Saturday, October 15, 2022
HomeCauseLung Cancer And Asthma May Be Caused By

Lung Cancer And Asthma May Be Caused By

What Do I Need To Know About Air Pollution

Your breathing problems may actually be caused by your stomach, not asthma

The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines air pollution as any visible or invisible particle or gas found in the air that is not part of the natural composition of air.

Air pollution comes from many different sources some are man-made and some are naturally occurring. Air pollution includes gases, smoke from fires, volcanic ash and dust particles.

Research shows that air pollution can worsen asthma symptoms. A study of young campers with moderate to severe asthma showed they were 40 percent more likely to have acute asthma episodes on high pollution summer days than on days with average pollution levels.

Another study found that older adults were more likely to visit the emergency room for breathing problems when summer air pollution was high.

Metastatic Lung Cancer Symptoms

Metastatic lung cancer symptoms depend on the part of the body to which the cancer has spread, as well as the size and location. Sometimes, metastatic disease may not cause any symptoms, though about 30 percent to 40 percent of people with lung cancer will have symptoms of metastasis.

  • If the cancer has spread to the bones, it may cause bone pain, often in the vertebrae or ribs. Other symptoms include fractures, constipation or decreased alertness due to high calcium levels.
  • If the liver is affected, symptoms may include nausea, extreme fatigue, increased abdominal girth, swelling of the feet and hands due to fluid collection, and yellowing or itchy skin.
  • If either the brain or spinal cord is affected, symptoms may include headache, blurred or double vision, difficulty with speech or seizures.

Also Check: What Causes Someone To Get Asthma

The Connection Between Lung Cancer And Outdoor Air Pollution

  • LUNG FORCE & Cancer

Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of both men and women in the U.S. When you think of risk factors for lung cancer, what comes to mind? Most of us think about the risk associated with smoking cigarettes, but did you know that air pollution can also cause lung cancer? Overwhelming evidence shows that particle pollution in the outdoor air we breathelike that coming from vehicle exhaust, coal-fired power plants and other industrial sourcescan cause lung cancer. Particle pollution increases the risk of dying early, heart disease and asthma attacks, and it can also interfere with the growth and function of the lungs.

What is particle pollution?

Particle pollution is a mix of tiny solid and liquid particles in the air and can be made up of a number of components, such as acids, organic chemicals, metals, soil and dust particles. It can be emitted directly from wood stoves, forest fires, vehicles and other sources, and it can also form from other types of pollution that come from sources like power plants. For more information on particle pollution, also known as particulate matter, watch this video.

These particles are a tiny fraction of the diameter of a human hair, and much, much smaller than a grain of sand. Research is continuing to determine how the size of and different compounds in these particles affect human health.

Why does particle pollution harm our bodies?

How do we know particle pollution causes lung cancer?

Who is most at risk?

Also Check: Can Asthma Go Away With Weight Loss

Do Pulmonary Nodules Go Away

Yes, you are correct that nodules are generally benign. About 90% of pulmonary nodules are benign. The remaining 10% are malignant. The majority of benign pulmonary nodules disappear within 3 years after diagnosis. pulmonary nodules are rarely dangerous for life. These nodules will never go away, but they may settle down so that they are not detectible by X-ray examination..

Strengths And Limitations Of This Study

What are the Common Lung Diseases?
  • Broad search strategy to identify a range of studies that have investigated the association between asthma co-occurring respiratory diseases and allergic conditions and lung cancer.

  • The review will focus on a wide-range of co-occurring diseases that explain some potential aetiological pathways linking asthma and lung cancer.

  • Use of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Protocol guidelines, tested tools for data extraction and assessment of data quality, and risk of bias analysis.

  • This review is not unique in the sense that other researchers have examined the evidence linking asthma and lung disease. However, this review will further previous work by only including studies that have accounted for co-occurring respiratory and allergic conditions, and investigating heterogeneity by study and patient-specific factors.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Difference Between Asthma And Chronic Asthma

How Asthma Affects Your Airways

Asthma is a complicated disease, and doctors dont completely understand its causes. But it has two main components: inflammation and muscle constriction.

Asthma affects the airways, the bronchial tubes that carry air into the lungs. In people with asthma, the lining of these airways becomes inflamed. No one is sure why this first develops. But certain allergy triggers or irritants begin to trigger this swelling.

If you take long-term control medicines like inhaled corticosteroids you can reduce this swelling and keep the airways healthy. But if your asthma goes untreated, problems develop. Over time, this constant inflammation can destroy the surface layer of the airways, says Hugh H. Windom, MD, associate clinical professor of immunology at the University of South Florida.

The surface layer acts as a kind of filter, Windom says. But once its gone, all of the pollutants and allergens have direct access into the lungs. So asthma can cause damage to the airways that, in turn, makes the asthma worse.

Asthma also affects the muscles that surround the airways. During an attack, these muscles tighten and further restrict the amount of air getting into the lungs.

Eventually, the constant inflammation and muscle constriction can have irreversible effects.

What Does Asthma Feel Like

Asthma is marked by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, with extra sticky secretions inside the tubes. People with asthma have symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus.

There are three major signs of asthma:

  • Airway blockage. When you breathe as usual, the bands of muscle around your airways are relaxed, and air moves freely. But when you have asthma, the muscles tighten. Itâs harder for air to pass through.
  • Inflammation. Asthma causes red, swollen bronchial tubes in your lungs. This inflammation can damage your lungs. Treating this is key to managing asthma in the long run.
  • Airway irritability. People with asthma have sensitive airways that tend to overreact and narrow when they come into contact with even slight triggers.

These problems may cause symptoms such as:

Not every person with asthma has the same symptoms in the same way. You may not have all of these symptoms, or you may have different symptoms at different times. Your symptoms may also vary from one asthma attack to the next, being mild during one and severe during another.

Some people with asthma may go for long periods without having any symptoms. Others might have problems every day. In addition, some people may have asthma only during exercise or with viral infections like colds.

When to see your doctor

Recommended Reading: Does Heat And Humidity Affect Asthma

What Is An Asthma Attack

An asthma attack is the episode in which bands of muscle around the airways are triggered to tighten. This tightening is called bronchospasm. During the attack, the lining of the airways becomes swollen or inflamed, and the cells lining the airways make more and thicker mucus than normal.

All of these things — bronchospasm, inflammation, and mucus production — cause symptoms such as trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and trouble with normal daily activities.

Other symptoms of an asthma attack include:

  • Severe wheezing when breathing both in and out
  • Coughing that won’t stop
  • Feelings of anxiety or panic
  • Pale, sweaty face
  • Blue lips or fingernails

An asthma attack can get worse quickly, so it’s important to treat these symptoms right away.

Without immediate treatment, such as with your asthma inhaler or bronchodilator, it will become harder to breathe. If you use a peak flow meter at this time, the reading will probably be less than 50% of your usual or normal peak flow reading.. Many asthma action plans suggest interventions starting at 80% of normal.

As your lungs continue to tighten, you wonât be able to use the peak flow meter at all. Your lungs will tighten so there is not enough air movement to make wheezing. You need to go to a hospital right away. Unfortunately, some people think that the disappearance of wheezing is a sign of improvement and donât get emergency care.

Can Asthma Cause Lung Nodules

Lung Cancer Warning Signs II Lung Cancer Symptoms

There are several reasons why one develops nodules in their lungs. One of the most common causes is smoking smoking causes scarring in the lungs. However, asthma is not a cause for nodules. In fact, there is no direct relationship at all between asthma and lung nodules. These nodules are caused by inflammation of the lung tissue. This inflammation is a result of silicosis ..

You May Like: Does Pepper Spray Affect Asthma

Can Inhalers Cause Lung Nodules

Yes it can, but the risk of inhaler causes lung nodules is very low. Even though the risk is low, if you notice some new symptoms while using inhalers dont stop using them all together. Just check with your doctor. Even if you have used inhalers for a long time and noticed lung nodules, you should still check with your doctor. Because, with proper treatment, you can still live a normal healthy life..

Understand Your Asthma Medication

  • Asthma Patient Resources and Videos
  • There are a variety of medicines available to treat asthma, but there is no “best” medicine for all people. Each person’s asthma is different, and your healthcare provider and healthcare team can work with you to set up the best plan for you based on your symptoms and needs.

    • Do more of the things you want to do
    • Have fewer asthma symptoms

    People with asthma are often treated with a combination of quick-relief and long-term controller medicines.

    Quick-Relief Medicine works quickly to relax your airways and help you breathe easier.

    • You need to take this medicine if your asthma symptoms get worse.
    • Be sure to start treatment as soon as your symptoms begin.

    Long-Term Control Medicine reduces the swelling and inflammation in your airways and prevents symptoms

    • You need to take these medicines every day, even when you feel well.

    Also Check: What Test Is Used To Detect Asthma

    Asthma Causes And Triggers

    When you have asthma, your airways react to things in the world around you. Doctors call these asthma triggers. They might cause symptoms or make them worse. Common asthma triggers include:

    • Infections like sinusitis, colds, and the flu
    • Allergens such as pollens, mold, pet dander, and dust mites
    • Irritants like strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions
    • Strong emotions such as anxiety, laughter, sadness, or stress
    • Medications such as aspirin
    • Food preservatives called sulfites, found in things like shrimp, pickles, beer and wine, dried fruits, and bottled lemon and lime juices

    What Are The Respiratory Effects Of Acute Exposure

    Top 10 Killer Diseases in the Philippines

    Studies have reported respiratory effects related to acute exposure to fine particles, including respiratory symptoms , reduction in pulmonary function, and increased airway inflammation and responsiveness. Additionally, epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that respiratory effects associated with particle pollution can be serious enough to result in emergency department visits and hospital admissions, including COPD and respiratory infections.

    The relationship between exposure to ambient particle pollution concentrations and adverse respiratory effects was clearly demonstrated in a series of studies conducted in the Utah Valley by Pope . When a steel mill, which was the source of 90 percent of local particle pollution emissions in the Utah Valley, was out of operation for one year, hospital admissions for bronchitis and asthma in the valley decreased by almost 50 percent and were comparable to those in other regions not polluted by the mill. Once mill operation resumed, hospital admissions increased. The mortality rate in the valley showed a similarly positive association with particle pollution levels during the same period.

    You May Like: Can You Develop Asthma As An Adult

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

    Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic lung disease in which your lungs become inflamed, making breathing more difficult.

    The inflammation leads to an overproduction of mucus and a thickening of the lining of your lungs. The air sacs, or alveoli, become less efficient at bringing oxygen in and sending carbon dioxide out.

    COPD is an incurable, progressive disease most often caused by smoking, though it also has a powerful genetic component. Other risk factors include:

    • exposure to secondhand smoke
    • occupational exposure to dust, fumes, and smoke

    Symptoms of COPD get worse over time. However, treatments can help slow its progression.

    People with COPD typically have emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or both.

    Smoking Causes Damage To Airways

    Your lungs are lined by tiny hairs called cilia. These move in a wave-like motion to sweep dust, pollens and other irritants out of your lungs. Cigarette smoke damages these tiny hairs.

    This means your lungs will be less able to clean themselves, which can lead to mucus and toxic substances collecting in the lungs, increasing the risk of lung infection. Smoking can also damage the small airways and air sacs within the lungs, causing lung disease including emphysema.

    As lung disease slowly worsens over time, it can limit airflow, causing shortness of breath. Quitting smoking reduces your risk of developing lung disease, and slows down any worsening of lung disease if you already have it.

    Recommended Reading: Why Does An Asthma Attack Occur

    Asthma And The Different Types Of Lung Cancer

    As mentioned, a large meta-analysis of studies did not find a connection between asthma and lung adenocarcinoma. This piece of information surprised many, particularly since asthma may be a significant risk factor among non-smokers, and because lung adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer that occurs in individuals who do not use tobacco products.

    In addition, a systematic investigation by the International Lung Cancer Consortium further elaborated on the link between asthma and lung cancer by breaking down the cancer types. The investigators found the strongest connections between asthma and oat cell carcinoma of the lung cancer , squamous cell carcinoma of the lung , and lung adenocarcinoma .

    Analysis Of Ilcco Studies

    Sounds of Asthma – Wheezing Lung Sounds

    ILCCO was established in 2004 with the aim to pool comparable data and maximize resource sharing and statistical power of epidemiological studies of LC . Sixteen ILCCO studies are included in this pooled analysis. All studies were approved by ethical review boards. Written informed consent was obtained from all study participants. The data submitted were checked for inadmissible values, aberrant distributions, inconsistencies and missing values. Study participants with unknown sex, age, exposure , disease or smoking status were excluded from the analysis. All studies considered primary and incident LC cases, histological confirmed. Asthma status was determined by questionnaire assessment , by a verified physicians diagnosis or from entries in a national hospital registry .

    The asthmaLC association was estimated in each study separately by fitting a logistic regression model for casecontrol studies and a Cox-regression model for the cohort study. The association estimates were adjusted for age at interview, sex and smoking . Pack years were calculated based on smoking intensity in cigarettes equivalents and duration.

    Analyses were repeated restricting the ILCCO study participants to never-smokers, defined as those who had smoked < 100 cigarettes in their lifetime or had smoked < 1 pack year to avoid potential bias by residual confounding owing to smoking and smoking-related effects.

    Also Check: What Are The Symptoms Of An Asthma Attack

    What Is The Most Common Cause Of Multiple Nodules In Lung

    Nodules are lesions which are not cancerous and are found in the bronchial tubes. They are caused by the squamous epithelium which is characterized by the presence of keratinizing, pseudo-stratified columnar epithelial cells. Squamous cell carcinoma of bronchus is the cancerous form of the disease. The most common cause of multiple nodules in lung is the prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke or asbestos. Other common causes include infections of the respiratory tract and chronic respiratory diseases..

    Is A 8 Mm Lung Nodule Serious

    Not always. Unfortunately, it cant be determined based on the size. A bigger nodule can be benign, while a smaller nodule can be cancerous. A biopsy is required to determine whether nodule is cancerous or benign. If the nodule is found to be cancerous, the treatment can vary depending on the severity of the disease. If the nodule is small, it can be just monitored for few months to get a better idea about the growth rate. If it is growing, then a treatment can be started. Smaller nodules can be treated using a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. A _____ can explain the treatment options in more detail..

    Also Check: Is Rain Bad For Asthma

    Asthma Triggers Symptoms & Warning Signs

    The two main types of asthma triggers are irritants, which bother airways, and allergens, which cause reactions such as watery eyes, sneezing or a runny nose.

    Asthma triggers are specific to each person living with asthma. People living with asthma need to know what triggers their own asthma and how to avoid those triggers. Some common triggers include:

    Irritants

    changes in breathing patterns Stress

    Learning which irritants and allergens trigger your asthma will help you avoid those triggers and manage your asthma. Although its not possible for you to control certain triggers, like pollen levels, there are many ways to make your home trigger-free for easier breathing.

    Asthma symptoms also vary for each person. Common symptoms are:

    • Shortness of breath
    • Chest tightness

    Most people with asthma feel that their asthma is acting up. These signs let you know something is wrong before your asthma gets worse. Early warning signs include:

    • Breathing changes

    It is important to know your asthma triggers, symptoms and warning signs so you can use medication promptly and appropriately.

    Also Check: Can Cold Weather Affect Asthma

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular