Lung Diseases
Emphysema
Emphysema is a condition in which there is overinflation of structures in the lungs known as alveoli or air sacs. This overinflation results from a break down of the walls of the alveoli, which causes a decrease in respiratory function (the way the lungs work) and often, breathlessness. Early symptoms of emphysema include shortness of breath and cough.
Chronic Bronchitis
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. These tubes, the bronchi, connect the windpipe with the lungs. When the bronchi are inflamed and/or infected, air is often less able to flow to and from the lungs and a heavy mucus or phlegm is coughed up. This is bronchitis.
Many people suffer a brief attack of acute bronchitis with cough and mucus production when they have severe colds. Acute bronchitis is usually not associated with fever.
Chronic bronchitis is defined by the presence of a mucus-producing cough most days of the month, three months of a year for two successive years without other underlying disease to explain the cough. It may precede or accompany pulmonary emphysema.
Pulmonary Fibrosis and Intestitial lung Disease
Intestitial lung disease (ILD) is a general term that includes a variety of chronic lung disorders.When a person has ILD, the lung is affected in three ways. First, the lung tissue is damaged in some known or unknown way. Second, the walls of the air sacs in the lungs become inflamed. Finally, scarring (or fibrosis) begins in the intestitium (or tissue between the air sacs), and the lungs become stiff.
People with different types of ILD may have the same kind of symptoms, but their symptoms may vary in severity. Their chest X-rays may look alike. Further testing is recommended to identify the specific type of ILD a person has. Some ILD’s have known causes and some have unknown causes.
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a disease due to inflammation. The disease can attack any organ in the body in any location. The disease is characterized by the presence of granulomas, small areas of inflamed cells. They can be either inside the body or on the body’s exterior, appearing as sores on the face or shins. But sarcoidosis is most frequently found in the lungs.