Handbook of Pulmonary Diseases

Pulmonary diseases are the disorders that inhibit the lungs and respiratory system from functioning properly. They can be classified into three main types, namely, airway diseases, lung tissue diseases and lung circulation diseases. Smoking is considered as the main cause of pulmonary diseases. Some other causes include infection, radon, asbestos, and other types of air pollution. The most common pulmonary diseases are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer pulmonary fibrosis, and pneumonia. Some major symptoms of pulmonary diseases are cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath, which can be diagnosed through chest X-ray, CT scan, bronchoscopy, pleural biopsies and pulmonary function tests. Treatments of pulmonary diseases include medications, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lung transplantation. Preventive measures like quitting smoking, proper nutrition and getting vaccinated can help reduce the progression of these diseases. This book unravels the recent studies on pulmonary diseases. It consists of contributions made by international experts. This book will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and post graduate students.