As we know that the lungs are vital organs for our proper respiration; hence it is equally vital to take care of them. Out of all, regular breathing exercises and meditation are two of the best ways to keep your lungs healthy. However, there can always be a chance of getting lung diseases due to many factors. And these diseases can be often infectious and in some cases even fatal. Having knowledge about a few common lung diseases, their symptoms, and treatment may help you to diagnose them at an early stage and take treatments right then.
Types of Lung Diseases
Asthma
This is the most common and severe chronic disease of the airways making the breathing process difficult. This disease causes inflammation of the air passages, narrowing the airways carrying oxygen to the lungs. Also, genetics play an essential role in forming this disease known as genetic susceptibility. Allergies also play a vital role in the development of this disease.
Symptoms
- Extreme breathing difficulties
- Heavy wheezing
- Rapid nostril movement
- Need to strain the chest muscles to breathe
- Uncontrollable coughing
- Sweating
- Low peak flow readings
- Cyanosis
- Ribs or stomach stretching in and pushing out intensely
- Chest expanding, but not deflating as one exhales
Most of the symptoms occur in severe asthma attacks. Asthma often occurs from a younger age. The symptoms may vary for different people and can even change over the period of time.
Treatments
- Inhalers
- Oral medication
- Asthma nebuliser machines
- Breathing machines
The treatment of it depends on the severity of the asthma attack and its spread.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a swelling of one or both the lungs usually caused by fungi, bacteria, or virus infection. Pneumonia results in severe fever and difficulty in breathing which may last up to 2-3 weeks. There are different kinds of Pneumonia - Viral Pneumonia, Bacterial Pneumonia, Mycoplasma Pneumonia, etc. It generally attacks people that have weak immune systems.
Symptoms
- Chest pain
- Shivering with chills
- Severe fever
- Dry cough
- Wheezing
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
Treatments
- Using all prescribed medications
- Participating in follow-up care
Pulmonary Oedema
This disease is caused by the excess watery fluid collection in the lungs. As the water fluid accumulates, it becomes difficult for the lungs to function properly, leading to the body struggling to get enough oxygen. There are two types of pulmonary oedema – Acute and Chronic. Acute pulmonary oedema is short term while chronic oedema lasts longer.
The most common cause of this condition is congestive heart failure, often resulting in failure of blood circulation throughout the body. Pulmonary oedema is often known as a cardiogenic heart problem. When the heart muscle is unable to pump effectively, it collects a backup of blood returning from the lungs to the heart. And this causes pressure within the blood vessels resulting in pulmonary oedema.
Symptoms
- Wheezing or gasping for breath
- Rapid and irregular heartbeat
- Feeling of suffocation or drowning
- Anxiety attacks
- Constant restlessness
- Chest pain
- Cough with frothy sputum tinged with blood
- Extreme shortness of breath
- Difficulty in breathing with exertion
- Difficulty in breathing while lying flat
Bronchitis
It is a viral infection that occurs when the mucous membrane in the bronchial passage becomes inflamed. Bronchi are the air passages connecting the windpipe with air sacs in the lungs. This disease can last from six weeks to two years. Heavy smokers are the most common patients of this.
There are two kinds of Bronchitis known as Acute Bronchitis and Chronic Bronchitis. Acute bronchitis does not last long and gets better after a few weeks. But Chronic Bronchitis lasts longer, from three months or a year. It is caused by basic viruses that cause cold and flu, bacterial infection, or by exposure to tobacco, smoke, fumes, and dust.
Symptoms
- A hacking cough lasting for 4 – 5 days
- Clear yellow or white phlegm
- Thick and dark mucus
- Soreness in the chest with coughing
- Low grade fever
Treatments
- Drinking lots of water
- Resting properly
- Avoiding smoke, dust, fumes, and pollution
- Taking vaporization and hot showers
If you detect any early symptoms of any lung disease, then you should consult the doctor immediately to stop the further spread of the disease and treat it as soon as possible. Professional guidance and medical equipment such as nebuliser machines, defibrillators, heart rate monitors, etc., can help one to detect such diseases and even aid from fatal lung diseases. In addition, you must be aware of the fact that equipment like defibrillators is supposed to be used under professional guidance only. Using any medical equipment without the medical guidance can worsen the situation for the patient and can even lead to serious scenarios like death.
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