4 Lung Diseases You Should Know About

 

Did you know that lung diseases aren't just a problem for smokers? Exposure to smoke, air pollution and genetics can lead to lung disease. Lung disease sufferers often have to deal with many complications which health care professionals are currently finding new ways to manage and treat. Let's take a look at four of the most common lung diseases.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), is a type of progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. COPD includes two main types of lung disease: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The main symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath, a persistent cough, and excessive mucus production. The most common cause of COPD is smoking tobacco products, but the disease can also be caused by exposure to air pollutants or dust. Although there's no cure for COPD, treatment options can improve symptoms, reduce lung damage and slow the progression of the disease over time.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult. It causes wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing, and coughing. It can be triggered by many things, including allergies, cold air, cigarette smoke, exercise, and even emotions.

Some people have mild symptoms; others must use an inhaler or other treatment to help them breathe. You can have asthma for years without knowing it. That's why it's important to know the warning signs:

• Shortness of breath that occurs with physical activity or at rest
• Wheezing and whistling sounds when you breathe
• Feeling tired and out of breath during everyday activities
• Coughing that wakes you at night or early in the morning
• Coughing up mucus from your lungs

Lung Cancer

Did you know that lung cancer accounts for roughly 30% of all cancer cases in the United States? Lung cancer is a serious disease and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Smoking is the number one reason why people develop lung cancer, but there are other causes, including radon exposure and air pollution.

Treatment for lung cancer varies depending on the stage of the condition, but it may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. While there is no cure for lung cancer, early detection can improve your chances of survival.

Emphysema

Emphysema is a condition affecting the lungs that makes it difficult to breathe. This condition is permanent and worsens over time, leading to disability, disability and death. Some people have a short-term response to smoking while others have a long-term response.

If you smoke, you are damaging your lungs. If you don't smoke and you are in a polluted area, you are also damaging your lungs. 

Emphysema occurs in three stages:

• Stage 1: In this stage, the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs begin to lose elasticity and become unable to inflate properly. This causes difficulty in breathing, such as labored breathing. This stage can last for several months or years.
• Stage 2: In this stage, the alveoli continue to break down and lose elasticity. The lungs are less able to inflate and more infections occur in the lungs. There is more fluid in the lung tissue because of these infections and because of tissue breakdown. The person experiences more breathlessness but does not need oxygen.
• Stage 3: In this final stage of emphysema, there is more fluid than air in the lungs because the alveoli have totally collapsed. The person needs oxygen all the time.

Conclusion

Lung disease is a serious concern that deserves our attention. These four lung diseases should be of particular concern, but it is also important to note that there are many other lung diseases that affect the world’s population today as well. As with any disease, however, the best thing we can do for ourselves and for others is to educate ourselves about how we can prevent these diseases from developing in the first place.