Lung disease
Lung disease is any problem in the lungs that prevents the lungs from working 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. They usually cause a narrowing or blockage of the airways. Airway diseases include
asthma
,
COPD
and
bronchiectasis
. People with airway diseases often say they feel as if they're "trying to breathe out through a straw."
Asthma
Asthma is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow. It leads to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughi...
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. Having COPD makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:Chroni...
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a disease in which the large airways in the lungs are damaged. This causes the airways to become wider. Bronchiectasis can be pres...
-
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). This makes it hard for the lungs to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. People with this type of lung disorder often say they feel as if they are "wearing a too-tight sweater or vest." As a result, they can't breathe deeply.
Pulmonary fibrosis
and
sarcoidosis
are examples of lung tissue disease.
Pulmonary fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is scarring or thickening of the lungs without a known cause.
Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, or other tissues.
-
Lung 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 release carbon dioxide. These diseases may also affect heart function. An example of a lung circulation disease is pulmonary
hypertension
.
Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. It makes the right side of the heart work harder than normal.
Many lung diseases involve a combination of these three types.
The most common lung diseases include:
- Asthma
-
Collapse of part or all of the lung (
pneumothorax
or
atelectasis
)
Pneumothorax
A collapsed lung occurs when air escapes from the lung. The air then fills the space outside of the lung, between the lung and chest wall. This bui...
Atelectasis
Atelectasis is the collapse of part or, much less commonly, all of a lung.
-
Swelling and inflammation in the main passages (bronchial tubes) that carry air to the lungs (
bronchitis
)
Bronchitis
Acute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, which makes it...
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
-
Lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is cancer that starts in the lungs. The lungs are located in the chest. When you breathe, air goes through your nose, down your windpipe...
-
Lung infection (
pneumonia
)
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...
-
Abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs (
pulmonary edema
)
Pulmonary edema
Pulmonary edema is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs. This buildup of fluid leads to shortness of breath.
-
Blocked lung artery (
pulmonary embolus
)
Pulmonary embolus
A pulmonary embolus is a blockage of an artery in the lungs. The most common cause of the blockage is a blood clot.
References
Kraft M. Approach to the patient with respiratory disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 83.
Reid PT, Innes JA. Respiratory disease. In: Walker BR, Colledge NR, Ralston SH, Penman ID, eds. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2014:chap 19.
-
Pulmonary mass - side view chest X-ray - illustration
This individual has a mass in the upper part of the lung. Although the cause of the mass can be suspected, based on this person's history, there are many diseases that can produce lung lesions.
Pulmonary mass - side view chest X-ray
illustration
-
Lung mass, right lung - CT scan - illustration
This is a CT scan of the upper chest showing a mass in the right lung (seen on the left side of the picture).
Lung mass, right lung - CT scan
illustration
-
Lung mass, right upper lung - chest X-ray - illustration
This picture is a chest x-ray of a person with a lung mass. This is a front view, where the lungs are the two dark areas and the heart and other structures are visible in the middle of the chest. The x-ray shows a mass in the right upper lung, indicated with the arrow (seen on the left side of the picture).
Lung mass, right upper lung - chest X-ray
illustration
-
Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan - illustration
This CT scan shows a cross section of the lungs of a person with lung cancer. The two dark areas in the middle of the screen are the lungs. The light areas in the right lung represent the cancer (left side of picture).
Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan
illustration
-
Secondhand smoke and lung cancer - illustration
Secondhand smoke has been classified as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).
Secondhand smoke and lung cancer
illustration
-
Yellow nail syndrome - illustration
Yellow nail syndrome is characterized by yellow nails that lack a cuticle, grow slowly, and are loose or detached (onycholysis). Yellow nail syndrome is most commonly associated with lung disorders, and with lymphedema.
Yellow nail syndrome
illustration
-
Respiratory system - illustration
Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.
Respiratory system
illustration
-
Pulmonary mass - side view chest X-ray - illustration
This individual has a mass in the upper part of the lung. Although the cause of the mass can be suspected, based on this person's history, there are many diseases that can produce lung lesions.
Pulmonary mass - side view chest X-ray
illustration
-
Lung mass, right lung - CT scan - illustration
This is a CT scan of the upper chest showing a mass in the right lung (seen on the left side of the picture).
Lung mass, right lung - CT scan
illustration
-
Lung mass, right upper lung - chest X-ray - illustration
This picture is a chest x-ray of a person with a lung mass. This is a front view, where the lungs are the two dark areas and the heart and other structures are visible in the middle of the chest. The x-ray shows a mass in the right upper lung, indicated with the arrow (seen on the left side of the picture).
Lung mass, right upper lung - chest X-ray
illustration
-
Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan - illustration
This CT scan shows a cross section of the lungs of a person with lung cancer. The two dark areas in the middle of the screen are the lungs. The light areas in the right lung represent the cancer (left side of picture).
Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan
illustration
-
Secondhand smoke and lung cancer - illustration
Secondhand smoke has been classified as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).
Secondhand smoke and lung cancer
illustration
-
Yellow nail syndrome - illustration
Yellow nail syndrome is characterized by yellow nails that lack a cuticle, grow slowly, and are loose or detached (onycholysis). Yellow nail syndrome is most commonly associated with lung disorders, and with lymphedema.
Yellow nail syndrome
illustration
-
Respiratory system - illustration
Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.
Respiratory system
illustration
Review Date: 7/13/2016
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.