Lung and Respiratory Diseases

Introduction

Did you know that lung disease is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.? In fact, each year nearly 400,000 people in the United States die of lung disease, and over 35 million people in the U.S. suffer from a chronic lung disease.¹

Some NetWellness health topics focusing on lung diseases are asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, sarcoidosis, and tuberculosis.

What is the Respiratory System?

The respiratory system consists of the organs involved in the interchanges of gases, including the:

Nose
Pharynx (throat)
Larynx (voice box)
Trachea (windpipe)
Bronchi, which are the two main air passages into the lungs²
Lungs, which take in oxygen, which cells need to live and carry out their normal functions. They also get rid of carbon dioxide, a waste product of the body's cells³

Respiration is simply the act of inhaling or exhaling. When you breathe, the air:

Enters the body through the nose or the mouth
Travels down the throat through the larynx and trachea
Then into the lungs through tubes called main-stem bronchi
One main-stem bronchus leads to the right lung and one to the left lung
In the lungs, the main-stem bronchi divide into smaller bronchi
And then into even smaller tubes called bronchioles
Bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli⁴

Staying Healthy

In order to keep your lungs healthy, there are some things you can try to avoid:

Cigarette Smoke- Avoid all types of smoke inhalation: first or secondhand.
Humidity
Air Pollution- Pay attention to air pollution alerts. Stay inside if pollution count is higher than 90%. You can check pollution levels by visiting the AIRNow website.
Dust- Avoid activities that raise dust such as sweeping, dusting, driving on dirt roads, etc. When such activities cannot be avoided, wear a mask.

Cleaning the filter on your air conditioner and heater is also important.

Extremely Cold Weather- When outdoors in temperatures below 40, breathe through a scarf or handkerchief over your nose to warm the air as it enters your lungs⁵

Another way to keep your lungs in great shape is to exercise regularly.

For more information about keeping your lungs healthy, please visit the websites listed below:

Coping With Indoor Pollution (American Association for Respiratory Care)
Particle Pollution and Your Health (AIRNow)
Smoking and Tobacco
Healthy Eating for People with Lung Disease (OSU Medical Center)
Signs of Respiratory Distress (OSU Medical Center)
Helping Your Child Breathe Easier (American Association for Respiratory Care)

References:

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Last Reviewed: Jul 09, 2008

Sandra L Starnes, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Division of Thoracic Surgery
Department of Surgery
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati