Breathing Disorders
Learn more about some common breathing disorders.
Asthma
WHAT IS ASTHMA?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways that waxes and wanes with periods of asthma control and occasional flares. Some symptoms are shortness of breath, wheezing or bronchospasm, bronchitis, allergic symptoms or may even just be cough.
Bronchiectasis
WHAT IS BRONCHIECTASIS?
This condition is defined as an abnormal, irreversible dilatation (enlargement) of the bronchial tubes. It is not a disease in and of itself, but represents a manifestation of other lung diseases, other systemic (generalized body) disorders or idiopathic (an abnormality that stands alone and is not linked to any other condition).
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Emphysema)
WHAT IS CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is characterized by the inability of air to move thought the airways or bronchial tubes. This is similar to the disease of asthma, however asthma is usually reversible with medications. The limitation in COPD is usually progressive and associated with inflammation.
Interstitial Lung Disease
(aka: ILD, pulmonary fibrosis, scarring, ground glass, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)
WHAT IS INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE?
Interstitial lung disease is a group of lung diseases which involve fibrosis or scarring in the lungs or other abnormalities which involve a large part of the lung. These abnormalities can cause a decrease in the ability of the lung to oxygenate the blood. This occurs because the scarring or inflammation in the tiny air sacs of the lungs makes the sacs stiff and oxygen cannot pass through them to the blood stream.
Pulmonary Embolism
WHAT IS PULMONARY EMBOLISM?
Pulmonary embolism (PE) refers to a blood clot that travels to the lung from another part of the body. The clot lodges in the pulmonary arteries and prevents blood from normally flowing through the lung to pick up oxygen.
Read More About Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary Hypertension
WHAT IS PULMONARY HYPERTENSION?
Pulmonary hypertension is a serious disease in which the pressure in the pulmonary arteries are high.
Read More About Pulmonary Hypertension
For information on other breathing disorders we recommend the American Lung Association website.
