How do the lungs work?

The human body contains two lungs, one on each side of the body, whose purpose is to bring oxygen (source of energy) into the body and to remove carbon dioxide (waste). As we breathe, air enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels to the lungs.

Breathing Conditions:

  • COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a group of lung conditions that make it difficult to empty the air out of the lungs, resulting in shortness of breath and fatigue. A person with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or a combination of both, is often described as having COPD.

      Symptoms:
      • Shortness of breath
      • Cough
      • Excess production of mucus/phlegm
      • Fatigue

      Cause:
      • Cigarette smoke (most common cause)
      • Inhaling air pollutants
      • Genetics
      • Heavy exposure to certain dusts or chemicals

      Treatment:
      • Stop smoking
      • Medications
      • Pulmonary rehabilitation

      Will COPD ever go away?
      • COPD symptoms can decrease, but will never go away entirely. Individual outcomes depend on the severity of the damage to the lungs.

Other Breathing Conditions:

  • Asthma: Chronic swelling of the airways which become more severe due to increased airway sensitivity to infection, cold air, exercise, allergies, etc.

     
  • Bronchiectasis: A permanent enlargement of the airways and blocked breathing passages due to increased amounts of mucus.

     
  • Bronchiolitis: Swelling of the small airways, usually resulting from inflammation or infection.

     
  • Emphysema: Weaking of the air sacs in the lungs, making it harder to push all the air out of the lungs when a person exhales. The end result is extra air remaining in the lungs plus increased effort needed to breathe thus resulting in the person feeling short of breath.

     
  • Exacerbation: The flare up of COPD which causes symptoms similar to an infection or pneumonia. Typically there will be a noticeable change in the amount or color of the mucus/saliva mixture (called sputum).

     
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis: A condition where scarring occurs in the lungs, eventually limiting the transfer of oxygen into the blood stream.

     
  • Pneumoconiosis: Inflammation of the lungs caused by breathing industrial dust, resulting in the development of scar tissue in the lungs. Commonly referred to as black lung.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program please call 440-285-6377 to request an evaluation. We will be happy to help you get the necessary physician referral.