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Respiratory Disorders Health Channel

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Lung disease

Definition

Lung disease is any disease or disorder where lung function does not work properly. There are three main types of lung disease:

  1. Obstructive lung disease -- a decrease in the exhaled air flow caused by a narrowing or blockage of the airways, which can occur with asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
  2. Restrictive lung disease -- a decrease in the total volume of air that the lungs are able to hold. Often, this is due to a decrease in the elasticity of the lungs themselves or caused by a problem related to the expansion of the chest wall during inhalation.
  3. A defect in the ability of the lung's air sac tissue to move oxygen into a person's blood.

Most lung diseases actually involve a combination of these categories, such as emphysema, which involves both airflow obstruction and oxygenation problems.

Major lung diseases include:

Other lung diseases include:

Continue reading this article

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Lung disease - resources (1 image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
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The flu is a contagious infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus. Reviewer: Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously reviewed by Daniel Levy, MD, PhD, Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. (1/18/2006)Date: 12/04/2007

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Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses. This is generally caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull (behind the forehead, cheeks, and eyes) that are lined with mucous membranes. Healthy sinuses are sterile (meaning that they contain no bacteria or other organisms) and open, allowing mucus to drain and air to circulate. When inflamed, the sinuses become blocked with mucus and can become infected. Each year, over 30 million adults and children get sinusitis. Sinusitis can be acute (lasting anywhere from 2 - 8 weeks) or chronic, with symptoms lingering much longer. See also: Chronic sinusitis Reviewer: James L. Demetroulakos, M.D., F.A.C.S., Department of Otolaryngology, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA. Clinical Instructor in Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/25/2007

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