Chronic Lung Disease
A chronic lung disease is a type of disease that prevents the lungs and respiratory system from working correctly. The main job of the respiratory system is to take in oxygen from the air we breathe and remove extra carbon dioxide. Every organ in your body needs oxygen.
Chronic lung diseases often develop slowly but may get worse over time. Causes and risk factors may include smoking or having a smoking history, genetics or family history, work-related exposures, secondhand smoke, air pollution, or frequent childhood lung infections.
Understanding Types of Chronic Lung Disease
You may have one, two or all three types of chronic lung disease.
Restrictive lung diseases
Also called interstitial lung disease (ILDs), a restrictive lung disease happens when the tissue in the lungs may become inflamed, stiff, or scarred. This makes it harder for you to inhale air because your lungs cannot fully expand.
Examples
- Pulmonary fibrosis or Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
- Sarcoidosis
- Work-related lung diseases like silicosis, histoplasmosis, or coal worker’s pneumoconiosis (black lung)
Obstructive or airway lung diseases
When the airways are blocked or obstructed, it is harder to breathe out all the air in your lungs. The airways may become inflamed, thick mucus can build up, and the walls of the air sacs become damaged.
Examples
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Cystic fibrosis
Pulmonary vascular lung diseases
These types of lung diseases affect the blood vessels in the lungs. This means the heart and lungs have a harder time working together to circulate oxygenated blood throughout your body.
Examples
Key Facts:
Living with a Chronic Lung Disease
While there is no cure for most chronic lung diseases, there are ways to improve your symptoms and quality of life. People living with chronic lung disease can manage their disease by quitting smoking, avoiding secondhand smoke, reducing risk factors that worsen symptoms, staying up to date on vaccinations that prevent respiratory infections like flu or pneumonia, eating healthy, and staying active.
Treatment for a chronic lung disease depends on the type of lung disease you are diagnosed with. Treatment options may include medications, supplemental oxygen, pulmonary rehabilitation, and surgery.
