Lung Disease Types

Tap to Read ➤ Rajib Singha

Lung disease is one of the leading causes of death in most parts of the world. The type of this disease is classified according to the affected area of the lung. I present to you a brief on some common types of lung diseases that affect people worldwide.

Did You Know? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an irreversible condition of the lungs. It is mostly found in smokers. However, some people who have been smoking for many years are never affected by this condition.

The lung is a complex organ comprising different structures which function to perform the most vital process for survival - breathing. According to most experts, there are two main types of lung diseases - obstructive and restrictive.

The former one interferes with exhalation, while the latter keeps the lungs from expanding normally during inhalation. Now these types depend on the area of the lungs that has been affected. Commonly, the airways, air sacs, blood vessels in the lungs, the interstitium, the pleura, and the chest wall are affected.

Diseases that Affect the Lungs

Lung diseases may result from problems in one or multiple parts of the organ. Some common examples have been listed below. • Acute eosinophilic pneumonia • Acute interstitial pneumonia • Acute respiratory distress syndrome • Alveolar proteinosis • Asbestosis • Aspergillosis

• Asthma • Atelectasis • Berylliosis • Black lung disease • Bronchiectasis • Bronchiolitis • Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) • Bronchitis • Byssinosis • Chronic bronchitis • Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Cystic fibrosis • Emphysema • Farmer's lung • Hamman-Rich syndrome • Hard metal pneumoconiosis • Histoplasmosis • Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis • Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis • Influenza • Interstitial lung fibrosis • Lung cancer • Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia • Mesothelioma

• Mixed connective tissue disease • Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia • Obesity hypoventilation syndrome • Pigeon breeder's disease • Pleural effusion • Pneumonia • Pneumothorax • Primary ciliary dyskinesia • Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis • Pulmonary hypertension • Pulmonary aspergilloma • Pulmonary edemas

• Pulmonary embolism • Pulmonary fibrosis • Pulmonary nocardiosis • Pulmonary vascular disease • Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease • Respiratory syncytial virus • Sarcoidosis • Severe acute respiratory syndrome • Silicosis • Tuberculosis • Usual interstitial pneumonia • Valley fever • Wegener's granulomatosis

Symptoms of Lung Disease

» Cough, shortness of breath (dyspnea), and wheezing are the most common symptoms which show up in a person suffering from any kind of lung disease.

» Although rare but incidents of stridor (refers to a whistling sound; usually occurs during inspiration).

» Various lung diseases may also lead to coughing up of blood (a condition known as hemoptysis), skin color taking on a bluish color (due to lack of oxygen in the blood), and most commonly chest pain.

» Lung diseases when left unattended or untreated may manifest through problems in other parts of the body. A well-known example is finger clubbing (a deformity of the fingers and fingernails).

» Other signs and symptoms include: • Trouble in breathing and feeling as if the intake of air is not enough • General feeling of tiredness that may seem to linger at all times • Hoarseness • Decrease in ability to exercise • Chills, shaking, and fast heartbeat • Cough that keeps on recurring

Most of the lung diseases mentioned in the above list can be cured and prevented from recurring. However, there are some which are irreversible and can only be managed with the help of medicines and therapy. Taking proper preventive steps and care for our lungs only adds years to our life. After all, these organs are the ones which are primarily responsible for supplying the life giving 'oxygen' to every part of our body.