Lung Diseases and Breathing Problems

 

Lung diseases are some of the most common medical conditions in the world and lungs disease can happen when any part of the respiratory system is affected or injured. The lungs are vital organs of the body wherein respiration (the process of gas exchange) occurs. As we breathe in air, the oxygen present in the air is taken by the lungs and delivered to the bloodstream. In this instance, the carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the blood is replaced by oxygen which eventually reaches every body cell for its functioning and growth. The carbon dioxide (a waste gas) that is generated after cellular metabolism is expelled out from the bloodstream through exhalation (breathing out of the air).

People suffering from lung disease face difficulty in breathing as their lung function is considerably reduced i.e. the ability to exchange gases decreases. Lung diseases refer to any disorder that affects the lung such as lung infections (such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, and influenza), asthma, lung cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and many other breathing problems. These can sometimes lead to respiratory failure, thereby making them killer diseases. Top Hospital in Kolkata, Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI) provides world-class pulmonology care facilities. The doctors at the hospital are experts in diagnosing and managing conditions like asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, and other severe chest infections.

Common respiratory illnesses and diseases that cause breathing problems:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): It is a combination of progressive lung diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis which makes breathing difficult due to limited airflow. The symptoms that begin to appear include shortness of breath (occasional) and mild recurrent coughing. When it worsens the lungs become more damaged, and the affected individual experiences chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, chronic cough (including mucus or without it), and frequent respiratory infections. At the end stage, one can suffer from fatigue, weight loss, and swelling of legs, ankle, or feet.    

Lung cancer: It is the malignancy of the lung cells that grows and multiplies without control. The cancerous lung cells under the microscope may appear to be small or not small. In the case of small cell lung cancer, the invasion of cancer to nearby tissues is faster whereas, for non-small cell cancer, the spread is slow. It is a leading cause of death worldwide. People with lung cancer generally show signs when the disease has advanced. The symptoms may include chronic cough (with blood), bone pain, shortness of breath, hoarseness, chest pain, weight loss, and headache.

Asthma: It is a long-lasting condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways inside the lungs. It may also cause more production of mucus. This can result in troubled breathing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing. It can be treated by medicated inhalers or nebulizers that consist of steroids or bronchodilators. Contact the experts at CMRI to know more about Asthma treatment in Kolkata.

Emphysema:In this lung diseasethe lung tissues become weak and the walls of alveoli (lung air sacs) get damaged, hence impeding the outward flow of air. The walls of the air sacs help in the transfer of oxygen from the air to the bloodstream. This condition is majorly caused to airborne irritants such as smoke of tobacco or marijuana and air pollution.

Chronic Bronchitis: It is a lung condition wherein the bronchial tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs become swollen and narrow. This leads to mucus production because of the growth of cells that make mucus.

Bronchiectasis/Cystic fibrosis: It is a genetic disorder that can damage the lungs by secretion of sticky and thick mucus. The mucus which normally has the role of lubrication would cause plugging of the airway in the lungs. This can cause symptoms like continuous coughing with sputum, stuffy nose, wheezing, recurrent lung infections, exercise intolerance, and repeated sinusitis. 

Pleural Effusion (water on the lungs): It is a lung condition wherein a small amount of fluid (such as watery or protein-rich fluids) gets accumulated in between the pleura layers. Pleura is a thin membrane that lines the inner of the chest cavity and the lungs and acts to ease breathing and lubricate. The symptoms include dyspnea, dry non-productive cough, orthopnea, and chest pain.

Lung infections like Pneumonia: Pneumonia is a lung condition associated with severe inflammation. It can be caused due to viral, bacterial, or fungal infection and is characterized by fluids buildup in the lungs. This results in less oxygen reaching the blood from the inhaled air. The best protection against pneumonia is vaccination.

 

Be it the treatment of asthma or any other lung disease, CMRI offers the best treatment and care to their patients. To know more about your lung health contact the best lung specialist in Kolkata.