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Lung conditions

The most common lung conditions include asthma, COPD, influenza, lung cancer and pneumonia. Warning signs of lung disease include chronic cough, shortness of breath, chronic chest pain and wheezing. Find tips to keeping your lungs healthy as well as information about diagnosing and treating lung disease in our resources below.

Is vitamin D effective for mild to moderate asthma? It appears not!

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3 evidence-based strategies for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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Asthma and aging

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Evidence Summary

Home or community-based rehabilitation is as effective as hospital rehabilitation for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Cadernos de Saúde Pública (2016)
Evidence Summary

Remote versus face-to-face check-ups for asthma
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2016)
Evidence Summary

Smartphone and tablet self management apps for asthma
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2013)
Evidence Summary

Screening for lung cancer
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2013)
Evidence Summary

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) who receive self-management support within six weeks of hospital discharge may have slightly improved quality of life, but more evidence is needed
Rating 5 out of 5 stars
Health Technology Assessment (2015)
Evidence Summary

Vitamin D for the management of asthma.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2023)
Evidence Summary

Combined behavioural and drug treatments can help people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease quit smoking
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
International Journal of Nursing Studies (2022)
Evidence Summary

In people with COPD, pulmonary rehabilitation reduces anxiety and depression symptoms
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Chest (2019)
Evidence Summary

Dual combination therapy versus long-acting bronchodilators alone for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
Evidence Summary

Influenza vaccine for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
Evidence Summary

Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Self-management interventions including action plans for exacerbations versus usual care in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Use of tablets offering training diaries, exercise videos and training results may help improve patient attendance in pulmonary rehab programs
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
ERJ Open Research (2017)
Evidence Summary

Pneumococcal vaccines for preventing pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Psychological therapies for the treatment of anxiety disorders in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Oxygen for breathlessness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who do not qualify for home oxygen therapy.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Pulmonary rehabilitation following exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Action plans with brief patient education for exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Technical difficulties and preferences for in-person care may reduce patients’ acceptance of telehealth
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Annals of Behavioral Medicine (2014)
Evidence Summary

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults and adolescents with asthma.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Intravenous alpha-1 antitrypsin augmentation therapy for treating patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and lung disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Smoking cessation for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Different oral corticosteroid regimens for acute asthma.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus the same dose of ICS alone for adults with asthma.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) versus addition of long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) for adults with asthma.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

In people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, some drug treatments prevent flare-ups
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Chest (2015)
Evidence Summary

Pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Remediating buildings damaged by dampness and mould for preventing or reducing respiratory tract symptoms, infections and asthma.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

In people with stable COPD, using LABA and LAMA drugs together rather than alone improves quality of life and reduces breathlessness
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Thorax (2015)
Evidence Summary

Integrated disease management interventions for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2013)
Evidence Summary

Receiving support for self-management may benefit patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) after discharge from hospital, but more evidence is needed
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
International Journal of COPD (2015)
Evidence Summary

Different durations of corticosteroid therapy for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2014)
Evidence Summary

Systemic corticosteroids for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2014)
Evidence Summary

For acute bronchitis, antibiotics can reduce cough by about half a day but can cause side-effects
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2014)
Evidence Summary

Sublingual immunotherapy improves symptoms in adults and children with allergic rhinitis and asthma
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
JAMA (2013)
Evidence Summary

For patients with COPD, combined long-acting beta2-agonists plus inhaled corticosteroids reduce worsening of condition but not hospitalization
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2013)
Evidence Summary

In people with COPD, some types of breathing exercises improve outcomes
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Arch Phys Med Rehabil (2023)
Evidence Summary

Antibiotics for acute bronchitis.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Yoga for asthma.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Addition of anti-leukotriene agents to inhaled corticosteroids for adults and adolescents with persistent asthma.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Benzodiazepines for the relief of breathlessness in advanced malignant and non-malignant diseases in adults.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Upper limb exercise training for COPD.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Tai Chi for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Sublingual immunotherapy for asthma.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Stopping long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) for adults with asthma well controlled by LABA and inhaled corticosteroids.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Telerehabilitation may be a feasible way to encourage exercise and improve physical functioning among those with cardiopulmonary disease
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention (2015)
Evidence Summary

Self-management support interventions improve patient quality of life and reduce use of hospital care for patients with long-term respiratory and cardiovascular conditions
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Health Services and Delivery Research (2014)
Blog Post

How do different breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compare?

Breathe easier! Research highlights which breathing exercises can be beneficial for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Blog Post

3 evidence-based strategies for people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Research highlights three strategies that may improve symptoms and quality of life while living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Blog Post

Smoking while living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? Learn about strategies to help you quit!

Quitting smoking is one beneficial step that people living with COPD can take. Learn what strategies may help you quit.
Blog Post

Is vitamin D effective for mild to moderate asthma? It appears not!

Stay up to date! New research reverses initial finding of the positive impact of vitamin D use in people with mild to moderate asthma on severe asthma attacks.
Blog Post

Catching your breath with home or community-based pulmonary rehabilitation

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the name alone can leave you breathless. See what the research has to say about the benefits of home or community-based rehabilitation.
Blog Post

Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? A new class of medications might help you breathe a little easier

Is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) taking your breath away? Research suggests that people with COPD may benefit from a new class of medications.
Blog Post

Telehealth: A new fix for an old problem – helping people with chronic conditions take better care of themselves

Is chronic illness getting you down? Telehealth is a promising way for you to connect with your health care provider and better manage your condition.
Blog Post

3 research-based benefits of yoga for healthy aging

Want to age well? Consider making yoga part of your regular activities.

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