Top 9 Respiratory Disease- Causes, Signs and Symptoms

The increasing pollution, inhalation of harmful chemicals, smoking and mutating microbes has elevated the risk of respiratory illness. Though it is well known that smoking is dangerous and can cause many lung’s disorder, consumption of cigarette is rising specially among the youngsters. Many respiratory diseases can be genetic also. People working in chemical factories and mining inhale a lot of toxic particles daily, which can damage their lung’s tissues.

This article presents you top 9 prevailing lungs’ disease in India. You will also be knowing about the causes, signs and symptoms of these diseases through this article.

1. Asthma

Asthma is one of the most prevalent respiratory disorder present in India. This disease is characterized by swelling in the airways causing difficulty in breathing with extra mucous secretion triggering cough. Asthma is not curable, but can be controlled with proper medication and preventive measures.

Causes

• Asthma can be inherited from parents.
• Many environmental factors can contribute to asthma.

Asthma can be triggered by allergens and exercise.

Risk factors

• Active smoking
• Passive smoking
• Allergens
• Blood relation

Symptoms

• Shortness of breathing.
• A person can have difficulty in sleeping due to narrowing of airways.
• There can be sudden coughing or wheezing attacks.

2. Pneumonia

This disease is diagnosed as air sacs(alveoli) filled with fluid causing difficulty in breathing and hamper the oxygen exchange mechanism. Coughing is associated with pus. In severe cases, this can be life-threatening. Smokers and people with suppressed immune system are at more risk of developing this infection.

Causative agents can be virus, bacteria or even fungi.

Symptoms

• Cough
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

3. Tuberculosis

This disease is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria damage the lungs’ tissue and hence can be life taking. Tuberculosis can be active or can be latent. People with latent tuberculosis can serve as a carrier for this disease. BCG vaccine is the common vaccine used, which is mainly efficient in children.

The causative agent is bacteria present in air or can be developed by contact with a tuberculosis patient. These bacteria can also transmit through sneezing or coughing.

Symptoms

• Cough with blood
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Chills
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite

4. Emphysema

Characterized by damage to the walls of alveoli(functional unit of lung) causing blockage. In severe cases, alveoli can be destroyed. Damage to the alveoli walls result in insufficient exchange of oxygen. As a result, the amount of oxygen present in blood decreases. Emphysema can increase the risk of pneumonia.

Causes

• Smoking
• Genetic inheritance
• Infection of lungs

Symptoms

• Coughing and wheezing
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breathing
• Over production of mucus

5. Lungs Cancer

Lungs cancer shows the diagnostic character of any conventional cancer, that is, cell start growing uncontrollably. Many chemical and physical agents can be responsible for the malignancy of lungs’ tissues. Two types of lungs cancer: small cell type and non-small cell type. Smokers are at a higher risk of developing cancer.

Symptoms

• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Hypoxia
• Hoarseness in voice
• Frequent infections
• Cough carrying blood
• Loss of weight

6. Pleural Effusion

Lungs contain two layers covering, one inner layer(visceral) and one outer layer(parietal). Accumulation of fluid between these two pleural layers is what we call pleural effusion.

Causes

• Cancer
• Pulmonary embolism: characterized by blockage of arteries in lungs due to formation of blood clot.
• Lungs infection

Symptoms

• Fever
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breathing

7. Chronic bronchitis

Trachea(airway) divides two principal bronchi, which further divides into secondary and tertiary bronchioles. Inflammation of these bronchioles results in bronchitis, characterized by blockage of air pathway and over production of mucus.

Causes

• Smoking
• Environmental factors

Symptoms

• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Breathing problem
• In severe case, there can be bluish coloring of nails and heart failure.

8. SARS

SARS is a viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus, SARS-Cov-1. This virus is responsible for the outbreak of 2002–2004. This disease was announced as epidemic in many countries and mainly affected the lungs. The virus has evolved, causing a global pandemic, Covid-19. Yes, Covid-19 is caused by SARS-Cov-2.

Symptoms

• Fever
• Shortness of breathing
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue

9. Pulmonary hypertension

Sometimes blood vessels supplying lungs get damaged or blocked, resulting in increased pressure within the lungs. Narrowing of blood vessels can also produce such high pressure(pulmonary hypertension). So, the heart muscles need to work against this increased pressure, which can lead to heart failure. In severe cases, lung bleeding can also occur.

Causes

• Genetic
• Over weight
• Blood clotting disorder

Symptoms

• Shortness of breathing
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Bluish lips
• Raising pulse rate

Take Away

• Smoking is the prevalent cause of most of the lungs diseases.
• People working at mining and chemical industries are more prone to lungs infection.
• To prevent SARS, you must use mask and sanitizers.
• Use a pulse oximeter to have a regular check on your heart rate and oxygen saturation.
• Rush to your doctor, if any of these symptoms appear.