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Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels with thin walls. Capillaries in the lungs enable the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Capsule

Smooth, easy to swallow gelatinous casing containing the active ingredient in medication. Mucosolvan is available as capsule for adults.

Carbon dioxide

Chemical symbol: CO2. Waste gas produced by the cells of the body and transported from the blood stream into the air in the alveoli and exhaled.

Chronic

Description of a persistent illness. If referring to a cough: lasting more than two weeks. All chronic health conditions require professional medical assistance. See also: acute

Cilia

The microscopically small, fine hairs that line the windpipe and bronchi. Cilia constantly beat in an upwards direction, moving excess phlegm out of the respiratory system like a conveyor belt.

Complementary remedy

Treatment for an illness given together with conventional medicine with the aim of reducing the discomfort of the sufferer and hastening the recovery. Often based on traditional herbs or other plants.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A chronic condition leading to a narrowing of the airways and making it hard to breath. Up to 90% of COPD cases are caused by smoking. Symptoms include chronic productive cough. Professional medical assistance is required to treat COPD.

Croup

The name of a number of childhood illnesses involving inflammation of the upper respiratory system. Symptoms include a loud cough with a characteristic barking sound, sometimes like the barking of a seal. Professional medical attention is required.