitis Diagnosis and Treatment: What to Know
Acute bronchitis brings on a nagging cough. Make sure you get the right diagnosis and treatment to get rid of it fast.
- What’s the Treatment for Tuberculosis?
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.
- What Is Viral Pneumonia?
What is viral pneumonia, and how do you get it? Learn the symptoms of this lung infection and how can you get better.
- Is It Bronchitis or Pneumonia?
They’re both lung infections, and it can be hard to tell them apart. WebMD explains the differences between pneumonia and bronchitis and how each is treated.
- What Are the Symptoms of Bronchitis?
Symptoms of acute bronchitis can sometimes be hard to tell from cold and other breathing conditions. Watch for a long-lasting cough, lots of mucus, and other symptoms.
- Pneumonia: Signs and Symptoms
WebMD's guide to the symptoms of pneumonia.
- Pulmonary Function Test
If you’re having trouble catching your breath, your doctor may perform a pulmonary function test that may help explain why. Learn more about what PFTs can help diagnose and the different types of lung function tests from WebMD.
- What Is Bacterial Pneumonia?
What are the symptoms of bacterial pneumonia? How can you get better?
- Pneumonia
Pneumonia is the infection and inflammation of air sacs in your lungs. These air sacs, called alveoli, can fill with fluid or pus, causing a serious cough and fever. Learn more about pneumonia at WebMD.
- Spirometry
Spirometry is an easy and painless test that can help diagnose COPD and other lung problems. Learn more about how you can prepare for the spirometry test and what to expect.
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
WebMD discusses signs of RSV in babies as well as its risk factors, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention.
- What Is Asbestos?
Learn about asbestos, the fibrous mineral long used in manufacturing and construction.
- Legionnaires' Disease
The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Legionnaires Disease
- Heart Problems That Affect Your Breathing
Some breathing problems are a sign that something is wrong with your heart.
- Breathing Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore
Don’t blame your age or activity level if you’re finding it hard to breathe. Feeling winded could be a sign of a health problem.