Chest and lungs – articles and advice
Lung cancer
Articles on respiratory health, breathing conditions, and managing lung problems. For trusted reference, see our Patient Information Leaflets on chest and lung health.
Lung cancer
A persistent cough or breathlessness could be early signs of lung cancer. Discover the causes, how it's diagnosed, and the treatments that can help.
Asthma
Wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness can all signal asthma. Discover what causes it, how it’s diagnosed, and the treatments that help you breathe easier.
- The effect of air pollution on asthma sufferers
- How to cope with asthma in the summer
- How to handle asthma during the winter months
- Air pollution and asthma: how to protect yourself this summer
- What to do if you have an asthma attack
- What is severe asthma and how do you know if you have it?
- What are the main causes of asthma and asthma attacks?
- How is asthma managed and treated?
- What are the different types of asthma inhalers?
- What is eosinophilic asthma and what makes it different?
- Asthma deaths in England and Wales highest in a decade
- Air pollution blamed for a third of new asthma cases in Europe
- Common asthma inhaler mistakes to avoid
- What happens during an asthma attack?
- Can you really 'grow out' of asthma?
- Are cleaning products bad for your health?
- How to look after your child's asthma this summer
- Why your favourite perfume could trigger an asthma attack
- How do inhalers work?
- What are the best forms of exercise if you have asthma?
- Peak flow diary
Breathing difficulties
Struggling to catch your breath? Breathing problems can have many causes. Learn when it’s an emergency and what treatments are available to help.
Chest and lung infections
Chest infections can make breathing difficult and cause serious illness. Find out how to recognise the symptoms and what treatments can speed recovery.
Chest pain
Chest pain can be worrying. Learn how to tell the difference between muscular strain and serious causes like heart or lung conditions that need urgent care.
COPD
COPD makes breathing harder over time. Find out what causes it, how it’s diagnosed, and the treatments that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Cough and cold
A cough that won’t go away can be irritating—or a sign of something more serious. Learn about common causes and when to see your doctor.
- Is it whooping cough or just a cold?
- When to worry about a persistent cough
- What to eat when you have a cold
- Can zinc lozenges protect against coughs, colds, flu, and COVID-19?
- Coughs, colds and sore throats: is honey better than over-the-counter treatments?
- How to stop coughing at night
- Should you go to work when you have a cold?
- Is your cough really a chest infection?
- How to avoid catching a cold on public transport
Lung health
From long-term conditions to sudden infections, chest and lung problems can affect anyone. Learn the causes and how they can be managed effectively.
- Updated7 everyday habits to improve your lung health
- Chest and lungs videos
- What are the risks of a lung transplant?
- Why is air pollution so dangerous for your lungs?
- How physiotherapy can help people with lung conditions
- Air pollution in major cities for lungs is as bad as smoking 20 cigarettes a day
- How to keep your lungs healthy for life
- The respiratory system