Alexander Funicello is a renowned pulmonologist who possesses a deep understanding of the respiratory system. Simply put, lung diseases are obstacles that compromise the organ in some way or form, keeping it from functioning properly. Three main types can be differentiated: problems with the airways, conditions that involve the lung tissue, and problems that negatively affect the circulation of the lungs.
Airway Problems
These conditions and diseases affect the airways of the lungs, which are small tubes that allow us to carry oxygen into and out of the second biggest organ (our biggest organ is our skin). In the vast majority of cases, these conditions present some kind of blockage in the tubes, making breathing considerably harder, and sometimes impossible.
The most common diseases of the airways are asthma, bronchiectasis, emphysema pulmonum, and chronic bronchitis. These conditions can be extremely grueling, as they are often associated with a fear of asphyxiation, and a feeling that people generally describe as “breathing through a straw”.
Diseases Involving the Lung Tissue
These conditions usually affect the lungs directly, by compromising their very tissue, leaving either scars or causing constant and often chronic inflammation. When this happens, the lungs cannot function properly, mostly because they cannot fully expand, restricting the patient’s breathing, and causing similar symptoms that are usually associated with airway diseases.
In diseases that cause tissue damage, the lungs often cannot release carbon dioxide efficiently, making patients feel as if they are wearing a tight shirt or vest. Some common lung tissue diseases include cancer and pneumonia, which can be caused by either bacteria or virus, improper swallowing of food or drink, or a foreign object.
Lung Circulation Diseases
These types of lung diseases compromise the organ’s circulatory system, and they are often conditions related to blood vessels. Clots are one of the most common culprits, but inflammation is just as likely, and similarly to the tissue diseases, these conditions can leave scars as well.
When they are in full effect, they negatively influence the lung’s natural ability to absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide, which is its basic and most important function. These conditions often affect the heart too, and involve pulmonary hypertension.
Most Common Conditions of the Lungs
The most common conditions that affect the lungs include lung cancer, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, bronchitis, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In addition to these conditions, there are also some rare and untreatable genetic conditions that can compromise the functions of the lungs. Early recognition is key with these conditions, but even with that, there are conditions that cannot be cured, only treated.
Alexander Funicello is an experienced pulmonologist who always urges his patients to have regular checkups, at least once every six months.
Sources:https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000066.htm
Airway Problems
These conditions and diseases affect the airways of the lungs, which are small tubes that allow us to carry oxygen into and out of the second biggest organ (our biggest organ is our skin). In the vast majority of cases, these conditions present some kind of blockage in the tubes, making breathing considerably harder, and sometimes impossible.
The most common diseases of the airways are asthma, bronchiectasis, emphysema pulmonum, and chronic bronchitis. These conditions can be extremely grueling, as they are often associated with a fear of asphyxiation, and a feeling that people generally describe as “breathing through a straw”.
Diseases Involving the Lung Tissue
These conditions usually affect the lungs directly, by compromising their very tissue, leaving either scars or causing constant and often chronic inflammation. When this happens, the lungs cannot function properly, mostly because they cannot fully expand, restricting the patient’s breathing, and causing similar symptoms that are usually associated with airway diseases.
In diseases that cause tissue damage, the lungs often cannot release carbon dioxide efficiently, making patients feel as if they are wearing a tight shirt or vest. Some common lung tissue diseases include cancer and pneumonia, which can be caused by either bacteria or virus, improper swallowing of food or drink, or a foreign object.
Lung Circulation Diseases
These types of lung diseases compromise the organ’s circulatory system, and they are often conditions related to blood vessels. Clots are one of the most common culprits, but inflammation is just as likely, and similarly to the tissue diseases, these conditions can leave scars as well.
When they are in full effect, they negatively influence the lung’s natural ability to absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide, which is its basic and most important function. These conditions often affect the heart too, and involve pulmonary hypertension.
Most Common Conditions of the Lungs
The most common conditions that affect the lungs include lung cancer, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, bronchitis, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In addition to these conditions, there are also some rare and untreatable genetic conditions that can compromise the functions of the lungs. Early recognition is key with these conditions, but even with that, there are conditions that cannot be cured, only treated.
Alexander Funicello is an experienced pulmonologist who always urges his patients to have regular checkups, at least once every six months.
Sources:https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000066.htm