What are common pulmonary diseases that affect adults?
Pulmonary diseases encompass a range of disorders that affect the respiratory system and can be classified into airway diseases, lung tissue diseases, and lung circulation diseases. Some of these conditions may ultimately result in respiratory failure due to impaired oxygen uptake. Among the prevalent pulmonary diseases affecting adults, asthma is one of the most common chronic lung diseases. It involves episodes where the airways become inflamed and constricted, making breathing more challenging. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is another significant chronic lung ailment. In COPD, the lungs become inflamed, leading to increased difficulty in breathing. This inflammation triggers excessive mucus production and thickening of the lung lining, further complicating respiratory function. Bronchiectasis is yet another condition that affects the small airways in the lungs, known as bronchi. Individuals with bronchiectasis experience thickening and swelling of the bronchial walls, which hampers efficient lung function. Pulmonary hypertension refers to elevated blood pressure within the lungs, affecting the blood vessels connecting the heart and lungs. Unlike standard high blood pressure, which affects systemic blood vessels, pulmonary hypertension is specific to this region. These represent just a handful of the common pulmonary diseases that adults may encounter.