Salt Caves: Do They Help Asthma, COPD and Bronchiectasis?
Halotherapy, asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis Salt Caves for Respiratory Health: Do They Help Asthma, COPD and Bronchiectasis? Salt caves are promoted as a natural way to ease cough, loosen mucus and improve breathing. But do they actually help asthma, COPD or bronchiectasis? This guide separates plausible theory from proven respiratory treatment. Halotherapy Asthma COPD Bronchiectasis […]
How Weight Affects Respiratory Infections: Obesity, Underweight, Malnutrition and Pneumonia Risk
Respiratory health guide How Weight Affects Respiratory Infections: Obesity, Underweight, Malnutrition and Pneumonia Risk Body weight can influence immune defence, breathing mechanics, aspiration risk and recovery from respiratory infections. Risk may rise in people living with severe obesity as well as those who are underweight or malnourished. Obesity and immunity Lung reserve Aspiration risk Malnutrition […]
Impact of Reflux and Aspiration on Lung Disease: Mechanisms, Patterns of Injury, and Clinical Management
Reflux, aspiration and respiratory disease Impact of Reflux and Aspiration on Lung Disease: Mechanisms, Patterns of Injury, and Clinical Management Reflux and aspiration can contribute to cough, wheeze, recurrent infection and longer-term airway injury—even when heartburn is absent. Understanding the mechanism and pattern of lung damage is essential before deciding how it should be treated. […]
Biologics for COPD: who they help, and what to expect in 2026
Targeted COPD treatment Biologics for COPD: Who They Help, and What to Expect in 2026 Biologics are targeted immune treatments that can reduce flare-ups in a selected subgroup of people with COPD—particularly those with raised blood eosinophils and continued exacerbations despite optimised inhaled treatment. Type 2 inflammation Blood eosinophils Dupilumab Mepolizumab NICE eligibility Exacerbation prevention […]
Prednisolone for Lung Disease: Benefits, Side Effects, and Alternatives.
Oral corticosteroids, respiratory inflammation and steroid-sparing care Prednisolone for Lung Disease: Benefits, Side Effects, and Alternatives Prednisolone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medicine used for acute asthma attacks and selected inflammatory lung diseases. It can be lifesaving, but repeated or prolonged treatment can affect bones, blood sugar, muscles, mood, infection risk and the body’s natural cortisol […]
Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO): A Quick Guide
Asthma diagnosis, type 2 airway inflammation and treatment monitoring Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO): A Quick Guide Fractional exhaled nitric oxide testing is a quick, non-invasive breathing test that measures nitric oxide in exhaled air. It helps identify type 2 or eosinophilic airway inflammation, supports the diagnosis of asthma and can provide useful information about […]
Unraveling the Intricacies of Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GvHD)
Understanding systemic and pulmonary complications after donor stem-cell transplantation Unraveling the Intricacies of Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GvHD) Graft-versus-host disease is a potentially serious complication of allogeneic stem-cell transplantation. It develops when donor immune cells recognise the recipient’s tissues as foreign and mount an immune response. GvHD may affect several organs, including the skin, gut, liver, mouth, […]
Smoking Cessation: Your Questions Answered
Evidence-based support for becoming smoke-free Smoking Cessation: Your Questions Answered Stopping smoking is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your lungs, heart and long-term health. Quitting can be difficult because tobacco dependence involves both nicotine addiction and established daily habits. The right treatment and behavioural support can make the process […]
Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial infection: When to Treat?
Balancing disease progression, treatment toxicity and patient priorities Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infection: When to Treat? Finding non-tuberculous mycobacteria in sputum does not automatically mean that treatment should start. The decision depends on whether true NTM pulmonary disease is present, which species has been identified, how active or progressive the disease appears and whether the expected benefit […]
The Unravelling of Green Sputum: A Comprehensive Insight
Mucus, airway defence and respiratory health The Unravelling of Green Sputum: A Comprehensive Insight Green sputum can be alarming, but colour alone cannot diagnose a bacterial infection or determine whether antibiotics are needed. Understanding how mucus is produced, why its appearance changes and which accompanying symptoms matter can help distinguish a short-lived respiratory illness from […]
Bronchiolitis Obliterans: The ‘Popcorn Lung’ Mystery
Respiratory medicine • rare airway disease Bronchiolitis Obliterans: The ‘Popcorn Lung’ Mystery Bronchiolitis obliterans is an uncommon but important small-airway disease in which inflammation and scarring narrow the bronchioles, making it progressively harder for air to move in and out of the lungs. It has become widely known as “popcorn lung”, but the condition is […]
Who Should Have the Pneumococcal Vaccine?
Pneumococcal disease, eligibility and current vaccine guidance Who Should Have the Pneumococcal Vaccine? Pneumococcal vaccination helps protect against serious infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, including pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis. Eligibility depends on age, health, vaccination history and national guidance. Adults aged 65 and over Clinical-risk groups PCV20 Children Immune suppression Chronic lung disease Pneumococcal vaccination […]
A Guide to COPD exacerbations
Recognising, treating and preventing COPD flare-ups A Guide to COPD Exacerbations A COPD exacerbation is an acute and sustained worsening of breathlessness, cough, sputum or other respiratory symptoms beyond normal day-to-day variation. Early recognition and appropriate treatment can reduce complications and support recovery. Warning symptoms Common triggers Rescue treatment Hospital care Recovery Prevention A significant […]
Early Lung Cancer Detection: Screening Saves Lives
Lung cancer screening guide Early Lung Cancer Detection: Screening Saves Lives Lung cancer screening uses low-dose CT imaging to look for early disease in people who may be at increased risk but do not have symptoms. Detecting lung cancer earlier can expand treatment options and improve the likelihood of successful treatment. Early detection Low-dose CT […]
7 Warning signs of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a number of lung diseases that make breathing difficult. COPD is a massively under diagnosed disease that is the third leading cause of death in the world. COPD often leads to exacerbations that significantly impact on quality of life and increases the risk of death […]
3-step Guide to Manage Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
What is COPD? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. The limitation in the airflow occurs as the airways are obstructed and narrowed. The obstruction particularly results in difficulty to expel air out of the lungs. #1 Make the Diagnosis and Start Treatment […]
