Respiratory diseases have a high prevalence throughout the world and the number of patients continues to increase every year. These pathologies affect structures of the respiratory system such as the nose, larynx, pharynx, trachea and lungs. Both men and women of all ages are at risk, and the consequences are serious: physical weakness, inability to work, the need for hospitalization and, in the most extreme cases, premature death.
In addition to the common flu and COVID-19, major respiratory diseases include pneumonia, bronchiolitis, asthma and COPD. Causes vary and may include anatomical changes or genetic factors, such as in the case of asthma, or external factors such as pollution, chemical exposure, tobacco smoke, and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria.
Ahead of colder weather, the time of year when these illnesses are most common, Pfizer’s Curious health literacy project warns about a variety of causes and symptoms.
Pneumonia: inflammation of the lungs
Pneumonia is not only one of the leading causes of death and hospitalization in Portugal, but is also the leading cause of death in children worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung parenchyma, which is the part of the lung where gas exchange necessary to maintain life occurs. Symptoms usually appear quickly and can vary in intensity and severity. Difficulty breathing, cough with or without phlegm, fever, chills, chills, fatigue and chest pain are just some of the warning signs, which, because they are not very specific, often make diagnosing pneumonia extremely difficult. Find out more in the video:
Bronchiolitis: the leading cause of hospitalization in children
Did you know that bronchiolitis is a common cause of hospitalization, especially in children under 2 years of age? Bronchiolitis is a viral respiratory infection that is very common during the cold season. This is an extremely contagious disease transmitted by airborne droplets. Typically, children contract the infection after coming into contact with infected family members or sick children at daycare or daycare. In most cases, symptoms are mild, but in some more severe cases, the child may even require respiratory support to ensure survival. Watch the video:
Asthma: the importance of symptom control
Guess: what do swimmer Michael Phelps, football player David Beckham and marathon runner Rosa Mota have in common? They are not only excellent athletes, but also asthmatics. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease, so controlling inflammation and subsequent reduction in asthma attacks is important to minimize the risk of complications. Don’t let asthma limit your quality of life. See this video for causes, symptoms and treatment:
COPD: attention, smokers!
Obstructive pulmonary disease, better known as COPD, affects about 10% of the adult population worldwide and the main cause is smoking. Thus, despite the lack of treatment, it is a preventable and treatable pathology. COPD is characterized by restriction of air passage in the airways, making it difficult to breathe. The main symptoms are frequent coughing with phlegm, respiratory infections, especially in winter, difficulty breathing and wheezing, and in some cases, weight loss and loss of appetite. Want to know more? Watch the video:
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.