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.
Lung disease - resources (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The following organizations are good resources for information on lung disease: American Lung Association - www.lungusa.org; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - www.nhlbi.nih.gov. Reviewer: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CRNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/18/2008
The flu (3 images)
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The flu is a contagious infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus.In temperate climates, influenza A usually arrives between early winter and early spring. Influenza B can appear at any time of the year.The most common...Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/06/2009
Influenza vaccine (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
This vaccine protects people against the flu.Vaccine- influenza; Immunization- influenza; Flu shot; Flu vaccine.The flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by an influenza virus. In the U.S., flu outbreaks typically occur in winter mo...Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine (6/18/2008).Date: 08/05/2008
Common cold (3 images)
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The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms. Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 03/06/2009
Bronchitis (7 images)
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Bronchitis is an inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs. Bronchitis may be short-lived(acute) or chronic, meaning that it lasts a long time and often recurs.See also: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Acute bronchitis general...Reviewer: 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.Date: 09/24/2008
Sinusitis (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses that occurs with a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.Acute sinusitis; Sinus infection; Sinusitis- acute; Sinusitis- chronic; Rhinosinusitis.The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull(behind t...Reviewer: Alan Lipkin, MD, Otolaryngologist, Private Practice, Denver, Colorado. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 04/21/2009
Pneumonia (6 images)
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Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Many different organisms can cause it, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.Pneumonia is a common illness that affects millions of people each year in the United States.Bacterial pneumonias tend to be the ...Reviewer: Andrew Schriber, MD, FCCP, Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 04/14/2008
Cough (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. However, excessive coughing may mean you have an underlying disease or disorder.Some coughs are dry, while others are considered productive. Reviewer: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Previously reviewed by Andrew Schriber, MD, FCCP, Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (11/12/2007).Date: 01/18/2008
Asthma (9 images)
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Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 01/09/2009
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (7 images)
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:.Chronic bronchitis, which causes long-term swelling and a large amount of mucus in the main airways in the lungs Emph...Reviewer: 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.Date: 09/24/2008
Pulmonary tuberculosis (9 images)
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Pulmonary tuberculosis(TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that mainly involves the lungs, but may spread to other organs.Pulmonary tuberculosis is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M. tuberculosis). You can get tuberculosis by...Reviewer: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/17/2008
Lung cancer - non-small cell (5 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cancer- lung- non-small cell; Non-small cell lung cancer; NSCLC.Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. It usually grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer.Smoking causes most cases of lung cancer. Reviewer: James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 11/14/2008
Lung cancer - small cell (18 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
It tends to spread much more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer.There are three different types of small cell lung cancer:.Small cell carcinoma(oat cell cancer) Mixed small cell/large cell carcinoma Combined small cell carcinoma.Most small ce...Reviewer: Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, Washington; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/04/2008
Pneumothorax (4 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Pneumothorax is the collection of air or gas in the space around the lungs.Pneumothorax may result from chest trauma, excess pressure on the lungs, or a lung disease such as COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, or whooping cough. In some c...Reviewer: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/10/2007
Cystic fibrosis (4 images)
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Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract. It is one of the most common type of chronic lung disease in children and young adults, and may result in early death.Cystic fibr...Reviewer: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 02/05/2009
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