The lungs are hollow but inflatable organs that are located on either side of the heart in the chest cavity. During inhalation, air flows through the trachea into the lungs, and tiny tissue sacs called alveoli absorb oxygen into tiny blood vessels and release carbon dioxide back in the lungs to be exhaled. There are multiple types of disease that can cause lung disease and problems.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD, is a term that encompasses two different disorders of the lungs: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These two slowly progressing lung disorders can occur together or individually. Approximately 16 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with COPD, according to the American Association for Respiratory Care. The principle cause of COPD is smoking tobacco, which over time can permanently damage the delicate tissue of the lungs. Because the tissue of the lungs is damaged, the body cannot release carbon dioxide or absorb oxygen to maintain normal levels of these molecules in the blood. The main symptoms of COPD, according to the American Association of Respiratory Care, are breathlessness and wheezing; persistent coughing that may or may not contain phlegm; and constant clearing of the throat.
Asthma
Asthma is another chronic lung disease that causes shortness of breath. However, this lung disease is caused by persistent inflammation and swelling of the lungs. Additionally, the smooth muscle that surrounds the airways becomes very sensitive and, in response to certain triggers, can constrict around the airways to further limit airflow. According to the American Lung Association, common triggers that cause asthma attacks include dust, smoke, chemicals and pet dander. Triggers cause asthma attacks by causing lung irritation or by causing an allergic reaction in the lungs.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a disorder of the lungs in which a cell in the lung transforms into a cell that grows uncontrollably and damages surrounding normal tissue. MedlinePlus, an online medical encyclopedia associated with the U.S. National Library of Medicine, reports that lung cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer in Americans. It also adds that cigarette smoking causes most cases of lung cancer.
Asbestosis
Asbestos fibers are made from a natural mineral and are resistant to corrosion and extreme heat. The Mayo Clinic describes how long-term inhalation of asbestos fibers causes a lung condition called asbestosis. Because the asbestos fibers remain in the lung once they are inhaled, they eventually cause permanent damage and scarring. Asbestosis causes shortness of breath, coughing and chest pain. In some cases, asbestosis can also lead to lung cancer.
Cystic Fibrosis
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation describes cystic fibrosis as a genetic lung disease that affects 30,000 Americans and 70,000 people worldwide. The lung symptoms of cystic fibrosis are coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and frequent lung infections. The defective gene that people with cystic fibrosis have produces very sticky and thick mucus that is not effectively cleared from the lungs by coughing. The mucus clogs the lungs and promotes chronic lung infections.
