27 May 2024

Lung Disease

Various Types of Lung Diseases and Their Causes

1. Tuberculosis (TB or TBC)
   When it enters and infects the lungs, the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria can cause the affected person to experience shortness of breath and a chronic cough. Tuberculosis is a contagious lung disease. Therefore, both the person affected and those around them need to be cautious of this disease.

2. Pneumonia (Wet Lungs)
   Pneumonia is often referred to as wet lungs because the disease fills the air sacs in the lungs with fluid or pus. The causes of this lung disease include viral or bacterial infections.
   Some symptoms of pneumonia include:
   - Frequent coughing with yellow, green, or even bloody mucus
   - Shortness of breath
   - Chest pain
   - Fever

3. Lung Cancer
   Lung cancer is caused by genetic mutations in the cells of the organ. Smoking, whether active or passive, is known to be one of the most common risk factors that can trigger lung cancer.

4. Asthma
   Bronchial asthma is a disease that causes the airways to the lungs to narrow, swell, and produce excessive mucus. The exact cause of bronchial asthma remains unclear. However, genetics and environmental factors (air pollution, exposure to allergens, viral infections, etc.) are known to trigger this lung disease.

5. Emphysema
   Emphysema is a type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Similar to lung cancer, emphysema is most commonly caused by long-term smoking habits in the affected individuals.

6. Bronchitis
   Bronchitis occurs due to inflammation in the walls of the bronchial tubes. The causes of bronchitis are viral or bacterial infections, such as Rhinovirus, Adenovirus, Influenza, Coronavirus, and others.

7. Pulmonary Embolism
   Pulmonary embolism is a condition caused by a blood clot blocking one of the arteries in the lungs. This results in poor blood flow to the lungs, leading to shortness of breath, chest pain, and even coughing up blood.

Reviewed by: dr. Innosensius Ibnu Ishwara, M.K.K.

Source: Siloam Hospital Health Article

Photo: freepik.com