Lungs are part of the respiratory system, a group of organs and tissues that work together to help you breathe. Every cell in your body needs oxygen to live. The air we breathe contains oxygen and other gases. The respiratory system's main job is to move fresh air into your body while removing waste gases.

Once in the lungs, oxygen is moved into the bloodstream and carried through your body. At each cell in your body, oxygen is exchanged for a waste gas called carbon dioxide. Your bloodstream then carries this waste gas back to the lungs where it is removed from the bloodstream and then exhaled. Your lungs and respiratory system automatically perform this vital process, called gas exchange.

In addition to gas exchange, your respiratory system performs other roles important to breathing. These include:

• Bringing air to the proper body temperature and moisturising it to the right humidity level.
• Protecting your body from harmful substances. This is done by coughing, sneezing, filtering or swallowing them.
• Supporting your sense of smell.

Even if you live a healthy life, you can still run into health problems. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms. They could mean you have asthma (a lung problem that makes it hard to breathe), a lung infection or other issue. And if you notice them, talk to your doctor.

• Coughing
• Chronic chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chronic mucus