Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis (CF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Allergies - Hay Fever, Pollen, Coughs and Colds, Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Croup, Sinusitis, Laryngitis, Tonsillitis, Rhinitis, Ear Infections, Snoring, Smokers Cough, therefore any condition that is associated to the Respiratory System.
Asthma is a chronic disease affecting the airways and as a result interrupts breathing. With asthma there is inflammation of the air passage which results in temporary narrowing of the airways which carries oxygen to the lung. This results in coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness of the chest.
Cystic fibrosis (also known as CF or Mucoviscidosis) is a common hereditary disease. Cystic Fibrosis is a chronic disease affecting the liver, lungs, pancreas, and intestines. CF disrupts the body's salt balance, therefore leaves too little salt and water on the outside of cells causing the thin layer of mucus that usually keeps the lungs free of germs to become thick and sticky. Mucus is difficult to cough up therefore clogging the lungs and airways leads to breathing difficulties and lung infections. Cystic fibrosis also affects the digestive system by obstructing the pancreas and preventing the natural enzymes from helping the body to break down and absorb food.
The term COPD is used to describe airways which are narrowed due to Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, or both. COPD contributes to lung damage and inflammation of the Alveoli within the lung. This limits airflow to and from the lungs causing shortness of breath. Emphysema is an enlargement of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, with destruction of their walls. The destruction of air space walls reduces the surface area available for the exchange of gasses during breathing. Coughing is usually the first symptom to develop. It is productive with sputum (phlegm). It tends to come and go at first, and then gradually becomes more persistent (chronic). You may think of your cough as a 'smokers cough' in the early stages of the disease. It is when the breathlessness begins that people often become concerned. Breathlessness ('short of breath') and wheeze may occur only when you exert yourself at first, for example, when you climb stairs. These symptoms tend to become gradually worse over the years if you continue to smoke. Difficulty with breathing may eventually become quite distressing. Chest Infections are more common if you have COPD. Wheezing with cough and breathlessness may become worse than usual if you have a chest infection. Sputum usually turns yellow or green during a chest infection. In contrast to Asthma this limitation is poorly reversible and usually gets progressively worse over time.
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils (act as filters, trapping germs that could otherwise enter your airways and cause infection) most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infection (Streptococcus - strep meaning bacteria). Symptoms may include sore throat and fever. Tonsillitis is common, especially in children. The condition can occur occasionally or recur frequently.
Ear infections (acute otitis media) occur when the tubes inside the ear, called the eustachian tubes, get filled with fluids and mucus because a bacterial or viral infection causes inflammation of the middle ear. This causes significant pain and may also lead to a fever.
Is recognised by inflammation of the lining of the sinuses, which is caused by a bacterial or viral infection. The symptoms of sinusitis may vary causing high temperature, pain, tenderness in the face and a blocked or runny nasal tract other symptoms may include, tiredness, sinus headache, a cough, halitosis (bad breath) pressure in your ears, loss of taste and smell.
You have 4 pairs of sinuses in your cranium:
Your sinuses open up into the cavity of your nose and help control the temperature and water content of the air reaching your lungs. Usually, the mucus naturally produced by your sinuses drains into your nose through small channels. These channels can become blocked when the sinuses are infected and inflamed.It is the sinuses behind the cheekbones (the largest ones) that are most commonly affected.
Sinusitis is classified as:
Acute Sinusitis: when it develops quickly (over a few days) following a cold or flu and clears up within 12 weeks
Or
Chronic Sinusitis: when symptoms last for more than 12 weeks.
Laryngitis is the medical term for inflammation and swelling of the larynx, which is also known as the voice box. Most of the causes of laryngitis, such as common viruses infections or using your voice too much, are not serious. A few causes, however, require medical attention and can be cause for concern such as laryngeal cancer. As such, when laryngitis persists, be aware that this may indicate a more significant medical problem.
Laryngitis Causes
Laryngitis is usually caused by a virus or occurs in people who overuse their voice. Occasionally, a person may develop laryngitis from bacterial infections, and rarely, from infections such as tuberculosis, syphilis, or a fungal infection. People with prolonged laryngitis should see their doctor to be checked for tumors, some of which may be cancerous. Smokers and those who consume alcohol are especially at risk for cancer.
Croup is a condition of the respiratory system that is usually triggered by an acute viral infection of the upper airway - the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). The infection leads to swelling inside the throat, which interferes with normal breathing and produces the classical symptoms of a "barking" cough and hoarseness. It may produce mild, moderate, or severe symptoms, which often worsen at night. It is often treated with a single dose of oral steroids; occasionally epinephrine is used in more severe cases. Hospitalization is rarely required.
Croup is diagnosed on clinical grounds, once potentially more severe causes of symptoms have been excluded (i.e. epiglottitis or an airway foreign body). Further investigations such as blood tests, X-rays, and cultures are usually not needed. It is a relatively common condition that affects about 15% of children at some point, most commonly between 6 months and 5-6 years of age. It is almost never seen in teenagers or adults. Once due primarily to diphtheria, this cause is now primarily of historical significance in the Western world due to the success of vaccination, and improved hygiene and living standards.