Health Topics

Health topics

Browse topics to help you live your best life.

Breathing

Most cases of shortness of breath are due to heart or lung conditions. Your heart and lungs are involved in transporting oxygen to your tissues and removing carbon dioxide, and problems with either of these processes affect your breathing.

Hometown Health Blog

Understanding the complex health risks of wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke can affect air quality in areas thousands of miles away from active wildfires. Learn how to monitor air quality indexes to be aware of the air pollution in your area.

Mark Norton, M.D. By Mark Norton June 7, 2024

How belly breathing benefits your body, mind

Are you breathing from your belly or chest? Most people chest breathe, but belly breathing is more efficient and offers a wealth of body and mind benefits. Learn how to breathe from your belly.

Richard Crockett MD By Richard Crockett March 4, 2024

Why are you coughing so much?

From a tickle in your throat to a chronic cough, you may wonder why you are coughing so much. Learn how to distinguish if your cough is a minor inconvenience or a sign of illness.

Liz Husted, M.D. By Liz Husted December 29, 2023

6 tips for living with COPD

COPD, a chronic inflammatory lung disease most often caused by long-term smoking, is a leading cause of disability and death in the U.S. Learn strategies to cope with COPD and slow lung damage.

Mais Abdou, M.D. By Mais Abdou December 5, 2023

Checking the facts of COPD

You take 20,000 breaths every day, and your lungs work 24/7 to keep you alive. Test your knowledge of COPD, and learn why it's vital to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms of the disease.

Sunny Khosa MD By Sunny Khosa October 13, 2023

Personalized care gives Marie Hammes oxygen and answers

Breathing is an automatic function that most people don't think about until it becomes difficult. Read how the Mayo Clinic Store supports Marie's journey with COPD.

September 7, 2023

Cleaner air: Another layer of protection from airborne particles

Your lungs work hard. Having clean air helps prevent illness and reduces the transmission of airborne viruses. Here are some ideas for improving the air quality in your home.

Paul Horvath, M.D. By Paul Horvath July 6, 2023

Does smoking marijuana increase lung cancer risk?

Marijuana is a widely used substance in the U.S. But is it safer than smoking tobacco? Can it cause lung issues or lung cancer? Here's what you need to know.

Aryan Shiari, M.D. By Aryan Shiari June 15, 2023

What to know about breathing issues due to wildfires, smoke

Smoke from wildfires can pose a health risk when ultrafine particles are inhaled deep into the lungs. Monitor air quality, and learn how to protect yourself if you're in an affected area.

June 9, 2023

4 common questions about robotic-assisted bronchoscopy

Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy maps out the airways in the lungs and safely gets to previously unreachable spots. Read four common questions about the technology and how it betters lung cancer outcomes.

Ali Zaied, M.D. By Ali Zaied March 7, 2023

Is the extreme cold bad for your lungs?

The icy grip of winter is blanketing much of the U.S. Learn how bitter cold temperatures affect the lungs and what you can do to protect yours when outdoors.

Aryan Shiari, M.D. By Aryan Shiari January 27, 2023

Radon: The odorless, invisible threat

Elevated levels of radon are the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. So it's vital to test your home to discover if radon abatement is needed. Learn more about this invisible health hazard.

Elizabeth Morton PAC By Elizabeth Morton January 20, 2023