Lung disease is any disease or disorder where lung function is weakened
or impaired. Lung diseases can be caused by long-term and immediate exposure to:
- cigarette smoke (as a smoker or as a nonsmoker to secondhand smoke)
- air pollution
- occupational or job exposure (such as asbestos and silicosis)
- carcinogens, or cancer-causing agents, that trigger tumor growth
- radon, a radioactive gas found in the earth’s soil
- infectious agents
- overactive immune defenses
There are many types of lung diseases including:
- Infections such as pneumonia, influenza, RSV, and tuberculosis (TB).
Bacteria or viruses can cause these diseases that affect the membrane
(or pleura) that surrounds the lungs.
- Respiratory failure, pulmonary edema, pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary
hypertension. These are caused by problems with the normal gas exchange
and blood flow in the lungs.
- Pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis. Diseases characterized by stiffening
and scarring of the lungs.
- Occupational diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
The list of additional diseases that primarily affect the lungs is a lengthy one. Among the familiar:
Click here for more information on these and other lung diseases not listed here.
The American Lung Association strongly believes that if cigarette smoking,
preventable premature childbirth, disregard for workers’ safety, and violating clean-air
laws were to end today, we could expect a future largely free of the most deadly forms of
lung disease. We work diligently to promote lung health and prevent lung disease through
research, education, public policy and community service.
