Chronic lung disease is a progressive disease distinguished by impaired bronchial patency. It is generally associated with a partial, irreversible restriction of airflow to the airways and can occur due to various factors, the main of which is smoking.

Chronic lung diseases are gaining momentum, moving forward in the ranking of causes of death due to illness for people over 45 years old. Today, the disease ranks 6th among the leading causes of death in India; according to WHO forecasts, in 2020, COPD will take 3rd place.

It is really important to know that it is a primary chronic disease in which early diagnosis in the initial stages is essential. Since chronic lung disease tends to progress, an early detection can save a lot of trouble and hardship.

Causes:

Around 90% of chronic lung disease-related deaths occur in middle- and low-income countries. These countries lack effective coping and prevention strategies, and COPD is a preventable disease.  The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, but other various factors can also cause lung disease, which includes:

• harmful environmental factors exposure ;
• smoking;
• occupational hazards (dust containing cadmium, silicon);
• general environmental pollution (car exhaust gases );
• frequent respiratory tract infections;
• heredity;

Symptoms:

• Cough with mucus expectoration in the morning;
• Shortness of breath: it becomes more difficult for patients to exhale than to inhale;
• During an exacerbation with the addition of an infectious process;
• aching pain in the heart;
• interruptions in the work of the heart;
• changes in fingers and nails:
• bluish tint of lips and fingertips;
• muscle weakness.
• bone pain;

Chronic lung disease treatment

There are several of them.

1. Termination of the influencing factors causing the development of this disease like cessation of smoking.
2. Bronchodilator drugs.
3. For some patients, hormonal drugs, expectorant drugs, antibiotics, oxygen and anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
4. The drugs can be administered by inhalation or non-inhalation.
5. Surgery is sometimes done to relieve shortness of breath.
6. In some cases, a lung transplant may be performed.