Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Lung Diseases, Obstructive

Obstructive lung diseases are a group of conditions that affect the respiratory system by blocking the airflow in and out of the lungs. These conditions make it difficult to breathe, and they include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiolitis.

Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which makes it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Asthma can be controlled with medications such as inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (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. COPD is often caused by smoking and exposure to pollutants, and it can be treated with medications such as bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, and oxygen therapy.

Bronchiolitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways in infants and young children. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. The main treatment for bronchiolitis is supportive care, such as oxygen therapy and bronchodilators.

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

In healthcare, research is being done to find new treatment methods for obstructive lung diseases, such as developing new drugs, and better understanding the causes of these conditions. Health care providers also use the various guideline-based therapy protocols to manage the conditions of these patients. In addition, the use of telehealth, and remote monitoring devices such as spirometry, that can be used to track patient’s conditions at home, has been beneficial in managing obstructive lung diseases.