Respiratory Disorders Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Pulmonary mass - side view chest X-ray Lung mass, right upper lobe - CT scan Show all 10 photos Lung disease Definition Lung disease is any disease or disorder where lung function does not work properly. There are three main types of lung disease: Obstructive lung disease -- a decrease in the exhaled air flow caused by a narrowing or blockage of the airways, which can occur with asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Restrictive lung disease -- a decrease in the total volume of air that the lungs are able to hold. Often, this is due to a decrease in the elasticity of the lungs themselves or caused by a problem related to the expansion of the chest wall during inhalation. A defect in the ability of the lung's air sac tissue to move oxygen into a person's blood. Most lung diseases actually involve a combination of these categories, such as emphysema, which involves both airflow obstruction and oxygenation problems. Major lung diseases include: Asthma Chronic bronchitis COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Emphysema Interstitial lung disease Pulmonary fibrosis Sarcoidosis Other lung diseases include: Asbestosis Aspergilloma Aspergillosis Aspergillosis - acute invasive Atelectasis Eosinophilic pneumonia Lung cancer Metastatic lung cancer Necrotizing pneumonia Pleural effusion Pneumoconiosis Pneumocystosis Pneumonia Pneumonia in immunodeficient patient Pneumothorax Pulmonary actinomycosis Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis Pulmonary anthrax Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation Pulmonary edema Pulmonary embolus Pulmonary histiocytosis X (eosinophilic granuloma) Pulmonary hypertension Pulmonary nocardiosis Pulmonary tuberculosis Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease Rheumatoid lung disease Continue reading this article

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Lung disease - resources (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Reviewer: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy.Date: 10/13/2006
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The flu (3 Videos, 3 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
The flu is a contagious infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus. Reviewer: Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously reviewed by Daniel Levy, MD, PhD, Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. (1/18/2006)Date: 12/04/2007
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Influenza vaccine (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
This vaccine protects people against¿the flu. Reviewer: Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: Greg Juhn, M.T.P.W., David R. Eltz, Kelli A. Stacy. Previously reviewed by John Goldenring, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. (1/18/2006)Date: 09/20/2007
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Common cold (2 Videos, 3 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
The common cold generally involves a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. You may also have a sore throat, cough, headache, or other symptoms. Over 200 viruses can cause a cold. Reviewer: D. Scott Smith, MD, MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/08/2006
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Bronchitis (7 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the main air passages to the lungs. Bronchitis may be short-lived (acute) or chronic, meaning that it lasts a long time and often recurs. Reviewer: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/03/2007
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Sinusitis (2 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinuses. This is generally caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull (behind the forehead, cheeks, and eyes) that are lined with mucous membranes. Healthy sinuses are sterile (meaning that they contain no bacteria or other organisms) and open, allowing mucus to drain and air to circulate. When inflamed, the sinuses become blocked with mucus and can become infected. Each year, over 30 million adults and children get sinusitis. Sinusitis can be acute (lasting anywhere from 2 - 8 weeks) or chronic, with symptoms lingering much longer. See also: Chronic sinusitis Reviewer: James L. Demetroulakos, M.D., F.A.C.S., Department of Otolaryngology, North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA. Clinical Instructor in Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/25/2007
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Pneumonia (6 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Many different organisms can cause it, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Pneumonia can range from mild to severe, and can even be deadly. The severity depends on the type of organism causing pneumonia, as well as your age and underlying health. Reviewer: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/03/2007
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Cough (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Coughing is an important way to keep your throat and airways clear. However, excessive coughing may mean you have an underlying disease or disorder. Some coughs are dry, while others are considered productive. A productive cough is one that brings up mucus. Mucus is also called phlegm or sputum. Coughs can be either acute or chronic: Acute coughs usually begin suddenly. They are often due to a cold, flu, or sinus infection. They usually go away after 2 to 3 weeks; Chronic coughs last longer than 2 to 3 weeks. Reviewer: Andrew Schriber, M.D., F.C.C.P., Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/12/2007
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Asthma (13 Videos, 9 Images, 1 Slideshow) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Reviewer: Donald Accetta, MD, MPH, President, Allergy & Asthma Care, PC, Taunton, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/30/2006
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1 Video, 7 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases that cause swelling of the¿airways.¿ Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common forms of COPD. Reviewer: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2006
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Emphysema (1 Video, 7 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Emphysema is a lung disease that involves damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. Reviewer: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/03/2007
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Pulmonary tuberculosis (9 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that mainly involves the lungs, but may spread to other organs. Reviewer: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/03/2007
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Lung cancer - non-small cell (5 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. It usually grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer. There are three forms of NSCLC: Adenocarcinomas are often found in an outer area of the lung; Squamous cell carcinomas are usually found in the center of the lung by an air tube (bronchus; Large cell carcinomas can occur in any part of the lung. They tend to grow and spread faster than the other two types. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/31/2006
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Lung cancer - small cell (18 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing type of lung cancer. It tends to spread much more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer. There are three different types of small cell lung cancer: Small cell carcinoma (oat cell cancer; Mixed small cell/large cell carcinoma; Combined small cell carcinoma. Most small cell lung cancers are the oat cell type. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/31/2006
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Pneumothorax (4 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Pneumothorax is the collection of air or gas in the space around the lungs. Reviewer: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/10/2007
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Cystic fibrosis (4 Images) Average Rating: (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cystic fibrosis is¿an inherited disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and¿digestive tract. It is the¿most common type of chronic lung disease in children and young adults, and¿may result¿in early death.¿¿ Reviewer: Rachel A. Lewis, MD, FAAP, Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/01/2007
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