Billions of cells make up the human body, most of which are not in direct contact with the atmosphere, therefore, the respiratory system is responsible for transporting oxygen to each cell. The blood picks up and deposits nutrients, hormones, antibodies, and waste products as well as oxygen throughout the body. The respiratory system also rids the body of the primary waste product, carbon dioxide. The blood carries this compound from the body’s cells to the lungs, releasing it through exhalation. This process is a delicate balance that can be easily upset by inhaling toxins that can alter the cells and weaken the immune system. Heredity can also play a role in causing lung disease.
Cigarette Smoking
Smokers pollute not only their own lungs but also the air around them, placing the health of other people at risk. People who inhale second-hand smoke on a regular basis are at an increased risk of lung cancer, heart attacks, heart disease, allergies and chest infections. Tobacco smoke kills cells that remove debris from the lungs and paralyzes the cilia, or hair-like projections found in the lining of the airway. Smoking also alters lung enzyme activity, destroying the air sacs or alveoli in the lungs leading to emphysema. Arsenic, formaldehyde, vinyl chloride, lead, ammonia, and benzene are also found in cigarette smoke. These toxins stimulate mucus production, clogging the airway and decreasing the efficiency of the oxygen carbon dioxide exchange. When inhaled on a regular basis, any one of these elements can cause lung disease.
Gases, Toxic Fumes and Chemicals
Lung disease resulting from exposure to toxic gases, toxic fumes and chemicals, can cause lung disorders and disease. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, lung diseases such as silicosis, common among foundry workers, and asbestosis, common in shipyard workers, can cause symptoms years after initial exposure. This delay in the onset of symptoms makes it more difficult for doctors to determine the cause. When people inhale gases, vapors and fumes, these substances can irritate or damage their airways and lungs. Inhaling toxic chemicals in the form of dust particles or powders can also cause lung damage and disease. Examples of such chemicals include anhydrides, zinc chloride powder and cobalt, used in the manufacture of metal alloys. Other metal salts, such as those containing mercury, cadmium, and nickel are also toxic to the human respiratory system. Breathing in any of these elements can cause breathing problems, and can often cause lung disease.
Heredity
Genetics and environment play a role in the manifestation of some lung diseases. Family studies have confirmed that relatives of asthmatic patients have an increased likelihood of having asthma. Heredity has shown that eczema, hay fever and other breathing disorders all have a genetic component. According to the Cleveland Clinic, cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder, affects many organs in the body, especially the lungs and pancreas. CF only affects individuals who have inherited two defective genes, one from each parent. The disease usually does not affect the parents themselves because they carry only one of the defective genes. CF causes an abnormally large amount of mucus throughout the body, particularly in the lungs.
Fungi and Mold
Mold and fungi can cause illness from which most individuals can recover from after a week or so provided they are no longer breathing in the spores. However, inhaling Aspergillosis spores for example, can lead to serious lung disease in individuals with a compromised immune system. Histoplasmosis is another fungal infection that can cause serious lung disease. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Histoplasma capsulatum, found in soil, can affect a person causing mild cough and cold symptoms and chest and joint pain. A healthy immune system can usually overcome the infection within two to three weeks. However, individuals with a compromised immune system can experience more severe symptoms while the fungus spreads throughout the body, causing chronic illness and possible death.
