Breathe Better. Understand Your Respiratory Health.
Explore common breathing symptoms, lung conditions, diagnostic tests and ways to protect your respiratory health. Find clear, medically reviewed information and connect with the right respiratory specialist.
✓ Medically Reviewed ✓ Evidence-Informed ✓ Regularly Updated
What Is Respiratory Health?
Respiratory health refers to the health and function of the respiratory system, including the airways and lungs that help your body take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. Respiratory problems can result from infections, allergies, asthma, chronic lung diseases, environmental exposures and other health conditions.
How Air Travels in Your Body
From breathing in to oxygen entering your blood.
This is a simplified view of how air moves through your respiratory system and how oxygen enters your blood.
What Are You Looking for?
I'm Having Trouble Breathing
Shortness of breath • Breathlessness • Rapid breathing
I Have a Persistent Cough
Dry cough • Mucus • Long-lasting cough
I Want to Learn About a Lung Condition
Asthma • COPD • Pneumonia • Pulmonary fibrosis
I Need a Respiratory Specialist
Find a pulmonologist near you
How Do Your Lungs Help You Breathe?
Nose & Mouth
Air enters the respiratory system through the nose or mouth.
Trachea
The windpipe carries air toward the lungs.
Bronchi
The trachea divides into two main bronchi leading into the lungs.
Bronchioles
Smaller airways distribute air throughout the lungs.
Alveoli
Tiny air sacs are where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.
Diaphragm
This major breathing muscle helps draw air into and push air out of the lungs.
Respiratory Symptoms You Should Know
Persistent Cough
A cough that continues longer than expected or repeatedly returns.
Shortness of Breath
A sensation of not getting enough air or having difficulty breathing.
Wheezing
A whistling or musical sound during breathing.
Chest Tightness
A feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest.
Excess Mucus
Increased mucus or phlegm production can occur with several respiratory conditions.
Coughing Up Blood
Blood in mucus or from the respiratory tract should be medically evaluated.
Noisy Breathing
Unusual sounds during breathing may indicate airway or lung problems.
Reduced Exercise Tolerance
Becoming unusually breathless or fatigued during activities that previously felt manageable.
One Symptom Can Have Many Causes
What Can Cause a Cough?
A cough, wheezing episode or breathing difficulty does not automatically mean you have a lung disease. The cause can involve the lungs, heart, allergies, infections, medications or other parts of the body. Proper evaluation helps identify the cause.
Breathing Problems You Shouldn't Ignore
- Get urgent medical attention for symptoms such as:
- Severe or rapidly worsening difficulty breathing
- Sudden chest pain with breathing difficulty
- Coughing up significant blood
- Blue or grey lips or skin
- Confusion or loss of consciousness
- Severe breathing difficulty that prevents normal speaking
What Can Affect Your Lungs and Breathing?
Tobacco Smoke
Smoking and secondhand smoke can damage the respiratory system.
Air Pollution
Particulate matter and other pollutants can irritate the airways and affect lung health.
Infections
Respiratory infections can temporarily or seriously affect breathing.
Allergens
Pollen, dust mites, mold and other allergens can trigger respiratory symptoms in susceptible people.
Workplace Exposures
Dust, chemicals and other occupational exposures can contribute to certain lung conditions.
Genetics & Other Conditions
Some respiratory conditions have genetic or systemic causes.
Protect Your Respiratory Health From Environmental Triggers
Check Air Quality
Be aware of poor-air-quality days, especially if you have an existing respiratory condition.
Reduce Smoke Exposure
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke.
Improve Indoor Air
Reduce exposure to dust, mold and indoor pollutants where possible.
Use Protection at Work
Follow appropriate workplace safety measures when exposed to dust or chemicals.
How Are Respiratory Problems Diagnosed?
01 — Medical History
Your doctor asks about symptoms, duration, triggers, smoking, allergies, infections and other health conditions.
02 — Physical Examination
Your breathing and lungs may be examined, including listening for abnormal breath sounds.
03 — Basic Tests
Pulse oximetry
Blood tests
Chest X-ray
04 — Lung Function Tests
Your doctor asks about symptoms, duration, triggers, smoking, allergies, infections and other health conditions.
05 — Advanced Evaluation
Your breathing and lungs may be examined, including listening for abnormal breath sounds.
Common Respiratory Tests
Spirometry
Pulse Oximetry
Chest X-Ray
CT Scan
Sputum Test
Bronchoscopy
How Are Respiratory Conditions Treated?
Medicines
Depending on the condition, treatment may involve inhaled medicines, antibiotics for certain bacterial infections, anti-inflammatory medicines or other therapies.
Inhaler Therapy
Some airway conditions are treated with inhaled medicines that help open airways or reduce inflammation.
Oxygen Therapy
Supplemental oxygen may be prescribed for certain people with low blood oxygen levels.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Selected people with chronic respiratory conditions may benefit from supervised exercise, breathing strategies and education.
Procedures
Some conditions require procedures or surgery.
Long-Term Management
Chronic respiratory conditions may require ongoing monitoring and follow-up.
PULMONARY REHABILITATION
Helping You Breathe and Function Better
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a structured program that may combine exercise training, education, breathing strategies and lifestyle support for people with certain chronic respiratory conditions.
Assessment ↓
Breathing Education ↓
Exercise Training ↓
Lifestyle Support ↓
Long-Term Management
Everyday Habits for Better Respiratory Health
Avoid Tobacco Smoke Reduce Exposure to Pollutants
Stay Up to Date With Recommended Vaccinations Stay Physically Active When Appropriate
Reduce Infection Exposure Manage Existing Respiratory Conditions Take Prescribed Medicines Correctly
Prioritize Healthy Sleep
What Are You Experiencing?
Select one or more symptoms to explore possible causes.
Asthma, infection, allergies, COPD and other conditions.
Do You Need a Pulmonologist?
A pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases affecting the lungs and respiratory system. WebMD notes that pulmonologists diagnose and manage conditions such as asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension, among others.
Consider specialist evaluation for:
- persistent cough
- unexplained breathlessness
- recurrent wheezing
- repeated respiratory infections
- abnormal chest imaging
- suspected asthma or COPD
- persistent respiratory symptoms
- known chronic lung disease
Respiratory Health Guides
How to Understand a Persistent Cough
Shortness of Breath: Possible Causes
What Is Spirometry?
What Does a Pulse Oximeter Measure?
How to Protect Your Lungs From Air Pollution
Asthma Symptoms and Triggers
COPD: Symptoms and Management
Pneumonia: Symptoms and Recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is respiratory health?
Respiratory health refers to the health and function of the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, airways, lungs, and muscles involved in breathing. Good respiratory health helps the body take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide.
2. What are common symptoms of a respiratory problem?
Common symptoms can include persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, excess mucus, noisy breathing, reduced exercise tolerance, and coughing up blood. The same symptom can have many possible causes, so symptoms alone cannot determine a diagnosis.
3. What can cause shortness of breath?
Shortness of breath can have many causes, including asthma, respiratory infections, COPD, allergies, heart conditions, anemia, anxiety, and other medical conditions. A healthcare professional can help determine the underlying cause based on your symptoms, medical history, and examination.
4. When should I see a doctor for a persistent cough?
You should consider seeing a doctor if a cough persists, keeps returning, becomes worse, or is accompanied by symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing, fever, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, or blood in the mucus. Persistent symptoms may need medical evaluation.
5. What is a pulmonologist?
A pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases and conditions affecting the lungs and respiratory system. They may evaluate problems such as asthma, COPD, persistent cough, breathing difficulties, pneumonia, sleep-related breathing disorders, and other lung conditions.
6. What tests are used to diagnose lung problems?
Depending on your symptoms, a doctor may recommend tests such as pulse oximetry, spirometry, pulmonary function tests, chest X-rays, CT scans, blood tests, sputum testing, or bronchoscopy. The appropriate tests depend on the suspected condition.
7. What is spirometry?
Spirometry is a common lung function test that measures how much air you can breathe out and how quickly you can do so. It can help doctors assess airflow and is commonly used when evaluating conditions such as asthma and COPD.
8. What does a pulse oximeter measure?
A pulse oximeter is a small device usually placed on a fingertip to estimate blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate. Oxygen readings should be interpreted in context, because a single reading does not by itself diagnose a respiratory condition.
9. Can respiratory diseases be prevented?
Not all respiratory diseases can be prevented, but some risks can be reduced. Measures may include avoiding tobacco smoke, reducing exposure to harmful pollutants and workplace irritants, maintaining recommended vaccinations, practicing good infection-prevention habits, and managing existing medical conditions appropriately.
10. How does smoking affect lung health?
Smoking can damage the airways and lung tissue and increases the risk of several respiratory diseases, including COPD and lung cancer. Avoiding tobacco smoke is an important step in protecting long-term respiratory health.
11. Can air pollution affect respiratory health?
Yes. Exposure to air pollution and other airborne irritants can worsen respiratory symptoms and may be particularly problematic for people with conditions such as asthma or COPD. Reducing exposure when pollution levels are high can help protect respiratory health.
12. When is difficulty breathing an emergency?
Severe or rapidly worsening difficulty breathing requires urgent medical attention, particularly if a person cannot speak normally because of breathlessness, develops blue or grey lips or skin, becomes confused or loses consciousness, has significant coughing of blood, or experiences severe breathing difficulty with chest pain.
13. Can a cough or breathing problem be diagnosed from symptoms alone?
Usually, no. Cough, wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness can occur with many different conditions. A doctor may need to consider your medical history, physical examination, and appropriate tests before determining the likely cause.
14. What is the difference between asthma and COPD?
Asthma and COPD are both respiratory conditions that can cause breathing difficulties and airflow problems, but they are different diseases. Asthma often involves variable or trigger-related airway narrowing, while COPD is a chronic condition involving persistent airflow limitation, commonly associated with long-term exposure to tobacco smoke or other irritants.
15. What should I do if I keep getting respiratory infections?
Repeated respiratory infections may have different causes. If infections are frequent, severe, or taking longer than expected to improve, discuss them with a healthcare professional. They can review your history and determine whether further evaluation is appropriate.
16. Which doctor should I see for breathing or lung problems?
A general physician can be a suitable starting point for many respiratory symptoms. Depending on your symptoms and suspected condition, you may be referred to a pulmonologist, a specialist in respiratory and lung conditions.
Your Breathing Matters
Persistent cough, breathlessness, wheezing or recurring respiratory symptoms deserve proper evaluation. Understanding the cause is the first step toward appropriate care.
