Respiratory disorders affect the lungs and can interfere with breathing, with asthma being a common condition caused by inflammation of the lungs. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects mucus production and can cause serious infections. Occupational diseases, such as asbestosis, pneumoconiosis, and silicosis, can also lead to respiratory ailments. Smoking is a major risk factor for respiratory illnesses, including lung cancer, and quitting is strongly recommended.
Respiratory disorders are diseases that affect the lungs and as a result can interfere with breathing. Many of these conditions require lifelong maintenance and some can tragically end in fatalities. Respiratory ailments are not to be taken lightly; according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) they are one of the top five leading causes of death in the United States and a leading cause of death worldwide.
One of the most common forms of respiratory ailments is asthma. This condition often begins in childhood and can get better or worse with age. Asthma is caused by inflammation of the lungs from allergens, extreme climates, physical activity, stress and many other factors. The condition causes the airways to close and causes sudden shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing.
Asthma is a chronic condition, but it is usually treatable with a variety of medications given in aerosol form. Depending on the severity of the condition, patients can take asthma medications every day to reduce the likelihood of attacks or only if they feel an attack is coming. People with family histories of asthma, those living in heavily polluted areas, and obese people may be more likely to develop asthma.
Cystic fibrosis is a type of respiratory disorder caused by an inherited genetic abnormality. It tends to affect the mucus production system, allowing toxic bacteria to build up in the lungs and cause serious infections. There is no cure for cystic fibrosis as of 2009, although medical professionals are hopeful that future developments in gene therapy will make it possible to treat or cure this respiratory disorder. Depending on the severity of the complications, a person diagnosed with cystic fibrosis tends to have a somewhat shortened life span, ranging from 35-50 years.
One of the major subgroups of respiratory disorders are occupational diseases. Workers who have daily exposure to carcinogens such as particulate matter from mining operations, smokestacks and fires may have an increased risk of developing certain respiratory ailments. Many of these diseases cause irreparable scarring of the lungs and cannot be cured. Asbestosis, pneumoconiosis, and silicosis are all acquired respiratory disorders that some experts often view as occupationally related.
One of the worst risk factors that can cause respiratory ailments comes from smoking. Smoking-related illnesses range from painful but usually treatable chronic bronchitis to the often fatal conditions of emphysema and lung cancer. According to some estimates, nearly 90% of lung cancer deaths are directly related to smoking. In addition to causing life-threatening illnesses, smoking also increases the risks of respiratory infections, pneumonia, and heart disease. For these reasons alone, nearly all medical experts recommend quitting smoking, or better yet, never starting.
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