Protect Your Lungs from Long-Term Illness

Each time you inhale, your lungs bring in oxygen that fuels your entire body. This oxygen travels through your blood to nourish every cell. When you exhale, your body releases carbon dioxide, a waste product produced during energy use. If any part of your breathing process is disrupted, your health and daily routine can be affected.

Lung conditions can appear through various symptoms. You might experience persistent coughing, wheezing, or have trouble breathing. A feeling of chest pressure or tightness can occur. Sometimes, basic actions may make you breathless or leave you always feeling tired.

These symptoms can be short-lived and triggered by stress, allergies, or infections. However, if breathing issues linger for more than a few weeks, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider. They could signal a chronic lung condition that needs attention.

While hereditary factors might raise your chances of getting a chronic lung disease, many people develop these illnesses even without a family history. Harmful exposures such as cigarette smoke, polluted air, or workplace dust can also increase your risk.

The positive news is that prevention is possible. By recognizing the early signs and starting treatment promptly, you can enjoy a better quality of life. Scientists are also working on improved methods to detect and manage chronic lung conditions.

When Air Can’t Move Freely

Obstructive lung diseases are among the most widespread chronic breathing problems. The leading types include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

“With obstructive lung conditions, airflow is the main issue,” says Dr. Andrew Lipton, who oversees a lung function laboratory at NIH. “The lungs struggle with moving air in and out.”

In asthma, breathing passages become inflamed and narrowed, reacting easily to allergens like dust or pollen. It often begins during childhood.

Asthma can disrupt normal life. Severe attacks may make it difficult to breathe for prolonged periods, sometimes even requiring emergency care. In rare cases, these can be fatal.

“Following your medication plan can lead to almost no symptoms for most people,” says Dr. Kathryn Blake, an asthma expert at Nemours Children’s Health.

When asthma is under control, children and adults can still enjoy their favorite activities, including sports, she explains. However, teens often don’t use their medications properly. Blake notes that confusion about timing and social pressures can make it hard for them to stick to a routine.

“Many teens avoid treatment out of fear of standing out,” she says. “Rather than use their inhalers in public, they may limit their lifestyle.”

Her team is exploring if regular video sessions with pharmacists can help young people use their asthma medications more consistently.

“It’s like having someone guide you and help solve the challenges you’re facing,” she notes.

Although some children may eventually outgrow asthma, many won’t. Without treatment, the condition can become more severe over time.

COPD involves narrowed passages that carry air to and from the lungs. Although smoking is the top cause, about 25% of those with COPD never smoked.

While COPD tends to worsen, treatment can ease symptoms and slow its advance. Certain drugs can improve breathing, and some patients benefit from oxygen therapy or special rehab programs. Government-supported research is now looking at early treatments and potential medications that might hinder disease progression.

Limited Lung Expansion

Another category of lung illnesses is known as interstitial lung diseases. These involve inflammation, stiffening, or scarring of lung tissue, which restricts the lungs’ ability to fully expand during breathing. “All of these conditions lower lung capacity,” says Lipton.

Treating these illnesses can be complex, notes Dr. Kevin Flaherty, a lung disease specialist at the University of Michigan. “Often, we don’t know what’s causing the damage,” he says. “But if we can identify the underlying cause, we can treat it.” For instance, managing another disease affecting the lungs can help reduce the damage.

One form of interstitial lung disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), has no known cause. Older adults, men, and smokers have a higher chance of developing it. Some may live with IPF for years, while others experience a quicker decline. Medications exist that can help slow down lung scarring, but better therapies are still needed.

Years ago, a national study funded by researchers found that suppressing the immune system did not improve outcomes for those with IPF. A separate antioxidant therapy also didn’t show any clear benefits.

In follow-up research, scientists examined patient samples from that study. They discovered genetic variations that may explain why certain individuals benefited while others did not. People with a specific genetic trait appeared to respond positively, while others did not or even experienced harm.

This insight has led to the launch of a new study to see if individuals with certain genes can benefit from these treatments. “If we confirm this, it could be the first customized therapy for IPF,” says Flaherty.

Meanwhile, there are practical steps you can take to protect your lungs. Making healthy lifestyle choices can significantly reduce your risk of chronic lung diseases.

If you notice signs of lung trouble, don’t delay visiting your doctor. Many tests are quick and can even be done during a regular checkup. Detecting lung disease early can lead to better outcomes and a healthier life.