Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a term referring to lung diseases that cause an obstruction in the airways, that can make breathing difficult. Three main diseases fall under COPD: Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis and Asthma.
Restrictive lung diseases decrease the total volume of air that the lungs can hold. This is caused by a decrease in the elasticity of the lungs or the inability of the chest wall to expand when people inhale. Some examples are Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, and Asbestosis.
According to the American Lung Association, almost 342,000 Americans die of lung disease every year. It is the third leading cause of death in America, with one in seven deaths from some type of lung disease. Many kinds of lung disease are chronic, and today more than 35 million Americans are living with chronic lung disease.
There are many different symptoms and conditions associated with the different lung diseases. Pulmonary diagnostic testing can identify what type of condition you have and the severity. These tests are performed at Appleton Medical Center and Theda Clark Medical Center. For specific or more serious lung related problems your doctor may refer you to a pulmonologist. Pulmonologists are physicians who specialize in lung diseases at Appleton Medical Center and Theda Clark Medical Center.
You may also be referred to Pulmonary Rehabilitation for comprehensive education and an individually tailored exercise program to help you manage your lung condition, increase independence, and improve your quality of life.