Do you know that on a normal day you breathe nearly 25000 times. Your lungs are the part of your complex system which brings in oxygen and sends out carbon dioxide. Sadly, lung diseases occur when there is any problem in any part of your system.
In today’s scenario, lung diseases are one of most common medical conditions in the world. These lung diseases affect the lungs that allows us to breathe. They can cause breathing problems which prevent the body from getting enough oxygen.
Lung disease in women are rapidly rising and these affect the body adversely. Less of the oxygen enters your blood which can cause certain lung diseases. Each year women die more from lung diseases than men.
There are many different lung problems in women. Early signals may start with a cold or allergy. So we can easily overlook the early signs of lung diseases. However, these signs and symptoms can differ by the type of disease. Common signs can include –
- Trouble in breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Frequent cough
- Decreased ability to exercise
- Pain or discomfort during breathing
Most common types of lung Problems in Women
1.Asthma
Asthma is a disease in the airways of the lungs called bronchial tubes. The walls of these airways get swollen and become oversensitive. Consequently, the airways in the lungs overreact to things like smoke, air pollution and chemical sprays.
The airway gets narrower which can limit the flow of air into and out of lungs. The symptoms can include:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Tightness of chest
- Women are more likely to have asthma than men. Young women are more likely to have the problem of asthma.
2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COPD includes bronchitis and emphysema which occur together. Both the diseases can limit airflow into and out of the lungs and cause breathing difficulties. It may get worse if you don’t get proper treatment. COPD can cause:
- Inflammation in the bronchial tube which carries air in and out of the lungs. The irritation may enhance over time and can also develop scars.
- In emphysema, lung tissues get weak and the wall can break down.
Women have more chances of getting chronic bronchitis. Every year, more women die from COPD than men.
3. Lung Cancer
When abnormal lung cells multiply and grow without control, it can cause lung cancer. These cells can harm your nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body. It includes:
- Small Cell Lung Cancer
This lung cancer has the tendency to spread quickly. The cancer cells seem small under a microscope. - Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
People who smoke or breathe a lot of smoke are more likely to get this cancer. The cells of this lung cancer are large. Non-small cell lung cancer includes: squamous cell, adenocarcinoma and carcinoma large cells.
4. Pulmonary Emboli
It is one of the most common types of lung problems in women. The blood clots get developed and can travel to the lungs from the other parts of the body. They plug up blood vessels in the blood. It can affect blood flow in the lungs and can reduce oxygen flow in the blood. It can cause severe damage to the lungs.
5. Pulmonary Fibrosis
In this disease the tissues in the lungs become stiff and scarred over time. It can reduce the lung’s ability to supply oxygen to the bloodstream. It is easy to diagnose the symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis among women.The symptoms can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Dry cough
- Weight loss
- Feeling tired
6. Pulmonary Hypertension
It is a lung disease in women where blood pressure in your lungs becomes high instantly. This increased pressure forces the right side of the heart to work hard to pump oxygen-rich blood back into the lungs. It can lead to hard failure if not treated on time.
The reasons when a woman can develop pulmonary hypertension includes childhood infections and other lung diseases.
7. Influenza and Pneumonia
Lung conditions like Influenza and Pneumonia are common in winter months. It is a respiratory viral infection that can cause short-term damage to your lungs. It can either be bacterial infection or viral infection. There is build-up of fluids in the lungs that can cause difficulty to maintain oxygen levels.
Healthy people can get over these infections in a week. But very young and elderly can take time to get over these infections.
8. LAM [LymphAngioleioMyomatosis]
It is a rare lung disease in women that can affect women in their 30s and 40s. Muscle-like cells grow out of control in certain organs including your lungs. These muscle cells can cause damage to the lungs and can cause other potential dangers.
Amandeep Hospital: Best Pulmonology Hospital in India
Amandeep Group of Hospitals is one of the best pulmonology hospitals in India.
The pulmonology department has specialist doctors with the experience of dealing most complicated cases. The chest clinic is specialised in treating complex cases. We provide complete services including diagnosis and treatment of chest related problems and prevention of respiratory diseases.
We have certain tests and facilities available under one roof. So you don’t have to go to another place to undertake your tests.
Don’t delay and seek the best consultation today!