Lung Diseases

Pneumoconiosis general term given to any lung disease caused by dusts that are breathed in and then deposited deep in the lungs causing damage develop when airborne dusts, particularly mineral dusts, are inhaled at work. dust particles remain in the lung where they can cause inflammation or fibrosis (scarring)

Pneumoconiosis – Symptoms Patients with pneumoconiosis may have no symptoms at all, particularly early in the disease. Symptoms can include cough, with or without mucous (sputum) production, or chest tightness. Many patients complain of shortness of breath. Patients may first notice getting more breathless or winded with activity, like walking or climbing stairs. Some patients may feel breathless even when they are at rest.

Pneumoconiosis - Treatment There are no specific treatments or medications for pneumoconiosis, and there is no cure. Most treatments for patients with pneumoconiosis are aimed at limiting further damage to the lung, decreasing symptoms and improving quality of life.

CWP – Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis Called "Black Lung Disease" because the charcoal dust in the lungs can turn them black in color.

Acute Bronchitis Sudden development of inflammation in bronchial tubes— the major airways into your lungs Usually happens because of a virus or breathing in things that irritate the lungs such as tobacco smoke, fumes, dust and air pollution.

Acute Bronchitis - Symptoms Coughing up mucus that may be yellow or green Runny and stuffy nose starting a few days before the chest congestion Feeling run-down or tired Sore ribs from prolonged periods of coughing Not being able to be as active Wheezing or a whistling sound while breathing

Acute Bronchitis - Treatment Most cases of acute bronchitis go away on their own. The infection simply has to run its course over several weeks. A doctor may recommend rest, fluids, a cough suppressant and/or a pain reliever. A humidifier or steam may also help. A patient may need inhaled medicine to open your airways if there wheezing. Antibiotics haven’t been proven to shorten the course of acute bronchitis or lessen symptoms. Because viruses cause most cases, antibiotics are not generally used, as they are only effective against bacteria.

Acute Bronchitis

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Pertussis is an extremely contagious respiratory tract infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It can be especially serious and even fatal for infants. Unfortunately, many people who spread it may not know they have it. The classic sign of pertussis is a "whooping" sound made at the end of an episode of violent coughing, giving the common name of "whooping cough.“ The Chinese name for pertussis is "the 100-day cough," which describes the duration of illness, since it often lasts up to 3 to 6 months.

Pertussis - Symptoms Classic symptoms start with cold-like symptoms (runny nose, tearing eyes, etc.), followed by a harsh repetitive cough and an accompanying whooping sound. A patient with pertussis often vomits following a coughing spell. The cough is present throughout the day and night and may be brought on by acts such as yawning, stretching, laughing, yelling or exercise. The cough may also be worse at night and can be triggered by the inhalation of steam, mist or other respiratory irritants. A fever is uncommon.

Pertussis - Treatment Generally treated with antibiotics; it is very important that treatment is started early to reduce severity and duration of the illness, as well as reduce the likelihood of spreading the infection to others. Treatment after 3 weeks of illness is unlikely to help, because the bacteria are typically gone from your body, despite still having symptoms. The symptoms are persistent because the bacteria have already done damage to your body. The use of cough medications is not recommended in the treatment of pertussis cough and will probably not help.

Pneumonia Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of your lungs. Many germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia is not a single disease. It can have more than 30 different causes. Approximately one-third of the pneumonia cases in the United States each year are caused by viruses. These viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children and young adults.

Pneumonia - Symptoms Most common symptoms include: Cough (with some pneumonias you may cough up greenish or yellow mucus, or even bloody mucus) Fever, which may be mild or high Shaking chills Shortness of breath, which may only occur when you climb stairs

Pneumonia - Symptoms Additional symptoms include: Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough Headache Excessive sweating and clammy skin Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue Confusion, especially in older people

Pneumonia - Symptoms Symptoms also can vary, depending on whether your pneumonia is bacterial or viral. In bacterial pneumonia, your temperature may rise as high as 105 degrees F. This pneumonia causes profuse sweating, and rapidly increased breathing and pulse rate. Lips and nailbeds may have a bluish color due to lack of oxygen in the blood. A patient's mental state may be confused or delirious. The initial symptoms of viral pneumonia are the same as influenza symptoms: fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. Within 12 to 36 hours, there is increasing breathlessness; the cough becomes worse and produces a small amount of mucus. There is a high fever and there may be blueness of the lips.

Pneumonia - Treatment Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm. Lots of rest. Do not take cough medicines. Coughing is one way the body works to get rid of an infection. Control fever with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen. Antibiotics if pneumonia caused by bacteria.

Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne bacterial infection caused by the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis Primarily affects the lungs, although other organs and tissues may be involved. Tuberculosis is spread from person to person through the air (cough, laugh, sneeze, sing, talk).

Latent vs. Active TB Someone who is infected with TB has the TB germs, or bacteria, in their body. The body's immune system is protecting them from the germs and they are not sick. This is referred to as latent TB. Someone with TB disease is sick and can spread the disease to other people. A person with TB disease needs to see a doctor as soon as possible. This is referred to as active TB.

Tuberculosis - Symptoms A person with TB infection will have no symptoms. A person with active TB disease may have any or all of the following symptoms: A persistent cough Constant fatigue Weight loss Loss of appetite Fever Coughing up blood Night sweats

Tuberculosis - Treatment Treatment for TB depends on whether a person has active TB disease or only TB infection. If you have become infected with TB, but do not have active TB disease, you should get preventive therapy. This treatment kills germs that are not doing any damage right now, but could so do in the future. The most common preventive therapy is a daily dose of isoniazid (INH) for 6 to 9 months. If you have active TB disease you will probably be treated with a combination of several drugs for 6 to 12 months. You may only have to stay a short time in the hospital, if at all, and can then continue taking medication at home. After a few weeks you can probably even return to normal activities and not have to worry about infecting others.