Respiratory Medicine – Lung & Asthma Specialists

Bronchitis occurs when the bronchi, the major tubes that carry air to the lungs, become swollen and irritated.

Types of bronchitis:

1. Acute bronchitis:

   • Sudden onset and last for less than 3 weeks
   • Usually occurs with a viral infection of the upper airways
   • Common symptoms: Cough with or without phlegm, fatigue, sore throat

2. Chronic bronchitis:

   • Long-standing
   • Usually, due to smoking
   • Prone to lung infections
   • Symptoms last for at least 3 months a year for 2 years consecutively
   • Common symptoms: Persistent cough with a lot of phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath

Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the airways of the lungs become dilated, resulting in a build-up of excess mucous that makes the lungs more susceptible to infection.

Symptoms include:

• Persistent cough with phlegm
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up blood

Cough that lasts eight weeks or more is typically considered a chronic cough. Causes of chronic cough include postnasal drip, asthma, acid reflux, respiratory tract infection, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, and bronchiectasis.

COPD is a set of disorders that causes airflow obstruction and breathing difficulties. They are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It is a common condition that primarily affects older and middle-aged adults who smoke.

Symptoms include:

• Persistent cough with phlegm
• Breathlessness
• Wheezing
• Inability to take a deep breath

Lung cancer is a disease in which there is an uncontrolled growth of cells in the lung. Lung cancer begins in the lungs or airways (trachea and bronchus) and may spread to the lymph nodes or other organs.

Symptoms include:

• Persistent cough for more than 2-3 weeks
• Chronic cough that worsens
• Haemoptysis (coughing up blood)
• Pain or ache when coughing or breathing
• Wheezing
• Breathlessness
• Persistent shoulder or neck pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Hoarseness of voice
• Fatigue
• Odynophagia (pain when swallowing)
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

Lung diseases that are caused by repeated and long-term exposure to specific irritants in the work environments. Due to the nature of their location, employment, and environment, some occupations are at a greater risk for occupational lung diseases than others.

Symptoms include:

• Cough
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Abnormal breathing pattern

Pneumonia is an infection that affects one or both lungs. It causes fluid or pus to fill the air sacs of the lungs. The severity of the condition depends on your age, overall health, and the cause of infection (virus or bacteria).

Symptoms include:

• Cough with or without phlegm that is yellow, green, brown, or blood-stained
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain that worsens when you breathe or cough
• Fever

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection transmitted by inhaling minute droplets from the sneezes or coughs of an infected individual. It primarily affects the lungs but can affect any part of the body.

Symptoms include:

• Persistent cough for more than 3 weeks
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Tiredness
• Fever
• Loss of appetite