This presentation outlines and describes common lung diseases.

1. L U N G D I S E A S E
K I T T Y O ’ C O N N O R

2. Lung Disease
in Ireland
Respiratory disease is the most commonly reported long—term
illness in young adults.
Respiratory disease is the most common reason to visit a G.P. and
the third most common reason for acute admission to hospital.
Respiratory disease accounts for one in five deaths in Ireland.
Death from respiratory disease are twice of the EU average.
Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in Ireland.
(Inhaler Report, 2018)

3. Lung
Diseases
 Asthma – Inflammation & constriction of bronchi.
 Bronchitis- Inflammation of bronchi.
 PNEUNOMIA- infection- lungs fill with fluid.
 Emphysema – Destruction of alveoli.

4. Lung Disease
continued
COPD – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - chronic
bronchitis and emphysema together - airways narrowed.
Cystic Fibrosis- Genetic disease. Lungs and intestines
gets clogged with mucus. Leads to infections.
Lung cancer- Uncontrolled growth of cells in lungs.
Sarcoidosis- Nodules on lungs. Unknown cause
ALPHA-1 ANTITRYPSIN DEFICIENCY – Genetic disease.
causes emphysema in nonsmokers.

5. LET’S TAKE A
CLOSER LOOK
AT LUNG
DISEASES
Asthma
Lung Cancer
Cystic Fibrosis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

6. Asthma
 Asthma is a narrowing of the bronchioles
due to some irritant (dust mite, pollen,
cold virus) and so the sufferer finds it
difficult to inhale enough oxygen.
 Removing the offending agent can
prevent it and treatment is by use of
inhalers that dilate the tubes again.

7. Causes andSymptoms
Causes
• Pollen
• Animals
• Smoke
• Dust mites
• Chemicals
• Exercise
Symptoms
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Breathlessness
• Chest tightness

8. Asthma - prevention and
treatment
 IDENTIFYTRIGGERS
AVOIDOR REMOVE
 USE SPECIFIC DRUGTREATMENTS
 BRONCHODILATORS
 STEROIDS

9. LungCancer
 Is a disease of uncontrolled cell
growth in tissues of the lung or
carcinoma of the lungs.
 It is one of the commonest forms
of cancer

10. LungCancer-Causes
 Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer.
 The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the
greater your risk for lung cancer.
 Asbestos
 Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals such as uranium, beryllium, vinyl chloride,
nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, and
diesel exhaust

11. LungCancer continued
Family history
of lung cancer
High levels of
air pollution
High levels of
arsenic in
drinking water
Radiation
therapy to the
lungs
Radon gas

12. LungCancer
Symptoms
Early lung cancer may not cause any symptoms.
• Symptoms depend on the type of cancer you have, but may
include:
• Chest pain
• Cough that doesn't go away
• Coughing up blood
• Fatigue

13. Lung cancer
Symptoms
continued
Losing weight without trying
Loss of appetite
Shortness of breath
Wheezing

14. LungCancer
Treatment
 Surgery
 Radiotherapy
 Chemotherapy
 Immunotherapy

15. Cystic Fibrosis
-CF
Genetic condition that primarily affects the
lungs and the digestive organs.
This causes the body to produce unusually
thick, sticky mucus.
Lungs, intestines and pancreas become
clogged with thick mucus.
Ireland has a high rates of CF with 1 in 18
individual carrying one defective CF gene.

16. Cystic Fibrosis facts
 About 34 new cases of cystic fibrosis in Ireland are
diagnosed each year.
 CF is now on the new born screening test.
 Around 60% of the CF patient population in Ireland is aged
18 or older.
 The predicted median age of survival for a person with CF
in Ireland is 45.

17. Symptoms
Very salty-tasting
skin.
Persistent
coughing, at times
with phlegm.
Frequent lung
infections.
Wheezing or
shortness of
breath.
Poor
growth/weight
gain in spite of a
good appetite.
Frequent greasy,
bulky stools or
difficulty in bowel
movements.

18. Treatments
No cure for CF
Medications
 Antibiotics to prevent and treat chest infections
 Medicines to make the mucus in the lungs thinner and easier to cough up .
 Medicine to help reduce the levels of mucus in the body.
 Bronchodilators to widen the airways and make breathing easier
 Steroid medicine to treat small growths inside the nose (nasal polyps)
 It's also important that people with cystic fibrosis are up-to-date with all routine vaccinations and
have the flu jab each year once they're old enough.

19. Chronic
Obstructive
Pulmonary
Disease
 Is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from
the lungs.
 Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions
that contribute to COPD.
 Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes,
which carry air to and from the alveoli of the lungs.
 Emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli are destroyed as a result of
damaging exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating gases and
particulate matter.
 Genetic form of COPD Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Disease.

20. COPD
Symptoms
Shortness of breath,
especially during
physical activities
Wheezing Chest tightness
A chronic cough that
may produce mucus
(sputum) that may be
clear, white, yellow or
greenish
Frequent respiratory
infections
Lack of energy
Unintended weight loss
(in later stages)
Swelling in ankles, feet
or legs

21. Treatment
Stopping smoking
Inhalers
Antibiotics
Oxygen and nebulizers
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Surgery or lung transplant