Pulmonology

Asbestosis and Silicosis are non-malignant, incurable, chronic occupational lung diseases. They occur in people overexposed to industry dusts including mining, construction, manufacturing, and building maintenance. They may be progressive even after dust exposure has ceased.

A chronic disease that inflames and narrows your lungs’ airways, making breathing difficult, asthma varies in severity. There different types and each kind had different causes and triggers. Depending on symptoms, medicine use and lung function, asthma is classified by severity levels, ranging from mild to intermediate to severe.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs. Typically, those with the respiratory condition cough up thickened, discolored mucus. The condition may be either acute, lasting only a brief period, or chronic. It often stems from a cold or other respiratory infection. Acute bronchitis is very common. Chronic bronchitis is a more concerning condition, where constant inflammation is present, often due to smoking.

Chronic respiratory failure is a condition that results in one’s inability to properly exchange carbon dioxide and oxygen, and induces chronically low oxygen levels or chronically high carbon dioxide levels. The condition is usually caused by chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

A progressive, but treatable disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include wheezing, a struggle to breathe, coughing, and mucus production. Often it is the result of smoking. The most common contributors to COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Typically caused by long-term high blood pressure, cor pulmonale is a disease causing the right side of the heart to fail.

Most often the result of smoking, emphysema is a chronic lung condition in which the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs are compromised. Other causes are environmental including occupational irritants, air pollution, and rarely, genetics.

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When it initiates in the lungs, it is called lung cancer. Lung cancer may metastasize to other areas including the brain. Conversely, it may spread to the lungs from other organs secondarily. Lung cancers fall into two main categories: small cell and non-small cell. Both behave differently and respond to different treatments

Caused by inhaled asbestos fibers, mesothelioma is a malignancy caused by inhaled asbestos fibers and forms in the linings of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Symptoms can include shortness of breath and chest pain. Treatment may increase longevity, with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.

Pleural effusion is a condition in which fluid builds up between the lungs and chest wall. A hallmark symptom is the inability to breathe without distress unless sitting straight up or standing.

Pneumonia is an infection caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. The air sacs of the lung(s) become inflamed and may fill with fluid or pus. Symptoms include phlegmy coughing, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening.

A pneumothorax is a collapsed lung that occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall; the air’s pressure on the exterior of the lung causes it to collapse. The causes may include trauma to the chest, certain medical procedures, or may be idiopathic. A key symptoms is sudden shortness of breath.

Excess fluid in the lungs’ air sacks causes pulmonary edema, making breathing difficult. In most cases, heart problems cause pulmonary edema but other scenarios include medications, exposure to toxins, and trauma.

A type of high blood pressure, pulmonary hypertension affects the arteries in lungs and the right side of the heart.

Generally caused by blood clots, pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. Because the clots block blood flow to the lungs, pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. Prompt treatment is essential.

In respiratory failure the blood doesn't have enough oxygen or has levels of carbon dioxide, or both. During breathing, the lungs intake oxygen and it passes into the blood to carry to the organs. A second component of breathing is the removal of carbon dioxide from the blood upon exhalation. Too much carbon dioxide is harmful to organs. It may be caused by certain lung diseases, problems in the bones and muscles inherent to breathing, or damage to tissues and the ribs contiguous to the lungs.

A rare, idiopathic disorder, sarcoidosis is caused by inflammation. Most commonly, it usually occurs in the lungs and lymph nodes, but it can occur in other organs. It causes small cluster of inflammatory cells to develop in the lungs and may make the lungs stiffen with scarring.

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the tissue that lines the sinus cavities, the hollow air spaces that surround the nose. These flare ups can range in people from occasional to chronic.

A sleep disorder, apnea causes breathing to be repeatedly interrupted – episodes typically last between 10- to-20 seconds at a rate of from five to over 100 times an hour. The lack of oxygen during an episode shocks the body awake, but usually so fleetingly, it is not remembered. However, the result is disruption to the natural sleep rhythm increasing time spent in light sleep and less in the important deep, restorative sleep essential to energy and sharp mental focus.

Potentially serious and highly contagious, tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a specific bacterium. Most commonly, the bacterium invades the lungs, but TB bacteria can also attack other parts of the body including the brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. People with TB must take several types of medications for many months to eliminate the infection and prevent development of antibiotic resistance.