Apnea is a term that means breathing has stopped for more than 20 seconds. It can happen in full-term babies, but it is more common in premature babies. The more premature the baby, the greater the chances that apnea will occur.

Aspiration is when something enters the airway or lungs by accident. It may be food, liquid, or some other material. This can cause serious health problems, such as pneumonia.

Bronchiectasis is a condition that affects the airways to the lungs. It's often caused by an infection or other inflammatory condition. You can also be born with it.

Bronchoscopy is a procedure to look directly at the airways in the lungs through a thin, lighted tube (bronchoscope).

Chest fluoroscopy is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at how well your lungs are working. It can also look at other parts of your respiratory tract. Your respiratory tract includes your lungs, nose, throat, trachea, and bronchi.

A chest ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to look at the structures and organs in your chest. It can help your healthcare provider see how well your lungs and heart are working.

A chest X-ray is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at the structures and organs in your chest. It can help your healthcare provider see how well your lungs and heart are working. Certain heart problems can cause changes in your ...

Chronic bronchitis is long-term inflammation of the breathing tubes (bronchi). It is common among smokers. People with chronic bronchitis tend to get lung infections more easily. They also have episodes of acute bronchitis, when symptoms...

Chronic lung disease is the general term for long-term breathing problems in premature babies. It’s also called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Here's what you need ot know about this condition.

Pneumonia is a type of lung infection. It can cause breathing problems and other symptoms. In community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), you get infected in a community setting. It doesn’t happen in a hospital, nursing home, or other healthcare...

Croup is a common infection in children. It causes swelling in the upper part of the airway in the neck. It causes a barking cough, with or without fever. And it may cause problems breathing.

A computed tomography (CT) scan is a type of imaging test. It uses X-rays and a computer to make images or slices of the body. A CT scan can make detailed pictures of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, organs, and ...

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited life-threatening disease that affects many organs. People with CF have problems with the glands that make sweat and mucus.

The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage at the base of the tongue at the very back of the throat. When the epiglottis becomes swollen and inflamed, it is called epiglottitis.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a condition of the immune system. It causes swelling and irritation in blood vessels and other tissues.

Influenza (flu) is a very contagious viral infection that affects the air passages of the lungs. It causes a high fever, body aches, a cough, and other symptoms.

Interstitial lung disease is the name for a group of more than 200 chronic lung disorders. These diseases inflame or scar the lungs. The inflammation and scarring make it hard to get enough oxygen. The scarring is called pulmonary ...

A lobectomy is a surgery to remove one of the lobes of the lungs.

A lung scan is an imaging test to look at your lungs and help diagnose certain lung problems. A lung scan may also be used to see how well treatment is working.

Work-related lung diseases are lung problems that are made worse in certain work environments. They are caused by long-term exposure to certain irritants that are breathed into the lungs. These lung diseases may have lasting effects, ...

The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities. Paralysis of this muscle is uncommon. Causes and risk factors include cancer, traums and neuromuscular disorders. Treatment options run from observation to ...

Detailed information about peak flow measurement, a quick test to measure air flowing out of the lungs.

Pharyngitis and tonsillitis are infections that cause inflammation. If the tonsils are mainly affected, it is called tonsillitis. If the throat is mainly affected, it is called pharyngitis. These infections are spread by close contact ...

Pleural biopsy is a procedure to remove a tissue sample from the membrane that surrounds the lungs called the pleura.

Pneumoconiosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in certain kinds of dust particles that damage your lungs. It's often called a work-related lung disease.

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or chemical irritants. It is a serious infection or inflammation in which the air sacs fill with pus and other liquid.

Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs. It can be mild or serious. Pneumonia is generally more common in children younger than 5 years old.

A pneumothorax is an air leak in the lungs. It's when air from the lungs leaks into the chest area.

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is high blood pressure in the lungs. It's a rare lung disorder in which the blood vessels in the lungs narrow and the pressure in the pulmonary artery rises far above normal levels. Pulmonary ...

Pulmonary angiogram is an X-ray image of the blood vessels of the lungs.