Lung Disease: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Complication, Treatment & Prevention

 

Lung disease refers to any health condition that affects your airways or lung tissue. Examples include asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, and lung cancer. Symptoms of lung disease include shortness of breath and a chronic cough. The sort of lung condition you have will determine your treatment options.

Also Read: Whooping Cough: Symptoms, Causes, Complications, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

What is Lung Disease?

Lung disease is a general term encompassing conditions that affect your airways (the tubes that lead into your lungs) or the tissue that makes up your lungs. Common lung diseases include asthma and COPD. Cardiovascular disease affecting the lungs, such as pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary embolism, is sometimes classified as a lung disease.

Most lung diseases are chronic. You could be born with one (like cystic fibrosis) or get one later in life (like COPD). Some lung diseases, such as infections, are short-term and can be cured.

 Your lungs are essential for life because they provide the oxygen your body requires to function.  Lung disease, or pulmonary disease, refers to any disorder that prevents your lungs from functioning normally.  It can make everyday tasks, such as breathing, walking, and talking, seem burdensome.

 Pulmonologists are respiratory experts who diagnose and treat lung diseases.  Penn Medicine's pulmonary experts treat all sorts of lung disease, and our Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Care program, which covers over 200 different kinds of lung problems, is worldwide renowned for its professional, comprehensive care.

Types of lung diseases:

 Examples of lung diseases are:

•  Asthma is a condition that causes inflammation and narrows the airways.

•  Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the airways expand and develop pouches.

•  COPD (including emphysema) is an airway disorder that causes difficulty breathing.

•  Cystic fibrosis is a pancreatic illness that damages the lungs.

•  Infections such as pneumonia and TB

•  Pulmonary fibrosis and other types of interstitial lung disease are disorders that destroy lung tissue and can worsen over time.

•  Lung cancers include non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and mesothelioma

•  Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) produces cysts in the lungs.

Symptoms of lung disease:

Symptoms of lung diseases may include:

• Cough

• Dyspnea, or shortness of breath

• Wheezing or whistling sounds from your chest

• Tiredness or fatigue

• Chest pain.

• Coughing up blood and frequent respiratory infections

• Clubbed fingers

• bluish or grayish skin, lips, or nails (cyanosis)

Symptoms may appear suddenly or worsen gradually. The majority of lung illness symptoms are caused by airway narrowing or blockages in your air sacs (alveoli).

Lung disease causes:

Some causes of lung disease are:

• Smoking can spread germs such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi

• Connective tissue and inflammatory diseases such as RA, lupus, scleroderma, and sarcoidosis

• Inhaling hazardous chemicals such as asbestos and radon

• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an allergic reaction to anything inhaled

• Specific medications or treatments

• Genetic modifications — either those you're born with or that you develop as you get older

Complications from lung disease:

Swelling and blockages in your respiratory tract caused by lung diseases can be life-threatening. This includes:

• Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)

• Fluid surrounding the lungs (pleural effusion)

• High levels of carbon dioxide in the blood (hypercapnia)

• Hypoxia is characterized by low amounts of oxygen in the blood or tissues

• Pneumonia

• Pulmonary hypertension

• Respiratory failure

• Right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale)

How do doctors diagnose lung disease?

Depending on your symptoms and health history, your physician may use some of the following tests to diagnose lung disease:

• Pulmonary function testing: Spirometry and other tests can be used to determine how well your lungs operate.

• Pulse oximetry: This test utilizes a device on your finger to monitor oxygen levels in your bloodstream.

• Imaging tests: Chest X-rays and CT scans can detect lung changes and damage.

• Blood testing can assess your overall health. Your provider may also request specialized blood tests, such as an arterial blood gas test or genetic testing.

• Bronchoscopy: This technique allows your provider to examine your airways and take tissue and fluid samples for biopsy.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This test checks heart function and excludes any heart disease as the source of your symptoms.

• Exercise testing: Your doctor uses this to see if your blood oxygen level declines when you exercise.

• Biopsy: Your doctor may examine a small sample of tissue to diagnose certain lung disorders, such as cancer or pulmonary fibrosis.

Treatments for lung diseases:

The sort of lung disease you have will determine your treatment options. Some alternatives may include:

• Corticosteroids: Drugs such as prednisone can help reduce inflammation in your airways.

• Inhaled medications: such as bronchodilators and steroids can help to reduce inflammation and open your airways.

• Oxygen therapy: If your blood or tissues aren't getting enough oxygen, your provider will prescribe more.

• Quitting smoking: may decrease the progression of certain lung diseases.

• Anti-fibrotic and cytotoxic drugs: These medications can help to slow down lung scarring produced by some types of lung disease.

• Biologic drugs: such as rituximab, are used to treat autoimmune disease and other types of lung disease.

• Clinical trials: are evaluations of new medicines to determine their safety and efficacy. If a new treatment appears to be a good fit, your provider may propose one.

• Positive airway pressure: Your clinician may recommend that you utilize a BiPAP machine to assist you breathing.

• Pulmonary rehabilitation: An exercise and education program can strengthen your lungs and assist you in managing certain lung diseases.

Can you prevent lung disease?

There are a few ways to directly avoid lung disease. However, you may be able to lower your risk by adopting measures to protect your lung health:

• Do not smoke or vape. Smoking causes or worsens many lung and airway diseases. Vaping liquids frequently include many of the same chemicals as cigarettes.

• Avoid pollutants that may harm your airways. If your profession or hobbies require you to be exposed to fumes, dust, allergies, or other inhaled substances, you should wear a mask, ventilate the area, and take other precautions.

• Prevent infection. Washing your hands frequently and getting vaccinated against respiratory illnesses will help you avoid lung infections.

• Manage continuing health issues. If you have a risky condition, speak with your doctor about how to prevent lung damage.

References:

• Sisson TH, Claar D, Chesnutt MS, Prendergast TJ. Pulmonary Disease. In: Hammer GD, McPhee SJ, eds. Pathophysiology of Disease: An Introduction to Clinical Medicine. 8th McGraw-Hill Education; 2019.

• Bendstrup E, Lynn E, Troldborg A. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-related Lung Disease (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38547915/). Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2024 Jun;45(3):386-396. Accessed 6/18/2025.

• Shlobin OA, Adir Y, Barbera JA, et al. Pulmonary hypertension associated with lung diseases (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39209469/). Eur Respir J. 2024 Oct 31;64(4):2401200. Accessed 6/18/2025.