Lung disease and respiratory illness are the most common causes of shortness of breath. When you breathe in, energy enters the body through the lungs with the help of oxygen. The sensitive organ reacts promptly to irritants and, when too little oxygen is taken in, closes some blood vessels. This leads to lung disease.
What are lung diseases
Lung disease is usually manifested by symptoms of the lungs and general symptoms. Associated with cough, dyspnea and chest pain, accompanied by loss of appetite, fever and night sweats, a doctor should be consulted if suspected. They are divided into acute and chronic lung diseases and lung tumors. Pneumonia, bronchopneumonia and acute bronchitis belong to acute lung diseases. Chronic lung diseases include COPD, bronchial asthma, emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis. In case of suspicion, consultation of a specialist is inevitable. If breathing problems occur, the lungs lack air. Smoking aggravates the condition of lung diseases. Medications and sports therapies are possible ways of treatment, in case of asthma a step therapy is possible. Pulmonary diseases such as pulmonary embolism are carried-over blood clots and can be fatal if undetected.
Causes
Clinical examinations are needed to diagnose lung disease. Computed tomography, chest X-ray, lung scintigraphy, or magnetic resonance imaging are other diagnostic methods to clarify the extent of lung disease. Bronchoscopy and mediastinoscopy are methods used in endoscopy. Lung function diagnostics in the form of spirometry or bodyplethysmography are used to determine lung efficiency. Bronchial asthma is characterized by a soft whistling and humming sound on inhalation and exhalation. A strong cough accompanies bronchitis, and typical cold symptoms such as aching limbs and headache as well as a sore throat, runny nose and fever are also possible. By tapping and listening to the chest, the physician examines the patient to confirm bronchitis. For further evaluation, an X-ray and a CBC may be performed to rule out lung diseases such as pneumonia.
Typical and common diseases
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Bronchial asthma
- Pulmonary embolism
- Lung cancer
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Lung diseases have very different symptoms, depending on the exact disease. However, almost all lung diseases have in common that there is discomfort in breathing. Overall, there is often coughing, sputum, shortness of breath and shortness of breath. Correspondingly, there is a reduction in the performance of those suffering from the disease. This may be temporary in the case of acute lung disease (acute bronchitis). In the case of chronic lung disease (COPD), on the other hand, this can permanently restrict the quality of life. Furthermore, an unpleasant sensation in the chest often occurs as a symptom of lung disease. This can be a burning sensation (common with infections), a pressure pain or even a pulling sensation. Infectious lung diseases, such as pulmonary infection or tuberculosis, also cause nonspecific signs of illness. These include fever, increased sweating, loss of appetite and fatigue. Lung cancer, on the other hand, remains without noticeable symptoms for a long time in most cases and usually does not show itself until it has proliferated into the airways. Weight loss and coughing up blood are common symptoms in this context. Chronic lung disease is also notable for the fact that its symptoms (especially coughing irritation and shortness of breath) worsen in response to certain stimuli. These include, for example, dust, cigarette smoke, and cold, dry air.
Diagnosis and course
The cause of chronic lung disease, such as bronchial asthma, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. On contact with triggering substances, the airways narrow and respiratory distress occurs. A distinction is made between allergenic and non-allergenic substances of lung diseases such as bronchial asthma. In bronchitis, the mucous membrane covering the bronchial tubes becomes inflamed. Viruses are in most cases responsible for the development of chronic diseases such as bronchitis, but irritant gases, tobacco or dust also cause additional harm.Stress and weather conditions overtax the immune system. Smoking in particular is the main trigger for lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis. The most common infectious disease is pneumonia, in which the lung tissue is inflamed. Triggers for pneumonia are usually pneumococci, but also viruses or fungi. The cause of lung diseases such as pulmonary embolism is usually thrombosis.
Complications
The further course of lung diseases usually depends very much on the exact disease and its manifestation. For this reason, the further course cannot be universally predicted. As a rule, however, lung diseases always represent a very serious condition for the patient, which can lead to various consequential damages and complications. It is not uncommon for patients to suffer from respiratory distress and, furthermore, loss of consciousness. Likewise, the patient’s internal organs can also be damaged by the lung disease if the supply of oxygen does not take place in the usual way. Furthermore, the patients usually also suffer from severe fatigue and decreased exercise tolerance. Likewise, fatigue occurs. It is also possible that the patient’s life expectancy is reduced. As a rule, lung diseases do not heal themselves, so that those affected are dependent on medical treatment in any case. Whether complications arise depends to a large extent on the disease itself. However, a positive course of the disease cannot be guaranteed in every case. Especially in the case of tumor diseases, there may be a reduced life expectancy.
When should you go to the doctor?
Lung diseases should always be taken seriously, because the lungs are one of the vital organs. If problems or nonspecific symptoms related to breathing occur, a doctor should always be consulted for clarification – even if the affected patient is otherwise healthy. Many lung diseases start with only mild and unspecific symptoms and complaints, so they are not taken seriously at first. However, early detection improves the chances of recovery from any lung disease. Members of certain risk groups should be particularly alert to signs of lung disease. This refers, for example, to smokers or patients with known chronic lung diseases. If a change in breathing and physical performance occurs, this may be related to the condition of the lungs. In any case, medical clarification is required. Since the lungs can also affect circulation and blood flow, lack of blood flow or poor circulation may also indicate a problem with the lungs. This is also a case for the doctor, as it should be clarified where the symptoms are coming from and whether lung disease could be the cause. Special care should be taken with suspected lung problems in children, the elderly, and patients with general poor health, pre-existing conditions, or known lung problems – these should be presented to a physician whenever lung involvement is suspected.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment of chronic lung diseases such as bronchial asthma there is a so-called five-step plan. Against the mostly bacterial infection of lung diseases such as bronchitis to treat, antibiotics are administered. Drinking plenty of fluids is advisable, and expectorant herbal teas and inhalations help loosen the secretions of the bronchial tubes more easily. In lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, an X-ray is often necessary to rule out bronchial carcinoma, tuberculosis or asthma. A blood test also provides information. If tumors are suspected, a bronchoscopy is performed. In the event of severe respiratory distress, additional long-term oxygen ventilation is administered. It may be necessary to remove lung tissue that has already been destroyed in the case of lung disease. In the case of bacterial pneumonia, the administration of antibiotics, supported by special breathing exercises, proves effective. In lung diseases such as pulmonary embolism, a distinction is made between four degrees of severity, according to which treatment is based.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis in diseases of the lungs are always to be evaluated individually. The present cause, the underlying disease and the general health of the affected person must be clarified. Deteriorated prospects for a cure are basically given with chronic pre-existing diseases.In most cases, these have a constant course of disease or are characterized by an increase in existing complaints. In the case of cancer, the prognosis is often unfavorable. It depends on the stage of the disease, the treatment options and the success of any cancer therapy initiated. If the cancer cells can be prevented from spreading and the diseased tissue can be completely removed, recovery is possible. In principle, the prognosis for pneumonia is favorable. Due to the medical possibilities, the inflammatory disease can be cured by the administration of medication. Supportive measures from the field of self-help should be additionally applied for this purpose. For an improvement of health, the consumption of harmful substances such as nicotine or other toxic gases should be avoided. For many patients, a donor organ is the last resort to recovery. Transplantation is associated with numerous risks and side effects. In addition, the organism must accept the donor lung. This poses a particular challenge. If the therapy proceeds without further complications, patients often report recovery despite further controls.
Prevention
In chronic lung diseases such as bronchial asthma, there is no prevention in the strict sense, but there are measures to ease the course of the disease and relieve the lungs. Abstaining from smoking and exercising also positively support the course of the disease. It is important to strengthen the immune system. A healthy diet rich in vitamins, sufficient exercise and enough sleep promote the body’s own defenses against viruses and bacteria. Many people, especially seniors, often have weakened immune defenses, so a doctor may advise an annual flu shot or even a pneumococcal vaccine to prevent or reduce lung disease. Smoking cessation is advisable, but contact with toxic dusts and gases should be avoided if possible. Breathing exercises or tapping massages, especially in the back, are recommended for strengthening the bronchi in lung diseases. As a preventive measure for lung diseases such as pulmonary embolism, physiotherapy is recommended for high-risk patients after surgical procedures. In general, medications that promote thrombosis should be discontinued. Overweight and smoking should be avoided if possible. Regular exercise is important during long car journeys, on buses, trains and planes. Sufficient drinking supports the entire organism, not only to prevent lung disease.
Aftercare
When lung disease has been overcome, follow-up examinations are often very important and significant to prevent the disease from recurring. If a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract was present, it is advisable to see the treating physician again. Only such a follow-up examination can exclude further complications. Even in the subsequent healing process, the lung disease can break out repeatedly. In particularly bad cases, a new infection can even occur if the disease is not healed properly. Sports activities should be resumed cautiously; in general, physical stress should be kept to a minimum immediately after the disease. Since the aftercare depends on the severity of the causative disease, it is designed accordingly on an individual basis. In the case of persistent unpleasant accompanying symptoms, affected persons should again have a more detailed examination to prevent the lung disease from becoming chronic.
What you can do yourself
The self-help measures a sufferer can take in the event of lung disease depend on what the disorder is and what triggered it. Acute diseases of the lungs, such as pneumonia, are due to infections with pathogens, usually pneumococci. Pneumonias occur particularly frequently during the cold season. Often pneumonia is preceded by a cold that has not been properly treated. Therefore, at the first signs of pneumonia, the affected person should immediately consult a doctor. It is also important that the patient rests and, if possible, stays in bed for a few days. A healthy immune system can prevent the outbreak of pneumonia or at least weaken and shorten the course of the disease.Particularly in the cold season, attention should therefore be paid to a vitamin-rich diet and plenty of exercise in the fresh air. Clothing and shoes should be appropriate for the weather to prevent hypothermia. Allergies are often responsible for chronic diseases of the lungs, such as bronchial asthma. Here, the patient can help identify and avoid the allergen. One of the most serious lung diseases is lung cancer, which in a large proportion of cases is due to regular heavy tobacco use. Heavy smokers should therefore definitely consider quitting or at least have regular screening examinations.