What is lung disease?
The health of our lungs is a vital part in maintaining overall wellbeing and living life to the fullest - yet lung disease stands as an ever-persistent threat, with women increasingly at greater risk. Asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, infectious diseases such as influenza and pneumonia; even deadly conditions like lung cancer or sarcoidosis can all have devastating effects that rob us of oxygen intake simply by breathing. Unfortunately these issues are becoming more prevalent amongst U.S females every day due to diagnosis rates skyrocketing while mortality numbers rise alongside them. It's time we take back control over this unseen adversary.
What types of lung disease are most common in women?
Three of the most common lung diseases in women are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disorder that affects the airways in your lungs, making them inflamed and hypersensitive. Factors such as smoke, pollution, mold and allergens can cause these bronchial tubes to become narrowed causing difficulty breathing accompanied by wheezing or coughing sensation in the chest area. For those living with asthma it's important to be mindful of environmental conditions which could trigger their symptoms while taking any necessary medications prescribed for long-term respiratory management.
Despite comprising only half the population, women are disproportionately impacted by asthma in terms of both prevalence and mortality. Recent statistics reveal that young female populations have been particularly hard hit - numbers continuing to rise despite a lack of clear explanation as to why. Scientific evidence suggests air pollution, allergens or even secondhand smoke may be fueling this phenomenon - making it all the more important for us to better understand these correlations and work towards solutions that can help protect our health going forward.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COPD is an umbrella term for two lower respiratory disease conditions- chronic obstructive bronchitis and emphysema. This insidious ailment progressively constricts airways, making it harder to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide until every breath becomes a laborious effort.
A person living with COPD is at risk for ongoing inflammation of their bronchial tubes, resulting in an excessive buildup of mucus and bouts of coughing. Over time, this irritation can cause thickening and scarring on the walls which may disrupt airflow to the lungs - leading to a more permanent form known as chronic obstructive bronchitis.
As more women pick up the habit of smoking, they are increasingly at risk for a serious lung condition known as COPD. This comprises two conditions—emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the walls of air sacs in the lungs break down which reduces oxygen absorption into one's bloodstream - leading to shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. Research suggests that cigarette smoke is particularly damaging to females compared with males raising concern among health professionals who want to understand why this shift has happened in recent years resulting in higher rates among women.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease in which abnormal (malignant) lung cells multiply and grow without control. These cancerous cells can invade nearby tissues, spread to other parts of the body, or both. The two major kinds of lung cancer are named for the way the cells look under a microscope. They are:
Small cell lung cancer. This kind of lung cancer tends to spread quickly.
Non-small cell lung cancer. This is a term for several types of lung cancers that act in a similar way. Most lung cancers are non-small cell. This kind of lung cancer tends to spread more slowly than small cell lung cancer.
Other lung diseases
Pulmonary emboli. These are blood clots that travel to the lungs from other parts of the body and plug up blood vessels in the lungs. Some factors that increase your risk include being pregnant, having recently given birth, and taking birth control pills or menopausal hormone therapy. Pulmonary emboli can affect blood flow in the lungs and can reduce oxygen flow into the blood. Very large emboli can cause sudden death.
Pulmonary hypertension. This is high blood pressure in the arteries that bring blood to the lungs. It can affect blood flow in the lungs and can reduce oxygen flow into the blood.
Sarcoidosis and pulmonary fibrosis. These inflammatory diseases cause stiffening and scarring in the lungs.
LAM (lymphangioleiomyomatosis) (lim-FAN-jee-oh-LEE-oh-MEYE-oh-mah-TOH-sis). This is a rare lung disease that mostly affects women in their mid-30s and 40s. Muscle-like cells grow out of control in certain organs, including the lungs.
