Several diseases and disorders can affect the lungs, brought on by a wide variety of reasons. Whether a person works in an office, in a factory, or on a farm, he may be exposed to occupational hazards that can affect the respiratory system. Lung disease can also be the result of heredity or smoking. Doctors often classify these disorders three ways: disorders characterized by inflammation, often resulting from infections, allergies and other autoimmune disorders; cancers and other growths; and inherited disorders.
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
People with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis often have only mild symptoms, such as a dry cough and some shortness of breath when first seen by a physician. As the disease progresses and scarring of the lungs develops, the individual becomes increasingly short of breath and fatigued. About half of all people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lose weight because the lack of oxygen causes their bodies to burn more calories. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, no one actually knows what causes this disease. However, researchers believe that idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the result of an inflammation response.
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown origin that affects several organs in the body, in addition to the lungs or lymph nodes. Most physicians believe that sarcoidosis results from a heightened immune response to a foreign substance or to one of the body’s own proteins. According to the National Institutes of Health, sarcoidosis occurs most often in African Americans, especially women and people between the ages of 20 to 40. Symptoms are dependent upon the organs affected.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects many organs in the body, especially the lungs and pancreas. The disease appears only if a person has inherited two defective genes, one from each parent. The parents themselves are usually not affected by the disease because they carry only one of the defective genes. The disorder causes the production of abnormal mucus throughout the body. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, the severity of cystic fibrosis and the symptoms can vary, but early treatment can improve the outcome.
Pneumoconioses
Pneumoconiosis literally means “dust lung” and encompasses several lung diseases caused by inhaling irritating mineral or metal particles, such as those of silica, coal, asbestos, beryllium or cobalt. These inhaled particles irritate and inflame lung tissue, producing lung damage and fibrosis, which is the formation of scar tissue. Once fibrosis has formed, the disease is irreversible. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pneumoconioses typically takes several years to develop, depending on the amount and substance. However, silicosis exposure leads to a rapidly progressive disease.
