Respiratory conditions affect the airways, including the lungs as well as the passages that transfer air from the mouth and nose into the lungs. They can be long term (chronic) or short term (acute) and can cause ill health, disability and death.
It is estimated that 6.3 million Australians suffer from a chronic respiratory condition and it is believed to be the most commonly managed problem in general practice.
Common chronic respiratory conditions include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiectasis, sinusitis and occupational lung disease.
A less common respiratory condition is sarcoidosis, which can affect other organs also.
See also Bronchoscopy