Human lung diseases: list, recommendations, symptoms

One of the most dangerous (after heart disease ) are lung diseases in humans. The list of them is quite long, but the frequency of occurrence and the danger to life in diseases is not the same. At the same time, every competent, self-respecting person should be aware of all possible ailments and their manifestations. After all, as you know, an early visit to a doctor greatly increases the chances of a successful outcome of treatment.

The most common lung diseases in humans: list, symptoms, prognosis

Often people confuse common respiratory diseases with those that are characteristic of the lungs. In principle, there is nothing wrong with this if the patient does not try to cure himself, but clarifies the diagnosis with a doctor who can accurately determine the type of lung disease in a person. The list of the most “popular” of them includes:

1. Pleurisy. Most often caused by viral infection. One of the few pulmonary diseases accompanied by pain. As you know, there are no nerve endings in the lungs themselves, and they cannot hurt. Unpleasant sensations cause friction of the pleura. In mild forms, pleurisy passes by itself, but it will not hurt to consult a doctor.
2. Pneumonia. Often begins as pleurisy, but much more dangerous. Deep breathing is difficult, coughing is very painful. Treatment must be professional, otherwise fatal.
3. Emphysema. Signs: shortness of breath, bloating of the chest, “box” sounds, weak breathing. Primary eliminated by breathing exercises and oxygen therapy. Secondary requires prolonged medical, and even surgical intervention.
4. Tuberculosis. Everything is clear here: only medical supervision, long treatment and antibiotics.
5. Tumors, including lung cancer. The second disease, accompanied by pain. Forecasts are usually pessimistic.

If we talk about lung diseases in humans, the list, of course, is not limited to this list. However, the rest are much rarer, and often difficult to diagnose.

What are we paying attention to?

There are a number of signs that appear in almost any lung disease in humans. A list of symptoms can be presented as follows:

1. Cough. Depending on the disease, it can be either dry or wet, painless or accompanied by pain.
2. Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth.
3. Snoring - if you have not suffered before.
4. Shortness of breath, shortness of breath or shallow breathing, in some cases - suffocation. Any changes in the rhythm or depth of breathing are a signal for an immediate visit to the clinic.
5. Sternum pain is usually caused by heart problems. But pulmonary diseases can also cause it in the above cases.
6. Lack of oxygen, up to blanching and turning blue of the skin, fainting and seizures.

All these signs strongly suggest that a visit to the doctor should not be postponed. He will make the diagnosis after listening, additional tests, and maybe an x-ray.

Rare but dangerous

A couple of words should be said about such a human lung disease as pneumothorax. Even experienced doctors often forget about it, and it can manifest itself even in a completely healthy and young person. Pneumothorax is caused by a rupture in the lungs of a small bubble, which leads to their decline, that is, dehydration. Manifested by shortness of breath and sharp pain; if urgent measures are not taken, adhesion of a part of the lung, and often death, entails.

Pneumothorax is more often observed in patients with emphysema, but it can also overtake a person who has never suffered from pulmonary diseases.

Specific diseases

Some lung diseases are caused by a person's profession. Thus, chronic obstruction of the lungs or silicosis are characteristic of workers in the chemical industry, and barotrauma of the lungs is characteristic of divers. However, people are usually warned about the possibility of such diseases, pay enough attention to prevention and regularly undergo a physical examination.