Lung disease
Definition
Lung disease is any disease or disorder that occurs in the lungs or that causes the lungs to not work properly. There are three main types of lung disease:
- Airway diseases -- These diseases affect the tubes (airways) that carry oxygen and other gases into and out of the lungs. These diseases cause a narrowing or blockage of the airways. They include asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. People with airway diseases sometimes describe the feeling as "trying to breathe out through a straw."
- Lung tissue diseases -- These diseases affect the structure of the lung tissue. Scarring or inflammation of the tissue makes the lungs unable to expand fully ("restrictive lung disease"). It also makes the lungs less capable of taking up oxygen (oxygenation) and releasing carbon dioxide. Pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis are examples of lung tissue diseases. People sometimes describe the feeling as "wearing a too-tight sweater or vest" that won't allow them to take a deep breath.
- Pulmonary circulation diseases -- These diseases affect the blood vessels in the lungs. They are caused by clotting, scarring, or inflammation of the blood vessels. They affect the ability of the lungs to take up oxygen and to release carbon dioxide. These diseases may also affect heart function.
Most lung diseases actually involve a combination of these categories.
The most common lung diseases include:
- Asthma
- Chronic bronchitis
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Emphysema
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
Other lung diseases include:
- Asbestosis
- Aspergilloma
- Aspergillosis
- Aspergillosis - acute invasive
- Atelectasis
- Eosinophilic pneumonia
- Lung cancer
- Metastatic lung cancer
- Necrotizing pneumonia
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumoconiosis
- Pneumocystosis
- Pneumonia
- Pneumonia in immunodeficient patient
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary actinomycosis
- Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
- Pulmonary anthrax
- Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation
- Pulmonary edema
- Pulmonary embolus
- Pulmonary histiocytosis X (eosinophilic granuloma)
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Pulmonary nocardiosis
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease
- Rheumatoid lung disease
Review Date:8/29/2008
Reviewed By:Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, WA; Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.
Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.
Health
Outcome Data
No data available for this condition/procedure.
E-mail this page to a friend