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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Asthma
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Asthma
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- MayoClinic:com: Pneumonia
- MedlinePlus: Collapsed Lung
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Breathing & Lung Problems
Lung and breathing problems can occur due to such respiratory illnesses and conditions as asthma, pneumonia, collapsed lung and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 24. Inflamed and swollen lungs and airways make breathing difficult and cause chest pains, coughing and other symptoms. Seeking treatment for breathing and lung problems as soon as symptoms arise can help you avoid complications or worsening of your condition.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes swelling, inflammation and extra mucus in your airways. The swelling narrows the passages in your lungs, making it harder to breathe. More than 22 million people have asthma in the U.S., including 6 million children, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute 1. In addition to breathing difficulties, asthma can cause wheezing, tightness in the chest and coughing. Doctors treat asthma with daily medication, such as inhaled corticosteroids and quick-relief inhalers to provide immediate relief of symptoms.
- Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes swelling, inflammation and extra mucus in your airways.
- In addition to breathing difficulties, asthma can cause wheezing, tightness in the chest and coughing.
Pneumonia
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Pneumonia causes a lung inflammation due to a viral, bacterial or fungal infection. Pneumonia can occur as a complication of another illness, such as the flu. Although pneumonia can occur at any age, you may be more likely to develop pneumonia if you have a chronic respiratory illness, are older than age 65, have a disease that compromises your immune system or take medications that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy drugs. Doctors treat bacterial pneumonia with antibiotics and recommend drinking clear fluids and resting to treat viral pneumonia. Antifungal medications can help you recover from fungal pneumonia.
- Pneumonia causes a lung inflammation due to a viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
- Although pneumonia can occur at any age, you may be more likely to develop pneumonia if you have a chronic respiratory illness, are older than age 65, have a disease that compromises your immune system or take medications that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy drugs.
Collapsed Lung
A collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, occurs when air builds up in the space between the pleura, a two-layer membrane that surrounds the lungs 4. The air presses on the lung, causing a collapse. Symptoms include shortness of breath and a sharp pain in the chest that worsens if you cough or take a deep breath. A collapsed lung can occur due to a chest or lung injury or a rib fracture, or may happen after a medical procedure on the lungs 4. Participation in certain activities, such as scuba diving or hiking in high altitudes, may also trigger a pneumothorax. If you have a small pneumothorax, you may not require any treatment, other than rest and oxygen therapy. In some cases, your doctor may remove the extra air in the pleura with a needle. Treatment of a large pneumothorax may require the insertion of a chest tube to remove the air and oxygen treatment. Surgery may be needed in more severe cases.
- A collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, occurs when air builds up in the space between the pleura, a two-layer membrane that surrounds the lungs 4.
- In some cases, your doctor may remove the extra air in the pleura with a needle.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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Both emphysema and chronic bronchitis are part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, a disease that affects approximately 12 million people in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Family Physicians 2. The disease causes inflamed bronchial tubes and, increased mucus production, and results in the stiffening of air sacs in the lung. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath that worsens with activity, coughing, wheezing and tightness in the chest. Doctors treat COPD with inhaled medication and antibiotics as needed. If you have a serious case of COPD, you may need to use oxygen or may require lung reduction or lung transplant surgery.
- Both emphysema and chronic bronchitis are part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, a disease that affects approximately 12 million people in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Family Physicians 2.
- The disease causes inflamed bronchial tubes and, increased mucus production, and results in the stiffening of air sacs in the lung.
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References
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: Asthma
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- MayoClinic:com: Pneumonia
- MedlinePlus: Collapsed Lung
- Defnet AE, Hasday JD, Shapiro P. Kinase inhibitors in the treatment of obstructive pulmonary diseases [published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 30]. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2020;51:11-18. doi:10.1016/j.coph.2020.03.005
- Xu S, Liu C, Ji HL. Concise review: Therapeutic potential of the mesenchymal stem cell derived secretome and extracellular vesicles for radiation-induced lung injury: Progress and hypotheses. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2019;8(4):344-354.doi:10.1002/sctm.18-0038
- NIH MedlinePlus. Costochondritis. Updated October 8, 2018.
- Tselios K, Urowitz MB. Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Curr Rheumatol Rev. 2017;13(3):206-218.doi:10.2174/1573397113666170704102444
- Giacalone VD, Dobosh BS, Gaggar A, Tirouvanziam R, Margaroli C. Immunomodulation in Cystic Fibrosis: Why and How?. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(9) May 8.doi:10.3390/ijms21093331
- Lopalco G, Rigante D, Cantarini L, et al. The autoinflammatory side of recurrent pericarditis: Enlightening the pathogenesis for a more rational treatment. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2020;May 3.doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2020.04.006
- Pan Z, Xu ML. T-cell and NK-cell lymphomas in the lung. Semin Diagn Pathol. 2020;May 16.doi:10.1053/j.semdp.2020.04.003
Writer Bio
Working at a humane society allowed Jill Leviticus to combine her business management experience with her love of animals. Leviticus has a journalism degree from Lock Haven University, has written for Nonprofit Management Report, Volunteer Management Report and Healthy Pet, and has worked in the healthcare field.