Lung Disease

Lung disease is a serious disease that is actually the 3rd highest killer in the United States. This disease is affecting more and more people today than ever before, and has especially increased in women. While lung disease is more prevalent in older people, it also affects many younger people as well, especially those who smoke or are exposed to second hand smoke frequently.

Lung disease includes a variety of different conditions and they include lung cancer, asthma, pneumonia, tuberculosis, pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoiddosis, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. It is now estimated that more than thirty-five million people in the United States are dealing with this disease, and that approximately  15% of all deaths in the U.S. are related to lung disease. Since lung disease is such a deadly and serious disease, it is important to understand and recognize the symptoms and if you experience any of them you should see your doctor immediately.

Coughing – One common symptom that can indicate lung disease is persistent coughing. While many times, coughing may accompany a cold or flu, if coughing is persistent, continually gets worse, or includes coughing up blood, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Shortness of Breath – Another symptom of lung disease is shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea. While shortness of breath can also be a symptom of other dangerous diseases such as heart disease, it can also be a sign of lung disease. If you have sudden incidents of shortness of breath or you suffer from this frequently you should be checked by your doctor.

Chest Pain – While chest pain is often associated with heart problems, many times chest pain is actually a symptom of lung disease. Often, the pain in the chest can indicate an infection such as pneumonia, or it may be indicative of an even more severe type of lung problem. Chest pain should never be ignored and you should seek immediate medical attention.

Other symptoms of lung disease can include wheezing, coughing up blood, bluish skin, swelling, or even respiratory failure. All of these symptoms can be signs of a very dangerous and even life threatening condition, so be sure that you get help right away.

While lung disease is a very dangerous disease, there are a variety of things that you can do to lower your chances of developing lung disease. If you are a smoker, stopping smoking can significantly decrease your risk of developing lung disease and it will lower the risk of those close to you as well. Those who never smoke and stay away from second hand smoke have an even smaller chance of developing lung problems. Asbestos is another leading cause of lung disease and staying clear of places that have asbestos can lower your risk as well. Studies have also shown that eating a healthy diet can decrease the risk of developing lung disease for many. While lung disease is a national killer, there are measures that you can take to reduce your risk and live a full and happy life.