ELI5: respiratory disorder

What is a respiratory disorder?

A respiratory disorder is when your lungs or airways don't work the way they should [4]. Your lungs help you breathe in fresh air and breathe out used air, but when you have a respiratory disorder, this process gets harder or doesn't work right [1].

Why do respiratory disorders happen?

Respiratory disorders can happen for many different reasons [1]. Some people are born with them, like transient tachypnea in newborns [5], while others develop them from things like smoking, infections, or allergies that damage the lungs over time [3][4].

What does it feel like?

When you have a respiratory disorder, it can feel like you're trying to breathe through a straw or like your chest is tight [1]. You might cough a lot, feel short of breath, or have trouble doing activities you normally enjoy [4].

How do you fix it?

Doctors treat respiratory disorders in different ways depending on what type you have [1]. Some people use inhalers to help them breathe, take medicines, or make changes like quitting smoking [3][4]. In serious cases, you might need to go to the hospital for help breathing [2].