The ABC of common lung conditions

For most of us, breathing is something we do without even thinking about it. But taking a breath is not so easy for everyone.

Around 585,000 people are diagnosed with respiratory diseases in the UK each year, according to the European Respiratory Society. Close to one in five of us has been diagnosed with a lung condition at some point.

Find out more about some of the most common lung conditions with our no-nonsense, five-minute guide.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can affect people of all ages.

Caused by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways, its symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

Some people have worse symptoms when they have a cold or during seasonal changes. Other triggers can include dust, smoke, fumes, grass and tree pollen, animal fur and feathers, strong soaps and perfume.

It's not easy to pinpoint a cause for asthma, although it often runs in families and is more common among people with allergies such as eczema and hay fever.

There's no cure, but the condition can be successfully managed using inhalers (with a mask extension for children) that deliver medications directly to the lungs.

Medications used to treat asthma include bronchodilators that open the air passages and steroids that reduce inflammation in the air passages.

Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition where the walls of the bronchi (lung airways) are thickened, due to long-term inflammation and scarring, preventing mucus from draining properly.

This leads to a mucus build-up that can cause recurrent infections and symptoms such as chest pain, coughing up discoloured or bloody mucus, and fevers/chills.

Common among people with cystic fibrosis and COPD, bronchiectasis can also affect those with no linked conditions.

As with asthma, there is no cure, with surgery only recommended in extreme cases or to treat an underlying condition.

However, you can lessen bronchiectasis symptoms by making lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, exercising regularly, and getting an annual flu vaccine.

You may also be prescribed physiotherapy sessions and various medications to be taken orally or via a nebuliser - a breathing device that delivers the medication directly to your lungs.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term that covers a group of serious lung conditions, including emphysema, caused by damage to the air sacs in the lungs, and chronic bronchitis, caused by long-term inflammation of the airways.

It mainly affects older smokers, many of whom do not realise they have it.

Symptoms include struggling to breathe when exercising, a persistent chesty cough, wheezing, and frequent chest infections.

Without treatment, the symptoms usually get progressively worse and may flare up at times.

So, see a GP if you have these symptoms, particularly if you're over 35 and smoke or used to smoke - the main cause of COPD, although some cases of COPD are caused by exposure to harmful substances and others are genetic.

Once again, there is no cure, but there are treatments available to manage the symptoms.

These include:

• Inhalers and medicines to help make breathing easier
• A pulmonary rehabilitation programme
• Surgery/lung transplant, but only in rare cases

About the author

Jessica Bown is a freelance writer and journalist.