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Spinal Cord Injury: Self-Assisted Cough
A strong cough is important to help clear the lungs of mucus. If you have a weak cough or a lot of mucus, you may need an assisted cough. If you have enough strength and balance, you may be able to do a self-assisted cough. A self-assisted cough is done while you're sitting up in a bed or chair. If you are in a...
Spinal Cord Injury: Costophrenic Assist (Assisted Cough)
A strong cough is important to help clear the lungs of mucus. If you have a weak cough or a lot of mucus, you may need an assisted cough. In a costophrenic assist, another person pushes on your rib cage to help you cough. This is done while you are sitting up in a bed or chair. If you're in a wheelchair, be sure to set...
Coughs, Age 12 and Older
Briefly discusses causes of coughs, including common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, GERD, COPD, choking, and chemicals in the air. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Coughs, Age 11 and Younger
Briefly discusses causes of coughs in children, including common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, allergies, choking, and chemicals in the air. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
What is whooping cough? Whooping cough (pertussis) is a disease that causes very severe coughing that may last for months. During bursts of violent coughing, you may make a noise that sounds like a "whoop" when you try to take a breath. You can cough so hard that you hurt a rib. Whooping cough spreads easily from one...
Productive Coughs
A productive cough helps clear mucus (sputum) and foreign material from the airways. Mucus may be made in the lungs because of bronchitis, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Colds and allergies may produce mucus that drains down the back of the throat ( postnasal drainage). Home treatment may be...
Dry Coughs
Dry coughs that continue after other cold symptoms clear or that occur without other symptoms may be caused by a variety of health problems. Some people start coughing when they breathe very dry, heated air. This can be caused by environmental irritation or allergies. This type of cough may be more noticeable when you...
Cough Symptoms in Children
A cough that is more noticeable when your child is lying down is usually caused by mucus running down the back of the throat (postnasal drip) from an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold, sinusitis, or allergy. A child usually has a runny or stuffy nose, may be irritable, and may have a fever. Home treatment is...
Relieving a Cough
Coughing is your body's way of removing foreign substances and mucus from your lungs and upper airway passages. Productive coughs are often useful. Don't try to stop a productive cough. Sometimes, though, coughs are severe enough to impair breathing or prevent rest. Here are some things you can do at home to help you...
Spinal Cord Injury: Abdominal Thrust Assist (Assisted Cough)
A strong cough is important to help clear the lungs of mucus. If you have a weak cough or a lot of mucus, you may need an assisted cough. In an abdominal thrust (or Heimlich-type) assist, another person pushes on your belly to help you cough. This is done while you are sitting up in a bed or chair. If you're in a...
Barking Coughs in Children
If your child has a barking cough: Hold your child in a calming manner. Keep your child quiet, if possible. Crying can make breathing more difficult. Try rocking or distracting your child with a book or game. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Don't use a hot vaporizer. Use only water in the humidifier. Hold...
Cystic Fibrosis: Helping Your Child Cough Up Mucus
Draining mucus from the lungs and coughing it up can help to clear the lungs. Doing this every day can help your child maintain lung function and avoid problems from mucus. Here are three ways to help clear your child's lungs. You may hear these called airway clearance techniques, or ACT. Postural drainage uses certain...
Croup
What is croup? Croup is a common respiratory problem in young children. It tends to occur in the fall and winter. Its main symptom is a harsh, barking cough. Croup causes swelling and narrowing in the voice box, windpipe, and breathing tubes that lead to the lungs. This can make it hard for your child to breathe. An...
Swallowed Button Disc Battery, Magnet, or Object With Lead
Button disc batteries Button disc batteries are found in watches, cameras, calculators, hearing aids, and computer games. They are easily swallowed by children. These batteries, which contain corrosive fluids, can come apart when swallowed and quickly damage tissue. Some batteries contain potentially life-threatening...
Object Stuck in the Throat
Sometimes after you swallow a pill it may feel like it "got stuck" or didn't go all the way down. This feeling usually goes away within 30 to 60 minutes if you drink liquids or eat a piece of bread. You may not have any symptoms when something is stuck in your esophagus. But when symptoms are present, they may include...
Swallowed or Inhaled Objects
Briefly discusses the types of things that can be swallowed or inhaled, such as food, poisonous plants or chemicals, and disc batteries. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Classification of Asthma
The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program has classified asthma as: Intermittent. Mild persistent. Moderate persistent. Severe persistent. These classifications are based on severity, which is determined by symptoms and lung function tests. You should be assigned to the most severe category in which any...
Asthma
Provides links to how-to information about asthma. Includes info on asthma in teens and adults, using an asthma action plan, and using inhalers.
Asthma: Symptoms of Difficulty Breathing
When you have asthma, it's important to know the symptoms of trouble breathing. Follow your asthma action plan to know what to do. When you have trouble breathing, your symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe. Symptoms of mild trouble breathing: Breathing slightly faster than normal Normal skin color Symptoms of...
Asthma in Teens and Adults
Covers causes and symptoms of asthma in teens and adults. Includes info on avoiding triggers and treating attacks. Looks at treatment with controller medicine. Covers delivery systems that include metered-dose and dry powder inhalers and nebulizers.
Acute Bronchitis
Describes acute bronchitis, which is short-term inflammation of the tubes that carry air to the lungs. Explains difference between bronchitis and pneumonia. Includes causes and symptoms like cough. Covers treatment options.
How Asthma Develops in Children
Asthma is the most common long-lasting (chronic) disease of childhood. It usually develops before age 5. Many children who have allergies get asthma, but not all. And not every child with asthma has allergies. In most cases of persistent asthma, the first symptoms (such as wheezing) start in the first years of life. One...
Lungs and Airways
Has info on general coughs, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and COPD. Also has chest X-ray info and interactive topics on bronchitis and croup.
Asthma in Children
Discusses causes and symptoms of asthma in children. Looks at treatment with medicine such as inhaled corticosteroid and albuterol. Discusses avoiding triggers and treating attacks. Covers using nebulizers, metered-dose with spacer and dry powder inhalers.
Dextromethorphan Oral Solution (DEXTROMETHORPHAN LIQUID - ORAL)
For cough. Brand Name(s): Babee Cof, Creomulsion, DayQuil Cough, Elixsure Cough, Scot-tussin Diabetic CF. Generic Name: Dextromethorphan.
Croup: Managing a Croup Attack
Using techniques to help your child control symptoms of croup can help prevent the need to see a doctor at a clinic or emergency room. These techniques focus on keeping your child's airway open to make breathing easier. Keep calm and soothe your child. Anxiety and panic can make symptoms worse. Recognize that symptoms...
Decongestants
Make sure you know about each of the medicines you take. This includes why you take it, how to take it, what you can expect while you're taking it, and any warnings about the medicine. The information provided here is general. So be sure to read the information that came with your medicine. If you have any questions or...
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker
Briefly discusses COVID-19 symptoms, risk factors for a serious illness, and what to do if you are exposed or have the virus. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.
Asthma Attack
When asthma symptoms suddenly occur, it's called an asthma attack. It's also called an acute asthma episode, flare-up, or exacerbation. Attacks can be brief (about an hour) or last for several days. They may be seasonal (similar to hay fever) or occur during any season. What are the symptoms? When you have an asthma...
Asthma Diary
An asthma diary helps you keep track of how well you are managing your asthma. If you have symptoms or an asthma attack, record the trigger (if possible), the symptoms, and what kind of medicine you used for relief and how well it worked. Also note if you had to contact your doctor or seek emergency care. This can help...
Asthma Diary Template
Week of ________________________ If I use a peak flow meter: My personal best peak expiratory flow (PEF) is ________ . My PEF for green zone is ___________ liters per second (80% to 100% of my personal best*). My PEF for yellow zone is ___________ liters per second (50% to less than 80% of my personal best*). My PEF for...
Diphenhydramine Oral Solution (DIPHENHYDRAMINE - ORAL)
This medicine is used for the following purposes: allergic reaction, allergy symptoms, coughing, motion sickness, nausea and vomiting, Parkinson's disease, skin inflammation, sleeping. Brand Name(s): Banophen, Benadryl, Pediaclear Cough, Siladryl, Vanamine, Wal-Dryl Childrens, Wal-Sleep Z, Z-Sleep, ZZZ Sleep...
Asthma and Wheezing
Wheezing is a whistling noise that occurs when the bronchial tubes, which carry air to the lungs, narrow because of inflammation or mucus buildup. Wheezing is often present in asthma. During an asthma attack, the bronchial tubes become smaller. At first, the person may wheeze when breathing out. As the attack becomes...
Asthma: Using an Asthma Action Plan
Covers what an asthma action plan is. Explains how to use an asthma action plan. Covers ways to work with your doctor on an asthma action plan.
Asthma: Measuring Peak Flow
It's important to know how well your lungs are working. One way to do this is by checking your peak flow with a peak flow meter. Your peak flow can tell you if your asthma is staying the same, getting better, or getting worse. It helps you know if you need to take action.
Inhaled Quick-Relief Medicines for Asthma
Make sure you know about each of the medicines you take. This includes why you take it, how to take it, what you can expect while you're taking it, and any warnings about the medicine. The information provided here is general. So be sure to read the information that came with your medicine. If you have any questions or...
Challenge Tests for Asthma
Exercise challenge and inhalation challenge tests are sometimes used to diagnose asthma and workplace asthma (occupational asthma). Exercise challenge test In an exercise challenge test, spirometry is done before and after you exercise on a treadmill or an exercise bicycle. Spirometry measures how much and how quickly...
Asthma Treatment Goals
Explains how the goals for asthma treatment are to control symptoms and to reduce the risk for future problems.
Asthma in Older Adults: Managing Treatment
Diagnosis and treatment of asthma can be a challenge if you are age 65 or older. You might have another medical condition that masks your asthma. Or you may be more likely to have side effects from asthma medicines or be at risk for reactions from the different medicines you may be taking. To treat your asthma, you and...
Allergies: Controlling Cockroaches
Cockroaches leave behind particles from their feces, eggs, and shells that can cause an allergic reaction. These particles, called antigens, can travel through the air, and you can breathe them into your lungs. They can cause coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, and trouble breathing. You may even have an allergic reaction...
Omalizumab for Asthma
Omalizumab (Xolair) is a medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in people age 12 and older who have moderate or severe persistent asthma. This medicine costs a lot more than any of the standard treatments for asthma. The medicine works by blocking immunoglobulin E (IgE) from attaching...
Asthma Action Plan
An asthma action plan is a written plan that tells you what asthma medicine to take every day and how to treat an asthma attack. It can help you make quick decisions in case you can't think clearly during an attack. Your plan can help you stay active and have fewer problems. It may include: Your treatment goals. A list...
My Asthma Action Plan
My name:__________________ Doctor's name: ___________________ Doctor's phone: _______________ Controller medicine How much? How often? Other instructions Quick-relief medicine How much? How often? Other instructions GREEN ZONE This is where I want to be! YELLOW ZONE My asthma is getting worse. RED ZONE Danger! Symptoms...
Steroid Medicine for Asthma: Myths and Facts
Medicine helps you breathe easier and keeps your asthma under control. Controller medicines help stop problems before they happen. They also reduce inflammation in your lungs. Quick-relief medicines are used when you can't prevent symptoms and need to treat them fast. One of the best tools for managing asthma is a...
Asthma Zones
Asthma zones are part of your asthma action plan. The zones are defined by your symptoms, your peak flow, or both. Knowing what zone you're in can help you know how well your asthma is under control and if you need help. The three zones are: Green zone. Green means good. This zone is where you want to be. When you're in...
Asthma Action Plan: Yellow Zone
An asthma action plan is based on zones defined by your symptoms or your peak flow, or both. It tells you what to do if you have a sudden increase in your asthma symptoms ( asthma attack). The yellow zone may mean that you are having an asthma attack or that your medicine needs to be increased. When symptoms are...
Asthma Action Plan: Red Zone
An asthma action plan is based on zones defined by your symptoms, your peak flow, or both. It tells you what to do if you have a sudden increase in your asthma symptoms ( asthma attack). You are in the red zone of your asthma action plan if you have severe asthma symptoms. Symptoms include: Any shortness of breath while...
Asthma: Taking Charge of Your Asthma
Covers control of asthma with an asthma action plan. Includes knowing the asthma zones and working with a doctor on a plan and medicines for symptoms and attacks.
Asthma: Overuse of Quick-Relief Medicines
Quick-relief beta2-agonists quickly reduce symptoms. For this reason, people sometimes overuse them instead of adding the slower-acting, long-term medicines. Overuse of quick-relief medicines may be harmful. If you overuse quick-relief beta2-agonists, you may feel that your asthma is under control. But, in fact...
Asthma: Identifying Your Triggers
When you have asthma, certain things can make your symptoms worse. These things are called triggers. Things that you're allergic to can trigger your asthma. They may include: Dust. Dust mites. These are tiny, nearly invisible creatures. They live in bedding, carpet, and furniture. Cockroach droppings. Pet dander. Dander...
Asthma: Finding Your Triggers
When you have asthma, certain things can make your symptoms worse. These things are called triggers. Things that you're allergic to can trigger your asthma. They may include: Dust. Dust mites. These are tiny, nearly invisible creatures. They live in bedding, carpet, and furniture. Cockroach droppings. Pet dander. Dander...
Assessing Your Asthma Knowledge
Understanding asthma can help you control your symptoms and reduce your risk of asthma attacks. The following statements summarize what you should know about asthma. If you don't know or aren't sure about any of them, talk to your doctor. The more you understand about asthma, the better you will be able to follow your...
Asthma and Vocal Cord Problems
Vocal cord dysfunction is the uncontrolled closing of the vocal cords when you breathe in. The symptoms can seem to be the same as those of asthma and may occur alone or along with asthma. If you have asthma and vocal cord dysfunction, it may be difficult for you to tell the difference between symptoms of the two...
Opioids
Make sure you know about each of the medicines you take. This includes why you take it, how to take it, what you can expect while you're taking it, and any warnings about the medicine. The information provided here is general. So be sure to read the information that came with your medicine. If you have any questions or...
Inhaled Corticosteroids for Asthma
Make sure you know about each of the medicines you take. This includes why you take it, how to take it, what you can expect while you're taking it, and any warnings about the medicine. The information provided here is general. So be sure to read the information that came with your medicine. If you have any questions or...
Asthma: Peak Expiratory Flow and Personal Best
What are peak flow and personal best? Peak expiratory flow, or peak flow, is how much air you breathe out when you try your hardest. You measure peak flow with a peak flow meter, a device that you can use at home. If you can breathe out quickly and with ease, you have a higher number. This means you have a higher peak...
Asthma: How to Overcome Treatment Obstacles
Adults with asthma At times, you may find it hard to manage your asthma and stay with your treatment plan. If you're having trouble, it may help to figure out what's getting in your way. Then you can decide how to work around those barriers. Here are some common barriers people face when following a plan and some ideas...
COPD: Clearing Your Lungs
When you have too much mucus in your lungs, learning to clear your lungs may help you save energy and improve your breathing. It may also help prevent lung infections. Here are three ways to clear your lungs: Postural drainage Chest and back percussion Controlled coughing
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
DTaP vaccine can prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and Pertussis. Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds. DIPHTHERIA (D) can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, or death. TETANUS (T) causes painful stiffening of the muscles...
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) Vaccine: What You Need to Know
Tdap vaccine can prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds. TETANUS (T) causes painful stiffening of the muscles. Tetanus can lead to serious health problems, including being unable to open the mouth...
Tips for Reducing Indoor Pollutants in Your Home
Exposure to indoor air pollutants can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma attacks. It can also cause diseases, such as lung cancer. Pollutants include smoke, pet dander, radon, mold, cleaning products, and other chemicals. You can create a healthier home by following the tips below. Reduce allergens. If pets make...
Allergy Shots for Asthma
Allergy shots are a type of immunotherapy treatment. Small doses of substances to which you are allergic ( allergens) are injected under your skin. Over time, your body may become less responsive to the allergens. This means that you may have fewer symptoms. Allergy shots are given after careful skin testing for an...
Asthma in Children: Knowing How Bad an Attack Is
It can be hard to know if your child is having a mild, moderate, or severe asthma attack. The following chart may help you. Talk with a doctor if you can't tell how bad your child's symptoms are. In most cases, you can take care of your child's symptoms at home by looking at your child's asthma action plan. The plan...
Monitoring Asthma Treatment
The severity of asthma can vary, and asthma often requires changes in your treatment to control it. To ensure that you are getting the proper treatment, you have to continuously monitor and evaluate the disease and communicate with your doctor. Symptoms Know the symptoms of poorly controlled asthma—wheezing, cough...
Asthma and GERD
GERD is found in many people who have asthma. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the abnormal backflow, or reflux, of stomach juices into the esophagus, the tube that leads from the throat to the stomach. Some experts debate whether or to what extent GERD makes asthma worse. Studies have shown conflicting results...
Asthma: Overcoming Obstacles to Taking Medicines
Taking medicines for asthma every day can be hard to get used to. You may have several reasons why you find it hard to take your medicines. But figuring out how to handle these challenges can help you take good care of yourself. Here are some challenges and possible solutions. Maybe some of the reasons below are...
Asthma: Ways to Take Inhaled Medicines
When you use inhaled asthma medicine, you usually use a device that delivers the medicine directly to your lungs. Different types of delivery systems are available. And one type may be better for certain people or age groups or certain medicines. Here are the different types of devices and some things to think about for...
Treating Asthma in Babies and Younger Children
Babies and small children need early treatment for asthma symptoms to prevent severe breathing problems. They may have more serious problems than adults because their bronchial tubes are smaller. Babies and young children may be treated with oral or inhaled medicines. Even if your child's asthma does not appear severe...
Asthma's Impact on Your Child's Life
Asthma is a challenging condition. It can affect all areas of your child's life. Many children who have asthma miss school days. When this happens, have your child call a friend to ask about the work that was missed. Doing this both helps your child keep up with schoolwork and gives some of the social contact that...
Breathing Problems: Helping a Child Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler and Mask Spacer
Covers helping a child use a metered-dose inhaler with mask spacer. Explains that a metered dose inhaler delivers a measured dose of medicine directly to the lungs. Includes pictures on how to use metered-dose inhaler with mask spacer.
Controlling Dust, Dust Mites, and Other Allergens in Your Home
Dust and dust mites are a common indoor allergen. Allergens are things that can trigger an allergic reaction. Allergens can cause a rash, a stuffy nose, or other symptoms such as wheezing or coughing. Dust mites are visible only through a microscope. People are allergic to dust mite droppings, not the dust mites...
Breathing Problems: Using a Nebulizer
A nebulizer is a tool that delivers liquid medicine as a fine mist. You breathe in the medicine through a mouthpiece or face mask. This sends the medicine directly to your airways and lungs. You breathe in the medicine for a few minutes. Why is a nebulizer used? A nebulizer may be used to treat respiratory problems...
Breathing Problems: Using a Metered-Dose Inhaler
A metered-dose inhaler lets you breathe medicine into your lungs quickly. Inhaled medicine works faster than the same medicine in a pill. An inhaler allows you to take less medicine than you would need if you took it as a pill. "Metered-dose" means that the inhaler gives a measured amount of medicine each time you use...
Breathing Problems: Using a Dry Powder Inhaler
Covers using an inhaler to get needed medicine into lungs quickly. Describes dry powder inhalers, how they work, and why to use them. Includes pictures on how to use a dry powder inhaler.
Asthma: Educating Yourself and Your Child
Educating yourself and your family about asthma is essential for you and your child to have control of the disease. If you understand asthma, you will have an easier time following the different aspects of treatment, such as avoiding substances that cause symptoms (triggers) and knowing what to do during an asthma...
Child Safety: Air Pollution
Children's lungs are especially sensitive to the harmful effects of air pollution. That's because they breathe faster than adults, which causes them to inhale a lot of pollution relative to their weight. Use care when you take your young child outdoors, especially for physical activities. When children exercise, they...
Worried About Using Opioids?
Opioids are used to relieve moderate to severe pain. They may be used for a short time, such as after surgery, or for long-term pain when safer options don't help. Opioids don't cure a health problem. But they may help you manage the pain and help you function better. Opioids or other medicines that contain them...