How does lung disease manifest? Pulmonary diseases. Treatment and prevention

The respiratory system, in particular the lungs, play a huge role in ensuring the normal functioning of our body. The most important of the processes takes place in them - gas exchange, as a result of which the blood is saturated with oxygen and carbon dioxide is released into the environment. Therefore, the violation of this function inevitably affects the entire body as a whole.

Such phenomena are due to the fact that at the molecular level, most of the processes of our life are associated with oxidation, which cannot be carried out without the participation of all of us known oxygen. If a person can live without food for weeks, without water for days, then without air for a few minutes. The cerebral cortex under standard environmental conditions dies within 5-7 minutes after respiratory and circulatory arrest.

As a result of hypoxia (oxygen starvation) in the body, the reserves of high-energy bonds (in particular, ATP) are depleted, which leads to an energy deficit. Along with this, there is an accumulation of metabolic products, resulting in the formation of acidosis (acidification of the blood). This is a rather serious condition that can ultimately lead to death. Hence all the symptoms follow. Therefore, sometimes it is not necessary to treat respiratory disorders so negligently.

The symptoms of lung disease are very diverse and largely depend on the pathogen, the severity and extent of the damage. According to the modern classification, all lung diseases are divided into two large classes: inflammatory and non-inflammatory.

The former includes various kinds of pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.), and the latter, most often, occupational pathology (anthracosis, silicosis, asbestosis, etc. In this section, we will consider only those of them that relate to inflammatory processes.

In order to more clearly perceive the picture and navigate a little in the variety of everything stated below, let's remember a little anatomy of the respiratory system. It consists of the nasopharynx, the trachea of the bronchi, which, in turn, are divided dichotomously, first into two large ones, and then into smaller ones, which eventually end in saccular protrusions called alveoli. It is in them that oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the lungs and the blood, and it is in them that all the diseases that we will talk about in this article arise.

The first and main signs of lung disease

1. Shortness of breath Is a feeling of lack of air. It occurs both in the pathology of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The onset of shortness of breath of respiratory genesis is characterized by a violation of the frequency, depth and rhythm of breathing. I distinguish between the following types of it:

Inspiratory shortness of breath - when the process of inhalation is difficult. It occurs due to the narrowing of the lumen of the larynx, trachea, bronchi (foreign bodies, edema, swelling).
Expiratory shortness of breath - when the process of exhalation is difficult. It occurs in diseases such as bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema, obstructive bronchitis.
Mixed shortness of breath - when both inhalation and exhalation are difficult. It occurs during the development of certain lung diseases, such as (croupous pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.), when the supply of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide is disrupted.
Choking is an intense attack of shortness of breath that occurs suddenly. Most often it accompanies bronchial asthma, embolism or thrombosis (blockage) of the pulmonary artery, pulmonary edema, acute edema of the vocal cords.

2. Cough- a complex reflex-protective act that occurs as a result of foreign objects entering the respiratory tract or the accumulation of secretions (sputum, mucus, blood) there, due to the development of various inflammatory processes.

The cough can occur reflexively, as in the case of dry pleurisy.
Dry cough is observed with laryngitis, tracheitis, pneumosclerosis, bronchial asthma, when viscous sputum is contained in the lumen of the bronchus, the discharge of which is difficult;
A wet cough occurs during an exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, when there is a moist secret in the bronchi, as well as with inflammation, tuberculosis, abscess (in cases of breakthrough) and bronchiectasis. Sputum happens:
- Mucous, with acute catarrhal bronchitis, bronchial asthma;
- Purulent, during purulent bronchitis, breakthrough of lung abscess;
- Rusty sputum is characteristic of croupous pneumonia;
- In the form of "raspberry jelly" in cases of lung cancer;
- Black, offensive with gangrene of the lung;

Sputum with a full mouth, especially in the morning, is characteristic of abscess breakthrough, bronchiectasis.

A persistent cough is characteristic of chronic diseases of the bronchi and lungs, eeee (chronic laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary tuberculosis, foreign bodies entering the respiratory tract).
Recurrent cough occurs in people sensitive to cold, smokers and patients with bronchiectasis.
Periodic paroxysmal cough is observed with whooping cough.
A barking cough is characteristic of laryngitis;
A silent, hoarse cough occurs when the vocal cords are damaged with tuberculosis, syphilis, when the rotary nerve is squeezed;
Quiet coughing occurs at the first stage of croupous pneumonia, dry pleurisy and in the initial stage of tuberculosis;
Night cough is noted with tuberculosis, lymphogranulomatosis, malignant tumors. At the same time, the lymph nodes of the mediastinum increase and irritate the zone of bifurcation (separation) of the trachea, especially at night, when the tone of the vagus nerve increases;

3. Hemoptysis occurs with tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, abscess, gangrene and lung cancer. Fresh blood in the sputum is characteristic of tuberculosis. In the presence of pulmonary bleeding, the blood has a foamy consistency, alkaline reaction, accompanied by a dry cough.

4. Pain in the lungs.

The pain that appears after a deep breath, cough is characteristic of dry pleurisy (when fibrin is deposited on the pleura and there is friction between the sheets). In this case, the patient tries to delay the cough and lie down on the sore side;
Minor pain may appear after the transferred pleurisy as a result of the formation of adhesions (sticking of sheets);
Severe chest pain is characteristic of malignant formations of the pleura, or the growth of a lung tumor into the pleura;
When the phrenic nerve is involved in the inflammatory process, pain can be given to the arm, neck, abdomen, simulating various diseases;
Acute, intense sudden pain in a limited area of the chest is characteristic of pneumothorax at the site of pleural rupture. Parallel to this, shortness of breath, cyanosis and a decrease in blood pressure as a result of compression atelectasis are observed;
Pain with intercostal neuralgia, myiasis, shingles increases when bending to the affected side;

5. Increased body temperature accompanies inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, as well as tuberculosis;

6. Weakness, malaise, decreased appetite, lethargy and decreased ability to work- these are all symptoms of intoxication;

7. Discoloration of the skin.

Pallor of the skin is observed in patients with exudative pleurisy;
Hyperemia (redness) on the affected side in combination with cyanosis (cyanosis) is characteristic of croupous pneumonia;

8. Herpetic eruptions;

9. Position of the patient:

The position on the sore side is typical for diseases such as dry pleurisy, bronchiectasis, pneumonia, etc.
Orthopedic - a semi-sitting position is occupied by people with bronchial asthma, pulmonary edema, etc.

10. Symptom of "drum sticks" and "watch glasses"(due to chronic hypoxia, bone growth occurs in the region of the terminal phalanges of the fingers and toes) is characteristic of chronic lung diseases;

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis

An unmotivated increase in temperature to 37.2-37.5, especially in the evening;
Cold night sweats;
Intoxication syndrome: weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite;
Weight loss;
Cough. It can be dry or wet, it can be insignificant and disturb the patient only in the morning, or it can be constant and frequent;
Hemoptysis occurs during rupture of blood vessels;
Shortness of breath, as a rule, occurs when the process is localized in both lungs;
Glitter of the eyes;
Blush on the cheeks;
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, groin, etc.

Croupous pneumonia or pleuropneumonia:

Intoxication syndrome:
- weakness,
- fatigue,
- loss of appetite,
- headache,
- muscle pain;
Syndrome of general inflammatory changes:
- Feeling hot
- Chills,
- Temperature increase,
Syndrome of inflammatory changes in the lungs:
- Cough;
- Sputum;
- Chest pain that worsens during breathing, coughing;

Pneumonia is characterized by an acute onset. The body temperature suddenly rises to 39-40 grams, which is accompanied by severe chills and severe pain in the chest. The pain intensifies during breathing, coughing. At first, the cough is dry and painful, and after 1-2 days, rusty sputum appears. Then the sputum becomes mucopurulent, and after recovery, the cough disappears. Symptoms of intoxication are expressed. At the same time, there are herpetic eruptions on the lips, wings of the nose.

The fever is constant, lasts an average of 7-12 days. A decrease in temperature to normal is carried out within a few hours (crisis) or gradually (lysis). With a crisis reduction, a decrease in blood pressure, a frequent, weak "threadlike" pulse is possible.

Bronchopneumonia:

If bronchopneumonia develops against the background of bronchitis, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, etc., the onset of the disease cannot be established.

However, often, especially in young people, the disease begins acutely and is characterized by the following symptoms:

Chills;
An increase in temperature to 38-39 ° С;
Weakness;
Headache;
Cough (dry or with mucopurulent sputum);
chest pain;
increased breathing (up to 25-30 per minute).

Symptoms of Lung Disease Sarcoidosis

Signs of pulmonary sarcoidosis may be accompanied by symptoms such as:

Malaise;
Anxiety;
Fatigue;
General weakness;
Weight loss;
Loss of appetite;
Fever;
Sleep disturbances;
Night sweats.

With intrathoracic lymphatic glandular form in half of the patients, the course of pulmonary sarcoidosis is asymptomatic, in the other half clinical manifestations are observed in the form of such symptoms as:

weakness,
pain in the chest and joints,
cough,
increase in body temperature,
the appearance of erythema nodosum.

Flow mediastinal-pulmonary form sarcoidosis is accompanied by

cough
shortness of breath
chest pain.
skin lesions
eye,
peripheral lymph nodes,
parotid salivary glands (Herford's syndrome),
bones (symptom of Morozov-Jungling).

For pulmonary sarcoidosis is characterized by the presence of:

shortness of breath
cough with phlegm
chest pain
arthralgia.

Symptoms of fungal lung disease

The most common culprits of fungal diseases are actinomycetes.

Symptoms of pulmonary actinomycosis at the initial stage of the disease, the clinical picture resembles bronchopneumonia... In patients:

body temperature rises,
profuse sweating is observed,
prostration,
wet cough, sometimes with blood in the sputum

At the second stage of actinomycosis of the lungs, the fungus affects pleura, causing dry pleurisy, which eventually becomes exudative. The micelles of the fungus penetrate into the muscle tissue of the chest and lead to the formation of dense infiltrates. These formations are quite painful, they are characterized by the so-called fire soreness.

The third stage of actinomycosis is accompanied by the formation of fistulas, the process of granulation and the release of pus.

Lung Diseases - Symptoms and Treatment.

Pulmonary embolism causes a blood clot stuck in the lungs. In most cases, emboli are not fatal, but the clot can damage the lungs. Symptoms: sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain on deep breath, pink, frothy cough discharge, acute feeling of fear, weakness, slow heartbeat.

Pneumothorax it is an air leak in the chest. It creates pressure in the chest. Simple pneumothorax heals quickly, but if you wait a few days, surgery will be needed to relieve the lungs. People with this disease have sudden and sharp pains on one side of the lungs, a fast heart rate.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD is a mixture of two different diseases: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The narrowing of the airways makes it difficult to breathe. The first symptoms of the disease: rapid fatigue after light work, even moderate exercise makes breathing difficult. There is a feeling of coldness in the chest, expectorant discharge becomes yellow or greenish, weight goes uncontrollably. Leaning over to put on your shoes, there is a lack of air for breathing. The causes of chronic illness are smoking and protein deficiency.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous tissue that covers the bronchi. Bronchitis is acute and chronic. Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial epithelium caused by an infection, a virus. Bronchitis One of the common symptoms of bronchitis is cough, an increase in the amount of mucus in the bronchi. Other common symptoms are sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, mild fever, and tiredness. In acute bronchitis, it is important to drink expectorants. They remove mucus from the lungs and reduce inflammation.

The first sign of chronic bronchitis is a lingering cough. If for two years the cough does not leave for about 3 months or more a year, doctors determine that the patient has chronic bronchitis. In the case of chronic bacterial bronchitis, the cough lasts longer than 8 weeks with a profuse discharge of yellow mucus.

Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease. The cause of the disease is the ingress of digestive fluid, sweat and mucus into the lungs through the producing cells. This is a disease not only of the lungs, but also of dysfunction of the pancreas. Fluids build up in the lungs and create a breeding ground for bacteria. One of the first signs of illness is the salty taste of the skin.

Prolonged persistent cough, breathing with a whistling sound, sharp pain during inhalation - the first signs of pleurisy, inflammation of the pleura. The pleura is the covering of the chest cavity. Symptoms include dry cough, fever, chills, and sharp chest pain.

Asbestos is a group of minerals. During operation, products containing fine asbestos fibers are released into the air. These fibers accumulate in the lungs. Asbestosis is the cause of shortness of breath, pneumonia, cough, lung cancer.

Research shows that exposure to asbestos triggers the development of other cancers: gastrointestinal, kidney, bladder, gallbladder, and throat cancers. If a worker in production noticed a cough that does not go away for a long time, chest pain, poor appetite, a dry sound similar to a crackling comes out of his lungs when breathing, you should definitely do a fluorography and consult a pulmonologist.

Cause of pneumonia is a lung infection. Symptoms: fever and breathing with great difficulty. Patients with pneumonia are treated for 2 to 3 weeks. The risk of developing the disease increases after the flu or cold. It is difficult for the body, weakened after illness, to fight infection and lung diseases.

As a result of fluorography nodules found? Don't panic. Whether it is cancer or not, the subsequent thorough diagnosis will reveal. This is a complex process. Is there one or more nodules? Is it more than 4 cm in diameter? Does it adjoin the chest wall, are the ribs muscles? These are the main questions that a doctor should clarify before deciding on an operation. The patient's age, smoking history, and, in some cases, additional diagnostics are assessed. Observation of the nodule continues for 3 months. Often, due to the patient's panic, unnecessary surgeries are performed. A non-malignant cyst in the lungs can be resolved with the right medication.

Pleural effusion it is an abnormal increase in the amount of fluid around the lungs. May be the result of many diseases. Not dangerous. Pleural effusion falls into two main categories: uncomplicated and complex.

The reason for a simple pleural effusion: the amount of fluid in the pleura slightly exceeds the required amount. This illness can cause symptoms of a wet cough and chest pain. Launched uncomplicated pleural effusion can develop into a complex one. In the fluid accumulated in the pleura, bacteria and infections begin to multiply, a focus of inflammation appears. If left untreated, it can create a ring around the lungs, and the fluid turns into astringent mucus over time. The type of pleural effusion can only be diagnosed from a fluid sample taken from the pleura.

Tuberculosis affects any organ of the body, but pulmonary tuberculosis is dangerous because it is transmitted by airborne droplets. If the tuberculosis bacterium is active, it causes tissue death in the organ. Active tuberculosis can be fatal. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to remove the tuberculosis infection from an open form to a closed one. Tuberculosis can be cured. You need to take the disease seriously, take medications and attend procedures. Do not use drugs in any way, lead a healthy lifestyle.

Diseases of the lungs and bronchi are common. In recent years, there has been a steady trend towards an increase in the percentage of patients suffering from diseases of the bronchopulmonary system.

Symptomatically, such pathologies are expressed in two ways: either in the form of an acute severe process, or in the form of sluggish progressive forms. Neglect, improper treatment and the principle of "somehow it will pass by itself" leads to tragic consequences.

It is impossible to establish the cause of the disease at home. Only a qualified pulmonologist can diagnose the pathological process.

A distinctive feature of many pulmonary diseases is complex diagnostics. The causes of a specific pathology may be subjective. But there are a number of common factors that provoke the onset and development of the inflammatory process:

unfavorable ecological situation in the region; the presence of harmful industries;
exacerbation of other chronic diseases;
pathology of the cardiovascular system;
violation of the electrolyte balance in the body, increased sugar levels;
nerve diseases;
the presence of bad habits.

Each pathological process in the lungs has specific signs that appear as it develops. In the initial stages, the manifestations of all lung diseases are very similar.

The presence of a cough. A cough is the first sign of a possible lung disease. The pathological process provokes inflammation, irritation of receptors and reflex contraction of the muscles of the respiratory tract.
Coughing is the body's natural attempt to rid itself of accumulated phlegm. Already by the timbre of the cough, one can judge whether the patient has any pathology: croup, laryngotracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis.

With bouts of coughing, the patient experiences:

the discomfort;
pain and burning in the sternum;
lack of air;
oppressive sensation in the chest.

Sputum production... As a consequence of the pathological process, sputum saturated with pathogenic microbes is considered. With inflammation, the amount of discharge increases significantly. The patient's illness is determined by the color of the sputum, its smell and consistency. An unpleasant smell indicates putrefactive processes in the lungs, white, frothy discharge is a sign of pulmonary edema.
Presencebloodin sputum orsaliva... Often serves as a sign of a dangerous illness. The reason may be damage to a small vessel, and malignant neoplasms, and lung abscess. In any case, the presence of blood in sputum or saliva requires immediate education to specialists.
Labored breathing... A symptom of almost all diseases of the bronchi and lungs. In addition to lung problems, it can be caused by dysfunction of the cardiovascular system.
Painful sensations in the sternum. Chest pain is a characteristic sign of pleural involvement. Most often found in various forms of pleurisy, cancer, foci of metastases in the tissues of the pleura. Chronic pulmonary pathologies are considered as one of the prerequisites for pleurisy.

With infectious lesions of the lungs, the symptoms appear suddenly and vividly. Fever appears almost immediately, there is a sharp rise in temperature, chills and profuse sweating.

Classification

A characteristic feature of lung diseases is their effect not only on various parts of the lungs, but also on other organs.

According to the lesions, broncho-pulmonary pathologies are classified by the following criteria:

lung diseases affecting the respiratory tract;
diseases affecting the alveoli;
pathological lesions of the pleura;
hereditary lung pathologies;
diseases of the broncho-pulmonary system;
purulent processes in the lungs;
congenital and acquired lung defects.

Lung diseases affecting the airways

COPD(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In COPD, the bronchi and lungs are affected at the same time. The main indicators are persistent cough, sputum production, shortness of breath. Currently, there are no therapeutic methods that completely cure pathology. Risk groups - smokers and patients associated with hazardous production. At the third stage, the patient's life expectancy is about 8 years, at the last - less than a year.
Emphysema... Pathology is considered as a type of COPD. The disease is characterized by impaired ventilation, blood circulation and destruction of lung tissue. The emission of carbon dioxide is characterized by significant and sometimes critical indicators. It arises both as an independent disease and as a complication of tuberculosis, obstructive bronchitis, silicosis. As a consequence of the pathology, pulmonary and right ventricular heart failure, myocardial dystrophy develop. The main symptoms in all types of emphysema are skin discoloration, sudden weight loss, and shortness of breath.
Asphyxia- oxygen starvation. It is characterized by a lack of oxygen and an excessive amount of carbon dioxide. There are two groups of asphyxia. Nonviolent is considered as a severe consequence of broncho-pulmonary and other diseases. Violent - occurs with mechanical, toxic, barometric lesions of the bronchi and lungs. With complete suffocation, irreversible changes and death occur in less than five minutes.
Acute bronchitis. With the disease, the patency of the bronchi is impaired. Acute bronchitis is characterized by symptoms of both acute respiratory illness and intoxication. It can have both the form of primary pathology and be the result of complications of other processes. Two common causes are bronchial infections or viruses. Acute bronchitis of an allergic nature is less common.

Symptomatically expressed by incessant cough, sputum production, profuse sweating. Self-medication, improper intake of medications, untimely access to specialists threatens the transition of the disease into a chronic form.

A typical manifestation of chronic bronchitis is a cough that occurs with any slight decrease in immune activity.

Alveolar pathology

Alveoli - air sacs, the smallest particle of the lung. They look like bubbles, the walls of which are at the same time their partitions.

Lung pathologies are also typified by alveolar lesions.

Pneumonia. An infectious disease caused by viruses or bacteria. With neglect of the disease, with untimely referral to specialists, it turns into pneumonia.

A characteristic feature is the rapid, sometimes reactive development of pathology. At the first sign, immediate medical attention is required. Clinically expressed as follows:

heavy, crunchy breathing;
a sharp and strong increase in temperature, sometimes up to critical indicators;
separation of sputum in the form of mucous lumps;
shortness of breath and chills;
with severe courses of the disease, a change in the color of the skin is observed.

Tuberculosis. It causes severe processes in the lungs and, if immediate assistance is not provided, leads to the death of the patient. The causative agent of pathology is Koch's wand. The risk of disease in a long incubation period is from three weeks to a year. To exclude infection, an annual survey is indicated. The initial stages of the disease are characterized by:

persistent cough;
low, but not dropping temperature;
the appearance of blood streaks in saliva and sputum.

Important. In children, the clinical picture is more pronounced, the disease is more severe, develops much faster and leads to the most sad consequences. Parents, first of all, should pay attention to the following signs:

the child has been coughing for more than 20 days;
loss of appetite;
decreased attention, fatigue and apathy;
signs of intoxication.

Pulmonary edema... It is not an independent disease and is considered a serious complication of other diseases. There are several types of pulmonary edema. The most common causes of occurrence are either the ingress of fluid into the pulmonary space, or the destruction of the outer walls of the alveoli by toxins produced by the human body itself.

Pulmonary edema is a dangerous disease that requires quick and accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment.

Lungs' cancer... Aggressive, rapidly developing oncological process. The last, terminal stage leads to the death of the patient.

A cure is possible at the very beginning of the disease, but few people pay attention to persistent cough - the main and main symptom of early stage lung cancer. To detect the disease at the earliest stages, computed tomography is necessary.

The main symptoms of pathology are:

cough;
blood streaks and whole blood clots in the sputum;
dyspnea;
constantly elevated temperature;
sharp and significant weight loss.

Additional Information... The longest life expectancy is observed in patients with peripheral lung cancer. Cases were officially registered when patients lived for 8 or more years. A feature of pathologists is its slow development in the complete absence of pain. Only in the terminal stage of the disease, with total metastasis, the patients developed pain syndrome.

Silicosis. Occupational disease of miners, miners, grinders. In light years, grains of dust settle, the smallest fragments of a flog and stone. Silicosis is insidious - the symptoms of the disease may either not appear at all for many years, or be mild.

The disease is always accompanied by a decrease in lung mobility and a violation of the respiratory process.

Tuberculosis, emphysema, pneumothorax are considered as serious complications. In the last stages, a person suffers from constant shortness of breath, cough, fever.

Acute Respiratory Syndrome - SARS... Other names are SARS and purple death. The causative agent is coronavirus. It multiplies rapidly and in the process of development destroys the pulmonary alveoli.

The disease develops within 2-10 days, accompanied by renal failure. Already after discharge, the patients showed an increase in connective tissue in the lungs. Recent studies indicate the possibility of the virus to block all links of the body's immune response.

Pathological lesions of the pleura and chest

The pleura is a thin sac that surrounds the lungs and the inside of the chest. Like any other organ, it can be affected by disease.

With inflammation, mechanical or physical damage to the pleura, there are:

Pleurisy. Inflammation of the pleura can be considered as an independent pathology, and as a consequence of other diseases. About 70% of pleurisy is caused by the invasion of bacteria: Legionella, Staphylococcus aureus and others. With the penetration of infection, with physical and mechanical damage, the visceral and parietal layers of the pleura become inflamed.

The characteristic manifestations of the disease are stabbing or dull pain in the sternum, severe sweating, in severe forms of pleurisy, hemoptysis.

Pneumothorax... It occurs as a result of the penetration and accumulation of air in the pleural cavity. There are three types of pneumothorax: iatrogenic (resulting from medical procedures); traumatic (as a result of internal damage or injury), spontaneous (due to heredity, lung defect or other disease).

Pneumothorax is fraught with lung collapse and requires immediate medical attention.

Diseases of the chest are associated with pathological processes in the blood vessels:

Pulmonary hypertension... The first signs of the disease are associated with a violation and change in pressure in the main vessels of the lungs.

Important. The forecast is disappointing. 20 people out of a hundred die. The timing of the development of the disease is difficult to predict, they depend on many factors, and, first of all, on the stability of blood pressure and the condition of the lungs. The most alarming sign is frequent fainting. In any case, the survival rate of patients, even with the use of all possible methods of treatment, does not cross the five-year threshold.

Lung embolism... One of the main reasons is venous thrombosis. The blood clot enters the lungs and blocks oxygen flow to the heart. A disease that threatens sudden, unpredictable hemorrhage and death of the patient.

Permanent chest pain can be a manifestation of such diseases:

Hyperventilation when overweight... Excess body weight puts pressure on the chest. As a result, breathing is out of rhythm, shortness of breath occurs.
Nervous stress. A classic example is myasthenia gravis, and muscle flaccidity is an autoimmune disease. Considered as a pathological disorder of nerve fibers in the lungs.

Diseases of the bronchopulmonary system as a hereditary factor

The hereditary factor plays an important role in the occurrence of pathologies of the bronchopulmonary system. In diseases transmitted from parents to children, gene mutations provoke the development of pathological processes regardless of external influences. The main hereditary diseases are:

Bronchial asthma. The nature of the occurrence is the effect of allergens on the body. It is characterized by shallow breathing, shortness of breath, spastic symptoms.
Primary dyskinesia... Congenital pathology of the bronchi of a hereditary nature. The cause of the disease is purulent bronchitis. Treatment is individual.
Fibrosis. There is an overgrowth of connective tissue and its replacement of alveolar tissue. As a result, shortness of breath, weakness, apathy in the early stages. In the later stages of the disease, the skin changes color, a bluish tint appears, drumstick syndrome is observed - a change in the shape of the fingers.

The aggressive form of chronic fibrosis shortens the patient's life to one year.

Hemosiderosis. The reason is an excess of hemosiderin pigment, a massive release of red blood cells into body tissues and their decay. Indicative symptoms are hemoptysis and dyspnea at rest.

Important. Acute respiratory infection is the root cause of pathological processes in the bronchopulmonary system. The first symptoms of the disease do not inspire anxiety and fear in patients, they are treated at home using traditional means. The disease progresses into a chronic phase or acute inflammation in both lungs.

Bronchopulmonary diseases are the result of viruses entering the body. The mucous membranes and the entire respiratory system are affected. Self-medication leads to serious consequences and even death.

The primary manifestations of diseases of the bronchi and lungs practically do not differ from the symptoms of a common cold. Infectious diseases of the lungs are bacterial in nature. The development of inflammatory processes occurs rapidly - sometimes it takes several hours.

Diseases caused by bacteria include:

pneumonia;
bronchitis;
asthma;
tuberculosis;
respiratory allergies;
pleurisy;
respiratory failure.

The development of infection is reactive. To prevent life-threatening consequences, full complexes of preventive and therapeutic measures are carried out.

Many bronchial and pulmonary pathologies are accompanied by sharp and severe pain, causing interruptions in breathing. Here, a patient-specific treatment regimen is applied.

Diseases of the lungs of a suppurative nature

All suppurative lung diseases are classified as serious pathologies. The totality of symptoms includes necrosis, putrefactive or purulent decay of lung tissue. Pulmonary purulent infection can be total and affect the organ completely, or be focal and affect individual segments of the lung.

All purulent pathologies of the lungs lead to complications. There are three main types of pathologies:

Lung abscess... A pathogenic process in which lung tissue is melted and destroyed. As a result, purulent cavities are formed, surrounded by necrotic pulmonary parenchyma. Causative agents - Staphylococcus aureus, aerobic bacteria, aerobic microorganisms. With an abscess of the lung, fever, pain in the inflamed segment, sputum with pus, and coughing up of blood are observed.

Treatment includes lymphatic drainage, antibiotic therapy.

If there is no improvement within two months, the disease becomes chronic. The gravest complication of a lung abscess is gangrene.

Lung gangrene... Total decay of tissues, putrefactive pathogenic processes in the lungs. As a mandatory accompanying symptom - the separation of sputum with an unpleasant odor. The fulminant form of the disease is the cause of the patient's death on the first day.

Symptoms of the disease are a rise in temperature to critical values, pouring sweat, sleep disturbances, and a persistent cough. At severe stages of the disease, the patients experienced a change in consciousness.

It is impossible to save the patient at home. And with all the success of thoracic medicine, the mortality rate of patients with lung gangrene is 40-80%.

Purulent pleurisy... It is an acute purulent inflammation of the parietal and pulmonary membranes, while the process also affects all surrounding tissues. Distinguish between infectious and non-infectious forms of pleurisy. The development of the disease is often reactive, and immediate treatment can save the patient. The main symptoms of pathology are:

shortness of breath and weakness;
pain on the side of the affected organ;
chills;
cough.

Congenital lung defects

It is necessary to distinguish between congenital pathologies and congenital anomalies of the lungs.

Anomalies of the lungs do not manifest themselves clinically, the modified organ functions normally.

Malformations are a complete anatomical violation of the structure of an organ. Such disorders occur during the formation of the bronchopulmonary system in the embryo. The main lung defects include:

Aplasia- a serious malformation in which either the entire organ or part of it is absent.
Agenesis- a rare pathology, there is a complete absence of the lung and main bronchus.
Hypoplasia- underdevelopment of the lungs, bronchi, lung tissue, blood vessels. The organs are in their infancy. If hypoplasia affects one or more segments, it does not manifest itself in any way and is detected by chance. If everything is underdeveloped, hypoplasia manifests itself in signs of respiratory failure.
Tracheobronchomegaly, Munier-Kuhn syndrome. It occurs when the elastic and muscular structures of the bronchi and lungs are underdeveloped, as a result, there is a giant expansion of these organs.
Tracheobronchomalacia- a consequence of defects in the cartilaginous tissue of the trachea and bronchi. When inhaling, the lumen of the airways narrows, while exhaling, it expands greatly. The consequence of pathology is constant apnea.
Stenosis- reduction of the lumen of the larynx and trachea. There is a serious violation of the respiratory function and the process of swallowing. The defect significantly reduces the patient's quality of life.
Additional lobe of the lung... In addition to the main pair of lungs, there are additional lungs. They practically do not manifest themselves in any way, clinical symptoms occur only with inflammation.
Sequencing... A section of lung tissue is separated from the main organ, which has its own blood flow, but does not take part in the process of gas exchange.
Unpaired vein... The right side of the lung is divided by the azygos vein.

Congenital malformations are easily noticed on ultrasound, and modern courses of therapy make it possible to stop their further development.

Diagnostic methods and preventive measures

The more accurately the diagnosis is made, the faster the patient's path to recovery. At the first examination, the pulmonologist must take into account all the external manifestations of the disease, the patient's complaints.

Based on the initial examination and conversation with the patient, a list of necessary examinations is drawn up, for example:

x-ray;
fluorography;
blood test,
tomography;
bronchography;
testing for infections.

Based on the data obtained, an individual treatment regimen is determined, procedures and antibiotic therapy are prescribed.

But no, the most modern methods of treatment, no, the most effective drugs will be beneficial if you do not follow all the prescriptions and recommendations of a specialist.

Preventive measures will significantly reduce the risk of pulmonary pathologies. The rules are simple, everyone can follow them:

exclusion of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption;
physical education and small physical activity;
hardening;
rest on the sea coast (and if there is no such opportunity - walks in a pine forest);
annual visits to the pulmonologist.

The symptoms of lung disease described above are easy to remember. Everyone should know them. Know and seek the help of doctors at the first warning signs.

Diseases of the lungs, their classification, treatment methods are studied by the medical branch called pulmonology.

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

Experts determine the classification of these diseases according to various criteria.

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

Diseases associated with the circulation of the lungs. With them, the vessels of the respiratory system are damaged.
Organ tissue pathologies. These diseases affect the lung tissue, as a result of which they cannot function fully. This is why it becomes difficult to breathe in and out. The most dangerous in this case are sarcoidosis and fibrosis.
Diseases of the respiratory tract. They arise as a result of 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 also affect the respiratory tract, blood vessels and lung tissue. These include:

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

More information about pneumonia can be found in the video:

In addition, the following pulmonary diseases are distinguished for signs:

Restrictive - difficulty breathing.
Obstructive - difficulty in exhaling.

According to the degree of damage, pathologies are divided into:

diffuse
local

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

Diseases are also divided into the following types:

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

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

The main causes of pathology

Most often, the causative agents of pulmonary pathologies are various pathogenic bacteria, a viral infection, and also a fungus.

The following factors can influence the occurrence of such diseases:

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

The first signs of disease

General specific symptoms of respiratory pathologies are:

Dyspnea. It occurs as a result of disturbances in the depth and rhythm of breathing. In this case, she makes herself known not only after physical and psycho-emotional overstrain, 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.
Soreness and heaviness in chest.
Hemoptysis. The patient can observe blood streaks in the sputum. Over time, these may no longer be streaks, 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 in diseases of the respiratory system. These include high fever, chills, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, and general weakness.

In most cases, the symptoms are severe. However, in some pathologies (lung cancer), they begin to appear very late, so you can be late with treatment.

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

Diagnostic methods

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

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

Also, general laboratory tests are prescribed, namely, a study of blood, urine. In addition, the causative agent of the disease can be identified using a sputum test. An electrocardiogram is done to see how the disease affects the heart.

Diagnostic methods also include:

Bronchoscopy
X-ray
Fluorography

Additionally, you may need an immunological study, probing to study respiratory mechanics, MRI. In addition, in some cases, a surgical diagnostic method (thoracotomy, thoracoscopy) is prescribed.

What is the danger of pathologies?

Pulmonary diseases can provoke 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 lacks oxygen, which is very important for the proper functioning of the whole body. Acute asthma attacks can be life threatening.

The danger also lies in the occurrence of heart problems.

Patients often ignore the first signs of the disease. In lung cancer, the symptoms are mild and may be ignored by the person. Therefore, a malignant process is usually diagnosed at a later stage. In case of metastases, the patient may die.

(pneumonia) is statistically the second most fatal disease on the list.

Disease treatment and prognosis

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

Etiotropic treatment removes the underlying cause. If pathogens are pathogenic bacteria, antibiotics of the macrolide, penicillin or cephalosporin group are prescribed. With a viral infection, antiviral agents are used, with a fungal infection, antifungal drugs are used. To eliminate allergies, antihistamines are prescribed.
Symptomatic therapy consists of taking antitussives and mucolytic drugs that effectively help with coughing. It is possible to use antipyretic drugs at high temperatures.
Supportive therapy is often prescribed. To increase immunity, immunostimulants, vitamin and mineral complexes are used.
In rare cases, surgical treatment may be prescribed.
Auxiliary for various symptoms of pulmonary pathologies are folk remedies. Inhalation with saline, essential oils and herbal decoctions are considered effective and safe.
It is important to remember that only a qualified specialist can prescribe medications. The possibility of using alternative drugs must also be agreed with him.

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

With timely therapy, acute inflammation in the respiratory organs usually has a favorable prognosis for human life and health.
Chronic diseases significantly impair the quality of life. With the right tactics, treatment is not life threatening.
Cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Usually they metastasize at these stages, so the prognosis in such cases is poor or doubtful.
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 prevention rules:

Lead a healthy lifestyle.
To refuse from bad habits.
Temper the body.
Avoid hypothermia.
Walk more often in the fresh air.
Relax on the seaside every year.
Avoid contact with patients in a severe epidemiological situation.
Eat correctly and in a balanced way.
Ventilate the room and do wet cleaning frequently.

In addition, it is necessary to undergo annual routine checks at the clinic. You should also follow all the prescriptions of doctors for respiratory diseases.

Lesions of the human pulmonary system go far beyond the limited spectrum that is considered critical. So, many people know what pneumonia or tuberculosis is, but they can hear about such a deadly disease as pneumothorax for the first time in a doctor's office.

Each section of the respiratory apparatus, and in particular the lungs, is important for its irreplaceable functionality, and the loss of one of the functions is already an irreparable disruption in the operation of the entire complex mechanism.

How lung disease occurs

In the modern world, it is customary to open the list of lung diseases in humans with a long list of vices acquired due to poor environmental conditions. However, in the first place among the reasons, it would be more appropriate to bring congenital pathologies. The most severe lung diseases belong precisely to the category of developmental anomalies:

cystic formations;
additional pulmonary lobe;
"Mirror lung".

The next in line are diseases that are not related to the patient's living conditions. These are genetic lesions, that is, inherited. The distorted chromosome code becomes a frequent culprit of such abnormalities. An example of such a congenital anlage is considered to be a hamartoma of the lung, the reasons for the appearance of which are still the subject of debate. Although one of the leading causes is nevertheless called a weak immune defense that is laid in a child in the womb.

Further, the list of lung diseases in humans continues the list of acquired disorders that are formed by the penetration of pathogenic microflora into the body. First of all, the bronchi and trachea suffer from the activity of the bacterial culture. Against the background of viral infection, pneumonia develops.

And the list of lung diseases in humans is completed by pathologies provoked by environmental conditions, the ecological situation or the patient's lifestyle.

Lung diseases affecting the pleura

Paired organs - the lungs - are enclosed in a transparent membrane called the pleura. A special pleural fluid is placed between the pleural layers, which facilitates the contractile movements of the lungs. There are a number of diseases that disrupt the distribution of lubricant in the pleural plane or are responsible for the ingress of air into an airtight cavity:

Pneumothorax is a life-threatening disease, as the air leaving the lungs fills the voids in the chest and begins to squeeze the organs, limiting their contractility.
Pleural effusion, or otherwise - the formation of fluid filling between the chest wall and the lung, prevents the full expansion of the organ.
Mesothelioma belongs to the types of cancerous lesions, often a late consequence of frequent contact of the respiratory system with asbestos dust.

Below we will consider one of the most common pleural diseases - pulmonary pleurisy. The symptoms and treatment of this pathology depend on the form in which it develops.

Pleurisy of the lungs

Factors provocateurs of pleural inflammation are any conditions that contribute to the incorrect functioning of the lungs. These can be lingering diseases that have not responded to treatment, or have not been treated:

tuberculosis;
pneumonia;
colds;
advanced rheumatism.

Sometimes pleurisy develops as a result of a heart attack or severe physical injury to the sternum, especially if the patient has had a rib fracture. A special place is given to pleurisy that has developed against the background of tumors.

Varieties of pleurisy determine two directions in the development of pathology: exudative and dry. The first is characterized by a painless course, since the pleural cavity is filled with moisture, which conceals the inconvenience. The only sign of the disease will be pressure in the sternum, the inability to take a full breath without feeling constrained.

Dry pleurisy causes chest pain when inhaling, coughing. Sometimes the discomfort and pain is transferred to the back and shoulders. The difference in the symptoms of two types of one disease is expressed by the presence or absence (as in this case) of liquid filling in the pleural cavities. Moisture does not allow the sheets of the shell to rub in and cause pain, while a small amount of it is not able to form a sufficient barrier against friction.

As soon as the symptoms of pulmonary pleurisy are identified and the treatment of the underlying disease is scheduled, they begin to stop the alarming consequences. So, to pump out excess fluid, which creates pressure on the organs and prevents full breathing, a puncture is used. The procedure has a twofold meaning - it restores the lungs' ability to contract normally and provides material for laboratory analysis.

Lung diseases affecting the airways

Respiratory tract damage is diagnosed according to several indicators:

Shortness of breath, shortness of breath, or shallow, shallow breathing. With advanced forms of the disease, acute asphyxia is observed. For all types of disturbances in the work of the respiratory system, a failure of the respiratory rhythm is characteristic, which manifests itself in a painless or painful form.
Cough - wet or dry, with or without blood impurities in the sputum. By its nature and the time of day when it manifests itself most strongly, the doctor can make a preliminary decision on the diagnosis, having only a package of primary studies.
Pains varying in localization. When contacting a doctor for the first time, it is important to correctly assess the arising pain sensations as acute, pulling, pressing, sudden, etc.

The list of lung diseases in humans, reflecting the indicated symptoms, includes:

All types of asthma - allergic, nervous, hereditary, caused by toxic poisoning.
COPD is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease underlying pathologies such as lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory failure. COPD is further divided into chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary anomaly that prevents the regular removal of mucus from the bronchi.

Consider the last disease on the list below as the least known of the listed.

Cystic fibrosis of the lungs

The manifestations of cystic fibrosis are noticeable in the first year of a child's life. Expressive signs are a cough with heavy sections of thick, viscous mucus, shortness of breath (shortness of breath) with little physical effort, indigestible fats and lag in height and weight relative to the norm.

Distortion of the seventh chromosome is blamed for the origin of cystic fibrosis, and the hereditary transmission of the damaged gene is due to a high percentage (25%) when diagnosing pathology in two parents at once.

Often, treatment involves the removal of acute symptoms with courses of antibiotics and replenishment of the enzymatic composition of the pancreas. And measures to increase the patency of the bronchi depend on the severity of the patient's condition.

Lung diseases affecting the alveoli

The bulk of the lungs are alveoli - air-saturated volumetric bags covered by a dense capillary network. Cases of fatal lung diseases in humans are usually associated with damage to the alveoli.

Among these diseases are called:

inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) as a result of infection with a bacterial environment;
tuberculosis;
pulmonary edema caused by direct physical damage to the lung tissue or disruption of the myocardium;
a tumor localized in any segments of the respiratory organ;
pneumoconiosis, which belongs to the category of "occupational" diseases and develops from irritation of the lungs with dust elements of cement, coal, asbestos, ammonia, etc.

Pneumonia is the most common lung disease.

Pneumonia

The main symptom of pneumonia in adults and children is cough - dry or wet, as well as an increase in temperature within 37.2 ° - 37.5 ° (with focal inflammation) and up to 39 ° C with a standard clinic.

The influence of pathogenic bacteria is called the main cause of pneumonia. A smaller percentage is attributed to the action of viruses and only 1-3% are attributed to fungal infections.

Infection with pathogens occurs by airborne droplets or by transferring an agent from the affected organ. The second situation often occurs with advanced caries.

Hospitalization with severe symptoms of pneumonia in adults occurs in severe cases, in milder forms of inflammation, the patient is prescribed home treatment in bed rest. The only effective method against pneumonia are broad-spectrum antibiotics. In the absence of a positive reaction of the patient's body to the selected agent after three days, the doctor selects an antibiotic of another group

Interstitial lung disease

The interstitium is a kind of framework that supports the alveoli with an almost invisible but strong tissue. With various inflammatory processes in the lungs, the interstitium thickens and becomes visible during instrumental examination. The defeat of the connective membrane is caused by various factors and can be of bacterial, viral, fungal origin. The impact of non-evacuated dust elements and drugs is not excluded.

Alveolitis

Idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis refers to a progressive disease that affects the alveoli through damage to the interstitium. The symptomatology of diseases of this group is not always clear, as is the nature of the pathology. The patient suffers from shortness of breath and a dry, excruciating cough, then breathing difficulties lead to the fact that the person becomes unable to do the simplest physical efforts, such as climbing to the second floor. Treatment of idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis, up to the complete reversibility of the disease, is possible in the first three months after the first signs appear and involves the use of glucocorticoids (drugs that suppress inflammation).

Chronic nonspecific lung disease

This group includes various acute and chronic lesions of the respiratory organs, characterized by similar clinical manifestations.

The leading factor of nonspecific lung diseases is called negative environmental conditions, which include inhalation of harmful substances of chemical production or nicotine resins by a person when smoking.

Statistics distribute the ratio of COPD cases between the two main diseases - chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma - and attribute the percentage (about 5%) to other types of respiratory tract injury. In the absence of proper treatment, nonspecific pulmonary diseases progress to tuberculosis, cancer, pneumosclerosis, and chronic pneumonia.

There is no general systemic therapy for the treatment of COPD. Treatment is carried out based on the results of diagnostics, and involves the use of:

antimicrobial agents;
UFO and microwave;
bronchodilators;
immunomodulators;
glucocorticosteroids.

In some cases, for example, with the development of an acute and chronic abscess of the lungs, a decision is made to remove the area of the affected organ in order to stop the further spread of the disease.

Prevention of lung diseases

Measures that prevent the development of lung diseases are based on an affordable diagnostic procedure - a fluorogram, which must be completed every year. It is equally important to monitor the health of the oral cavity and urinary system, as areas where infections are most often localized.

Any cough, shortness of breath or a sharp increase in fatigue should serve as a reason for contacting a therapist, and pain in the sternum, in conjunction with any of the indicated symptoms, is a good reason for making an appointment with a pulmonologist.