Lung Diseases

The lungs are a pair of spongy, which are air-filled organs located on either side of the chest (thorax). The trachea (windpipe) conducts inhaled air into the lungs through its tubular branches, which are called bronchi.

A primary, complicated respiratory organ is the lungs, which functions by expanding and relaxing thousands of times every day by bringing in oxygen and releasing out carbon dioxide. It is important to care for our lungs because it is the vital organ for our respiration. One of the leading causes of death in the world is the lung diseases as the lungs are susceptible to various infections and diseases.

Any problem in the lungs which is called lung disease, that prevents the lungs from working properly. Airway diseases, Lung tissue diseases, Lung circulation diseases these are the three main types of lung disease.

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Lungs

Types of Lung Diseases

The most common lung diseases which are included is as follows:

1. Asthma

A chronic disease of the airways is asthma that makes breathing difficult. Inflammation of the air passages has been caused by asthma, that results in a temporary narrowing of the airways which carry oxygen to the lungs.

Causes: Genetics play an essential role in the development of this disease. It could be inherited from either of the parents. This is called genetic susceptibility. It could also be triggered by substances called allergens in the environment, including cockroaches, pets, moulds, fungi, pollen.

Symptoms: From a younger age, most symptoms will start emerging. The symptoms vary from person to person and can change over time. People who have Asthma have these symptoms- wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing,  and also result in decreased activity and inability to talk.

Treatments: The treatment ranges from inhalers to oral medication or Asthma nebulizer to breathing machines. Early treatment is key to prevent Asthma attacks and symptoms.

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Asthma

2. Bronchitis

Bronchitis is a viral infection which occurs when the mucous membrane in the bronchial passage becomes inflamed. Bronchi are the air passages that connect the windpipe (trachea) with air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. It can last from six weeks to two years, and is most commonly seen in heavy smokers. There are two kinds of Bronchitis, Acute Bronchitis, and Chronic Bronchitis. Acute bronchitis does not last long and gets better after two or three weeks. Chronic Bronchitis lasts longer from three months up to a year.

Causes: By basic viruses typically that cause cold and flu, has been caused by Bronchitis . By bacterial infection or exposure to tobacco, smoke, dust, and fumes, it can be caused, which irritate the lungs.

Symptoms: For 4-5 days a hacking cough lasts, with more clear yellow or white phlegm, low-grade fever, tenderness in the chest with coughing, thick and dark mucus, these symptoms are being included by this disease.

Treatments: Bronchitis can be treated by a simple contemporary measure such as rest, drinking lots of water, avoiding smoke, dust, fumes, and pollution. Vaporization and hot showers also help in treating this syndrome.

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Bronchitis

3. Pneumonia

It is a swelling of one or both the lungs that is usually caused by an infection.  By fungi, bacteria or viruses it could be triggered, pneumonia results in fever and difficulty in breathing which could last up to 2-3 weeks. Pneumonia usually starts by breathing of germs into the lungs. There are different kinds of Pneumonia like Bacterial Pneumonia, Viral Pneumonia, Mycoplasma Pneumonia and other kinds.

Causes: In most cases, it is caused by bacteria and viral infections. It is generally seen in people who have impaired immune systems. Pneumonia can also be caused by some forms of fungal infections.

Symptoms: The pneumonia can develop quickly and may include chest pain, shivering with chills, fever, dry cough, wheezing, muscle aches, nausea.

Treatments: Treatments depend on the type and severity of pneumonia. General treatment includes using all prescribed medications and participating in follow-up care. Bacterial pneumonia can be treated by regularly taking antibiotics and stoppage will cause it to return. Antiviral drugs are prescribed for treating viral pneumonia symptoms.

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Pneumonia

Fun Facts

1. Usual breaths of a person is  an average of 13 pints of air every minute.

2. Lungs aren’t the same size. To accommodate the heart, the right lung is larger than the left lung for humans, that is.

3. Lungs float on water. Most people are aware of this thing but, actually, the lungs are the only organs in the human body that are capable of floating on water.

4. Lungs and tennis courts can be the same size. Lungs and a tennis court have in common in size. The lungs were opened flat; they would be so big that they would cover the size of a tennis court, though it seems pretty impossible.

5. A small part has been played by oxygen only in breathing. The air contains 21% oxygen which we breathe, but our bodies only use5% the rest is exhaled.

6. Through our lungs just by simply breathing, seventy percent of waste is eliminated.

7. Children and women breathe faster, that's why children and women have a higher breathing rate than men.

8. Up to 17.5 milliliters of water per hour has been exhaled by humans.