A lung disease is any condition that affects the health and function of the lungs. Examples include asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Many types of lung disease result from bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Others are associated with environmental factors, such as air pollution.

Typical symptoms of a lung disease include breathing problems, chest discomfort, fatigue, and cough.

This article discusses various lung diseases, including their symptoms, causes, treatment, and outlook.

Asthma is inflammation and narrowing of the small air passages in the lungs. It can cause shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough, and a wheezing sound when you breathe.

Experts do not know the exact cause. However, certain factors, such as infection, allergies, and air pollution, can trigger symptoms.

Asthma is usually a long-term condition, but it is manageable. Management methods include inhalers and corticosteroids.

Pneumothorax is the name doctors use to describe a collapsed lung. It occurs when air enters the space between the chest wall and the lung. Common causes include blunt trauma, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and tuberculosis. Other causes include smoking, genetics, and drug use.

You will typically experience chest pain and shortness of breath if you have a pneumothorax. 

Treatments focus on easing the pressure on your lung. They include needle aspiration, supplemental oxygen, and surgery.

Your long-term outlook will depend on how serious your pneumothorax is, what caused it, and the treatment you receive.

Learn more about collapsed lungs here.

Bronchitis develops when the bronchial tubes become inflamed. The bronchial tubes are the airways that connect your mouth and nose to your lungs. Common symptoms include cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, and chills.

You can get bronchitis from factors such as a cold virus, a bacterial infection, and smoking.

Many cases of bronchitis respond to home treatments. These include rest, drinking enough fluids, and using over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen. If your symptoms persist after trying home remedies, your doctor may give you antibiotics.

COPD causes airflow obstruction and breathing problems. 

There are two subtypes: 

Treatment options for COPD include inhalers, a lung transplant, and oral steroids.

Learn more about COPD here.

Lung cancer is when cells in the lung grow and multiply atypically. It is one of the most serious types of cancer.

Many people with the condition experience no symptoms. Others report a persistent cough, breathlessness, tiredness, and unexplained weight loss.

The most common cause of lung cancer is smoking. In fact, about 7 in 10 people with the condition have a history of smoking.

Treatment depends on the stage of cancer and whether or not a person has other underlying conditions. Methods include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies.

The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is 18.6%.

Pneumonia is when an infection causes inflammation in your lungs. It can result from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Common symptoms include chest pain, cough, fatigue, fever, and chills.

People with weakened or compromised immune systems are most likely to develop pneumonia. Other possible risk factors include aging and lung diseases, such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Doctors commonly use antibiotics to treat the condition. They will also typically recommend rest and drinking plenty of fluids.  

The prognosis depends on factors such as your age and overall health.

Learn more in our complete guide to pneumonia.

Pulmonary edema describes an accumulation of fluid in the lungs. There are two types. The acute type has a rapid onset, while the chronic type develops gradually over ‌time.

There are several possible causes of pulmonary edema, including:

Most people with the condition report breathing difficulty, cough, chest pain, and anxiety. Others also experience pale skin, uneven heartbeat, and dizziness.

Your doctor will try to improve your breathing with an oxygen mask if you have pulmonary edema. However, your recovery time will depend on the underlying cause of your condition.

Learn more about pulmonary edema here.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung disease that occurs when damage causes lung scarring. It makes the lung tissue stiff and unable to function properly. Other symptoms include aching muscles, dry cough, fatigue, and weight loss.

You can develop pulmonary fibrosis from long-term exposure to pollutants, such as silica dust and asbestos fibers. Certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and pneumonia, may also increase your risk.

Doctors often use a combination of oxygen therapy and pirfenidone (Esbriet) or nintedanib (Ofev) medications to manage pulmonary fibrosis.

The survival rates can be quite low, with some studies suggesting an average of 3–5 years.

Learn more about pulmonary fibrosis here.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that begins in the outer tissue lining of your lungs. The main cause is asbestos exposure. 

Most people with the condition do not notice it until it reaches an advanced stage. This often results in a poor outlook.

Your doctor will typically suggest chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery if you have mesothelioma.

Learn more about mesothelioma here.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that affects the lungs and other parts of the body. It commonly develops from bacteria.

If you have the condition, you may experience:

Methods of treatment include special medications, such as isoniazid, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), and ethambutol (Myambutol). 

In many cases, treatment improves the condition. However, your outlook will depend on your overall health, how severe your infection is, and how well you follow your doctor’s treatment plan.

Tuberculosis can spread through the air, so you should avoid close contact with other people if you have it.

Learn more about tuberculosis here.

A lung disease is any condition that affects the health and function of the lungs. Types include asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and COPD. Other examples include pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis, and mesothelioma.

Lung diseases can present with many symptoms. The most common are breathing problems, chest discomfort, fatigue, and cough. Additional symptoms can include fever, chills, dizziness, and unexplained weight loss.

Treatments are available for many lung diseases and typically focus on improving your breathing. They include oxygen masks, surgery, radiation therapy, and medications, such as isoniazid.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you have symptoms of a lung disease.

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