Respiratory Medicine

Respiratory (Pulmonary) medicine concerns the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the lungs and breathing. A range of conditions affect the

respiratory system

. Common problems include

asthma

, involving inflammation of the bronchi, which makes them swell, narrowing the airways.

Sleep apnoea

is characterised by a reduction or pause of airflow during sleep. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (

COPD

) is any disorder that persistently obstructs bronchial airflow. COPD mainly involves two related diseases: chronic

bronchitis

and

emphysema

.