Lung conditions - obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the collective term for a number of lung diseases that prevent the lungs from breathing properly. Two of the most common types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Chronic obstructive ... [... more]
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Cadmium - Better Health Channel.
Cadmium is a metal with many uses, including the manufacture of batteries. High exposure to cadmium has been linked to a range of health problems, including certain kidney and lung conditions. The health effects of cadmium vary, depending on how ... [... more]
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Cystic fibrosis - Better Health Channel.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, life threatening genetic disorder in Australia. It severely affects the lungs and digestive system. There is currently no cure; however, with improved medication and treatment to manage symptoms, life ... [... more]
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Silicosis - Better Health Channel.
Repeated and prolonged exposure over many years to relatively high concentrations of crystalline silica in the air is known to cause a lung disease called silicosis. Repeated and prolonged exposure over many years to relatively high ... [... more]
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Asthma-like symptoms in babies
Coughing and wheezing in babies can be confused with asthma, as the symptoms are often the same. There are a number of other lung conditions that can affect babies under 12 months of age. The most common of these is bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis ... [... more]
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Psittacosis - parrot fever
Psittacosis is a type of lung infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. This germ is commonly carried by birds of the parrot family including budgerigars, lovebirds and parakeets. This disease can be readily treated with ... [... more]
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Cancer and asbestos
Asbestos is a mineral made up of fibres that can be breathed into the lungs. Over a long period of time, exposure to asbestos may cause a range of illnesses, including a fast-growing type of cancer called mesothelioma. Asbestos is a mineral made ... [... more]
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Asthma and adults
Asthma can develop when a person is middle-aged or older. This is called adult onset asthma. As people age, their lungs become less efficient. Adult onset asthma can speed up this deterioration of lung functioning. A person who is middle-aged or ... [... more]
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Respiratory system - quiz
Breathing, oxygen, the lungs and the diaphragm are all important parts of the human respiratory system. Test your knowledge with our health quiz. You don't know much about the respiratory system at all. It might be a good idea to do some reading ... [... more]
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Pleurisy explained
Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura, the thin membranes that line the chest wall and envelop the lungs. Common causes include bacterial and viral infections such as pneumonia. Each lung is wrapped in a thin membrane called the visceral pleura. ... [... more]
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Asbestos and your health
Asbestos can cause a number of serious diseases. These include cancers, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other non-malignant lung diseases such as asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural thickening. Asbestos was in common use before the ... [... more]
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Interstitial lung disease
Interstitial lung disease is a term used to describe conditions which affect lung tissue and which do not usually affect the airways. In this group of conditions, the lung tissue is damaged in some way. Interstitial lung disease is a term used to ... [... more]
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