1. Bronchitis
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Signs and Symptoms:
- Persistent cough (often with mucus)
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Chest discomfort or tightness
- Low-grade fever (in some cases)
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Causes:
- Acute bronchitis: Often caused by viral infections (e.g., cold or flu viruses) but can also result from bacterial infections or exposure to irritants like smoke, dust, or pollution.
- Chronic bronchitis: Usually caused by long-term exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke or other airborne pollutants. It’s often a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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Treatment:
- Acute bronchitis: Typically treated with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications to alleviate symptoms (e.g., pain relievers, cough suppressants).
- Chronic bronchitis: Management includes smoking cessation, medications (bronchodilators, corticosteroids), pulmonary rehabilitation, and sometimes oxygen therapy.
2. Emphysema
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Signs and Symptoms:
- Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity
- Chronic cough (with or without mucus)
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss in severe cases
- Barrel chest (in advanced stages)
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Causes:
- The primary cause is smoking, which damages the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. Other causes can include long-term exposure to air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust.
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic cause of emphysema, although it’s rarer.
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Treatment:
- Medications: Bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, and oxygen therapy.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation: Exercise and breathing techniques to improve lung function.
- Surgery: In severe cases, lung volume reduction surgery or a lung transplant may be needed.
- Smoking cessation: The most crucial step in preventing further damage.
3. Pneumonia
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Signs and Symptoms:
- Cough (often with phlegm)
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Sweating or chills
- Nausea or vomiting (sometimes)
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Causes:
- Bacterial pneumonia: Most commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and other bacteria.
- Viral pneumonia: Caused by viruses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or coronaviruses.
- Fungal pneumonia: Rare, but can occur in immunocompromised individuals.
- Aspiration pneumonia: Caused when food, liquid, or vomit is inhaled into the lungs.
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Treatment:
- Bacterial pneumonia: Treated with antibiotics.
- Viral pneumonia: Antiviral medications may be prescribed, though treatment is usually supportive (rest, fluids, fever management).
- Fungal pneumonia: Antifungal medications are used.
- Oxygen therapy: In severe cases to support breathing.
- Vaccines: Vaccines (e.g., pneumococcal vaccine, flu vaccine) can help prevent certain types of pneumonia.
Each of these conditions affects the lungs, but they have different causes and treatments, and some overlap with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory issues.