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Lung disease

Definition

Lung disease is any disease or disorder that occurs in the lungs or that causes the lungs to not work properly. There are three main types of lung disease:

  • Airway diseases -- These diseases affect the tubes (airways) that carry oxygen and other gases into and out of the lungs. These diseases cause a narrowing or blockage of the airways. They include asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. People with airway diseases sometimes describe the feeling as "trying to breathe out through a straw."
  • Lung tissue diseases -- These diseases affect the structure of the lung tissue. Scarring or inflammation of the tissue makes the lungs unable to expand fully ("restrictive lung disease"). It also makes the lungs less capable of taking up oxygen (oxygenation) and releasing carbon dioxide. Pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis are examples of lung tissue diseases. People sometimes describe the feeling as "wearing a too-tight sweater or vest" that won't allow them to take a deep breath.
  • Pulmonary circulation diseases -- These diseases affect the blood vessels in the lungs. They are caused by clotting, scarring, or inflammation of the blood vessels. They affect the ability of the lungs to take up oxygen and to release carbon dioxide. These diseases may also affect heart function.

Most lung diseases actually involve a combination of these categories.

The most common lung diseases include:

  • Asthma
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • Emphysema
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Sarcoidosis

Other lung diseases include:
Pulmonary mass - side view chest X-ray
This individual has a mass in the upper part of the lung. Although the cause of the mass can be suspected, based on this person's history, there are many diseases that can produce lung lesions.
Lung mass, right upper lobe - CT scan
This is a CT scan of the upper lungs. This individual has a mass in upper part of the right lung (left side of picture).
Lung mass, right lung - CT scan
This is a CT scan of the upper chest showing a mass in the right lung (seen on the left side of the picture).
Lung mass, right upper lung - chest X-ray
This picture is a chest x-ray of a person with a lung mass. This is a front view, where the lungs are the two dark areas and the heart and other structures are visible in the middle of the chest. The x-ray shows a mass in the right upper lung, indicated with the arrow (seen on the left side of the picture).
Lung nodule - front view chest X-ray
This is a chest x-ray showing a mass in the right lower lung near heart (seen on the left side of the picture).
Lung nodule, right lower lung - CT scan
A CT scan showing a mass in right lower chest near the heart (left side of photograph).
Lung with squamous cell cancer - CT scan
This CT scan shows a cross section of the lungs of a person with lung cancer. The two dark areas in the middle of the screen are the lungs. The light areas in the right lung represent the cancer (left side of picture).
Secondhand Smoke and Lung Cancer
Secondhand smoke has been classified as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).
Yellow nail syndrome
Yellow nail syndrome is characterized by yellow nails that lack a cuticle, grow slowly, and are loose or detached (onycholysis). Yellow nail syndrome is most commonly associated with lung disorders, and with lymphedema.
Respiratory system
Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.
Review Date: 8/29/2008
Reviewed By: Sean O. Stitham, MD, private practice in Internal Medicine, Seattle, WA; Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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