The lung is a body organ located in the chest cavity and is used for breathing . The human lung consists of two lobes. The left lung (also known as the left lung) consists of two lobes, while the right lung (also known as the right lung) consists of three lobes. As the lungs themselves have no muscles, air is inhaled into the lungs with the help of the diaphragm and the rib muscles.
The expansion of the rib cage creates negative pressure, which draws air into the lungs (inspiration). Exhalation (expiration) usually takes place passively as the chest contracts again and pushes the air out of the lungs. The lungs are connected to the windpipe via the bronchi (airways). The trachea and bronchi are used to transport air, while gas exchange takes place in the alveoli (air sacs). There the blood absorbs the oxygen from the air we breathe and releases the carbon dioxide back into the air we breathe out.
Bronchial asthma, which is often simply referred to as asthma , is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the airways. The inflammation can lead to attacks of breathlessness due to narrowing of the airways (bronchial obstruction). This leads to increased mucus production, cramping of the bronchial muscles and edema of the bronchial mucosa.
An asthma attack can last from a few seconds to several hours. In Germany, around ten percent of children and five percent of adults suffer from bronchial asthma. The airways of asthmatics react to certain, otherwise mostly harmless stimuli (e.g. mental stress, overexertion) with increasing sensitivity and constrict like spasms. Triggers can also be
In the case of an acute asthma attack, an asthma spray (active ingredients include beta-2 sympathomimetics, cortisone, antileukotrienes) usually alleviates the symptoms; in the case of very severe attacks, the doctor injects the medication directly into the vein.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COLD) is a group of diseases of the lungs in which the airways are permanently constricted and which are characterized by coughing, increased sputum production and shortness of breath on exertion. These include chronic obstructive bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema, which are mainly characterized by difficult exhalation. The narrowing (obstruction) of the airways is usually the result of smoking, but dust, vapors and gases can also cause COPD .
COPD cannot be cured. However, medication can be used to alleviate the symptoms and reduce the number of coughing fits so that this lung disease does not progress any further. In addition, physical resilience can be improved, relapses and complications prevented, thereby increasing quality of life and life expectancy.
Over 100 different lung diseases can lead to pulmonary fibrosis . In pulmonary fibrosis, an inflammatory reaction leads to increased formation of connective tissue between the alveoli and the blood vessels in the lungs. As a result, less oxygen reaches the blood. The stiffening of the lungs makes breathing more difficult. This leads to a reduction in physical resilience with shortness of breath. As the causes of this lung disease are not always known, pulmonary fibrosis is divided into diseases with known and unknown causes (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis).
Known causes include, for example, the inhalation of asbestos or certain organic substances (e.g. protein components of hay dust or components of pigeon droppings). Diagnosis includes computer tomography(CT), lung function tests and bronchoscopy. If the cause is known, contact with the triggering substance must first be avoided. The inflammation is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. cortisone, azathioprine). Depending on the cause, further treatment may be necessary.
Cancer of the lungs or bronchi is referred to as lung cancer (lung carcinoma) or bronchial cancer. Carcinoma of the lung is the third most common cancer in Germany. Smoking is the main risk factor for the development of lung cancer. Cigarette smoke can be assumed to be the main cause in 80 to 90% of male and 30 to 60% of female lung cancer patients. Other risk factors are inhaled dusts and vapors in the workplace (e.g. asbestos, quartz dusts, arsenic, chromates, nickel and aromatic hydrocarbons), environmental influences (e.g. the radioactive noble gas radon, high levels of air pollution) and, to a certain extent, hereditary predisposition.
A carcinoma of the lung only becomes noticeable very late; symptoms are often of a general nature, such as coughing, shortness of breath or weight loss. If a tumor in the lung is suspected, an X-ray is taken. This is often followed by computer tomography and bronchoscopy. In principle, treatment consists of removal of the tumor, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or a combination of these options.
Pulmonary emphysema is usually regarded as a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in which the alveoli are irreversibly dilated and destroyed. As the dividing walls of the alveoli are enzymatically dissolved, large bubbles form in which the air we breathe becomes trapped. Although the lungs contain air, shortness of breath occurs. As a result, the body is not supplied with sufficient oxygen and damage to the organs can occur under certain circumstances. Smoking is the main cause of emphysema. Other risk factors are polluted indoor air, open fires, inhalation of gases and dusts at work and possibly genetic predisposition and frequent respiratory infections.
Pulmonary emphysema can be diagnosed using lung function tests (e.g. spirometry), blood gas analysis and imaging procedures (e.g. X-ray of the lungs). In addition to quitting smoking immediately or avoiding other triggering stimuli, the lungs can be reduced in size and particularly large air sacs removed by surgery; in extreme cases, a transplant of the lung or a lung lobe may also be necessary.
In this clinical picture, there is increased blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation, which leads to shortness of breath, reduced oxygen supply to the body and reduced physical performance. It can also lead to chest pain and edema in the legs. The causes of pulmonary hypertension are not yet fully understood. However, there are indications that this lung disease occurs more frequently with HIV infection, certain autoimmune diseases and certain medications (e.g. appetite suppressants, psychogenic stimulants).
A genetic predisposition is also being discussed. Due to the symptoms, cardiac current measurements (ECG), chest x-rays and lung function tests are often carried out. However, only transthoracic echocardiography, an ultrasound examination of the outside of the chest, provides evidence of pulmonary hypertension. The blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation is measured by a specialist using a heart-lung catheter (right heart catheter). Pulmonary hypertension is primarily treated with medication.
Bronchitis is the inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchi of the lungs. It can be acute or chronic. Chronic bronchitis is the form of bronchitis in which coughing and sputum production occur on most days for at least three months in two consecutive years. Chronic bronchitis is not caused by pathogens, but by cigarette smoke (or its ingredients) or other inhaled irritants. In contrast, a new inflammation of the bronchial mucosa with coughing, mucus production, fever and other non-specific symptoms is called acute bronchitis. This lung disease is usually triggered by viruses and, in rare cases, bacteria. Acute bronchitis therefore usually heals without medication; antibiotics are only effective if the cause is bacterial. To prevent chronic bronchitis from developing into chronic obstructive bronchitis or even emphysema, the patient must ensure that the triggering irritants (dust, gases or vapors) are avoided. There are some medicines that alleviate the symptoms of chronic bronchitis.
Pneumonia is an acute or chronic inflammation of the lung tissue, usually caused by an infection with bacteria (usually Streptococcus pneumoniae), viruses or fungi. The inflammation can affect the alveoli, the lung tissue between the alveoli or the blood vessels. Elderly people, infants and young children as well as immunocompromised people, in whom the immune system is either not yet fully developed or only has limited functionality, are particularly at risk. A suspected diagnosis can often be made after a physical examination and on the basis of the clinical picture. An X-ray of the lungs is usually taken to confirm the diagnosis or a sample of the sputum is taken to determine the pathogen. Treatment is usually with an antibiotic.
Interstitial lung diseases include various diseases of the lungs and occur rather rarely. They affect the intermediate tissue (interstitium) of the lungs or the alveoli. Interstitial lung diseases include, for example, pulmonary fibrosis (abnormal proliferation and scarring of the lung tissue) or sarcoidosis (formation of small connective tissue nodules in the lungs).
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that primarily affects the lungs. In the majority of people infected with tuberculosis, the disease is not noticeable.
Each lung disease has its own typical symptoms. Nevertheless, there are symptoms that many lung diseases have in common. Common symptoms are
In some lung diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, there may also be non-specific signs such as
The causes of lung diseases are varied. Acute illnesses, such as bronchitis, are usually triggered by viruses and, more rarely, bacteria . Bronchitis often occurs in conjunction with a cold or flu. The viruses are usually transmitted by droplet or smear infection. Untreated chronic bronchitis can lead to pneumonia. Pneumonia is often caused by bacteria, but can also be caused by viruses, fungi or parasites. More rarely, inhaling dust and harmful gases can trigger pneumonia.
By AndreasHeinemann at Zeppelinzentrum Karlsruhe, Germany http://www.rad-zep.de - http://www.rad-zep.de,, CC BY 2.5, Link
The lung disease asthma can be triggered by allergic reactions on the one hand and by respiratory infections, smoking or medication on the other. Both active and passive smoking are considered to be the main causes of many chronic lung diseases such as COPD, emphysema, pulmonary hypertension and lung cancer. The effects of tobacco smoke on the lungs are far-reaching. The toxic substances contained in tobacco smoke cause lasting damage and destruction to the lungs. It has now been proven that around nine out of ten lung cancer patients are smokers. The situation is similar with the lung disease COPD.
Specialists in lung diseases are specialists in the fields of pneumology, bronchology and thoracic surgery.
In pulmonology, auscultation means listening to the body, usually the lungs and heart, usually with a stethoscope. It is part of the physical examination by the doctor. When auscultating the lungs, the doctor examines whether the breath sounds are normal or pathologically altered and listens for breath sounds (rales and rasping noises). It is an essential part of the diagnosis of pneumology and lung disease.
A blood gas analysis is used to determine the gas distribution (partial pressure) of oxygen and carbon dioxide as well as the pH value and the acid-base balance in the blood. It is used to monitor patients with lung disease, respiratory disorders or oxygen deficiency (e.g. COPD).
Body plethysmography (whole-body plethysmography, large lung function) is a pulmonology procedure that can be used to determine lung parameters and respiratory parameters (e.g. respiratory resistance, residual volume, total lung capacity). As this lung function test method is relatively complex, it is usually only carried out in clinics and by specialists. The various parameters are measured in a special cabin by changing the pressure inside the cabin. Body plethysmography is used in pneumology, for example, to monitor the course of the disease and therapy and to diagnose lung disease (e.g. asthma, COPD).
During bronchoscopy, a bronchoscope (endoscope) - a soft, flexible, very thin tube with a camera and a light source at the front end - is inserted through the mouth or nose, through the windpipe and into the bronchi of the lungs. The doctor can use the camera to examine the patient's airways on a monitor. In addition, very small forceps can be advanced via the bronchoscope and used to remove tissue samples (biopsies) or foreign bodies as well as inject and aspirate fluid (e.g. thick mucus).
Using a very small ultrasound probe, the area surrounding the airways can be visualized in the ultrasound image. Bronchoscopy is used in the diagnosis of lung disease, e.g. in the case of unclear changes in the X-ray image of the lungs, bronchial tumors and respiratory tract infections as well as prolonged, unclear coughing or hemoptysis.
Lung scintigraphy is an examination used in pulmonology to assess the ventilation (ventilation scintigraphy) and blood flow (perfusion, lung perfusion scintigraphy) of the lungs. In lung perfusion scintigraphy, radioactively labeled protein particles injected into a vein accumulate in the lungs to varying degrees depending on the blood flow. This can be visualized using a special camera (gamma camera). During ventilation scintigraphy, the patient breathes in a radioactive noble gas or aerosol. The distribution of the gas in the lungs can be checked by taking several images with the gamma camera.
During a pleural puncture, fluid is removed from the pleural cavity (pleural space) using a hollow needle inserted into the pleural cavity (space between the pleura and the pleura and between the pleura and the diaphragm). Pleural puncture is performed for diagnostic purposes (e.g. pleural effusion, lung tumors, pneumonia) and for therapeutic reasons (e.g. treatment of pneumothorax, drainage of the entire pleural effusion).
Spiroergometry (ergospirometry or ergospirography) is a procedure used in pulmonology to diagnose lung diseases by measuring respiratory gases first at rest and then during physical exertion to assess the function of the heart, circulation, respiration and muscle metabolism as well as physical performance. During the examination, the patient is placed on a treadmill or bicycle ergometer and wears a tight-fitting breathing mask fitted with a flow meter. The respiratory volumes and the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations are determined and the heart rate is recorded via the exercise ECG and, if necessary, the blood pressure value is measured. In the field of pneumology, spiroergometry is often used to clarify exercise-induced breathlessness.
Spirometry (spirography) is used in pneumology to measure lung and respiratory volumes (e.g. vital capacity, tidal volume, inspiratory and expiratory reserve volume) and air flow parameters (e.g. one-second capacity, peak flow) to assess lung function. During the examination, the patient wears a nose clip and breathes through a mouthpiece into a closed container. It is the most frequently used procedure in pneumology.
Thoracoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the chest cavity (thorax) and the pleura. The chest cavity is examined from the inside using a thin tube, the laparoscope, which is fitted with a small camera, a light source and often a device for irrigation and suction. Surgical instruments can also be inserted to take biopsies or perform surgery. Medication can also be administered via the laparoscope.
Great progress has been made in the treatment of lung diseases. Nevertheless, even today there are still diseases that cannot be cured and where only the symptoms can be alleviated. Depending on the type of disease, appropriate treatment is prescribed. In most cases, acute bronchitis can be successfully treated with home remedies and cough suppressants. In the case of severe bacterial bronchitis, antibiotics may be useful. Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment for bacterial pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Although asthma cannot be cured, it can be virtually symptom-free with the right medication. Patients usually inhale cortisone to reduce the chronic inflammation of the airways. For acute symptoms, medication can be administered in the form of a spray, which dilates the airways within a few minutes.
In the case of COPD and emphysema, the damage to the lungs can no longer be reversed. However, the progression of the disease can be halted or slowed down. One of the most important measures is to stop smoking if smokers are affected. Drug therapy is similar to the treatment of asthma. Medication is mainly administered to dilate the bronchial tubes (cortisone) and relieve shortness of breath. In severe cases, long-term oxygen therapy and surgical interventions can help. Accompanying therapies for all lung diseases include physical training, respiratory and physiotherapy and weight reduction.
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