Over 17 million people in America live with a disease of the bronchial tubes called asthma. One out of every three asthma sufferers are under the age of eighteen. For years, asthma has been associated with environmental pollutants and lifestyle factors. Some studies have uncovered a high incidence of asthma in first-born children, suggesting a decreased immunity to allergens in new mothers. Experts debate... Read more >
Emphysema is an irreversible lung disease that affects approximately three million Americans. Emphysema destroys lung tissue, hindering the transport of oxygen between the lungs and the blood. Emphysema impairs respiratory function, causing breathing difficulties (dyspnea), and it can lead to serious secondary health complications, including heart failure. How Emphysema Affects the Respiratory System Emphysema... Read more >
High blood pressure in the arteries that transport blood from the heart to the lungs — the pulmonary arteries — is referred to as pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary arterial hypertension. As the blood is pumped through the arteries in the lungs, it receives oxygen; this oxygenated blood returns to the heart, where it is then transported to the rest of the body through the aorta and other arteries. Injury or... Read more >
Thousands of men and women alike are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in America. Of those diagnosed, most lung cancer patients have been cigarette smokers. Cigarette smoking is the single greatest risk factor for developing lung cancer, and yet the most preventable. Smokers and people exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke account for approximately 87 percent of all lung cancer cases. Though not... Read more >
The lungs are the primary organs of the respiratory system. The main function of the human respiratory system is to transport oxygen from the atmosphere into the blood, and to expel carbon dioxide from the body. Healthy levels of oxygen are absolutely crucial for the human body, as oxygen gives our cells energy and helps them regenerate. The Anatomy of the Lung Each lung is divided into lobes. The right lung... Read more >
Diagnosing lung cancer requires a series of tests, beginning with a physical examination and ending with the microscopic examination of lung biopsy tissue samples for cancer cells. Along the way a chest x-ray, CAT scan, thoracentesis, or blood tests may be ordered. The most common diagnostic tools are explained here. The Physical Examination: Lung Sounds and Lymph Nodes The diagnostic process starts with your... Read more >
As with any disease, early detection improves treatment options for pulmonary hypertension. If an early diagnosis is made, some medications are available to minimize or slow disease progression. In later stages of the disease, when heart failure is present, most medications simply help relieve symptoms. While a definitive diagnosis may take some time, and the disease may be quite advanced by the time of... Read more >
Asthma treatment is the focus of many research studies, in part because the disease is so common. Over 22 million Americans live with asthma, which causes chronically inflamed and swollen airways. In people with asthma, the lung airways spasm when exposed to asthma triggers, which can include allergens, strong fragrances, tobacco smoke, air pollution and even cold temperatures. Asthma symptoms vary widely... Read more >
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