Lung Disease

What Causes Severe Lung Disease?

Severe lung disease comes in a number of forms. Some types of severe lung disease are life threatening while other others may stay with you for a lifetime, or be especially difficult to treat or cure. These are the types of severe lung disease covered in this article.

Lung disease statistics It's estimated that more than 35 million Americans are currently afflicted with some more of chronic or severe lung disease. When all forms of severe lung disease are combined, they are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Lung disease statistics released by the Centers For Disease Control indicate that nearly 200,000 Americans die annually from lung cancer alone.

The lungs are among the largest and most important organs in the body. A severe lung disease or disorder requires medical attention. Severe lung pain is often a symptom of lung disease.

Severe lung disease types include:

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that affects air passages, causing shortness of breath, wheezing, chest discomfort and tightness. Asthma often produces a cough especially at night or in the early morning hours.

Allergies that affect breathing These are generally caused by foreign substances that float in the air and enter the body through the nose or mouth. Plant pollen, animal fur or dander and mold spores are prime examples.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lung airways (which are also called "bronchi"). Bronchitis produces a persistent cough accompanied by phlegm (sputum).

COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a severe lung disease that persistently obstructs airflow, causing difficulty breathing, wheezing, and a chronic cough.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes a sticky buildup of mucus in the lungs. Breathing becomes more difficult and infections can result. Cystic fibrosis is a chronic lung disease.

Emphysema is usually caused by long term smoking. Emphysema occurs when air sacs in the lungs are enlarged and damaged. The damage results in breathing difficulty and very often requires a lung transplant. Emphysema is a chronic lung disease.

Flu or Influenza is an infectious lung disease caused by a virus. Symptoms are very similar to symptoms of the common cold, but flu is more serious.

Lung cancer is leading cause of cancer death in the United States, accounting for 350,000 deaths a year. It is the third leading killer among diseases overall. There is no cure for this devastating lung disease, but preventive measures can significantly reduce your chances of ever getting it.

Lung infection is a collective name for a number of different respiratory infections, including chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and whooping cough. Lung infections have various causes: bacteria, virus, fungus, or smoking.

Pleurisy is a painful inflammation in the lungs. It is accompanied by mucus in the lungs, and usually causes painful deep breathing or coughing. Someone with this form of lung disease may also experience pain in the side.

Pneumonia is an inflammation in the lungs. Typically, it's caused by an infection of some kind. People of all ages can get pneumonia, but it can be especially dangerous for young children and seniors. Pneumonia can be life threatening.

Pulmonary hypertension is a form of elevated blood pressure in the lungs. Pulmonary hypertension may indicate either high blood flow, high resistance to blood flow, or both. Pulmonary hypertension is especially dangerous because it can result in heart failure or cyanosis.

Sleep apnea involves temporary interruptions in normal breathing patterns during sleep. These interruptions may happen dozens or even hundreds of times a night. Sleep apnea decreases the quality of the patient's sleep, and often causes daytime fatigue.

Tuberculosis is a lung disease produced by an infection caused by the mycobacteria tuberculosis bacteria, which cause damage to the lungs. "TB," as it id commonly known is contagious and is spread through inhalation.

Chronic lung disease symptoms vary, of course, depending on the nature of the condition. But among the most common indicators that a lung problem exists are:

Lung pain Severe lung pain, which presents as pain in the chest or area of the lungs, may indicate a tumor or other growing problem. To learn more click on causes of severe lung pain and lung cancer pain management.

Shortness of breath or dypsnea Shortness of breath (known medically as dypsnea) often results when the lungs are not functioning properly. Shortness of breath is often also associated with severe lung disease or heart problems and may be an indication of a heart attack.

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