Obstructive Lung Diseases

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• QWhat causes bronchial casts?

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  A Dr. Farzanna S. Haffizulla, MD , Internal Medicine, answered on behalf of MDLIVE

  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 foreign body or chemicals. They can be "expectorated" or coughed up by the patient but if they remain in the bronchial  tubes they cause chest pain, shortness of breath and hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels).
• QWhat is obstructive lung disease?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Obstructive lung disease is a condition in which your airway is blocked, making it difficult to empty air from the lungs and take fresh air in. This leads to trouble with breathing and to tiredness. Obstructive lung diseases include asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD usually occurs with chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.
• QWhat lifestyle changes should I make if I have obstructive lung disease?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Lifestyle changes may need to be made if you are suffering from obstructive lung disease. If you are a smoker, it is recommended that you give up smoking. You will probably want to avoid secondhand smoke or other irritants. At certain stages of the disease, you may have difficulty with your normal routines. You may need to avoid stairs, and live in a single-story or first-floor dwelling. You may also need to change your eating habits. Instead of three large meals, you may need to eat a lot of small meals throughout the day. Eating right and exercising regularly are beneficial and may help improve your breathing.
• QWhat happens to the lungs with obstructive lung disease?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  In some forms of obstructive lung disease such as cystic fibrosis or chronic bronchitis, the airways to the lungs become blocked, making it difficult to breathe. This happens because of inflammation and a buildup of mucus in the airways. The body then becomes deprived of oxygen, which causes damage to the lungs and blood cells. In asthma, the lining of the air passages becomes swollen and the muscles surrounding the airways become tight, preventing proper inhalation. In emphysema, the walls of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs are destroyed.
• QCan obstructive lung disease have any complications?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  There are several complications than can occur with obstructive lung disease. People with the disease are prone to respiratory infections, including the flu and pneumonia. Heart problems and high blood pressure are also usual complications of obstructive lung disease. This disease often interferes with daily life and may lead to depression. Cystic fibrosis and asthma are also forms of obstructive lung disease, which may have other complications. People with cystic fibrosis may have complications like nasal polyps and digestive problems; people with asthma may have asthma attacks. Talk to a doctor for recommendations on dealing with the complications of obstructive lung disease.
• QDoes obstructive lung disease run in families?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Obstructive lung disease may be hereditary in extremely rare cases. This is due to an insufficient level of the protein known as alpha-1 antitrypsin.
  
  Talk to your doctor is you have concerns about developing obstructive lung disease based on genetic factors.
• QWhat causes obstructive lung disease?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  In most cases, obstructive lung disease is caused from smoking cigarettes over an extended period of time. However, air pollution and other irritants may also be a factor in the development of obstructive lung disease. In extremely rare cases, this disease may be hereditary.

• QWhat are the symptoms of obstructive lung disease?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Symptoms of obstructive lung disease usually begin to show after the lungs have already been badly damaged. Symptoms include shortness of breath, a persistent cough, tightness in the chest, and respiratory infections that occur often. Some people with obstructive lung disease experience swelling in the legs and lose weight.

• QHow does obstructive lung disease affect the body?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  The airflow obstruction caused by obstructive lung disease cause the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the body to become irregular. This affects the blood flow and pressure in the arteries, and may lead to pulmonary hypertension. Sometimes the breathing pattern of the body becomes abnormal. This disease may cause the lungs to increase in size due to trapped air, resulting in an enlarged chest.

• QWhat increases my risk for obstructive lung disease?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Smoking cigarettes significantly increases your risk for obstructive lung disease. Exposure to secondhand smoke also increases your risk. Air pollution and breathing in toxic chemicals over a long period of time are also risk factors. In rare cases, acid reflux disease and genetics can cause a person to develop obstructive lung disease.