Respiratory disorders cause difficulty breathing and can occur in people of all ages and fitness levels. Identifying common factors in breathing problems is important for diagnosis and treatment. Treatments vary and can include medication, breathing exercises, and lifestyle changes. Some respiratory disorders can be managed, while others can be resolved completely.
A respiratory disorder is a medical problem characterized by difficulty breathing. Respiratory disorders can occur in patients of all ages and fitness levels and are very common. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose such disorders correctly, but once diagnosed, treatment options are often available to the patient.
Respiratory disorders can always cause difficulty breathing, but more commonly people have periodic episodes of shortness of breath, wheezing, and other breathing problems. Many respiratory disorders occur during sleep and patients may not be aware of them unless someone has noticed that they have difficulty breathing or stop breathing during sleep. Other disorders may be related to exertion or may occur when people are under stress. Identifying common factors in episodes of poor breathing is important for diagnosis and treatment.
The lungs and bronchial tubes are particularly vulnerable to irritation and inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to respiratory ailments, as well as infections such as pneumonia. Some people are born with genetic conditions that affect lung function, and other people acquire ailments from environmental exposures such as working in a factory environment with high levels of smoke and particulate matter.
Respiratory disorders can include conditions such as sleep apnea, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If a doctor suspects a patient has a respiratory disorder, the patient may be asked to undergo pulmonary function tests. These tests will measure lung capacity and other variables. Patients may also receive electrocardiograms and other diagnostic tests to examine the heart and other organs, as respiratory disorders can be the result of a multisystem disorder.
Treatments for respiratory ailments vary. Some can be managed with medication. Breathing exercises and breathing devices meant to strengthen the lungs can be helpful. In the case of hyperventilation episodes and other stress-triggered ailments, identifying and addressing the stress can resolve the respiratory ailment. Changes to diet and exercise regimens can also be used in the management and treatment of respiratory disorders.
With treatment, some people get better completely. Childhood asthma, for example, often resolves by adulthood, enabling people to live active, healthy lives. In other cases, a respiratory disorder is chronic and does not go away, although it can be managed. Reducing the impact of a respiratory disorder can allow people to live relatively normal lives while under treatment, and new treatments are constantly being developed, opening up the possibility that a patient’s breathing may be treatable in the future.
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