Lungs
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The lungs are part of our respiratory system. Along with the trachea, alveoli, bronchi and diaphragm, they help us breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Lungs can be affected by infection or allergy or may puncture or collapse.
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- Asthma explained
Asthma cannot be cured, but with good management people with asthma can lead normal, active lives.
- Choking
Don't slap a choking person on the back while they are upright - gravity may cause the object to slip further down their windpipe. Find out what to do when someone is choking.
- Coughing and wheezing in children
Coughing and wheezing in babies can be distressing for you and your baby, but in most cases symptoms can be relieved at home.
- Croup
Croup is a viral infection of the throat and windpipe that causes noisy breathing, a hoarse voice and a harsh, barking cough.
- Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure on the lungs.
- Sleep apnoea
A person with sleep apnoea may wake hundreds of times every night.
- Air pollution
The major sources of man-made air pollution in Melbourne are from motor vehicle emissions and wood heaters.
- Asbestos and your health
When asbestos fibres become airborne, people working with asbestos may inhale particles which remain in their lungs.
- Aspergillus
Aspergillus is a fungus that commonly grows on rotting vegetation. It can cause asthma symptoms.
- Cadmium
Low-level exposure to cadmium over a long period of time may cause health effects because cadmium can accumulate in the body.
- Disease clusters
Disease clusters are rare but can cause community concern about the possible effects of exposure to environmental hazards.
- Passive smoking
Passive smoking means breathing other people's second-hand tobacco smoke. Passive smoking increases the risk of serious illness in both children and adults.
- Wood fires and breathing problems
The smoke from wood fires can affect air quality and may affect people's health.
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
CPR is a life-saving skill that everyone should learn from an accredited organisation.
- E-cigarette safety
E-liquid products may or may not contain nicotine or other harmful substances. E-liquid products are not always labelled accurately and there is no guarantee that a product does not contain nicotine.
- E-cigarettes and vaping
Electronic cigarettes – or e-cigarettes – simulate the act of smoking, but you don’t burn tobacco when you use them.
- Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure on the lungs.
- Respiratory system
The respiratory system takes up oxygen from the air we breathe and expels the unwanted carbon dioxide.
- Smoking - effects on your body
Along with nicotine, people who smoke inhale about 7,000 other chemicals in cigarette smoke. Many of these chemicals come from burning tobacco leaf. Some of these compounds are chemically active and trigger profound and damaging changes in the body.
- What to expect when you quit smoking
Quitting smoking is the best thing you will ever do for your health. Withdrawal can be challenging, but it can help if you look at the symptoms as signs that your body is recovering.
- Cystic fibrosis (CF)
When a person has cystic fibrosis, their mucus glands secrete very thick sticky mucus that clogs the tiny air passages in the lungs and traps bacteria.
- Emphysema
Emphysema is generally caused by cigarette smoking or long-term exposure to certain industrial pollutants or dusts.
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), formerly known as Wegener granulomatosis is a rare condition that targets the arteries, veins and capillaries of the kidneys and the respiratory system.
- Long COVID
Find out about the long-term symptoms and effects of COVID-19.
- Lung cancer
Lung cancer occurs most often in adults between the ages of 40 and 70 who have smoked cigarettes for at least 20 years.
- Lung conditions - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the collective term for a number of lung diseases that prevent proper breathing.
- Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung disease that can affect women during their reproductive years.
- Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can develop decades after exposure to asbestos.
- Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung disease
NTM lung disease is a serious disease caused by bacteria commonly found in soil and water. It can cause damage to the lungs and make people very ill.
- Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure on the lungs.
- Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is not a cancer or any other sort of malignant tumour.
- Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection in babies under 6 months of age
- Chest infections
A chest infection affects your lungs, either in the larger airways (bronchitis) or in the smaller air sacs (pneumonia).
- Influenza (flu)
Influenza (the flu) is caused by a virus. The flu is more than just a bad cold. It can occasionally lead to serious complications. Immunisation offers protection from flu.
- Legionnaires' disease
Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia.
- Pleurisy
Treating any infection of the upper respiratory tract quickly will reduce the risk of developing pleurisy.
- Pneumonia
Anyone can get pneumonia, but young children and the elderly are most susceptible.
- Psittacosis - parrot fever
People who have birds as pets, poultry workers and anyone working in aviaries or pet shops, are most at risk of catching psittacosis.
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a virus that can cause respiratory infections that affect the airways and lungs.
- Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis (TB) is spread when a person with an active infection coughs, laughs, sings or sneezes.
- Whooping cough – a family’s experience (video)
A family shares their experience when their baby daughter contracted whooping cough (or pertussis)
- Whooping cough (Pertussis)
The major symptom of whooping cough is a severe cough, which is often followed by a 'whooping' sound.
Reviewed on: 23-02-2022