How can common respiratory diseases be prevented?

There’s no surefire way to prevent respiratory diseases. However, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk:

avoiding or quitting smoking

avoiding prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, or chemical fumes

taking precautions to protect your lungs and airways in the workplace, if necessary

having your home tested for radon, if needed

following healthy lifestyle strategies, like:

eating a balanced diet

exercising regularly

limiting or abstaining from alcohol

losing weight if you have overweight or obesity

getting enough sleep

finding ways to reduce your stress levels

managing other underlying health conditions

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

OSA is a condition where your breathing stops periodically while you’re asleep. This can prevent your body from getting enough oxygen and can lead to symptoms like:

breathing that stops briefly during sleep

loud snoring

gasping or choking noises while sleeping

excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue

Researchers have estimated that close to 1 billion peopleTrusted Source worldwide have OSA. It happens due to conditions that block the airways during sleep. It’s more commonTrusted Source with older age, obesity, or a family history of OSA.

OSA is linked to a higher risk of a variety of other health problems, including:

cardiovascular diseaseTrusted Source

type 2 diabetesTrusted Source

depressionTrusted Source

dementiaTrusted Source

It’s most often treated with a CPAP device that helps keep airways open as you sleep.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD happens when your airways and lungs become damaged, making it harder to breathe. It can cause symptoms like:

persistent cough

wheezing

shortness of breath

tight chest

fatigue

Researchers have estimated that about 480 millionTrusted Source people around the world had COPD in 2020. It’s the third leading cause of death across the globe, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source.

COPD can refer to two conditionsTrusted Source:

emphysema, which happens due to damage to the tiny air sacs in the lungs, affecting your ability to move air in and out of your body

chronic bronchitis, which leads to persistent inflammation or irritation of the airways and the formation of thick mucus

Several factors can contribute to COPD. Examples include things like smoking, air pollution, and occupational exposures. There’s no cure for COPD, but you can manage symptoms with:

medications to open the airways

pulmonary rehabilitation

oxygen therapy

surgery

Other respiratory diseases

Other examples of chronic respiratory diseases that are less common include:

cystic fibrosis

bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung)

alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)

bronchopulmonary dysplasia

pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

primary ciliary dyskinesia

There are also a variety of acute (short lasting) respiratory conditions. These include pulmonary embolism, collapsed lung, and infections that can cause a variety of respiratory problems, like:

bronchitis

bronchiolitis

pneumonia

acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

What are common respiratory diseases?

Respiratory diseases are a frequent cause of health problems and death across the globe. We review some of the more common types below.

1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

2. Asthma

3. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

4. Pulmonary hypertension

5. Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

6. Lung cancer

7. Occupational lung diseases