What is the number one cause of lung disease?

Smoking. Smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes is the number one cause of lung disease. Don't start smoking, or quit if you already smoke. If you live or work with a smoker, avoid secondhand smoke.
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What is the number one cause of lung?

Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer also can be caused by using other types of tobacco (such as pipes or cigars), breathing secondhand smoke, being exposed to substances such as asbestos or radon at home or work, and having a family history of lung cancer.
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What are the first signs of lung problems?

Wheezing: Noisy breathing or wheezing is a sign that something unusual is blocking your lungs' airways or making them too narrow. Coughing up blood: If you are coughing up blood, it may be coming from your lungs or upper respiratory tract. Wherever it's coming from, it signals a health problem.
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What are the top 5 causes of lung cancer?

Risk factors
  • Smoking. Your risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke each day and the number of years you have smoked. ...
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke. ...
  • Previous radiation therapy. ...
  • Exposure to radon gas. ...
  • Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens. ...
  • Family history of lung cancer.
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Who is more likely to get lung cancer?

Overall, the chance that a man will develop lung cancer in his lifetime is about 1 in 16; for a woman, the risk is about 1 in 17. These numbers include both people who smoke and those who don't smoke. For people who smoke the risk is much higher, while for those who don't, the risk is lower.
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Diseases of the Respiratory System



Where does lung cancer usually start?

Lung cancer begins in the lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body, such as the brain. Cancer from other organs also may spread to the lungs. When cancer cells spread from one organ to another, they are called metastases.
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How can I make my lungs stronger?

These tips can get you started.
  1. Stop smoking. You knew this was coming. ...
  2. Get regular exercise. Staying active makes your lungs (and your heart) stronger. ...
  3. Eat healthy. ...
  4. Keep your weight in check. ...
  5. Practice deep breathing. ...
  6. Keep the air inside your home clean. ...
  7. Keep up with yearly health checkups. ...
  8. Get vaccinated.
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Can lung problems be cured?

There's currently no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but treatment can help slow the progression of the condition and control the symptoms. Treatments include: stopping smoking – if you have COPD and you smoke, this is the most important thing you can do.
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What are some fatal lung diseases?

Pneumonia. Lung cancer. Emphysema. COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
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What is the biggest risk for lung disease?

Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths.
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What is a common cause or trigger for most chronic lung diseases?

Risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases include tobacco smoking (including second-hand smoke), air pollution, allergens and occupational risks. Outdoor air pollution and indoor air pollution (often caused by cooking with solid fuels) are also common causes.
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Why do lungs get worse with age?

There are several body changes that happen as you get older that may cause a decline in lung capacity: Alveoli can lose their shape and become baggy. The diaphragm can, over time, become weaker, decreasing the ability to inhale and exhale.
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Which lung disease has no cure?

Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious, lifelong lung disease. It causes lung scarring (tissues scar and thicken over time), making it harder to breathe. Symptoms may come on quickly or take years to develop. No cure exists.
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How long can you live with lung damage?

When you do your research, you may see average survival is between three to five years. This number is an average. There are patients who live less than three years after diagnosis, and others who live much longer.
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Can damaged lungs grow back?

Recent studies have shown that the respiratory system has an extensive ability to respond to injury and regenerate lost or damaged cells. The unperturbed adult lung is remarkably quiescent, but after insult or injury progenitor populations can be activated or remaining cells can re-enter the cell cycle.
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What is the best sleeping position for breathing problems?

Sleeping. Lie on your side with a pillow between your legs and your head elevated with pillows. Keep your back straight. Lie on your back with your head elevated and your knees bent, with a pillow under your knees.
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Can a person live with damaged lungs?

Having one lung will still allow a person to live a relatively normal life. Having one lung might limit a person's physical abilities, however, such as their ability to exercise. That said, many athletes who lose the use of one lung may still train and be able to continue their sport.
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Does lung scarring show up on CT scan?

A CT scan is similar to an X-ray, but lots more images are taken and these are put together by a computer to create a more detailed image of your lungs. This can help your doctor spot signs of scarring in your lungs.
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How can I repair my lungs fast?

How to Get Back Healthy Lungs After Smoking
  1. Quit Smoking. The first step to repairing the quality of your lungs is to quit smoking. ...
  2. Avoid Smokers. ...
  3. Keep Your Space Clean. ...
  4. Healthy Dieting. ...
  5. Physical Exercise. ...
  6. Try Breathing Exercises. ...
  7. Try Meditating.
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How do you heal weak lungs?

Follow these nine tips to help improve your lung health and keep these vital organs going strong for life:
  1. Diaphragmatic breathing. ...
  2. Simple deep breathing. ...
  3. 'Counting' your breaths. ...
  4. Watching your posture. ...
  5. Staying hydrated. ...
  6. Laughing. ...
  7. Staying active. ...
  8. Joining a breathing club.
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What are 3 warning signs of lung cancer?

What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?
  • Coughing that gets worse or doesn't go away.
  • Chest pain.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Wheezing.
  • Coughing up blood.
  • Feeling very tired all the time.
  • Weight loss with no known cause.
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What are the silent signs of lung cancer?

Early symptoms of small cell lung cancer:
  • Persistent cough.
  • Chest pain that gets worse with deep breathing, laughing or coughing.
  • Hoarseness.
  • Unexplained loss of appetite and weight.
  • Coughing up blood or rust-colored phlegm.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Feeling weak and/or tired.
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What are the symptoms of Stage 1 lung cancer?

When stage 1 lung cancer does cause symptoms, they may include:
  • New cough that persists.
  • Chronic cough that gets worse.
  • Coughing up bloody mucus.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Ongoing chest pain.
  • Frequent lung infections.
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What is the survival rate for lung disease?

The five-year survival rate for lung cancer is 56 percent for cases detected when the disease is still localized (within the lungs). However, only 16 percent of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage. For distant tumors (spread to other organs) the five-year survival rate is only 5 percent.
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