Protected by the rib cage, the lungs are expandable organs that oxygenate our blood as we breathe. When the lungs cannot function properly, it results in life-threatening conditions or diseases. Many respiratory diseases can be prevented by avoiding harmful substances like smoke and industrial pollutants. The lungs can be temporarily affected by infection, either viral or bacterial, which can cause inflammation and pneumonia, an infection that causes fever, chills, coughing up phlegm, and difficulty breathing. Treatments can include quick-acting medication called bronchodilators for an asthma attack to corticosteroids for inflammation. Chronic conditions such as asthma and cystic fibrosis often respond well to alternative treatments such as acupuncture, yoga, and herbal medicines but some herbal remedies may interact with prescribed drugs.
