September 25 - World Lung Day
World Lung Day is intended not only to attract and identify patients with respiratory diseases but also to inform the general population about the harm of certain habits, not only to themselves but also to those around them and their loved ones.
Breathing is the foundation of life and health itself, a vital function and need! Life without air is impossible – people breathe to live. Consequently, lung health is the most important condition for a full and happy human life.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid lung diseases nowadays due to smoking, weakened immune systems, poor environmental conditions, a multitude of cars, factories, household chemicals, and other factors that negatively affect lung health. These factors can lead to lung diseases such as asthma, tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchitis, COPD, and lung cancer.
Lung Diseases:
Pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, is a lung disease primarily of infectious origin, affecting the terminal parts of the lungs – the alveoli – and impairing gas exchange at their level. The alveoli fill with fluid or pus, causing a cough with sputum, less commonly coughing up blood, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Pneumonia can be caused by various microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening, being most dangerous for infants and young children, people over 65, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Bronchitis (Latin: bronchitis, from bronchus + -itis — inflammation) is a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchi are involved in the inflammatory process. It is one of the common reasons for seeking medical attention. In most cases of acute bronchitis, the cause is an infection, such as viral or bacterial; however, symptomatic treatment (with antihistamines or cough suppressants) is usually sufficient, and antibiotics are not required. Chronic bronchitis can develop as a complication of acute bronchitis or as a result of prolonged exposure to non-infectious irritants, such as dust. In some cases, bronchitis leads to bronchial obstruction due to swelling of the mucous membrane; this type of bronchitis is called obstructive bronchitis. The treatment for bronchitis depends on the provoking factor, the course, and the form of the disease.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This is its official name in the International Classification. However, a separate entry for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) was established relatively recently, in 1998, based on a joint document adopted by the World Health Organization and the American National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The word "disease" is used in the plural, essentially encompassing various stages of obstructive disease itself and certain other pathologies.
Tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne droplets. Mycobacteria are located outside cells and multiply slowly, so tissues remain unchanged for a long time. The pathological process begins in the lymph nodes and then spreads to the lungs. Microorganisms feed on lung tissue, spreading further and affecting other organs and systems.
Emphysema occurs due to the dilation of bronchioles and the destruction of the walls between alveoli. Characteristic symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and an increase in chest volume.
Lung Cancer. Each year, one million patients worldwide are newly diagnosed with this pathology. The success of lung cancer treatment is directly associated with the speed of seeking medical attention. If the disease is diagnosed and treatment begins in the early stages, 80% of patients have a real chance of recovery. When a person ignores alarming symptoms, persistently avoids seeing a doctor, or disregards medical recommendations, their chances of survival rapidly decrease.
Asthma is a disease during which breathing becomes difficult due to an inflammatory process in the bronchi. Bronchi are the airways through which air enters the lungs. When the bronchi swell and narrow, the airways cease to function, causing the person to suffocate.
Overall, bronchial asthma, even in severe forms, is treatable, and today it is possible to achieve sustained long-term remissions. However, a prerequisite for this is the patient's responsible attitude towards their own health and adherence to all recommendations of their attending pulmonologist.
Prevention of Respiratory System Pathologies
Basic Rules for Maintaining Lung Health:
1. Eat a healthy diet!
2. Do not smoke!
3. Engage in breathing exercises, physical activity, and sports!
4. Harden your body!
5. Undergo fluorographic examination annually!
6. Spend more time outdoors, in the forest!
7. Inhalations and teas are effective means for the prevention and treatment of lung diseases!
8. Use respiratory protective equipment when working in dusty, contaminated premises!
9. Ventilate your living or working space frequently; conduct wet cleaning regularly (ideally daily); maintain normal air humidity!
Remember that a healthy lifestyle ensures high resistance of the human body to adverse external factors, and improves the function of both local and general immunity.
Treat your health with care and attention!
State Institution "Rassonsky RTCGE", 2023.