Respiratory Ailments

What is a respiratory ailment?

A respiratory ailment is a disease that affects the lungs or airways. There are two types:

Chronic respiratory ailments

Chronic respiratory ailments are lung diseases that have no cure. Examples include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary hypertension. Treatment for chronic respiratory ailments typically involves prescription medication, healthy lifestyle habits, and respiratory therapy.

Acute respiratory ailments

Acute respiratory ailments are caused by viruses and bacteria. These diseases last for days or weeks but can be effectively treated with prescription and/or over-the-counter medications. Examples include COVID-19, bronchitis, and the flu.

What are the symptoms of respiratory ailments?

Respiratory ailments affect your breathing ability. Tell-tale symptoms include:

• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Hoarse voice
• Reduced appetite
• Increased production of mucus and phlegm

Often, acute respiratory symptoms are mild and improve within a few days. However, if your symptoms worsen and don’t respond to at-home treatments, contact Doctor’s Own Urgent Care immediately. 

How are respiratory ailments diagnosed?

Your Doctor’s Own Urgent Care provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, what they feel like, and if they’re worse at certain times, such as when you’re moving around. 

Next, they complete a physical exam. Your provider listens to your lungs and heart rate with a stethoscope, checks your blood pressure, and measures your blood oxygen levels. Then, they check your ears, nose, and throat and listen to your cough. 

These steps are usually enough to diagnose minor respiratory ailments like bronchitis and the common cold. But if your provider suspects a chronic ailment, such as asthma or COPD, they order lung function tests. Lung function tests assess how much oxygen you inhale and exhale and whether your lungs deliver enough oxygen to your blood. 

How are respiratory ailments treated?

Doctor’s Own Urgent Care treats respiratory ailments using a conservative and patient-centered approach. They might suggest:

• Prescription antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection (like pneumonia)
• Expectorants to loosen up excess phlegm and mucus
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the airways
• Bronchodilators to help open your airways
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Getting plenty of rest

If you have a chronic respiratory ailment like COPD, your provider also recommends healthy lifestyle changes. For example, quitting smoking can prevent the condition from worsening and prevent further lung damage.

Call Doctor’s Own Urgent Care to receive treatment for a respiratory ailment, or book your appointment online today. Walk-ins are also welcome.