Obstructive Lung Diseases
Diseases may obstruct the lungs in several ways. Emphysema, asthma, and bronchitis are airway diseases that block the flow of air to the lungs. There are other types of lung disease that affect lung tissue and make it harder for lungs to expand or that block oxygen exchange. Cystic fibrosis and asthma are also obstructive lung diseases.
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- Q How can I get a good sleep if I have obstructive sleep apnea?
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Dr. John Van der Werff, DentistryIt depends on the severity of the sleep apnea. With some people raising their head and staying off their back will work. For others, it may require the use of a device that blows air in the nose and/ or mouth called cPAP. Other treatment options in... Full Answer
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- Q How do I manage my obstructive lung disease on a daily basis?
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As with any illness, living with obstructive lung disease can affect your daily life, but there are ways to manage the disease. You may have to make some lifestyle changes and avoid certain activities. Joining a support group might be beneficial. Do not... Full Answer
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- Q When does obstructive lung disease begin to develop?
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Obstructive lung disease usually begins developing in the mid 40s. The first symptom is usually mild coughing, followed by the onset of shortness of breath. The person with this disease has usually been a long-term smoker for quite some time before... Full Answer
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- Q Does obstructive lung disease affect women differently from men?
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Both men and women with obstructive lung disease suffer the same negative effects. However, the rates of the disease are rising faster in women. This may be due to an increase in smoking among women over the past few decades. In general, obstructive lung... Full Answer
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- Q Does obstructive lung disease run in families?
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Obstructive lung disease may be hereditary in extremely rare cases. This is due to an insufficient level of the protein known as alpha1-antitrypsin. Talk to your doctor is you have concerns about developing obstructive lung disease based on genetic... Full Answer
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- Q What is the rate of incidence for obstructive lung disease?
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Obstructive lung disease is a very common illness. Approximately 12 million Americans have the disease, and more than 120,000 die of obstructive lung disease each year. Over the past few decades, the number of deaths from the disease has significantly... Full Answer
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- Q What is obstructive lung disease?
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Obstructive lung disease is a condition in which your airway is blocked, making it difficult to breathe. Obstructive lung disease is also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It usually occurs with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Full Answer
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- Q What causes bronchial casts?
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Bronchial casts are often large, thick, tenacious mucus "molds or impressions" of the inner lining of the bronchial tubes of our lungs. They can occur as a result of allergic inflammation, infection, or excessive reactivity to the presence of a... Full Answer
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- Q How can losing weight help my obstructive sleep apnea symptoms?
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A major cause of obstructive sleep apnea is obesity. When you are obese, extra fat can narrow your airway and block normal breathing. When morbidly obese people lose significant amounts of weight through bariatric surgery or other means, their... Full Answer
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- Q How does oxygen therapy treat obstructive lung disease?
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Oxygen therapy helps to regulate the supply of red blood cells in the body, which may be excessive due to low blood oxygen. It may also help with shortness of breath. For people with advanced stages of obstructive lung disease, oxygen therapy may extend... Full Answer
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