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Asthma: what is it? - Let's talk a bit about asthma. The illness is characterized by chronic inflammation of the respiratory passageways. The bronchi are easily irritated and tighten, preventing air from entering the lungs.

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Asthma: causes - The most common forms of irritation include dust, animal hair, and cigarette smoke.

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Asthma: causes - Food allergies can also provoke an asthma attack. Eggs, soy, chocolate, shrimp, and peanuts are just some of the foods in this group. 

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Asthma: causes - Exercise-induced asthma is another type of asthma in which respiratory passageways narrow during strenuous activity. 

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Asthma: how to treat? - Asthma can be diagnosed by a doctor with a simple exam. Treatment includes oral medication and inhaled medication that can relax the respiratory passageways and facilitate breathing.

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Bronchitis: what is it? - Bronchitis can be acute or chronic and involves inflammation of air passageways.

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Bronchitis: causes - Acute bronchitis is caused by a virus and is normally accompanied by a cold or flu. Chronic bronchitis can be caused by pollution or cigarette smoke. 

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Bronchitis: symptoms - A wet cough, fatigue, fever, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath are just some of the symptoms that accompany the illness.

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Bronchitis: treatment - After a diagnosis is made, treatment usually consists of cough medicine or other medications prescribed by a doctor. Make sure you see a specialist before trying to treat the illness.

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Bronchitis: treatment - Other than medication, there are other ways you can recover from a bout of bronchitis, including not smoking and making sure to drink plenty of fluids.

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Sinusitis: what is it? - Another very common respiratory illness is sinusitis, which consists of an accumulation of mucous in the sinus cavities of the face and results in inflammation and swelling.

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Sinusitis: causes - Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can all be causes of sinusitis, in addition to allergies. 

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Sinusitis: symptoms - If you're feeling pain or pressure in your face, loss or reduction in the sense of smell, or an earache, you may have sinusitis.

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Sinusitis: diagnosis - A diagnosis can be made using a nasal endoscope. A tube with fiber-optic light is inserted into the nose, allowing the doctor to see inside.

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Sinusitis: treatment - There are several measures you can take to alleviate symptoms in addition to doctor-prescribed medication. They include keeping your house clean and avoiding the accumulation of dust, reducing exposure to air conditioning, and nasal irrigation.

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COPD: what is it? - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a respiratory disease that is often confused with asthma as it presents with shortness of breath. However, with asthma, the shortness of breath is acute and isolated in attacks. With COPD, this symptom worsens over time.

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COPD: causes - COPD is the result of a loss of elasticity in the bronchi that can make it difficult for air to leave the lungs during exhalation.

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COPD: symptoms - Symptoms are normally seen in people between 35 and 40 years of age and are often associated with tobacco use. The first symptoms are cough and excess phlegm.

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COPD: symptoms - Following this, symptoms include shortness of breath, excessive fatigue, and lack of energy when carrying out simple tasks, such as climbing stairs.

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COPD: treatment - A specialist can prescribe medication to treat the illness. Additionally, it is critical to quit smoking and to rest before carrying out everyday tasks, such as showering and driving.

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Pneumonia: what is it? - This illness is caused by an infection in the lungs. The infection can be the result of a virus, bacteria, or fungus.

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Pneumonia: causes - The illness can be caused by many different germs, but most cases are due to bacteria and viruses present in the air.

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Pneumonia: causes - There are a series of factors that can contribute to  pneumonia, including smoking, lingering colds, or large temperature fluctuations.

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Pneumonia: symtpoms - Symptoms include a dry cough, high fever, chest pain, night sweats, and nausea. 

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Pneumonia: treatment - Blood tests and chest x-rays can help a doctor diagnose the illness. Treatment consists of antibiotics and in some cases (especially with the elderly) a hospital stay is necessary.

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Tuberculosis: what is it? - Tuberculosis is considered one of the most serious illnesses. It is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria that primarily affects the lungs.

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Tuberculosis: transmission - Tuberculosis is contagious and can be transmitted through saliva when a person coughs, speaks, or sneezes. Therefore, early diagnosis is critical to avoid the spread of the disease.

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Tuberculosis: causes - A weakened immune system caused by a poor diet, smoking, or excess alcohol consumption can also enhance the chances of contracting the illness.

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Tuberculosis: treatment - A cough that starts out dry and later contains liquid, pus, or blood is one of the biggest symptoms. Other symptoms include fever, night sweats, paleness, and loss of appetite. Tuberculosis has a cure and treatment consists of antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor.

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Breathe easy! - Take care of your health. If you experience any of these respiratory symptoms, don't hesitate to seek out a specialist. 

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