Lung diseases can be due to various causes, 1) small airway obstruction causing asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, 2) diseases affecting lung tissue like fibrosis, asbestosis 3) pulmonary vascular disease 4)Malignancy or cancer 5) infections like viral, bacterial and fungal.
Smoking both active and passive, environmental pollution specifically air pollution, occupational ( asbestos, woodsmoke, coal dust ,organic dusts like cotton,grain dust , welding fumes, diesel exhaust, wood finishing), bird excreta ,continuous or recurrent respiratory infections affect the lungs.
Air pollution is an important factor, pollutants , smoking ,trigger asthma, occupational asthma due to exposure to chemicals, fungal amylase in wheat flour among bakers. Smoking asthmatics have more severe form of asthma as smoking interfers with lung function.
Occupational lung diseases causes various lung pathologies like lung fibrosis, cancer, COPD ,asthma, bronchitis, asbestosis ( asbestos industry), silicosis ( mining, quarrying, stonecutting, sand blasting, cement manufacturing).
Air pollution both outdoor air pollution ( sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, lead carbon monoxide )and indoor exposure to active & passive smoking ,wood smoke, charcol smoke affect lungs causing various lung diseases and cancer .
About smoking, tobacco contains certain substances which are carcinogens like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrosamines. Use of unfiltered cigarette, pipe will increase the carcinogenic effect ,along with alcohol intake synergistic effect occurs as alcohol increases absorption of carcinogens contained in the tobacco. Duration of smoking, amount of cigarettes daily increase the carcinogenic effect.
Head and neck cancers ,majority of the patients give history of smoking and alcohol intake.
To conclude let's be aware of the importance of a healthy lung and take measures to reduce airpollution, more greenery, quit smoking, use safety measures while working in places like asbestos, coal, organic dust, chemical factories.
Cleaner air and healthy lung improves quality of life.
