Includes bibliographical references and index.

Respiratory diseases encompass pathological conditions affecting the organs and tissues that make gas exchange possible in higher organisms, and includes conditions of the upper respiratory tract, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pleura and pleural cavity, and the nerves and muscles of breathing. Respiratory diseases range from mild and self-limiting, such as the common cold, to life-threatening entities like bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and lung cancer. The authors of this book present current research in the causes, treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases. Topics include dietary prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; effects of air pollution on the human respiratory system; immunotherapy in respiratory allergy and the lung as a target organ for Type 2 diabetes complications.