COPD slowly damages the lungs and affects how you breathe. COPD's effect on breathing COPD makes it hard to breathe because air doesn't flow easily in and out of your lungs. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are two lung problems that are types of COPD. Chronic bronchitis. When you have chronic bronchitis, the airways...

Pulmonary valve stenosis is a narrowing of the valve between the lower right heart chamber and the pulmonary artery, which carries blood from the heart to the lungs. It is a structural problem that develops before a baby is born (congenital heart disease). Because the valve is narrow, the heart pumps harder to try to...

Guides people who are at high risk for lung cancer through the decision on whether to have an annual low-dose CT screening. Discusses the benefits and risks of having screening and the risk for getting lung cancer. Includes an interactive tool to help you decide.

An angiogram of the lung is an X-ray test that uses a special dye and camera ( fluoroscopy) to take pictures of the blood flow in the blood vessels of the lung. During an angiogram, a thin tube called a catheter is placed into a femoral blood vessel in the groin (femoral vein) or just above the elbow (brachial vein)...

A home lung function test uses a peak flow meter or a home spirometer to monitor and evaluate any breathing problems you may have on a day-to-day basis. A peak flow meter allows you to measure your peak expiratory flow. A home spirometer allows you to measure your forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1). If you have...

Oxygen therapy helps you get more oxygen into your lungs and bloodstream. You may use it if you have a disease that makes it hard to breathe, such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs), or heart failure. Oxygen therapy can make it easier for you to breathe and can reduce your heart's workload. Some people...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) weakens the structure of the lung and may also damage the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lung. When these air sacs break down, larger airspaces known as bullae are formed. Bullae sometimes can become so large that they interfere with breathing and may cause complications...

A positive expiratory pressure (PEP) device helps to loosen and remove mucus buildup in your lungs. It's a type of therapy that helps you clear your airways. There are different kinds of PEP devices. When you exhale into the device, it creates...

Blood clots can happen in veins. A blood clot in a vein close to the skin isn't likely to cause problems. But having blood clots in deep veins is called deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis happens most often in the legs. This problem can lead to a blood clot in the lung ( pulmonary embolism). The deep veins of...

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a protein normally found in the lungs and the bloodstream. It helps protect the lungs from diseases such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Some people do not make enough of this protein or they make an abnormal type of AAT, either of which can cause AAT...

Other tests for lung infections, such as pneumonia and acute bronchitis, may include: Blood tests or cultures. Blood tests may help tell if you have antibodies to a specific organism that can cause pneumonia or if you have a specific virus, such as influenza (flu) or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Doctors can use...

Your heart has four separate chambers that pump blood. The chambers are called the right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, and left ventricle. The right side of your heart receives oxygen-poor blood from your veins (the vena cava) and pumps it to your lungs (through the pulmonary artery), where the blood picks up...

The pulmonic valve is between the right lower chamber (right ventricle) of the heart and the artery that takes blood to the lungs (pulmonary artery).

Oxygen therapy means using an oxygen tank or a machine to breathe in air that contains more oxygen than normal. Oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen in the lungs and the bloodstream. A person with a health problem such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may need oxygen therapy if there are signs...

A nebulizer is a tool that delivers liquid medicine as a fine mist. You breathe in the medicine through a mouthpiece or face mask. This sends the medicine directly to your airways and lungs. Why is a nebulizer used? A nebulizer may be used to treat lung problems. These include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary...

The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel in a fetus that connects the pulmonary artery, which carries blood to the lungs, and the aorta, which carries blood to the body, so that blood flow bypasses the lungs. Normally, this blood vessel closes at birth as the baby starts breathing. But if the vessel does not close, it is...

What is pleurisy? Pleurisy is swelling (inflammation) of the thin layers of tissue (pleura) covering the lungs and the chest wall. The outer layer of the pleura lines the inside of the chest wall, and the inner layer covers the lungs. The tiny space between the two layers is called the pleural cavity. This cavity...

Hyperventilation symptoms can be similar to symptoms that are caused by another problem. Hyperventilation can also be directly caused by: A medical condition or disease. Examples include: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A blood clot, such as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolus...

Discusses causes and symptoms of COPD. Looks at chronic bronchitis and emphysema, two diseases that are usually a part of COPD. Covers quitting smoking. Includes treatment with bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids. Offers home treatment tips.

Asbestos is a substance that was used in building materials. The substance can enter the body by being inhaled or swallowed. The substance attaches to the lining of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Contact with asbestos over time has been linked with cancer. Most contact with asbestos is work-related. Some older...

A chest X-ray is a picture of the chest that shows your heart, lungs, airway, blood vessels, and lymph nodes. A chest X-ray also shows the bones of your spine and chest, including your breastbone, your ribs, your collarbone, and the upper part of your spine. A chest X-ray is the most common imaging test or X-ray used to...

Covers using an inhaler to get needed medicine into lungs quickly. Describes dry powder inhalers, how they work, and why to use them. Includes pictures on how to use a dry powder inhaler.