Frequently asked questions about lung diseases

What are the most common lung diseases?

In terms of frequently occurring lung diseases, viral infections that cause a cough and a runny nose for a few days are extremely common. Most of us will get a viral infection at least once a year and now we are a lot more familiar with viral infections due to experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Viral infections can make you feel generally unwell for a few days. However, the cough may last around a week or perhaps longer. If you have a cough which lasts longer than 3-4 weeks, you should seek medical advice.

One very common viral infection is asthma. It typically manifests as a cough, alongside other a predominant symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing and chest tightness. Sometimes asthma can be related to exposure to an allergen such as cats or horses.

Additionally, smoking can provoke a frequently occuring lung related disease named COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In order to reduce the impact of COPD you must stop smoking, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight. Alongside these factors, it is recommended to take an inhaler in order to help the breathlessness which is commonly asssociated with the disease.

Pneumonia and bronchitis/ lower respiratory tract infection are also dominant infections. Patients with these infections often present with a cough with sputum, sometimes coughing up blood. They also may experience chest pain, fever and breathlessness. The symptoms should improve with antibiotics, but if they do not you should seek advice. If you are coughing up blood, you should request a chest x-ray and review by a doctor.

Another commonly occuring lung disease is obstructive sleep apnoea. Around 4% of men in the UK have is condition, which encompasses loud snoring, with episodes of breath holding over night (apnea). It causes tiredness and sleepiness during the daytime because sleep is disrupted. These symptoms should always be assessed by a health professional, who can refer you for one of the wide range of effective treatments for OSA available.

Additionally, chronic cough is very common. This can be due to a number of factors, such as following a viral infection, due to asthma or heartburn /reflux.

What are warning signs of lung disease?

Warning signs of lung diseases vary depending on the cause of the lung disease, however many conditions cause cough, breathlessness and sometimes pain. If a patient experiences any of these symptoms for more than 2-3 weeks (particularly if they are a smoker or a former smoker) they should undergo further assessment in the form of a chest x-ray. Sometimes breathing tests are required.

Who is most likely to suffer from a lung disease?

Lung conditions can affect anyone and minor conditions are very common. However, effective treatments available for the vast majority of lung conditions.

That being said, smokers are much more likely to be affected. Weight gain and being less physically active can also make breathlessness and sometime cough worse too.

How can I lower the risk of developing a lung disease?

For the majority of lung conditions, there is nothing you can do to prevent them except the usual general health advice which includes maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and regular cardiovascular exercise. UK national guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity, 75 minutes of vigorous activity or a mixture of both per week.

Viral infections can be reduced through maintaning good hand hygiene, as well as taking the anual flu jab. More vulnerable groups such as older people and those with chronic lung diease should also take a one off pneumonia vaccine.

Is it possible to live a normal life with a chronic lung disease?

Living a normal life with a chronic lung disease is possible. For the majority of people, long term symptoms from a chronic lung disease are manageable on a day to day basis. There may be periods when symptoms flare up and a specialist review or even hospital admission may be required. However, the majority of people will live a normal day to day life, usually with long term treatments such as inhalers.