Respiratory diseases are classified as obstructive, restrictive, or infections. Asthma and COPD are obstructive, while asbestosis and pulmonary fibrosis are restrictive. The common cold and pneumonia are respiratory infections that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Some respiratory diseases can be fatal.
There are many types of respiratory diseases. They are often classified as obstructive or restrictive lung diseases and respiratory tract infections. Some of these diseases are serious and require regular treatment. Some of them can even cause death. Others, like the common cold, are considered minor illnesses that come and go rather quickly and cause no serious problems.
An obstructive respiratory disease is characterized by blockage of a person’s airways. A common type of obstructive respiratory disease is asthma, which is the inflammation and temporary narrowing of a person’s airways that makes breathing difficult. Another condition that causes airway obstruction is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterized by narrowed airways that limit a person’s airflow. Over time, the condition gets worse. Both asthma and COPD can be deadly.
Restrictive respiratory disease prevents the lungs from expanding as they should, decreasing air capacity and making breathing more difficult. Among these diseases are asbestosis and pulmonary fibrosis. Asbestosis is caused by inhaling asbestos, which causes scarring of the inner lung tissue. The result is chest pain, cough, gradually worsening difficulty breathing, and chest tightness. Some people with this disease develop secondary conditions that prove fatal.
Pulmonary fibrosis is also characterized by scarring of lung tissue, which progresses over time. Lung damage can be caused by a number of things, such as other medical conditions, radiation, and toxins in the environment. Its symptoms include shortness of breath, dry cough, weight loss, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue. For some people, this condition becomes serious very quickly, while others may experience worsening symptoms over the years. People with this condition have an average life expectancy of two to five years.
Most people are familiar with respiratory infections caused by bacteria and viruses. The most common respiratory infection is the common cold, which is caused by a wide variety of viruses. The common cold is characterized by symptoms such as a sore throat, sneezing, coughing, and a runny or stuffy nose. A cold may be accompanied by a fever, although this is not as common as other symptoms. When it does occur, it’s usually just a low-grade fever.
Pneumonia is another type of respiratory tract infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This infection can affect one or both lungs in a person and is characterized by a moderate to high fever, chills, and a cough that often produces mucus. Some people experience shortness of breath and chest pain with this disease. Although many people recover from pneumonia, it can be deadly.
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