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The lung, just like any other organ in our body is subject to a number of external and internal insults which could lead to numerous pathologies or diseases. Being an organ which interacts directly with the external surroundings of an individual, it is no surprise that our lungs could be affected by the slightest change in the atmosphere like composition of the air. By definition a lung disease or disorder is a condition in which the lung does not function properly.

Lung disease is the number three killer in America. It is the number one killer of babies younger than one year old.

The lung diseases are classified into three broad groups. The causative agent may at times be common among the three groups, but the underlying pathology is different.

*1. Obstructive lung diseases are those which cause an obstruction to the air flow in and out of the lungs. This is usually the result of narrowing or blockage of air passages which can occur in asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

*2. Restrictive lung diseases are those which cause a decrease the total volume of air the lung can hold. This could be a result of a decrease in the elasticity of the lungs or it could also result from a problem of the chest wall causing insufficient expansion of the chest wall and the lungs during breathing in. Examples of this form of lung disease include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis and lung diseases which are due to deformities of the ribcage causing constriction of the chest wall.

*3. The third broad type of lung diseases is those which cause a defect in the ability to transfer oxygen from the tissues of the lung to the blood. This could result from inhalation of toxic fumes and irritant gases, pneumonia and asbestosis.

Most of the lung diseases are a combination of two or all three forms of disease. Common signs and symptoms of lung disease include cough, wheezing, breathlessness, fever and chest pain. Tests done on the blood and phlegm and X-Ray of the chest are frequently used to diagnose the lung disease.

Learn more about this author, Estella Reed.
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