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Lung Disease

Increasing level of pollution has made breathing in urban areas very difficult, raising the incidence of respiratory problems. Out of the world's top 20 cities with polluted air, 13 belong to India and according to the World health Organisation (WHO) report published in 2011, lung diseases rank 2ndin the list of top 20 causes of death. Naturally, lung disease is a big health issue that needs to be addressed. Here are some facts about lung disease you should know about.

To understand the condition of your lungs, you need to first understand how the lungs function. Lungs are soft organs present on both right and left side of the chest. They are protected by a had covering called the ribcage. Each lung is made of sections called lobes. The main function of the lungs is to make oxygen available for purifying blood and to and eliminate carbondioxide from impure blood or deoxygenated blood. So when you breathe, air travels down your windpipe (trachea). The windpipe bifurcates with each branch entering each of the lungs. Into the lungs, the windpipe is further branched to tubes called bronchioles that end in small sacs called alveoli, where the inhaled air reaches for delivering oxygen.

A lung disease or disorder occurs in the various structures of lungs and disrupts its functioning. It can vary from a mild common cold to life-threatening conditions like pneumonia and cancer. Lung disease can be caused by infections, inflammation, obstruction of airways, decreased lung function, problems related to pulmonary circulation, etc. Smoking, infections, air pollution, genetics, exposure to asbestos, etc. Can cause various lung diseases.

Types

The common as well as rare types of lung disease include -

Causes

'In any form of lung disease mainly the breathing gets affected,' says Dr Animesh Arya, Senior Consultant, Respiratory Medicine, Delhi based Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute. Here are some common forms of lung diseases he explains.

1. Asthma:It is the most common lung disease triggered by allergies, infections and pollutants that harm the airways and cause inflammation.

2. Acute bronchitis: Bronchitis is the inflammation of the air passage. Acute bronchitis is caused by viral or bacterial respiratory infections.

3. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): It a group of diseases that causes breathing difficulties and interfere with the exhalation process of breathing.

4. Chronic bronchitis: It is a type of COPD caused mainly due to smoking.

5. Emphysema: It is a COPD caused by environmental factors and may also be triggered by allergens or organisms that cause diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis.

Apart from these common forms of lung diseases, other rare lung diseases include:

6. Cystic fibrosis: It is rare lung disease caused by genetic mutation that results in excess mucus production causing blockage of airways.

7. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): It is a medical emergency caused as a result of lung injury due to a severe illness.

8. Lung cancer: It can affect any part of the lung. It is mainly caused due to smoking. Here are  10 common symptoms of lung cancer you need to know.

9. Interstitial lung disease: This is a group of diseases affecting the interstitium, a thin lining separating the air sacs.

Symptoms

'Bronchitis, asthma, COPD, lung infections and pulmonary fibrosis have similar symptoms even though they are very different in nature,' says Dr Arya.  He lists a few common symptoms of lung diseases:

Difficulty in breathing

Chronic cough

Being short of breath easily after any strenuous activity

Excess mucus production

Coughing up blood due to inflammation in the lining of the respiratory tract

Chest pain

Air hunger which indicates lack of oxygen and also can cause fatigue

Diagnosis

In most cases, chronic cough, chest pain and breathing difficulties necessitate a lung function test. But your doctor might first take a look at the results of your blood test that may indicate whether you have any kind of lung infection. Otherwise, based on your symptoms your doctor might recommend the following lung function tests for you, as explained by Dr Arya.

Imaging tests: A chest X ray, CT scan or nuclear lung scanning can be done to reveal any kind of structural abnormality of the lungs and the chest. With the help of an Xray, the doctor will be able to detect lung tumors, infections like pneumonia, emphysema, interstitial lung disease. It also helps identification of fluid accumulation around the lungs (pulmonary edema).

Lung Volume measurement or spirometry:  This test will determine how much air your lungs can hold. A device called spirometer is used in the test to record and analyse the volume of air inhaled and exhaled. The test is repeated after administering a bronchodilator which opens up the airways.

Diffusing capacity measurement: This test determines how well oxygen is transferred from the air sacs (alveoli) to the bloodstream.

Maximal Voluntary Ventilation: The maximum capacity a person can breathe is checked in this test.

Lung biopsy: In case interstitial lung disease is suspected, the doctor may suggest a lung biopsy where a tissue from the lung is obtained using procedures like bronchoscopy for investigation.

Treatment

'If any of the above mentioned symptoms persist for a long time, it is better to consult a doctor immediately for diagnosis,' says Dr Arya. The management of lung disease depends on the type of lung disease you're diagnosed with but largely medication is the main treatment option for lung disease patients.

Asthma and COPD patients may require bronchodialtors and inhalers for relieving asthma symptoms and opening up the airways. Read more about medicines for asthma

Expectorants may be prescribed in case of chronic productive cough to loosen the mucus and facilitate easy expulsion

Corticosteroids are given for reducing inflammation and swelling of the lung tissue

Patients with extreme shortness of breath are managed with oxygen therapy, where the prescribed level of oxygen is delivered through a mask

Antibiotics like azithromycin may be prescribed for patients diagnosed with interstitial lung disease. Lung Infections are also treated with antibiotics

There are some thoracic surgical interventions in which the lung volume or contraction and expansion of the diaphragm can be improved for better lung function

Lung transplantation is the last option for patients with end stage lung disease

'However additional measures like lifestyle management are also needed,' says Dr Arya. These measures not only help you protect lung function but also prevent lung disease. Here are some tips he offers for better management and prevention of lung disease.

If you are a smoker, quit smoking and if not, avoid smokers as far as possible.

Identify things that you are allergic to and avoid them. Some common allergens include animal dander, dust, and aerosols.

Contrary to popular belief, exercise helps with lung diseases. Exercising for even half an hour daily can increase your lung capacity.

Manage your weight as being obese puts more stress on your heart and lungs.

 It is important is to take your medication on time every day.

Lastly, get as much rest as possible.

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Medications And Their Potential To Cause Increase In 'Lung Infection' (Lung Abscess)

List of Drugs that may cause 'Lung infection'

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Updated on August 25, 2023 This page features an assortment of drug(s) that could potentially trigger 'Lung infection' as a Side-effect or adverse response. It is not uncommon for medications to have some tolerable mild side effects. Do remember that these listed medication(s) only represents individual medications that could be part of a larger combination therapy. Please keep in mind that this list of drug(s) is intended to serve as an information resource and should not be a substitute to professional medical advice. If you have concerns about 'Lung infection', we advise that you speak with a healthcare professional. Similar to 'Lung infection,' there are other symptoms or signs that might more accurately describe your side effect. They are detailed below for your convenience. If any of these additional symptom(s) align more closely with your experience, you can choose them to determine potential medications that could be responsible.

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Oprelvekin

Most other Common Side Effects: Fluid retention, difficulty in breathing, fast heart rate, palpitations, abnormal heart rhythm

Find drugs that can cause other symptoms like 'Lung infection' References

https://www.Fda.Gov/drugs/information-consumers-and-patients-drugs/finding-and-learning-about-side-effects-adverse-reactions

https://nctr-crs.Fda.Gov/fdalabel/ui/search

https://dailymed.Nlm.Nih.Gov/dailymed/

Search Side effects by name Recently Added Drugs

Algeldrate is prescribed as a gastric antacid in adults.

Amtolmetin guacil is prescribed for Rheumatoid arthritis in Adults and Children above 2 years .

Gastrointestinal disorders: Bacillus clausii is commonly used as a probiotic to help restore the natural balance of bacteria within the gut, especially during or after a course of antibiotics.

Amylmetacresol is prescribed for the treatment of sore throat and oral infections.

Inositol is prescribed in PCOS as it helps in balancing certain hormones in the patients with this condition.

Margetuximab is an anticancer agent indicated for the treatment of breast cancer.

Isatuximab is an anticancer agent indicated for the treatment of adults with multiple myeloma.

Pralsetinib is indicated for the treatment of adults with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), based on the presence of a specific gene fusion named RET.

Pemigatinib is an anticancer agent indicated for the treatment of bile duct cancer or cholangiocarcinoma.

Belantamab is an anticancer agent indicated for the treatment of adults with multiple myeloma-A type of skin cancer.

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When Lung Disease Interrupts Your Exercise Routine

Exercise is great for your health, strength, and quality of life. But if you have chronic lung disease, symptoms like shortness of breath may make you afraid to work out.

Lung disease can interrupt your exercise routine, making it harder to be as active or independent as you once were, says Pat Owens, 76, who lives alone in Tucson, AZ. She uses supplemental oxygen to support her breathing during exercises like squats, leg lifts, and balancing on one leg while she holds onto the kitchen sink.

"I also have some exercise and stretching tapes. I walk inside and when I can, I walk outside too. I do all my own housework, shopping, and laundry," says Owens, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). "I try to stay as active as I can, so I can continue to care for myself. My only obstacle is that I can't move around as fast as I used to. It takes me longer to do things, but at least I get things done."

If you haven't exercised for a while due to lung disease, start again slowly, says pulmonologist Albert Rizzo, MD, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association.

"Just pace yourself. Listen to your body and slowly increase your activity," he says. "Exercise is so important for building your muscle strength and breathing, but also improves your mood. You can even do exercises while you're sitting in a chair. It can be something simple, like walking back and forth to your mailbox or around the block."

Somer Love, 41, was a high school swimmer, diver, and cheerleader, and enjoyed skiing and volleyball growing up in Utah. She has cystic fibrosis, a chronic lung disease with symptoms like shortness of breath, congestion, and frequent infections that can keep her from being active.

"Some days, just walking to the bathroom or kitchen can be exhausting. When I am able to, I go on walks outside. Maybe that's because we are living through a global pandemic, and it's my only way to be out in the world and not quarantined away," Love says. "I live for my walks and so does my dog, Tulip. I am grateful for those days that I'm able to get outside and make it happen."

Love tries to do resistance exercises for muscle tone and to help her clear and strengthen her lungs. If her chronic lung disease sidelines her at times, she may start up again with just 1 or 2 minutes of bouncing on a small rebounder trampoline. "Something else I'm really proud of is that this year, I found my inner yogi as well. I've really enjoyed experimenting with yoga and listening to my body."

Lung disease symptoms may make you afraid to exercise, but it's actually good for your lungs, says Frank C. Sciurba, MD, director of the Emphysema/COPD Research Center at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

"Your reflex is to avoid any activity that may trigger your shortness of breath. You can become deconditioned and out of shape," Sciurba says. "If you get more exercise, you'll be able to do more and your conditioning will improve. You may be afraid to push yourself if you have shortness of breath."

Pulmonary rehab, where a respiratory therapist shows you how to safely exercise, build strength and stamina, and breathe more efficiently, may help you get active again.

"You may start out with strength exercises with resistance bands, light weights, or squats, then work up to walking on a treadmill," he says. Upper-body exercises help improve breathing too. "The muscles you use when you're short of breath are the same as the ones you use when you do arm work. Train your muscles to do those moves without shortness of breath."

Lung disease can make once-doable activities now seem very hard, and that's scary, says Trina Limberg, a respiratory therapist at Pulmonary Care Consulting and Training in San Diego, CA.

"If your muscles decondition, you may feel that your legs can't support your body weight or your arms can't handle carrying groceries," Limberg says. "You have more breathlessness during ordinary activities, and your world starts to shrink."

Lung disease often causes depression or anxiety too, she says. If symptoms interrupt activities you enjoy, like playing golf, your self-esteem can plummet. Rehab can help you exercise safely with less breathlessness.

"You can learn to use your lungs more efficiently and learn pacing and new breathing techniques. You can achieve high levels of fitness that can be surprising and very encouraging."

If you have supplemental oxygen, be sure to use it when you exercise. Your doctor can adjust your flow rate to support your breathing during workouts.

"If I'm going to exercise, I need oxygen," says Valerie Chang, who has COPD. She uses portable oxygen concentrators with extra batteries on walks or when she uses a rowing machine at her Honolulu home. "I listen to podcasts while I row. One of the advantages of rowing is that you can stay stationary. I can plug in my oxygen and row, and just think or meditate while I exercise."

You can also use a pulse oximeter, a small device clipped to your finger that tests oxygen levels in your blood, when you work out, Rizzo says. Don't be alarmed if the number drops during a strenuous activity. "Just slow down and let your number come back up."

Love knows she may need a lung transplant one day. She says that regular exercise could help her delay surgery, and it has also improved her sleep quality and energy levels.

"It's not always easy. I can't just walk out my front door and go on a walk. There's a lot that I have to factor in, such as air quality, the temperature, if I have a full oxygen tank. I have to have my pulse oximeter in my hand at all times," she says.

A year ago, an infection caused Love's lung function to plummet. She didn't know if she could rebound and exercise again, but she started slowly to build stamina and confidence.

"A cold or virus can be devastating for someone with chronic lung disease. So, I just started moving, taking baby steps, walking short distances, and experimenting with yoga," she says. She slowly extended her walks and held yoga poses longer each time. She takes online yoga classes designed for people with advanced lung disease on a platform called Beam. "Seeing my body begin to heal and feel stronger again was exciting and energizing. I was hooked, and dare I say, I started loving exercise again."

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