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as respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn, is a lack of surfactant, the lipoprotein secreted by alveolar cells to assist gas exchange. Some premature births have not yet begun producing pulmonary surfactant and are unable to take their first breaths outside the womb; the lungs cannot inflate without the surfactant, which prevents the alveoli from collapsing between breaths. A synthetic surfactant or respiratory assistance can be given in the delivery room. This disorder often disappears with time as the baby's lungs finish developing.

-Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the potential pleural space. Breathing is dependent on maintaining a negative pressure (less than atmospheric) between the lungs and the chest wall. This space between membranes is referred to as potential because it isn't a space at all. Tension pneumothorax is the entry of air into the space due to trauma, such as a puncture wound. A spontaneous pneumothorax is when there is no sign of trauma, and may be due to alveolar rupture, which may occur as the result of other lung disease. Both types result in lung collapse.

-Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in alveoli. This disorder is often the result of congestive heart failure as the blood backs up in the capillaries.

-Pneumonia is a bacterial infection of the lungs, most often caused by Streptococcus pneumonia, which is a transient inhabitant of the upper respiratory tract. When the bacteria make their way into the lower respiratory tract, they infect the alveoli, resulting in fluid secretion during the immune response. This fluid then results in a blockage of efficient gas exchange, excess mucus, and expected symptoms of infection (fever, exhaustion, etc). Pneumonia is sometimes a secondary infection of the flu, which is caused by the virus influenza and also infects the respiratory tract. Hospitalization is often necessary.

-Emphysema is a degenerative disease, part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The breakdown of elastin in the alveoli results in the loss of elasticity in the tissue. Exhalation becomes an active process. This disorder can be the result of chronic asthma or due to exposure to pollutants and lung irritants, such as cigarette smoke, severe air pollution, or industrial dust.

Obstructive disorders

-COPD is a progressive disease often credited to cigarette smoking or exposure to toxic pollutants. The airways become obstructed, inflamed, and damaged, leading to their dysfunction over time. This then results in low blood oxygen levels and heart disease. As mentioned above, COPD includes emphysema, but it also includes chronic obstructive bronchitis. COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States.

-Asthma is due to the constriction of the smooth muscle in the bronchioles and excess mucus secretion as an inflammatory reaction to an allergen or infection. The constriction restricts airflow and results in wheezing and coughing. Severe attacks require treatment with steroids or IgE blockers, depending on the cause. Over time, the lack of ventilation to the alveoli results in the breakdown of lung tissue.

-Bronchitis is the irritation and inflammation of the bronchials due to infection, or in chronic bronchitis (as mentioned above for COPD) long-term exposure to irritants. An inability to pass air through the bronchials is due to constriction and excess mucus.

Learn more about this author, Alicia M Prater PhD.
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