Lung function tests check to see how well your lungs work. The tests can find lung problems, measure how serious they are, and check to see how well treatment for a lung disease is working. The tests look at: How much air your lungs can hold. How quickly you can move air in and out of your lungs. How well your lungs put...

Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which scarring occurs in the lungs. It can be caused by an infection (such as tuberculosis or pneumonia) or injury or by breathing certain materials, such as asbestos. But sometimes no cause can be found for pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis makes the lungs less elastic and can...

Lung function tests (also called pulmonary function tests) are done to check how well your lungs are working. The test may be done to find the cause of breathing problems, diagnose lung diseases, or find out how well treatment for a lung problem is working. There are many types of lung function tests. Spirometry...

Pulmonary embolism happens when an artery in the lung is suddenly blocked. It's usually caused by a blood clot in a leg vein that breaks loose, travels to a lung (pulmonary) artery, and blocks blood flow. This is very serious and can be deadly.

Lung volume reduction (LVR) is a treatment that may be done for some people with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung damage from emphysema. LVR can be done as a surgery or a procedure. LVR can help your lungs work better. When LVR is done as a surgery, a large area of damaged lung is removed...

Lung function means how well your lungs work. When you have COPD, your lungs can't move as much air in and out as they should. And the more serious your COPD is, the less air your lungs are able to move. Spirometry tests are used to measure lung function. They measure how much air you breathe out when you take long...

Lung cancer screening is a way to find some lung cancers early, before a person has any symptoms of the cancer. Lung cancer screening may help those who have the highest risk for lung cancer—people age 50 and older who are or were heavy smokers. For most people, who aren't at increased risk, screening for lung cancer...

What is pulmonary hypertension? Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs. This may also be called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These arteries carry blood from the heart to the lungs, where the blood picks up oxygen. The walls of the arteries may get thick, which narrows the...

Smoking harms your lungs in many ways. Quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to slow down the disease and improve your quality of life. Smoking is linked to: Lung cancer. Most lung cancer is caused by smoking. After you quit, your risk for lung cancer drops over time. The risk continues to go down as...

Looks at lung surgery (called thoracotomy) to treat lung cancer. Covers how it is done and what to expect after surgery. Covers its risks and how well it works. Offers illustrations of three types of surgery: wedge resection, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. With COPD, the airways that lead to the lungs may be narrowed, and the tiny air sacs in the lungs may be damaged and lose their stretch. COPD is usually caused by smoking. Air pollution also causes COPD. Other things that may...

Discusses primary cause (blood clot in the lungs) and symptoms of pulmonary embolism. Looks at treatment with thrombolytic medicines, blood thinners (anticoagulants), or surgery. Links to info on complications like pulmonary hypertension.

When you have too much mucus in your lungs, learning to clear your lungs may help you save energy and improve your breathing. It may also help prevent lung infections. Here are three ways to clear your lungs: Postural drainage Chest and back percussion Controlled coughing

Pulmonary atresia is a type of congenital heart disease in which the opening between the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle is blocked. This can result in an enlarged heart, reduced blood vessel function in the lungs, and problems with the right ventricle. Pulmonary atresia is usually linked with heart...

Pulmonary edema is the buildup of fluid in the lungs, usually resulting from the heart's inability to pump blood through the body effectively. It can be caused by such things as heart or kidney failure, poisoning, or nonfatal drowning. Symptoms of pulmonary edema include difficulty breathing, restlessness, shortness of...

Breathing is hard when you have lung problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or interstitial lung disease. You may take quick, short breaths. Breathing this way makes it harder to get air into your lungs. Learning new ways to slow down and control your breathing may help. You may feel better and be...

Total anomalous pulmonary venous return is a structural problem with the heart that causes oxygen-poor blood. It is a type of congenital heart disease, which means it develops before a baby is born. With this problem, all the pulmonary veins from the lungs do not connect with the left side of the heart as they should...

Draining mucus from the lungs and coughing it up can help to clear the lungs. Doing this every day can help your child maintain lung function and avoid problems from mucus. Here are three ways to help clear your child's lungs. You may hear these called airway clearance techniques, or ACT. Postural drainage uses certain...

A lung scan is a type of nuclear scanning test. It is most often used to find a pulmonary embolism. This is a blood clot that prevents normal blood flow in the lung. Two types of lung scans are usually done together. They are: Ventilation scan. You inhale a radioactive tracer gas or mist. Pictures from this scan can...

Screening tests help your doctor look for a problem before you have symptoms. Lung cancer screening is a way to find some lung cancers early, when a cure is more likely and when cancer is more treatable. If your doctor recommends lung cancer screening, you'll have a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan of your chest...

Covers oxygen treatment to increase oxygen flow to lungs and blood when you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Explains that oxygen therapy may slow or prevent heart failure. Covers oxygen use during exercise, sleep, and travel.

What is pulmonary rehabilitation? Pulmonary rehabilitation—"rehab" for short— is a program that uses education, exercise, and support to help people with breathing problems. The programs are designed based on your health needs and your goals. You'll work with a care team that includes doctors, nurses, dietitians, and...

Discusses causes of lung cancer, including smoking and exposure to asbestos or radon. Covers symptoms and how lung cancer is diagnosed. Covers treatment with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Includes info on palliative care.

What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein, usually in the legs. These clots require medical care right away. These clots are dangerous because they can break loose, travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, and block blood flow in the lungs (pulmonary...