Spark
Loading...

Respiratory Disorders and Their Clinical Features

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) supports basic research on genes, proteins and cells. It also funds studies on fundamental processes such as how cells communicate, how our bodies use energy and how we respond to medicines. The results of this research increase our understanding of life and lay the foundation for advances in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. The Institute's research training programs produce the next generation of scientists, and NIGMS has programs to increase the diversity of the biomedical and behavioral research workforce. NIGMS supported the research of most of the scientists mentioned in this booklet.

Figures (10)

Asthma prevalence
Signs and symptoms of stages of COPD
Access to clean fuel and clean cooking facilities as of 2023[93]
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease deaths per million persons in 2012: .mw-parser-output .div-col{margin-top:0.3em;column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .div-col-small{font-size:90%}.mw-parser-output .div-col-rules{column-rule:1px solid #aaa}.mw-parser-output .div-col dl,.mw-parser-output .div-col ol,.mw-parser-output .div-col ul{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .div-col li,.mw-parser-output .div-col dd{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} 9–63 64–80 81–95 96–116 117–152 153–189 190–235 236–290 291–375 376–1089
Disability-adjusted life years lost to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease per 100,000 inhabitants in 2004:[250] .mw-parser-output .col-begin{border-collapse:collapse;padding:0;color:inherit;width:100%;border:0;margin:0}.mw-parser-output .col-begin-small{font-size:90%}.mw-parser-output .col-break{vertical-align:top;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .col-break-2{width:50%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-3{width:33.3%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-4{width:25%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-5{width:20%}@media(max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .col-begin,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody>tr,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody>tr>td{display:block!important;width:100%!important}.mw-parser-output .col-break{padding-left:0!important}} no data ≤110 110–220 220–330 330–440 440–550 550–660 660–770 770–880 880–990 990–1100 1100–1350 ≥1350
Figure A shows the location of the lungs and airways in the body. Figure B shows a cross-section of a normal airway. Figure C shows a cross-section of an airway during asthma symptoms.
A photograph of three different types of dry powder inhalers
Photo of a mist inhaler
Salbutamol metered dose inhaler commonly used to treat asthma attacks
1907 advertisement for Grimault's Indian Cigarettes, promoted as a means of relieving asthma. They contained belladonna and cannabis.

Key Points

  • Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
  • COPD is complex and is increasingly recognized as a diverse group of disorders with differing risk factors and clinical courses.
  • Emphysema develops when there is damage to the walls between many of the air sacs in the lungs.
  • Studies have shown that the risk of pneumonia is associated with all types of corticosteroids: it is related to the disease severity and a dose-response relationship has been noted.
  • Tuberculosis is a risk factor for the development of COPD, and is also a potential comorbidity.

Terms

Tap a term for a plain-language explanation.

Sources & licensing(4)