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Infection of the upper respiratory tract A respiratory tract infection is inflammation of the respiratory tracts caused by viruses or bacteria. The term upper respiratory tract infection is used when the nose, sinuses or throat are affected. Common upper respiratory tract infections include cold, flu, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses and pharyngitis.
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Viral inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) – atypical progression Inflammation of the lungs is not always the same. Different symptoms may occur, depending on the pathogens. With bacterial inflammation of the lungs, symptoms such as high fever and coughing occur very quickly.
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What is bronchitis?? Updated: February 2020 Acute bronchitis usually is associated with an upper respiratory tract infection. It is one of the most common illnesses affecting the respiratory tract. A distinction can be made between acute and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis usually only persists for two weeks.
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Pollen allergy and hay fever Hay fever, which is commonly referred to as a pollen allergy, is an allergic reaction to certain allergens, mostly grass pollen, and is referred to medically as allergic rhinitis. Normally a healthy immune system does not acknowledge pollen in the air.
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Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis) – what is it? The eyes are watery, the nose is closed, the head aches – inflammation of the sinuses often feels like a bad cold. Paranasal sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes in the paranasal sinuses.
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What is an inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia)? In the case of pneumonia, an infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites causes a disturbance to the gas exchange function in the alveoli. Normally, pneumonia goes away within two to three weeks.
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What is pulmonary emphysema (COPD)? Pulmonary emphysema, which is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occurs in the case of chronic diseases of the bronchi and lungs. The lungs become bloated and the pulmonary alveoli are stretched. Due to constant distension, the alveoli and their separating walls are destroyed.
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What is bronchiectasis? Bronchiectasis is a pathological, bag-like expansion of the bronchi. It is caused by frequent infections in the lungs and is irreversible. A typical symptom of bronchiectasis is severe coughing with mucous sputum. Causes of bronchiectasis The causes may be congenital or acquired.
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Treatment of asthma: medication, exercises and nebulisation therapy What is asthma? Whether or not asthma is curable is currently a matter of debate. However, it is possible to remain productive when you have asthma. Well-managed medical treatment and an appropriate lifestyle help to keep the symptoms under control.
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How does asthma affect pregnancy? Asthma and pregnancy Will asthma medication harm the baby? As an expectant mother, you will want the best for your child. You can safely continue using most asthma medications during pregnancy. In case of doubt, consult your doctor.
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Asthma and sport – positive effect of doing sports and things to bear in mind Positive effect of sport on asthma Can asthma be cured by practising sports? In asthma, physical exertion often leads to a shortness of breath. Many sufferers are deterred by this and therefore prefer to abstain from doing sports.
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Bronchial asthma and asthma attack What is bronchial asthma? Bronchial asthma, commonly known as asthma, is the generic term for various chronic inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, wheezing sounds when breathing, a dry cough and instances of respiratory distress. Asthma symptoms vary in terms of severity and frequency of occurrence.
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Hay fever in children What is hay fever in children? Hay fever in children is nothing more than an allergic reaction to certain allergens, mostly grass pollen, and is referred to medically as allergic rhinitis. At warm times of year, children prefer to play outside, where they inhale airborne flower, tree and grass pollen.
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Asthma in children Frequent respiratory tract infections, night-time coughing fits, respiratory distress when moving and playing outdoors – if your child is not feeling well, it is natural that as a parent you want to do everything you can to aid their recovery. A diagnosis of ‘bronchial asthma’ initially raises many questions.
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How to recognise bronchiolitis in children? What is bronchiolitis? You may have often heard the term bronchitis before, but what is bronchiolitis? The two terms (bronchitis and bronchiolitis) often can be confused when you first hear them. We refer to bronchiolitis as an inflammation of the bronchioles, the smallest branches of the bronchi.
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