What is Lung Disease

What is Lung Disease?

Lung diseases are one of the most common medical problems in the world. Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, lung cancer and pneumonia are some types of lung disease. When the lungs become sick, they are unable to extract carbon dioxide and receive enough oxygen properly.

Lung disease causes many symptoms including severe cough, shortness of breath, excessive mucus, wheezing, chest pain and even mucus bleeding.

 

If the initial symptoms of lung disease are detected, it can be treated appropriately before the problem becomes severe and fatal for life. It is possible to protect the lungs from some types of diseases, although there are some diseases of the lungs that cannot be prevented. Some measures can be taken to prevent lung disease and to keep the lungs healthy, such as quitting smoking and avoiding air pollution. Exercising regularly also keeps the lungs healthy.

 

It is treated on the basis of the type of lung disease. Its treatment includes bronchodilator drugs, corticosteroid and oxygen therapy, etc. Some more serious conditions may also require an operation, which sometimes results in lung transplant. There can be some serious complications like respiratory tract dysfunction due to lung disease. The patient becomes crippled by these diseases and there is an increased risk of his premature death.

 

What are lung diseases?

Diseases affecting the lungs and other organs associated with the respiratory system are called lung diseases. Most of the problems related to the breath are due to lung disease, in case of this disease, the patient does not get enough oxygen.

Symptoms of lung disease

Depending on the type of lung disease, its signs and symptoms may also vary. Some of the common symptoms of lung disease are:

1. Pain and other discomfort on breathing and exhaling

2. Swelling of lymph nodes (lymph glands)

3. Fever and cold (related to lung infection)

4. Reduced exercise capacity

5. Frequent sinus infections

6. Trouble breathing

7. Breathlessness

8. Excessive mucus formation

9. Feeling as if you are not getting enough air to breathe

10. Constant cough that is not cured by normal measures

11. Mucus bleeding

 

When should meet the doctor?

If you are feeling one or more of the following symptoms, meet a doctor:

 

1.       Wheezing or noises during breathing indicate that there is some kind of obstruction in your lungs or that the respiratory tract of the lungs has become compressed due to some reason

2.       Difficulty in breathing, it takes more effort than usual to breathe

3.       Excessive mucus formation

4.       Mucus bleeding

 

Causes and Risk Factors of Lung Disease

Why does lung disease occur?

 

Asthma - In this, there is severe swelling and irritation in the respiratory passages and sometimes there are lumps, due to which the sound of wheezing starts and the breath starts to swell.

 

COPD - This is a lung disease in which the patient's ability to exhale does not work properly, due to this condition, the patient starts having difficulty in breathing. This disease is caused by smoking for a long time.

 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - It is a form of COPD, which mainly consists of mucus with cough. This disease especially occurs in people who smoke heavily.

 

Emphysema - It is also a type of COPD, in which lungs get damaged and air gets stuck in them. Difficulty in breathing is the main symptom of this disease. Smoking is also the main cause of this disease.

 

Acute bronchitis - It is a sudden infection in the respiratory passages, usually caused by a virus.

 

Cystic fibrosis - This is a genetic condition, in which the mucus from the bronchi is not cleaned properly. Repeated infections begin in the lungs due to the accumulation of mucus.

 

Pneumonia - In this condition, infection occurs in small air bags of the lungs (Alveoli). This infection is usually caused by bacteria.

 

TB (Tuberculosis) - It is a serious lung disease caused by bacteria, which develops slowly.

 

Lung cancer - There are many forms of lung cancer and it develops in any part of the lungs. It is caused by smoking for a long time and can also be a genetic condition.

 

When does the risk of getting lung disease increase?

1.       Exposure to radon gas, when uranium metal is naturally absorbed into soil, rock, and water, generates radon gas. This gas gets into the air, in which we breathe. Abnormal levels of radon gas in the air can occur in any building or house.

2.       Exposure to asbestos and other harmful substances at work sites like building construction which are known to cause cancer. Especially if you smoke, your exposure to these harmful substances increases your risk of getting lung cancer.

3.       Family problem of lung cancer, for people whose parents or siblings have cancer in their lungs, then the risk of lung problems also increases for that person.

4.       Alpha-1 deficiency, a type of genetic condition.

5.       Respiratory mechanism infection in childhood

6.       Exposure to chemical, dust, or smoke during work

7.       Exposure to air pollution

8.       To smoke

9.       Breathing smoke while other person is smoking.

 

Lung disease prevention

How to prevent diseases in the lungs?

 

1.       Exercise regularly, aerobic exercise that increases heart rate may be most beneficial.

2.       Wash your hands regularly

3.       Do not touch your mouth with hands (try to touch as little as possible)

4.       Eat a Balanced Diet and Nutritious Food. (Read More...)

5.       Drink Sufficient of water

6.       Quit smoking

7.       Stay away from the smoker and its smoke

8.       Do not ignore any signs and symptoms associated with lung diseases

9.       Get your primary care physician checked normally

The information here is taken from various sources. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy, timeliness and genuineness of this information. However, it does not belong to ovihealth.com. We humbly request you to contact your doctor before trying any remedy. Our aim is just to provide you information.