home Auditorium 7 Human lung diseases - symptoms and treatment. Lung diseases: a variety of ailments What lung diseases are there?

Human lung diseases - symptoms and treatment. Lung diseases: a variety of ailments What lung diseases are there?

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Lung pain– this is a fairly broad concept. Underneath this symptom More than two dozen different diseases can be hidden, both of pulmonary origin, or as a result of problems with the respiratory system, and conditions completely unrelated to the respiratory system, such as digestive diseases, neurological pathologies, and even problems with bones.

Pain in the lung area

From the point of view of anatomy and physiology, in themselves lungs they cannot get sick, there are no sensory nerves in their structure that perceive pain impulses, so there is no pain inside the lungs themselves, the usual manifestations of problems with the lungs are coughing and breathing problems. But what then does a person perceive as pain in the lung area?

Painful sensations in the lung area can be caused by the pleura (a film that covers the outside of the lung and prevents it from being injured by friction against the chest), or the area of the trachea and large bronchi. They contain pain receptors, which cause pain when breathing or coughing.

Pain in the lungs - sharp or mild

In terms of diagnosing and determining the cause of the pain, the doctor needs to find out how intense it is, what its nature is, whether there is pain when coughing or when breathing deeply, whether shortness of breath occurs, whether painkillers help.

Sharp, intense pain will indicate an acute disease. Usually the pain is localized in the pleura, intensifies with breathing and may be accompanied by shortness of breath. Intense substernal pain usually occurs with acute tracheitis, especially if it intensifies with coughing. It will be important whether the intensity of pain changes with body position and whether the patient’s physical activity affects it. Typically, such pain is caused not by lung problems, but by nerves, spinal column problems, sciatica or muscle pain.

If pain in the lungs on one or both sides occurs when coughing, intensifies when inhaling and exhaling, turning the body to the side, subsides if you lie on the side of the pain, is combined with pain in the intercostal spaces when palpating them, sputum does not come out with a cough or comes out thick, sticky sputum (sometimes streaked with blood), you should contact Pulmonologist (make an appointment) or therapist (make an appointment), since such a symptom complex indicates pleurisy, tracheitis, bronchitis or infectious lesions of the pleura (for example, pleurisy due to measles).

When pain in the lungs is combined with elevated body temperature, cough with or without sputum, wheezing, symptoms of intoxication (headache, general weakness, etc.), you should consult a general practitioner as soon as possible, since such a symptom complex indicates acute infectious and inflammatory process in the organs of the respiratory system (for example, pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis, pleurisy).

If pain in the lungs is constantly present, intensifies when inhaling, and its intensification is similar to a lumbago or a prick with a sharp object, and is not combined with other symptoms of diseases of the respiratory system and heart (cough, fever, chills, night sweats, etc.), then you should contact neurologist (make an appointment), since such symptoms indicate intercostal neuralgia.

If the pain in the lungs is of a burning nature, localized between the ribs and inside the chest, combined with an increase in body temperature and headaches, and a few days after the onset of pain, small blistering red rashes appear on the skin of the chest, then you should contact infectious disease doctor (make an appointment) or a therapist, since such symptoms indicate herpes zoster.

If pain in the lungs becomes weaker or stronger when changing posture, increasing or decreasing motor activity (transition from a calm state to active physical actions, for example, active walking, etc.), intensifies when coughing, laughing, sneezing, is localized not only internally chest, but also along the ribs, are not combined with other symptoms of lung or heart disease (cough, sweating, etc.), then you should consult a neurologist, since such a symptom complex indicates nerve disease (neuritis, neuralgia, pinching, radiculitis etc.).

If pain in the lungs intensifies and weakens with physical activity, is combined with headaches, pain in the thoracic spine, increased or decreased sensitivity in the hands, then this indicates diseases of the spine (for example, osteochondrosis), and therefore in this case it is necessary to contact Vertebrologist (make an appointment), and in his absence you can go to an appointment with a neurologist, neurologist (make an appointment), traumatologist (make an appointment), chiropractor (make an appointment) or osteopath (sign up).

If pain in the lungs intensifies when breathing and appears after any injuries or blows to the chest, then you should consult a traumatologist or surgeon (make an appointment), since such a condition indicates a fracture or cracks in the ribs.

If pain in the lungs inside the chest is combined with a clearly felt focus of pain at a certain point on the rib, and in some cases with low-grade or high body temperature and severe intoxication (headaches, weakness, fatigue, lack of appetite, etc.), then it is necessary to contact a surgeon, oncologist (make an appointment) And venereologist (make an appointment) at the same time, since the symptom complex may indicate osteomyelitis, cysts, tumors or bone syphilis.

If the pain in the lungs is sharp, stabbing, girdling, intensifying or appears during inhalation, exhalation and coughing, localized at a certain point in the chest, radiating to the arm, stomach, neck or spine, existing for a long time and not going away within 1 - 2 weeks , then you should consult an oncologist, since such symptoms may indicate the presence of a malignant tumor in the lungs.

If pain in the lungs appears at a time of stress or strong emotional experience, passes without a trace after some time, does not cause a sharp deterioration in general well-being (pallor, drop in blood pressure, severe weakness, etc.) so much that a person cannot walk home or to his room rest, then you should contact psychologist (sign up) or psychiatrist (make an appointment), since such phenomena indicate neurosis.

If a person has pulling or stabbing pain in the lungs, they are combined with high fever, symptoms of intoxication (weakness, headache, sweating, etc.), a moderate decrease in pressure and rapid heartbeat, then you should contact Cardiologist (make an appointment) or rheumatologist (make an appointment), since such symptoms may indicate rheumatism.

Sharp shooting pain in the lungs on the right side, combined with digestive disorders, requires referral to Gastroenterologist (make an appointment), since it may indicate a pathology of the gallbladder or gastric ulcer.

What tests can doctors order for pain in the lungs?

Pain in the lungs is a symptom of various diseases and conditions, for the diagnosis of which different examination methods and tests are used. The choice of examinations and tests in each case depends on the accompanying symptoms, thanks to which the doctor can guess what kind of disease a person has and, accordingly, prescribe the studies necessary to confirm the final diagnosis. Thus, below we will indicate lists of tests and examinations that a doctor may prescribe for pain in the lungs, depending on the combination with other symptoms.

When a person is bothered by stabbing pain in the lungs, felt throughout the chest or only at a certain point, intensifying when inhaling, combined with weakness, chills, sweating at night, long-lasting cough with or without sputum, the doctor suspects tuberculosis, and to confirm it or refutation, prescribes the following tests and examinations:

Microscopy of expectorated sputum;
Mantoux test (sign up);
Diaskintest (sign up);
Quantiferon test (sign up);
Analysis of blood, sputum, bronchial washings, lavage fluid or urine for the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using PCR;
Study of washing water from the bronchi;
General blood analysis ;
General urine analysis ;
Chest X-ray (make an appointment);
Chest fluorography (sign up);
CT scan;
Bronchoscopy (sign up) with lavage collection;
Thoracoscopy (make an appointment);
Lung biopsy (sign up) or pleura.

The doctor does not prescribe all the tests from the given list at once, since this is not necessary, since in most cases a much smaller list of studies is sufficient for diagnosis. That is, first of all, the simplest, least traumatic and unpleasant tests for the patient are prescribed, which are highly informative and allow identifying tuberculosis in most cases. And only if such simple and non-traumatic tests do not reveal the disease, the doctor additionally prescribes other, more complex, expensive and unpleasant tests for the patient.

So, first of all, a general blood and urine test is prescribed, as well as microscopy of coughed up sputum. Also prescribed is either a chest x-ray, fluorography, or computed tomography. Moreover, only one diagnostic method is used, which is selected depending on the level of technical equipment of the medical institution and the ability of the patient, if necessary, to undergo examination on a paid basis. The most commonly used are x-rays and fluorography. In addition, first of all, in addition to sputum microscopy and instrumental examination of the chest organs, the doctor prescribes any of the following tests for the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the body: Mantoux test, Diaskintest, Quantiferon test or blood test, sputum, bronchial lavage, lavage fluid or urine for the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using PCR. The best results are obtained by blood or sputum tests using the PCR method and the quantiferon test, but they are used relatively rarely due to their high cost. Diaskintest is a modern and more accurate alternative to the Mantoux test, and it is this test that is currently prescribed most often.

Further, if it is not possible to establish the presence or absence of tuberculosis based on the results of tests for the presence of mycobacteria, instrumental examination of the chest and sputum microscopy, the doctor prescribes an additional study of bronchial lavage, as well as bronchoscopy or thoracoscopy. If these studies also turn out to be uninformative, the doctor prescribes a biopsy of the lungs and pleura in order to examine pieces of organ tissue under a microscope and determine with absolute certainty whether the person has tuberculosis.

When a person is bothered by pain in the lungs on one or both sides, which occurs or intensifies when coughing, inhaling, exhaling, turning the body to the sides, subsides when lying on the affected side, is combined with pain and bulging of the intercostal spaces, cough without sputum or with a thick viscous sputum streaked with blood, then the doctor suspects pleurisy, tracheitis or bronchitis, and prescribes the following tests and examinations:

Auscultation of the chest (listening to the lungs and bronchi using a stethoscope);
Chest X-ray;
Computed tomography of the chest;
Ultrasound of the pleural cavity (sign up);
General blood analysis;
Pleural puncture (sign up) with the selection of pleural fluid for biochemical analysis (determining the concentration of glucose, protein, number of leukocytes, amylase and lactate dehydrogenase activity).

Usually, a complete blood count, chest auscultation and chest x-ray are ordered first, as these simple tests can make a diagnosis in most cases. However, if after the examinations there are still doubts about the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe either a computed tomography scan or an ultrasound scan of the pleural cavity in combination with a biochemical analysis of the pleural fluid.

If pain in the lungs is combined with elevated body temperature, cough with or without sputum, wheezing and symptoms of intoxication (headache, weakness, lack of appetite, etc.), the doctor suspects an inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract and prescribes the following tests and examinations:

General blood analysis;
General sputum analysis;
Sputum microscopy;
Biochemical blood test (C-reactive protein, total protein, etc.);
Auscultation of the chest (listening to the respiratory organs using a stethoscope);
Chest X-ray;
Blood test for HIV (sign up);
Analysis of stool for worm eggs;
Electrocardiography (ECG) (sign up);
CT scan;
Determination of antibodies in the blood to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Respiratory syncyt. vir., and herpes virus type 6 by ELISA;
Determination of the presence of streptococci, mycoplasmas, chlamydia, and Candida fungi in blood, saliva, sputum, lavages and bronchial washings using the PCR method.

The doctor first of all prescribes a general blood test, biochemical blood test, microscopy and general sputum analysis, chest auscultation, x-ray, blood test for HIV, ECG and stool test for worm eggs, since these studies in most cases make it possible to establish a diagnosis and start treatment. And only if, based on the results of the studies, it was not possible to determine the diagnosis, a computed tomography scan and determination in the blood, sputum, lavages and washings of the presence of antibodies or DNA of pathogenic microbes that can be causative agents of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system can be additionally prescribed. Moreover, the determination of antibodies or DNA of pathogens in biological fluids is usually used if the disease does not respond to standard therapy, in order to change the treatment regimen taking into account the sensitivity of the microbe to antibiotics.

When pain in the lungs is not combined with other symptoms of respiratory tract diseases (cough, shortness of breath, fever, night sweats, chills, etc.), is constantly present, can intensify when coughing, laughing, sneezing, sometimes felt in the form of lumbago, localized also along the ribs, may be combined with blistering red rashes on the skin of the chest, then the doctor suspects a nerve disease (neuralgia, pinching, neuritis, radiculitis, shingles, etc.) and may prescribe the following tests and examinations:

Chest X-ray (to assess the size of organs and the theoretical possibility of their pressure on the nerves);
Computer or Magnetic resonance imaging (sign up)(allows you to assess the likelihood of pressure on the nerves from organs and tissues);
Electroneurography (allows you to evaluate the speed of signal propagation along the nerve);
General blood analysis.

In general, these tests are rarely prescribed, since usually a survey and general examination of a person is sufficient to diagnose nerve diseases.

When pain in the lungs intensifies or subsides with movement, is combined with headaches, pain in the thoracic spine, increased or decreased sensitivity in the arms, the doctor suspects a spinal disease and may prescribe the following tests:

Survey X-ray of the spine (make an appointment). It can be used to identify osteochondrosis, curvature of the spinal column, etc.
Myelography (sign up). With its help, spinal hernias are detected.
Computer or magnetic resonance imaging. With their help, you can identify diseases of the spine that can lead to pain in the lungs.

Most often, a regular survey X-ray is prescribed, and if technically possible, it can be replaced with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Myelography is rarely prescribed, since the method is complex and dangerous, since it is associated with the need to inject a contrast agent into the spinal canal.

When pain in the lungs appears as a result of any injury, the doctor will prescribe a chest x-ray to identify existing cracks, fractures and other bone damage. X-rays can be replaced by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, if technically possible.

When pain in the lungs is combined with a clear focus of pain at any point on the rib, sometimes with low-grade or high body temperature and severe intoxication (weakness, fatigue, lack of appetite, etc.), intensifies or appears during inhalations, exhalations and coughing radiates to the arm, neck or spine, the doctor may prescribe the following tests and examinations:

General blood analysis;
Blood chemistry;
Blood test for syphilis (sign up);
Ultrasound of the pleural cavity;
Chest X-ray;
Fluorography of the chest;
CT scan;
Magnetic resonance imaging;
Bronchoscopy;
Thoracoscopy;
Puncture of the pleural cavity or chest bones;
Biopsy of the lungs, bronchi, and chest bones.

As a rule, the doctor prescribes almost all the examinations on the list, but first of all, general and biochemical blood tests, a blood test for syphilis, ultrasound of the pleural cavity, X-ray and chest fluorography are performed. If technically possible, x-rays and fluorography can be replaced by tomography. Bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy, puncture and biopsy of chest tissue are prescribed only after receiving the results of previous examinations if they indicate the presence of a malignant tumor or cyst.

When pain in the lungs is caused by neuroses, the doctor can prescribe a wide range of tests and examinations, trying to identify a non-existent pathology. In such cases, diagnosis begins with general blood and urine tests, chest X-ray, tomography, sputum analysis, and then the doctor prescribes more and more new examinations, trying to identify the disease. But when the results of all studies show the absence of pathology that can cause pain in the lungs, the patient will be diagnosed with “neurosis” and a consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist will be recommended. Some experienced doctors “identify” neurotics without examinations, and try to immediately refer such patients to a specialist of the appropriate profile without conducting tests, tests, etc., since he simply does not need them.

When the pain in the lungs is of a pulling or stabbing nature, combined with elevated body temperature, symptoms of intoxication (weakness, headache, sweating, etc.), a moderate decrease in pressure and rapid heartbeat, the doctor suspects rheumatism and prescribes the following tests and examinations:

General blood analysis;
Biochemical blood test (total protein and protein fractions, C-reactive protein, rheumatic factor, activity of AST, ALT, lactate dehydrogenase, etc.);
Blood test for ASL-O titer (sign up);
Auscultation of heart sounds (sign up).

All of the tests and examinations listed are usually prescribed, as they are necessary to identify rheumatic heart disease.

If the pain in the lungs is sharp, shooting, combined with digestive disorders, the doctor suspects a pathology of the gallbladder or stomach and prescribes the following tests and examinations:

General blood analysis;
Biochemical blood test (bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, AST, ALT, lactate dehydrogenase, amylase, elastase, lipase, etc.);
Detection of Helicobacter Pylori in material collected during FGDS (sign up);
The presence of antibodies to Helicobacter Pylori (IgM, IgG) in the blood;
Level of pepsinogens and gastrin in blood serum;
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EFGDS);
Computed or magnetic resonance imaging;
Retrograde cholangiopancreatography;
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs (make an appointment).

As a rule, first of all a general and biochemical blood test is prescribed, test for the presence of Helicobacter Pylori (sign up), EGD and ultrasound of the abdominal organs, since these examinations and tests make it possible in the vast majority of cases to diagnose gastric ulcers and biliary tract pathologies. And only if these studies turn out to be uninformative, tomography, cholangiopancreatography, determination of the level of pepsinogens and gastrin in the blood, etc. can be prescribed. Before use, you should consult a specialist.

Lung diseases, their classification, and treatment methods are studied by the medical branch called pulmonology.

Lung pathologies can be specific, nonspecific, or occupational. In addition, tumor processes also develop in organs. Such diseases are dangerous because they lead to various serious complications and even death.Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the first symptoms of the disease and begin timely treatment.

Experts determine the classification of these diseases based on various criteria.

Depending on the location of the lung pathology, there are the following:

Diseases associated with the circulation of the lungs. When they occur, damage to the vessels of the respiratory system occurs.
Pathologies of organ tissue. These diseases affect the lung tissue, as a result of which they cannot function fully. This is why it becomes difficult to inhale and exhale. The most dangerous in this case are sarcoidosis and fibrosis.
Diseases of the respiratory tract. They arise due to blockage and compression of the lumen of the pathways. These are chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis and emphysema.

Most of the pathologies are combined, that is, they affect the respiratory tract, blood vessels and lung tissue. These include:

Bronchial asthma.
Obstructive pulmonary disease.
Bronchitis is chronic.
Pneumothorax.
Pleurisy.
Benign formations in the lungs (lipoma, fibroma, adenoma).
This type also includes oncological processes (sarcoma, lymphoma). Lung cancer is medically called bronchogenic carcinoma.

More information about pneumonia can be found in the video:

In addition, the signs distinguish the following pulmonary diseases:

Restrictive – difficulty inhaling.
Obstructive - difficulty breathing.

Depending on the degree of damage, pathologies are divided into:

diffuse
local

Depending on the nature of the disease, it can be chronic or acute. Some acute pathological conditions can lead to death in some cases, and in other situations they develop into a chronic disease.

Diseases are also divided into the following types:

Congenital (cystic fibrosis, dysplasia, Bruton's syndrome).
Acquired (pulmonary gangrene, abscess, pneumonia, emphysema, bronchiectasis and others).

Lung diseases also include tuberculosis, emphysema, alveolitis, and lung abscess. Frequent occupational pathologies include silicosis and pneumoconiosis (diseases of miners, construction workers and workers who inhale dust containing silicon dioxide).

Main causes of pathology

Most often, the causative agents of pulmonary pathologies are various pathogenic bacteria, viral infections, and fungi.

The following factors may influence the occurrence of such diseases:

Hereditary anomalies.
Allergic reaction.
Hypothermia.
Living in an environmentally unfavorable area.
Tobacco smoking.
Alcohol abuse.
Cardiovascular diseases.
Diabetes.
Stressful situations.
Chronic infections.
Work in hazardous production.

The first signs of disease

Common specific symptoms of respiratory pathologies are:

Dyspnea. Occurs as a result of disturbances in the depth and rhythm of breathing. In this case, it makes itself felt not only after physical and psycho-emotional stress, but also in a state of complete calm. In frequent cases, it may indicate heart disease. Therefore, a thorough examination is carried out to establish an accurate diagnosis.
. It can be of varying intensity and character: dry, with sputum, barking, paroxysmal. Sputum when coughing can be purulent, mucopurulent or mucous.
Pain in the chest and a feeling of heaviness in it.
Hemoptysis. The patient may observe blood streaks in the sputum. Over time, these may no longer be veins, but clots. This symptom is the most dangerous, because it often indicates a severe course of the disease.
Whistles, noises and wheezing that are heard in the lungs.
In addition, nonspecific signs are possible for diseases of the respiratory system. These include high fever, chills, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, and general weakness.

In most cases, the symptoms are pronounced. However, in some pathologies (lung cancer), they begin to appear very late, so treatment may be delayed.

If the above symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a specialist who, using various diagnostic methods, will establish a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Diagnostic methods

Modern diagnostics of pulmonary diseases are divided into general clinical, biochemical and microbiological, ultrasound, functional and bronchological.

To diagnose diseases of the respiratory organs, a physical examination is necessary, which consists of palpation (sensations that arise when moving fingers along the sternum), auscultation (examination of sounds of the respiratory organs) and percussion (tapping in the chest area).

General laboratory tests are also prescribed, namely blood and urine tests. In addition, the causative agent of the disease can be identified using sputum examination. An electrocardiogram is done to determine how the disease affects the heart.

Diagnostic methods also include:

Bronchoscopy
Radiography
Fluorography

Additionally, an immunological study, sounding to study respiratory mechanics, and MRI may be needed. In addition, in some cases, a surgical diagnostic method is prescribed (thoracotomy, thoracoscopy).

What is the danger of pathologies?

Pulmonary diseases can cause various complications. Almost all such diseases can progress. They often tend to develop into a chronic form.

Any pathology of the respiratory system must be treated, since they often lead to serious consequences, such as asphyxia.

As a result of obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma, the lumen of the airways narrows, chronic hypoxia occurs, in which the body experiences a lack of oxygen, which is very important for the proper functioning of the entire body. Acute asthma attacks can threaten the patient's life.

The danger also lies in the occurrence of heart problems.

Often patients ignore the first signs of the disease. With lung cancer, the symptoms are minor and a person may not pay attention to them. Therefore, the malignant process is usually diagnosed at later stages. In case of metastasis, the patient may die.

(pneumonia) according to statistics is the second disease on the list that ends in death.

Treatment of diseases and prognosis

The choice of treatment tactics depends on the diagnosis. In any case, therapy should be comprehensive:

Etiotropic treatment eliminates the underlying cause. If the causative agents are pathogenic bacteria, antibiotics of the macrolide, penicillin or cephalosporin group are prescribed. For a viral infection, antiviral drugs are used, for a fungal infection, antifungal drugs are used. To eliminate allergies, antihistamines are prescribed.
Symptomatic therapy consists of taking antitussive and mucolytic drugs that effectively help with cough. It is possible to use antipyretic drugs at high temperatures.
Maintenance therapy is often prescribed. To increase immunity, use immunostimulants and vitamin-mineral complexes.
In rare cases, surgical treatment may be prescribed.
Folk remedies are helpful for various symptoms of pulmonary pathologies. Inhalations with saline solution, essential oils and decoctions of medicinal herbs are considered effective and safe.
It is important to remember that only a qualified specialist can prescribe medications. The possibility of using alternative medications must also be discussed with him.

The prognosis for different types of pathologies may be as follows:

With timely treatment, acute inflammation in the respiratory system usually has a favorable prognosis for human life and health.
Chronic forms of diseases significantly worsen the quality of life. With the correct treatment tactics, life is not threatened.
Oncological diseases are often diagnosed at late stages. They usually metastasize at these stages, so the prognosis in such cases is unfavorable or questionable.
Lung cancer and pneumonia can be fatal.

To prevent the development of pathologies of the respiratory organs, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules of prevention:

Lead a healthy lifestyle.
To refuse from bad habits.
Temper the body.
Avoid hypothermia.
Walk outdoors more often.
Holiday on the sea coast every year.
Avoid contact with patients in severe epidemiological situations.
Eat properly and balanced.
Ventilate the room and frequently do wet cleaning.

In addition, it is necessary to undergo annual scheduled checks at the clinic. You should also follow all doctor’s instructions for respiratory diseases.

Lung diseases have become common. What are the most common of them, their features and symptoms?

Pneumonia (lung inflammation)

As a result of a bacterial, fungal or viral infection, an inflammatory process occurs in the lungs. Pneumonia can also be caused by chemicals that enter the body through inhaled air. This disease can affect both all lung tissues and a separate part of the organ.

Symptoms: difficulty breathing, cough, chills, fever. Characteristic features include chest pain and extreme fatigue, and sudden feelings of anxiety often appear.

Swelling and inflammation of the pleura, which is the outer membrane covering the lungs. The causative agent of the disease can be an infection or injury that causes damage to the chest. Pleurisy can be a symptom of tumor development. The disease manifests itself as pain when moving the chest and when breathing deeply.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis comes in two types: and. Acute bronchitis occurs when the bronchial mucosa becomes inflamed. This disease is common among older adults and young children. Occurs when the upper respiratory tract becomes infected, due to allergic reactions, or when inhaling air containing chemical impurities. The main symptom of acute bronchitis is a dry, sharp cough that gets worse at night.

When bronchitis enters the chronic stage, a constant cough appears, accompanied by copious mucus secretion, breathing becomes difficult, swelling of the body is observed, and the skin color may acquire a blue tint.

A chronic disease that manifests itself in the form of periodic attacks, which can range from a mild cough to serious attacks of suffocation. During asthma attacks, the bronchi and chest become narrowed, making breathing difficult. The mucous membrane swells greatly, the cilia of the epithelium cannot cope with their functions, which negatively affects the functioning of the lungs.

Over time, asthma progresses and leads to serious damage to lung tissue. The main symptoms are coughing, heavy and noisy breathing, frequent sneezing; due to lack of oxygen, the skin may become bluish.

Asphyxia

Asphyxia can be called oxygen deprivation, which occurs due to physical influences affecting breathing. The main causes: neck injuries, strangulation, retraction of the tongue as a result of injury, pathology in the larynx, injury to the abdomen or chest, dysfunction of the respiratory muscles.

In case of asphyxia, immediate resuscitation measures are necessary: restoration of airway patency, artificial ventilation, chest compressions. After eliminating the symptoms, the causes of the disease are determined and treatment is prescribed.

The causative agents of this lung disease are mycobacteria. Tuberculosis is transmitted by airborne droplets, that is, it is spread by carriers of the disease. How the initial stage of tuberculosis will proceed depends on the initial state of health of the patient and on the number of bacteria that have entered the body.

When infected, the immune system reacts by producing antibodies, and the protective system of the lungs envelops the affected mycobacteria in peculiar cocoons, in which they can either die or “fall asleep” for a while, only to later appear with renewed vigor.

Usually, at the initial stage of tuberculosis, a person feels completely healthy and no symptoms appear. Over time, the body begins to react with increased temperature, weight loss, sweating, and decreased performance.

This is an occupational lung disease. The disease is common among construction workers, metal workers, miners and other workers who regularly inhale dust containing free silica.

In the early stages, it is quite difficult to independently detect silicosis, since it develops over many years. Only with a thorough examination can one see that there has been an increase in the airiness of the lung tissue. The later stages are characterized by: lack of air, chest pain, shortness of breath even at rest, cough with sputum production, high fever.

With emphysema, the walls between the alveoli are destroyed, causing them to enlarge. The volume of the lungs increases, the structure becomes flabby, and the respiratory passages narrow. Tissue damage leads to a decrease in gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to dangerous levels. This lung disease is characterized by difficulty breathing.

Symptoms begin to appear when there is significant damage to the lungs. Shortness of breath appears, the person rapidly loses weight, redness of the skin is observed, the chest becomes barrel-shaped, and serious effort is required to exhale.

An almost fatal disease. Those people who started treatment before the acute onset of symptoms have a great chance of recovery. Unfortunately, lung cancer is very difficult to recognize. There are no symptoms that unconditionally indicate this particular disease. Conventional symptoms are considered to be hemoptysis, chest pain, shortness of breath, and cough. For timely diagnosis, doctors advise not to neglect regular examinations in clinics.

As you can see, the variety of symptoms makes it difficult to diagnose yourself at home, so if you have any suspicions of lung disease, you should consult a doctor and under no circumstances prescribe treatment yourself.

Rare diseases are those whose incidence is less than one in every 2,000 people in Europe. Orphan diseases are poorly studied conditions, diseases for which specific treatments are not yet known, and diseases of only limited interest to scientists and doctors.

Patients with these conditions often feel rejected and “lost” in the healthcare world.

Visit our website dedicated to current issues for LAM patients

The ELF website, dedicated to current patient issues, was developed with the help of patients and healthcare professionals from across Europe. The website provides more information and support for people diagnosed with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and their carers.

Patient Priorities

Even well-trained people cannot live long without air. Death from the complete lack of a fresh portion of oxygen is the fate of any person who finds himself in a similar situation.

The sole supplier of such invaluable gas to the body is the respiratory system and its very center - a pair of lungs. These “oxygen monopolists”, consisting of many special bubbles - alveoli, in addition to their main function (the role of a “communication channel” between sources of valuable gas in the environment and the human circulatory system) also perform a number of others. Thus, they serve as one of the most capacious reservoirs of blood in the body - about ten percent of all such reserves in the human body are stored here. In addition, the lungs are one of the most important organs that work to build the immune defense and barrier of the body's resistance. They also create the air flow needed to produce the voice.

Knowing all this, one can only imagine how complicated the work of various organs and systems of the body is when lung diseases occur, the symptoms of which are not always immediately detected (and the diseases, meanwhile, manage to do their dirty work). What makes me shudder most is the realization that a number of diseases of this kind are fatal - and people not involved in medicine are not even aware of the existence of many of them.

About ten years ago, the entire planet was shocked by the news of the emergence of a new, hitherto unknown disease - SARS, which soon became known as the “purple death”, or atypical pneumonia. A huge focus of this severe acute respiratory syndrome arose in the Asian region - mainly in China, soon “spreading” to Vietnam and Hong Kong. In just a few months of the first half of 2003, the rapidly spreading SARS affected almost 8.5 thousand people. More than eight hundred of them died, that is, about ten percent.

Among the deadly lung diseases, of course, is tuberculosis. This terrible disease is considered one of the most common in the world, and is transmitted through air masses (when a patient coughs or sneezes), so it is extremely difficult to avoid infection. However, the worst thing is that the human body is not able to develop immunity against the causative agents of this disease - Koch bacilli. Therefore, those who have had it at least once run the risk of encountering this scourge again in the future.

Tuberculosis does not recognize any boundaries, especially social ones. It is capable of striking both a degraded marginalized person and a completely prosperous and financially secure person. Back in the last century, doctors learned to timely diagnose and successfully treat this disease, but the possibility of disability and death in the event of a long refusal of medical care and/or incomplete therapy still hangs over humanity.

Among the most terrible diseases of the lungs is lung cancer. This, by the way, is the most common form of cancer among the male population of the planet - especially in developed countries. More than half of such cases end in a gravestone.

Passionate tobacco lovers expose themselves to a particularly high risk of contracting this dangerous disease: about ninety percent of those who contract lung cancer are smokers. However, there are other “carcinogenic” factors - for example, ionizing (radioactive) radiation and some viral infections. However, non-smokers have a ten times less risk of developing lung cancer - even despite the presence of the above-mentioned causes, which are in no way associated with tobacco smoke.

Another danger hangs over smokers like a sword of Damocles, which many of them are not even aware of. Its name is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which, according to some forecasts, by the end of this decade may firmly enter the top three among the “killer” diseases of humanity.

With this disease, the inflammatory process, which began in one or both lungs at once, becomes permanent, and its course becomes irreversible. Unfortunately, with all the advances in medicine, complete recovery from COPD is impossible, although adequate therapy can influence the course of the disease, somewhat slowing it down and improving the quality of life of the person suffering from it.

The list of dangerous diseases of the respiratory organs is not limited to all this. It is impossible not to mention another very common disease in the world - pneumonia. In fact, this term unites a whole group of diseases, most of which in the “pre-antibiotic” era were considered virtually a death sentence for those who, unfortunately, became infected with them.

With pneumonia (another name for the disease), the inflammatory process affects the alveoli. They fill with fluid and become unable to perform their function of transmitting oxygen to the blood. However, with adequate and timely antibiotic therapy, the prognosis for recovery from the disease is quite favorable.

However, if a person often experiences pneumonia and bronchitis, he runs the risk of getting another serious lung disease - emphysema. This very insidious disease, the “victims” of which are the alveoli and their partitions, grows slowly, almost imperceptibly for the patient, and he often consults a doctor only when things take a serious turn.0 rating, 2 voice)

Human lung diseases - symptoms and treatment. Lung diseases: a variety of ailments What lung diseases are there?

Pain in the lung area

Pain in the lungs - sharp or mild

What tests can doctors order for pain in the lungs?

Main causes of pathology

The first signs of disease

Diagnostic methods

What is the danger of pathologies?

Treatment of diseases and prognosis

Pneumonia (lung inflammation)

Bronchitis

Asphyxia

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Lung diseases

Pulmonary vasculitis

Alveolar hemorrhagic syndromes

Bronchiolitis (capillary bronchitis)

Idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonia

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Idiopathic tracheopathies

Primary ciliary dyskinesia

Thoracic endometriosis and lung collapse (menstrual pneumothorax)

Polycystic lung diseases

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