Obstructive airway disease

Obstructive airway disease is a category of respiratory disease characterized by airway obstruction. It includes conditions that limit the flow of air in and out of the lungs, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchiectasis. These diseases are often characterized by increased resistance to airflow due to partial or complete obstruction at any level of the respiratory tract.

Causes

Obstructive airway diseases can be caused by a variety of factors. Asthma is often triggered by allergens, while COPD is primarily caused by long-term exposure to lung irritants, especially cigarette smoke. Bronchiectasis is usually the result of a severe lung infection or a condition that affects the normal clearance of mucus from the airways.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of obstructive airway diseases include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and chronic cough. These symptoms can vary in severity and frequency, depending on the specific disease and its stage of progression.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of obstructive airway diseases typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. These tests may include spirometry, which measures the amount of air a person can exhale and how quickly, and a chest X-ray or CT scan to visualize the lungs.

Treatment

Treatment for obstructive airway diseases aims to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and slow the progression of the disease. This may involve medications such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids, pulmonary rehabilitation, and in severe cases, oxygen therapy or surgery.

See also

• Respiratory disease
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Bronchiectasis