Chest and lungs – articles and advice
Asthma
Articles on respiratory health, breathing conditions, and managing lung problems. For trusted reference, see our Patient Information Leaflets on chest and lung health.
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.
- What happens during an asthma attack?
- How to cope with asthma in the summer
- What is severe asthma and how do you know if you have it?
- What are the main causes of asthma and asthma attacks?
- Common asthma inhaler mistakes to avoid
- How to handle asthma during the winter months
- What are the best forms of exercise if you have asthma?
- How to look after your child's asthma this summer
- Are cleaning products bad for your health?
- Can you really 'grow out' of asthma?
- Asthma deaths in England and Wales highest in a decade
- Why your favourite perfume could trigger an asthma attack
- Peak flow diary
- What to do if you have an asthma attack
- What are the different types of asthma inhalers?
- How is asthma managed and treated?
- What is eosinophilic asthma and what makes it different?
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.
- Strep A: what is Strep pneumonia and why are cases rising?
- Can zinc lozenges protect against coughs, colds, flu, and COVID-19?
- What's the difference between double pneumonia and pneumonia?
- What is walking pneumonia?
- What you need to know about pneumonia
COVID-19
- COVID-19 - coping with loneliness this Christmas
- How to contribute to COVID-19 research
- What are the long-term health impacts of coronavirus?
- How to help your child adjust to a post-COVID world
- Shielders: how can vulnerable people stay safe as restrictions end?
- What are the latest rules on face masks in the UK?
- What we know about the new COVID-19 variants Eris and Pirola
- Why are Black and Asian people at greater risk from COVID-19?
- Should we wear face masks after the pandemic?
- Long COVID: What are the symptoms and treatment?
- Is losing your sense of taste and smell a symptom of coronavirus?
- Are any coronavirus home remedies safe or effective?
- Can lifestyle changes reduce your COVID-19 risk?
- What are the benefits of mixing and matching COVID-19 booster vaccines?
- COVID-19: can children become seriously ill from coronavirus?
- COVID-19: how to keep kids active during the coronavirus lockdown
- How to cope with a fear of leaving lockdown
- COVID-19: is it safe to send your kids back to school?
- Tips to help your kids get used to face masks and coverings
- COVID-19: how to talk to children about the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19: how to manage back-to-school worries
- Is the pandemic affecting children's development?
- How to help children cope with stress and anxiety during the pandemic
- What are the school COVID rules October 2023?
- Does diabetes increase your risk of coronavirus?
- COVID-19: how to avoid burnout during the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19: can I get tested for coronavirus?
- How to reduce your risk of DIY injuries during coronavirus lockdown
- How to make the most of video therapy sessions during lockdown
- COVID-19: how to use pharmacies during the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19: how to deal with an eating disorder during coronavirus lockdown
- COVID-19: who can get tested for coronavirus under the new UK guidance?
- What to do if you need contraception or abortion care during lockdown
- COVID-19 antibody tests: how do they work and who can get tested?
- Vitamin D and coronavirus: is there evidence it can help?
- Coronavirus: why is outdoors safer than inside?
- COVID-19: do you need to wear a mask to avoid coronavirus?
- COVID-19: how does the coronavirus pandemic affect your sleep?
- Coronavirus: how quickly do COVID-19 symptoms develop and how long do they last?
- What to do if you have a dental emergency during the lockdown
- Why lockdown is making us feel exhausted
- COVID-19: can I still get my prescription during the coronavirus lockdown?
- Can apps help you manage your mental health during the pandemic?
- COVID-19: how to manage mood swings during coronavirus lockdown
- Is coronavirus guidance different for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
- Should you worry about your lockdown drinking habits?
- How to cope with traumatic events like the COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19: how to cope with loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what can I do under the new rules?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what is social distancing?
- COVID-19: will sticking to a routine help during coronavirus lockdown?
- COVID-19: how to look after your sexual health during coronavirus lockdown
- Coronavirus: what are moderate, severe and critical COVID-19?
- COVID-19: how does the coronavirus pandemic affect autistic people?
- COVID-19: what to do if you feel suicidal during the coronavirus lockdown
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what to do if you need to see a GP or get medication
- COVID-19 coronavirus: how to eat healthily from the cupboard and freezer
- COVID-19: coronavirus myths debunked
- COVID-19: how to protect yourself against coronavirus
- COVID-19 coronavirus: do I need to self-isolate?
- COVID-19: what happens next with the coronavirus outbreak?
- COVID-19: the latest UK coronavirus guidelines
- COVID-19: do you need to worry about coronavirus?
- COVID-19: what should I do if I think I have coronavirus?
- COVID-19 coronavirus: what is an underlying health condition?
- Coronavirus: how do we become immune to diseases like COVID-19?
- COVID-19: how to look after your mental health during coronavirus lockdown
- COVID-19 coronavirus: how to self-isolate
- COVID-19: is handwashing still important when you're self-isolating?
- COVID-19: how to support vulnerable friends and family during the coronavirus pandemic
- COVID-19: what you need to know about coronavirus and pregnancy
- How to stay healthy while working at home
- COVID-19: what you need to know about coronavirus
- Why is ME/CFS research key to understanding long COVID?
- COVID-19: Can lockdowns change our personalities?
- Coping with anxiety around COVID-19 uncertainty
- COVID-19: How contagious is Omicron?
- COVID-19: Is Omicron a bigger threat than the Delta variant?
- What is the COVID-19 antibody blood test and should I get one?
- COVID-19: when do experts predict life will return to normal?
- COVID-19: how do Omicron symptoms compare to other variants?
- COVID-19: Should vulnerable people shield because of Omicron?
- Are we prepared to fight flu and COVID-19 this winter?
- How to ventilate safely to protect against COVID-19 this winter
- Why are women so vulnerable to COVID-19 in pregnancy?
- How to protect yourself from COVID-19 and flu in pregnancy
- How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to contraception?
- 19th July: staying safe as COVID-19 restrictions ease
- How could long COVID impact your mental health?
- How to hang on to a lockdown lifestyle
- A year on: what we now know about COVID-19
- How to make face masks and coverings more comfortable
- How to reduce your risk of coronavirus on public transport
- COVID-19: how to avoid catching viruses at work
- Are we prepared for another pandemic?
- Should you be worried about the Indian COVID-19 variant?
- May lockdown easing: what are the new restrictions?
- How to meet friends and family safely outdoors
- How to maintain a healthy lifestyle during lockdown
- Are the new COVID-19 swab tests accurate?
- Why it’s difficult to switch off during the pandemic
- The latest treatments for COVID-19
- COVID-19: how to stay safe at work
- Face coverings: what should you look for in a homemade mask?
- How does the new 90-minute COVID-19 test work?
- How has COVID-19 impacted cancer patients?
- What happens if you catch flu and COVID-19 at the same time?
- COVID-19: how to stay safe this Christmas
- How to choose the right face mask for you
- Lockdown easing: what is the plan and is it realistic?
- Test and trace: how does it work?
- How are universities supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Long COVID: what support is available?
- How have Brits neglected their oral health during the pandemic?
- How to book your COVID-19 booster vaccine
- COVID-19: What is herd immunity and will we ever reach it?
- What we know about the IHU COVID-19 variant
- COVID-19: When should you do a lateral flow test and when should you do a PCR?
- COVID-19: Should you cancel your Christmas plans because of Omicron?
- Flurona: What we know about COVID-19 and flu combined infection
- COVID-19: How to book your booster jab before the autumn and winter waves
- Why it's a good thing if you feel unwell after your COVID-19 booster jab
- What are the symptoms of the COVID-19 variant Pirola?
- Coronavirus: what are asymptomatic and mild COVID-19?
- COVID-19: how you can contribute to the fight against coronavirus
- What are the differences between colds, flu and COVID-19?
- What are the options for COVID treatment at home?
Chest and lung problems
From long-term conditions to sudden infections, chest and lung problems can affect anyone. Learn the causes and how they can be managed effectively.
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.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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
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.
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.