Lungs: Anatomy, Function, and Treatment

A lung disease diagnosis can be shocking. But you are not alone.

Whether you are living with a lung disease, caring for someone who is sick, or simply wish to understand how you can take better care of your lungs, we are here to help. Lung disease is any problem in the lungs that prevents the lungs from working properly. Anyone can get lung disease. It affects men, women, children, smokers, ex-smokers and never smokers, all of whom are equally worthy of care and support.

Types of lung disease

There are three main types of lung disease, including:

• Airway diseases:These diseases, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), affect the airways that carry oxygen and other gases into and out of the lungs. They usually cause a narrowing or blockage of the airways.
• Lung tissue diseases:These diseases, such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), affect the structure of the lung tissue. Scarring or inflammation of the tissue makes the lungs unable to expand fully (restrictive lung disease). This makes it hard for the lungs to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
• Lung circulation diseases:These diseases, such as Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), affect the blood vessels in the lungs. They are caused by clotting, scarring, or inflammation of the blood vessels. 

While anyone can get lung disease, your risk can be increased by a number of factors, including age, or if you: 

Smoke or have ever smoked.

Work or worked in a job that exposed you to dust, gas, fumes or chemicals.

Have a family history of lung disease.

There are ways you can reduce your risk of lung disease or, for those already living with a lung disease, maintain the best quality of life available to you.