Understanding Chronic Cough: When to See a Specialist
A chronic cough lasting more than 8 weeks is usually a symptom of an underlying condition like asthma, acid reflux, postnasal drip, or lung disease.
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Educational content reviewed by our clinical team. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Why Shortness of Breath Isn’t Always Asthma
Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, can point to several conditions beyond asthma, including COPD, heart problems, pulmonary embolism, and lung scarring.
Read ArticleWhat Are the Options to Treat Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?
Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IPAH) has no known cause and no cure, but several treatments can slow progression and ease symptoms.
Read ArticleIs Working Out Safe with Pulmonary Hypertension?
A modified, non-strenuous workout regime is often part of pulmonary hypertension treatment. Here are safety tips to keep in mind.
Read ArticleHow to Deal with PPHN?
PPHN, or Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn, occurs when a baby’s lung blood vessels do not open properly at birth, limiting oxygen delivery.
Read Article5 Ways to Have a Good Snooze with Fluid in Lungs
Pleural effusion — fluid buildup around the lungs — can make breathing difficult at night. These tips can help you sleep more comfortably.
Read ArticleHow to Deal with Hyperinflation of Lungs
Hyperinflation of the lungs occurs when air becomes trapped and lungs expand beyond their normal size, most commonly linked to COPD.
Read ArticleEssential Oils and Sinus Infection — What’s the Link?
Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree may help ease sinus infection symptoms such as congestion, pressure, and headache.
Read ArticleWhat Are Blood Clots in the Lungs?
A blood clot in the lungs, known as a pulmonary embolism, blocks blood flow to and from the heart and needs prompt attention.
Read ArticleI Can't Breathe, My Lungs Are Choking!
Waking up gasping or choking for air can stem from several causes, including obstructive sleep apnea, pulmonary edema, acid reflux, and more.
Read ArticleWhat Is Adult-Onset Asthma?
Asthma is often thought of as a childhood disease, but it can develop later in life — a diagnosis after age 20 is known as adult-onset asthma.
Read ArticleWhat Is the Average Mortality Rate of Pulmonary Embolism?
Pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs. Here is what the research says about mortality rates, causes, and symptoms.
Read ArticleIs Pulmonary Embolism Fatal?
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot lodges in a lung artery, blocking blood flow — it can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Read ArticleHow Does Vaping Damage Your Lungs?
Vaping exposes the lungs to nicotine, heavy metals, and other chemicals that can inflame airways, raise infection risk, and are linked to serious lung conditions.
Read ArticleDealing with Wheezing While Lying Down
Wheezing that shows up specifically when lying down can be linked to sleep apnea, heart failure, nocturnal asthma, or GERD.
Read ArticleAre Your Ears Ringing Due to High Blood Pressure?
Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, can be connected to high blood pressure and some of the medications used to treat it.
Read ArticleWhy Does Fluid Build Up Around the Heart?
Pericardial effusion, or fluid buildup around the heart, can result from inflammation, cancer, infection, or injury, with treatment depending on the cause.
Read ArticleWhy Is Your Chest Bubbling?
A bubbling or gurgling sensation in the chest is never normal — learn 7 possible causes, from bronchitis and asthma to pleurisy and lung tumors.
Read ArticleNo Inhaler? Here Are 7 Things to Do During an Asthma Attack Without an Inhaler
If you misplace your inhaler during an asthma attack, these steps — from calling for medical help to breathing techniques — can help while you get care.
Read ArticleTop 10 Essential Oils to Treat Cough
Ten essential oils — including lavender, peppermint, thyme, and eucalyptus — that are commonly used as home remedies to help ease cough and congestion.
Read ArticleWant to Know How to Stop Wheezing? Try These 6 Helpful Tips.
Six practical tips — from warm liquids and moist air to pursed-lip breathing and diet changes — that may help reduce wheezing at home.
Read ArticleIs Mucus in Chest the Reason for Congestion?
Chest congestion and tightness can come from allergies, asthma, COPD, colds, pneumonia, lung cancer, or even heart problems.
Read ArticleWhy Is Your Nose Burning?
A sudden burning sensation in the nose can stem from a sinus infection, cold or flu, hay fever, medication, or dry climate conditions.
Read ArticleBronchitis vs Covid - How to Distinguish between Them?
Bronchitis and COVID-19 share many respiratory symptoms, but differences in cough type, additional symptoms, and treatment can help tell them apart.
Read ArticleWhy Do I Have Black Specks in Mucus?
Black or dark specks in mucus usually point to something inhaled — from air pollution and smoking to coal dust or soot — rather than a medical emergency.
Read ArticleBlood in Snot
Blood in your snot can come from dry nasal passages, frequent nose-blowing, or an infection — here's what the color of your mucus can tell you.
Read ArticleBronchiolitis vs Bronchitis - How to Differentiate between Them?
Bronchiolitis and bronchitis are two distinct lung infections that affect children and adults differently — here is how to tell them apart.
Read Article5 Reasons Why You Need to Clear Throat Because of Phlegm Stuck in It
Persistent throat clearing because of phlegm stuck in the throat for months can signal an underlying condition — here are 5 possible reasons why.
Read Article4 Exercises to Help with COPD
Four breathing exercises — deep breathing, pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and controlled coughing — that can help COPD patients breathe more easily.
Read Article7 Causes of Shortness of Breath After Eating
Shortness of breath after eating is uncommon, but when it happens it can point to anything from a food allergy to COPD.
Read ArticleShould I Really Use Essential Oils for Asthma?
Essential oils are sometimes used alongside standard asthma treatment, but they are not a substitute for medical therapy — here is what to know.
Read ArticleUpper Back Pain During Breathing — Should I Be Worried?
Upper back discomfort during breathing may indicate anything from a strained muscle to pleurisy or a cardiac issue.
Read ArticleMy Back Hurts When I Breathe — 8 Reasons for Your Discomfort
Back pain during breathing can feel confusing since the lungs sit in the chest cavity — here are 8 reasons it can still happen.
Read Article9 Effective Ways to Deal With Phlegm Production After Eating
Phlegm production right after eating has several possible causes, from food allergies to GERD — here are 9 to be aware of.
Read ArticleIs It a Common Cold or COVID-19? What Is Your Mucus Trying to Tell You?
The color and consistency of your mucus can offer clues about whether you are dealing with a cold, allergies, or something more like COVID-19.
Read ArticleDoes Asthma Go Away? Or Does It Require Lifelong Treatment?
Asthma is a chronic condition that never completely goes away once you have it — but with the right management, symptoms can be well controlled.
Read ArticleBronchitis vs Pneumonia: Differences, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Bronchitis and pneumonia share many symptoms but affect different parts of the respiratory system — here is how to tell them apart.
Read ArticleShortness of Breath and Dizziness, Should I Be Worried About It?
Shortness of breath and dizziness are common, but together they can occasionally signal a medical emergency such as a pulmonary embolism or heart attack.
Read ArticleTossing on the Bed During Sleep? Causes and Tips to Stop It
Constant tossing and turning during sleep may point to an underlying respiratory condition — here are the common causes and tips to sleep better.
Read ArticleCan I Lower My Diastolic Blood Pressure Naturally?
Blood pressure consists of systolic and diastolic measurements, and both must be addressed together — here are 7 natural methods that may help.
Read ArticleDo You Have a Cough That Won't Go Away? Maybe It's Time to See a Doctor
A cough that lingers for weeks can have many causes, from a common cold to COPD or asthma — here's when it's time to see a pulmonologist.
Read ArticleShould You Be Worried About Upper Back Pain Between Shoulder Blades?
An issue with the spine, an injury, or bad posture can all result in pain between the shoulder blades — here are 5 common, usually non-serious causes.
Read ArticleWhat Is a Bruised Lung?
A bruised lung, medically termed a pulmonary contusion, results from chest trauma that damages blood vessels and allows fluid to accumulate in lung tissue.
Read Article5 Causes of Burning Sensation in Lungs
A burning feeling in the chest is common and often harmless, but it can sometimes point to something more serious, from heartburn to pulmonary embolism.
Read ArticleDo You Have COVID-19 or a Sinus Infection? How to Differentiate
COVID-19 and sinus infections share several overlapping symptoms, but a few distinctive signs can help you tell them apart.
Read ArticleCan Allergies Cause Shortness of Breath?
Allergies affect tens of millions of Americans each year and can trigger shortness of breath through two different pathways: hay fever and allergic asthma.
Read ArticleCan Allergies Cause a Fever?
Allergies do not directly cause fever, but they can lead to health problems — like sinus infections — that do.
Read ArticleHow Fast Does Lung Cancer Grow?
There is no single answer to how fast lung cancer progresses — it depends heavily on the cancer's type, stage, and location.
Read ArticleHow COVID-19 Affects Your Lungs
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that can cause breathing problems ranging from mild to critical, with potential complications including pneumonia, ARDS, and sepsis.
Read ArticleShort- and Long-Term Lung Damage COVID-19 Can Cause
COVID-19 affects the respiratory system with a severity that varies by immune function, age, and overall health, and recovery time varies accordingly.
Read ArticleDo You Need to See a Sleep Apnea Specialist?
Sleep apnea causes repeated breathing interruptions during sleep and daytime symptoms like fatigue — a specialist can diagnose and help manage it.
Read ArticleUnderstanding Pulmonary Embolism Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is a symptom of pulmonary embolism that many people are not aware of, and sudden onset can indicate a medical emergency.
Read ArticleChoosing the Best Face Mask for Asthma
Asthma patients should not skip wearing masks — the right mask can also help block dust and allergens that trigger attacks.
Read Article5 Ways a Lung Cancer Specialist Will Enhance Your Care
Seeing a lung cancer specialist alongside your oncologist can give you a fuller range of care during your treatment journey.
Read ArticleHeadache From Coughing? It Might Be a Lung Infection
A headache that starts during a coughing fit is usually caused by pressure or straining, but persistent coughing can point to an underlying lung infection.
Read ArticleWhat Is the Asthma Control Test?
The Asthma Control Test is a simple questionnaire that helps patients and their doctors determine whether asthma symptoms are well-controlled.
Read ArticleIs It Time to See an Asthma Specialist?
While many people manage asthma with a primary care provider, certain warning signs mean it is time to see a specialist.
Read ArticleHow to Make a COPD Action Plan
COPD is a chronic condition that benefits from a structured, written action plan covering medications, coping strategies, and emergency steps.
Read ArticleBoard-Certified Pulmonologists
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