Respiratory Diseases: Symptoms, Causes and Risk Factors

Are you one of the millions of people who suffer from respiratory problems? Whether it’s a common cold, asthma, or a more serious respiratory disease, such as COPD, respiratory disorders can make breathing challenging and significantly impact your quality of life. Thus, understanding respiratory disease symptoms, causes, and risk factors is essential to control and prevent them.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the world of respiratory disorders, exploring the different types of respiratory diseases, the causes of COPD, and the risk factors associated with respiratory problems. So, sit back, relax, and join us as we journey into the fascinating world of respiratory diseases.

What is Respiratory Disease?

This organ plays a vital role in exchanging gas flow in the human body: the trachea (windpipe), lungs, diaphragms, etc. All these functions together in a proper order to create uninterrupted airflow within the body.

When people have respiratory disorders, their tissues and organs, which exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, do not work properly. It decreases the oxygen saturation level (SpO2). As a result, people who have been afflicted experience anxiousness, dizziness, disorientation, and bewilderment.

Obstructive vs Restrictive Respiratory System

Chronic respiratory diseases can be classified as either obstructive or restrictive.

Obstructive

When a respiratory condition causes congested or clogged airways, it is referred to as obstructive. This hinders the lungs’ ability to exhale. Common asthma triggers obstructive respiratory conditions that irritate airways, including stress, pollen, chemical gases, and other allergens.

Cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are more instances of obstructive respiratory illnesses.

Restrictive

When the lungs cannot expand to their full capacity, respiratory diseases are classified as restrictive. Pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sarcoidosis are some examples of restrictive respiratory diseases.

Different Types of Respiratory Disorders?

Here is a list of some common respiratory problems developing breathing difficulties in the human body.

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COPD is a type of lung disease that obstructs the air passage of the lungs, making it difficult to function effectively.

• Asthma: Due to chronic coughing or other factors, the windpipes swell and narrow, impairing natural airflow in asthma.

• Emphysema: The alveoli, or tiny air sacs in the lungs, deteriorate and may even rupture in emphysema patients.

• Pleural Effusion: Commonly referred to as “water on the lungs,” occurs when surplus fluids build up between the pleural layers.

• Chronic Bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis is a type of inflammation in the breathing tubes or bronchi.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD is a type of lung disease that obstructs the air passage of the lungs, making it difficult to function effectively. COPD’s primary lung disease symptoms include cough, sputum production, breathing issues, and wheezing. These respiratory problems are caused due to long-term exposure to pollution and cigarette smoke. People affected by this disease are vulnerable to other diseases related to the heart and lungs.

Asthma

Due to chronic coughing or other factors, the windpipes swell and narrow, impairing natural airflow in asthma. Asthma triggers, however, vary from person to person. Airborne allergens such as dust mites, pollens, cat dander, and others can cause asthma attacks in some people.

Emphysema

The alveoli, or tiny air sacs in the lungs, deteriorate and may even rupture in emphysema patients. This can make it difficult for the body to remove air, preventing it from absorbing new, oxygenated air.

Pleural Effusion

A respiratory disease called pleural effusion, commonly referred to as “water on the lungs,” occurs when surplus fluids build up between the pleural layers. It can cause breathing issues, and severe chest discomfort is the result.

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a type of inflammation in the breathing tubes or bronchi. These airways create an excessive amount of mucus as a result of this inflammation. Patients may experience intense chest pain and a strong urge to cough.

If you are suffering from any kind of respiratory disorder, get in touch with the best hospital in Delhi. The doctors will help you find your disease and give the treatment accordingly.

What are the Causes of Respiratory Diseases?

The most common respiratory disease causes are as follows –

Smoking and Air Pollution: Smoking’s toxins and air pollution cause damage to the lungs’ alveoli (alveolar membrane). Therefore, it cannot properly immerse gaseous oxygen into the blood. As a result, the patients experience discomfort and shortness of breath.

Allergies: Some people’s immune systems react poorly to specific chemicals, such as pollen, dust, or animal dander. When allergic people are exposed to these allergens, they experience breathing difficulties.

Viral Infection: One of the main causes of respiratory disorders is viral infection. Some viruses enter alveoli and produce inflammation, such as influenza viruses, respiratory adenoviruses, and respiratory syncytial viruses.

Viral Infection: One of the main causes of respiratory disorders is viral infection. Some viruses enter alveoli and produce inflammation, such as influenza viruses, respiratory adenoviruses, and respiratory syncytial viruses.

Bacterial Infection: Respiratory diseases can also be brought on by some bacteria, including otitis, sinusitis, and pneumonia.

Some additional respiratory disease causes are as follows –

• Chest trauma and consequent bleeding
• Abdominal and chest infection
• Inflammatory or autoimmune diseases
• Tuberculosis

What are the Symptoms of Respiratory Disease?

The main drawback of COPD is that the symptoms are not noticeable until significant lung damage has already been done. The condition tends to worsen over some time due to excessive smoking. In the case of chronic bronchitis, the common symptoms are mucus production and daily coughing, which prevails for 3 months to a couple of years. A few other lung disease symptoms are as under:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath during any physical activity
• Chest congestion
• An urgency to clear the throat after waking up every morning
• Generation of cough that can be greenish, yellow or clear in colour
• Lack of energy
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Swelling in legs, feet or ankle
• Blueness in cyanosis or lips
• Unnoticed weight loss
• Fatigue due to oxygen shortage

Who Is at Risk of Developing Respiratory Diseases?

Some individuals are more susceptible to respiratory disorders brought on by the respiratory system. Among them are:

• People with a history of heart disease in their families are more susceptible to this illness.
• As people age, their risk of developing certain diseases increases. Senior citizens are, therefore, more vulnerable to them.
• Respiratory diseases are very easily contagious in people with cardiovascular conditions. This is due to their heart’s inability to adequately pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
• Long-term residents or employees of extremely polluted areas are likewise more vulnerable.
• People who are diagnosed with asthma and habitual smokers are the ones who are at the highest risk of COPD. If you are one of them, it is advisable to quit smoking immediately.

Consulting with the best pulmonologist in Delhi NCR can help you diagnose your problem and give suitable respiratory disease treatment.

What Are Some Common Respiratory Disease Treatments?

Doctors conduct the following treatment procedure to cure respiratory diseases –

• Medications: To widen patients’ airways and treat inflammation, the best pulmonologist in Delhi NCR can suggest some medications such as bronchodilators, oral steroids, and antibiotics.

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Physicians guide patients in various strategies and activities during pulmonary rehabilitation. Patients who practice these see an improvement in their body’s oxygen levels.

• Supplemental Oxygen: Patients who have major respiratory issues require assistance from a constant oxygen supply at home. In certain instances, they require more oxygen only after exertion.

• Nutrition Therapy: This cannot be used as a stand-alone therapy for certain illnesses. However, doctors pay close attention to their patients’ dietary needs. It speeds up their healing process.

• Surgery: Patients must have surgery for some respiratory conditions, including COPD and pleural effusion. The portion of the lungs affected by these disorders is removed via surgery.

PSRI Hospital is the best multispeciality hospital in Delhi and has an expert team of professional doctors to treat various respiratory disorders.

Conclusion

You can control these risk factors by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Try eating healthily and indulge yourself in physical activities like walking and exercising. Make sure you quit smoking immediately to avert any risk of any kind of respiratory problems. If unattended, these can become more severe.

Stay alert to any changes in your body functions and get a consultation from PSRI Hospital, the best multispeciality hospital in New Delhi. Our experienced team of doctors provides holistic care in diagnosing and treating respiratory disorders. Find expert pre and post-operative care only at PSRI Hospital.

FAQs

Q 1: What are some common respiratory disorders?

Ans: Some common respiratory diseases include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, influenza, bronchitis, and tuberculosis.

Q 2: What are the respiratory disease symptoms?

Ans: The symptoms of respiratory diseases can vary depending on the specific disease, but some common symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue, and fever.

Q 3: What is the role of genetics in respiratory diseases?

Ans: Genetics can play a role in developing certain respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Individuals with a family history of these conditions may be at increased risk and should discuss this with their healthcare provider.

Q 4: How are respiratory diseases diagnosed?

Ans: Diagnosis of respiratory diseases typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests such as chest X-rays, CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and blood tests. Sometimes, a lung tissue biopsy may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.