Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Lung Diseases

Lung diseases are a group of conditions that affect the respiratory system, making it difficult to breathe. Some of the most common lung diseases include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

COPD is a group of lung diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is characterized by airflow obstruction that makes it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

Lung cancer is a malignant growth in the lung tissue and it can be caused by smoking or exposure to certain chemicals and toxins. Symptoms include a cough, chest pain, and weight loss.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that causes scarring in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. It is characterized by a dry cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

Other lung diseases include:

Pneumonia: an infection in the lung, causing inflammation and fluid buildup. Tuberculosis (TB): a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs. Cystic fibrosis (CF) : is an inherited disease that affects the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems, it’s characterized by recurrent lung infections. Treatment for lung diseases varies depending on the specific condition and can include medications, oxygen therapy, and in some cases, surgery or lung transplantation.

Prevention of lung diseases largely involves avoiding risk factors such as smoking, exposure to pollutants and chemicals, as well as getting vaccinated against certain lung infections like pneumococcus, influenza and tuberculosis.

In health care, research is being done to find new treatment methods for lung diseases and to better understand the causes of these conditions. New drugs and techniques are being developed to help people breathe better and live longer, and also to reduce the risk of exposure to lung diseases and diseases in general.