All lung conditions

Lung conditions are one of the world’s biggest health concerns, causing about one sixth of all deaths worldwide. The impact of lung diseases remains as large today as it was at the turn of the century and is likely to remain so for several decades. Lung conditions cause disability and premature death. They have a huge cost related to primary care, hospital care and treatments, as well as the loss of productivity of those who cannot work and people who die early because of their condition.

Acute lower respiratory infections
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Allergic rhinitis or ‘hayfever’
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a genetic condition which increases the risk of lung and/or liver diseases. People with AAT deficiency have low levels of AAT protein in their blood…

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Asthma in adulthood

Asthma in adulthood

Asthma is a common, long-term condition that can affect people of all ages. It causes inflammation in the airways. The term adult asthma refers to either: Childhood asthma that has…

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Asthma in childhood

Asthma in childhood

Asthma is a condition that causes inflammation in the airways. It is the most common long-term condition in children. Asthma can start at any time of life, but is likely…

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Bird flu

Bird flu

Bird flu (avian influenza) has been an important topic in the news since it was first seen in humans. Although there have been lots of reports about the illness, do…

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a long-term lung condition. If you have bronchiectasis, your airways (tubes connecting your windpipe to the lowest part of the lungs) are wider than normal. This leads to…

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ChILD – Children’s interstitial lung disease
Chronic cough

Chronic cough

Everyone experiences cough at some point in their lives. Healthy people will cough for protection, in order to clear the airways of substances that irritate the lungs such as smoke…

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COPD

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term condition that causes inflammation in the lungs, damaged lung tissue and a narrowing of the airways, making breathing difficult. There are many…

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COVID-19

COVID-19

Find out more about COVID-19, access our resources, and read patient stories.

COVID-19 – Easy read factsheet

COVID-19 – Easy read factsheet

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease, which is most common in white children and young adults, although it can affect people of any race. It used to be thought…

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Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), also known as diffuse parenchymal lung diseases, result from damage to the cells surrounding the alveoli (air sacs) leading to widespread inflammation and fibrotic scarring of…

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IPF – Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Lung cancer

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is a cancer of the trachea (windpipe), bronchi (airways) or lung air sacs (alveoli). This page will look specifically at the two main types of lung cancer that…

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Lung disease in children

Lung disease in children

Research has shown that lung problems account for about one quarter of all visits by children to a general practitioner. The two main conditions affecting children are asthma and cystic…

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Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung condition that mainly affects women of childbearing age. Although it has been reported in men, it is extremely rare. It is estimated that three…

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Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)
Occupational lung disease

Occupational lung disease

Occupational, or work-related, lung conditions are conditions that have been caused or made worse by the materials a person is exposed to within the workplace. The impact of these conditions…

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Pneumonia

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is caused by an infection in the lungs. The infection affects the air sacs in the lungs rather than the tubes that carry air to and from the lungs.…

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Preterm birth and the lungs

Preterm birth and the lungs

In recent years, the number of children surviving premature birth has grown. This means that there is potential to be an increase in the number of children and adults in…

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Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension
Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism is a clot in the blood vessels in the lungs and is a medical emergency. If you think you might have a pulmonary embolism, it is important…

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Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary Fibrosis

This information is for people with pulmonary fibrosis and their carers (caregivers). It provides information, support and resources about living with pulmonary fibrosis.  

Pulmonary vascular disease

Pulmonary vascular disease

There are two main types of pulmonary vascular diseases: pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary embolism occurs due to blood clots which block branches of the arteries in the lungs,…

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Rare lung cancers

Rare lung cancers

There are several different kinds of lung cancer, often referred to as lung cancer subtypes. Some of these occur more often than others. In this factsheet we will specifically look…

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Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis

This page is about sarcoidosis symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. It also explains how sarcoidosis affects people. It is for anyone affected by the condition whether you are newly diagnosed or…

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Sleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea

This factsheet has been written to help you understand more about sleep apnoea, what it is, what causes it, what the signs and symptoms are, how it can be diagnosed…

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Sleep disordered breathing

Sleep disordered breathing

The term ‘sleep disordered breathing’ refers to a range of conditions that result in abnormal breathing during sleep. The most common is sleep apnoea. Apnoea means a temporary pause in…

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Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Recently, new strains have emerged that are resistant to commonly used drugs. Like other bacteria, mycobacteria can undergo…

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Work-related lung conditions