What Causes Lung Disease?

As you breathe, you take in the oxygen needed to allow your pulmonary (lung) system to function. However, with every breath you take, your lungs are also exposed to airborne bacteria, viruses and allergens, all of which can potentially cause lung disease. Although minor irritants may only affect your breathing temporarily, more major irritants or disease can cause severe lung damage and greatly endanger your respiratory health.1

Everyone knows smoking and secondhand smoke are bad for your health. Cigarette smoke is by far the most important risk factor for Lung Cancer. The longer a person smokes and the more packs per day smoked, the greater the risks of developing some form of lung disease. In addition, exposure to secondhand smoke, asbestos, radon and other industrial carcinogens may also increase the probability of developing lung disease.2 However, it is important to note that risk factors do not cause lung cancer nor do they predict whether you will get lung disease. What is important is to understand your risks, monitor your health and talk to your doctor about changes in your health status.