CONDITIONS

RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS

Respiratory diseases are the most common diseases in the world. The respiratory system includes the nose, throat, the windpipe, the lungs and the diaphragm, expanding and relaxing thousands of times each day to bring in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. These organs can be affected by bacterial and viral infections as well as genetic conditions.

These include lung diseases that affect the following structures of the respiratory system:

• The airways - such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic or acute bronchitis, emphysema and cystic fibrosis which cause difficulty breathing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
• The air sacs within the lungs - such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, pulmonary oedema, pneumoconiosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which cause limited airflow and fluid leaks are affecting the functioning of the lungs.
• The interstitium – conditions such as pneumonia and pulmonary oedema as well as interstitial lung diseases (ILD) like sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and autoimmune disease affect the gas exchange between the alveoli and the blood which is essential for the removal of the waste product, carbon dioxide.
• The blood vessels – conditions such as pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary embolisms can affect the flow of blood from the lungs to the heart, causing chest pain and shortness of breath.
• The pleura – these include conditions such as pleural effusion and pneumothorax, which can impair breathing and lead to a collapsed lung.
• The chest wall - obesity hypoventilation syndrome and neuromuscular disorders can cause difficulty breathing by affecting the diaphragm.

If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, wheezing or breathing noisily, have a stubborn cough, lingering chest pain and are coughing up mucus or blood, you should see Dr Magashule for a check-up to rule out any serious respiratory disease.

Many respiratory diseases are treatable, but early detection is key. Whether it be a cold or the flu or something more serious, Dr Magashule will be able to diagnose and treat your specific respiratory concern.