People can develop different types of lung problems. An infection is one type of problem, but many types of infection can affect various parts of the lungs. Some people develop tumors, which are either malignant or benign. Many substances also can injure the lungs, including some found in the workplace.
Pulmonary Infections
Several lung infections can cause problems. These infections include pneumonia, which is an infection of the lung tissue itself. It is usually caused by bacteria. Streptococcus pneumoniae causes most cases of bacterial pneumonia. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa can also cause bacterial pneumonia. Some cases of pneumonia are the result of viruses, especially the respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus and parainfluenza, according to Elizabeth Corwin, Ph.D., in “Handbook of Pathophysiology.” If people have reoccurring infections, they can develop bronchiectasis, which causes the bronchi to become permanently enlarged. Acute bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis are the most common bacteria to cause acute bronchitis. Cigarette smoke, air pollution and viruses can also cause bronchitis. The bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes the tuberculosis infection.
Pulmonary Tumors
Lung tumors are malignant or benign. Malignant lung tumors, or lung carcinomas, are the most common cause of cancer deaths throughout the world as well as in the U.S. There were approximately 213,380 new cases in 2007 alone, writes Waun Ki Hong, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in “The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals.” Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers, especially the small cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma types. Altogether, there are five main types of lung cancers. Although the majority of lung tumors are malignant, some are benign. These tumors are called benign because they do not infiltrate into nearby tissue or spread to distant tissues or organs.
Pulmonary Injury
A lung injury called a contusion, or bruise, is one of the most common injuries that can become fatal, reports Julia Martin, M.D., associate professor at the University of Kentucky in “Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Emergency Medicine.” Direct trauma usually causes a contusion. But trauma, drug overdose, near drowning, toxins, certain infections or disease can lead to adult respiratory distress syndrome. In this type of injury, damage is in the areas where oxygen leaves the lungs to enter the bloodstream.
Pneumoconioses
Pneumoconioses is the medical term for the type of lung problems that develop from inhaling dust. It also has the name of occupational lung disease because people inhale the dust at their places of employment. This type of disorder includes asbestosis, silicosis, berylliosis and black lung disease. People can inhale asbestos if they work with brake linings or pipes, in demolition or construction, or at shipyards. Silica dust involves mining, sandblasting, pottery making or glassmaking. Beryllium dust is found in electronics plants, aerospace plants, die manufacturing and nuclear plants. Black lung disease is the disease that coal miners develop from inhaling coal dust.
References
- “Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Emergency Medicine”; C. Keith Stone, M.D., Roger Humphries, M.D.; 2008
- “Handbook of Pathophysiology”; Elizabeth Corwin, MSN, Ph.D., FNP; 2000
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Lung Carcinoma
