LUNG DISEASES OR RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS

The respiratory tract is the port of entry for many harmful agents. Many micro-organisms, toxic environmental products and chemicals gain access to the lung and the rest of the body through inhalation. This places lung diseases among the most common conditions globally.

The lungs are a part of the complex apparatus that allows you to inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Lung diseases may be caused by smoking, harmful substances, infections of the airway or genetics.

Some of the common respiratory conditions are as follows:

1Chronic obstructive airway disease
Is a lung condition which affects the airways. This disease causes the trachea and bronchi which branch into the lungs to narrow and constrict the airflow into the lungs. The most frequent cause for COPD is cigarette smoking. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly have other forms of diseases, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. When the lung function is tested, there is no change in the obstruction after the use of a relieving inhaler.
2Asthma
Is a lung disease triggered by allergies, infection and pollution, in which the airways become inflamed and chronically spasm causing wheezing and shortness of breath. As opposed to COPD, the lung function improves significantly after a relieving inhaler is used correctly.
3Bronchiectasis
A lung disease in which the bronchi which branch into the lungs become permanently damaged, widened and thickened causing a build-up of mucus to pool in the lungs. This condition is often due to past TB infection or other lung damaging conditions such as autoimmune disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis (CF). A lung function test may show obstruction that may or may not respond to a relieving inhaler. Depending on the cause of the disease the ling volumes may also be smaller than normal.
4Interstitial lung disease
Is a lung disease which affects the lung tissue rather than the airways. Causes range from inhalation of irritants, toxic chemicals, diseases that affect all the organs like systemic lupus erythematosus. A reduced lung volume on a lung function test is useful in making this diagnosis.

Dr Mogambery's practice is equipped with spirometry to check the function of the lung, and this will assist in making the above diagnoses.

Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may vary. For treatment, Dr Mogambery may suggest a combination of medications such as bronchodilators, antibiotics, inhaled steroids, combination inhalers or oral steroids. Aside from medications, lung therapies such as oxygen therapy may enhance the quality of life by aiding the lungs in oxygenating the blood to maintain the functioning of the body. In more severe cases surgical intervention like lung volume reduction or even lung transplant may be considered.

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