According to the American Medical Association, in an average lifespan of 75 years, a human being will breathe in and out more than 8 million cubic feet of air. Because breathing is essentially an unconscious process, it's only when it becomes difficult that it is noticeable. Common breathing problems are often the result of a constant bombardment of pollutants from cigarette smoking, the environment and occupational exposure to impurities that cause a steady spiral down into lung disease.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease that causes inflammation and a hyper-reactive and narrowing airway, increased mucus secretion, and bronchospasms, usually brought on by allergens or triggers. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, asthma can either be allergic or intrinsic, or nonallergic or extrinsic. Intrinsic asthma involves the immune system's response to inhaled triggers such as pet dander, dust mites and pollen, to name a few. Extrinsic asthma does not involve the immune response, but occurs as a result of stress, anxiety, exercise, cold air and sometimes viruses.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive disease with symptoms such as frequent coughing, increased sputum production, shortness of breath and wheezing. COPD is a combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis and often includes asthma, all diseases that cause narrowing of the airway. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
Emphysema
Emphysema causes a permanent change in the alveoli, or air sacs, of the lungs, which disturbs the oxygen and carbon-dioxide exchange process. According to the American Lung Association, smoking is the most common cause of emphysema, but in rare cases emphysema may also arise from a hereditary deficiency of an enzyme called alpha-antitrypsin. Contributing factors that worsen emphysema include environmental pollutants, frequent respiratory infections and an allergic component such as asthma.
Chronic Bronchitis
Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of chronic bronchitis. Smokers increase their risk of getting bronchitis by living in industrial areas laden with environmental pollutants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, half of all middle-aged men who smoke 25 or more cigarettes per day will develop chronic bronchitis. This common breathing disorder is characterized by chronic bronchial inflammation causing an increase in mucus production that leads to a chronic cough.
