Respiratory Disorders

A  respiratory disorder, or respiratory disease, refers to a wide range of conditions that have an effect on the process of respiration. With a respiratory disease you may feel short of breath, have difficulty breathing, coughing, or pain in your chest. Diseases of the respiratory tract affect the alveoli, bronchi, bronchioles, pleura, trachea, and the nerves and muscles that control breathing.

Upper respiratory infections are quite common, and they are the cause of a significant number of missed days of work and school each year. Although they occur most frequently in the chilly months of winter, they can take place at any time of the year.

An infection of the lower respiratory tract impacts both the airways and the lungs. In most cases, infections of the lower respiratory tract are more severe and last for a longer period of time. The colder months of the year is when more people will suffer from a lower respiratory infection.