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Your Guide to Lung Diseases.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

Lung disease is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., taking one in seven lives every year. Lung disease not only affects seniors, it also affects the young. In fact, lung disease and other lung infections and illnesses are the number one killer of infants. It is estimated that more than 35 million Americans are currently living with a lung disease. So how can you reduce your risk of lung disease?

Avoid Smoking and Being Around Smokers, or Quit Smoking

Smoking has a tremendous affect on our bodies. It not only causes lung diseases, such as emphysema, COPD and lung cancer, but it also has detrimental affects on many other parts of the body. (See: The Effects of Smoking on Our Bodies)

When smoke enters the lungs and respiratory tract, it sticks to the cilia which line the airways. The cilia become immobile, leaving them unable to remove debris from the airways. When debris, such as bacteria, accumulate in the lungs, excessive mucus is produced and respiratory infections and lung disease can develop. Therefore, you should avoid smoking or being around people who are smoking (secondhand smoke), or if you are a smoker, you should quit smoking.

Test Your Home For Radon

Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas. It is considered to be a "complete carcinogen" and is classified as a "Class A" carcinogen because it can act solely to initiate, promote and propagate cancer.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer; it is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Each year, radon kills thousands of Americans, and is responsible for 15% of lung cancers worldwide. If you haven't done so already, you should have your home tested for radon. Either you can get a do-it-yourself test, or you can hire someone to do the radon test.

Radon enters the lungs through the respiratory tract by riding on smoke and dust particles in the air. They lodge themselves in crevices deep within the lungs, where they penetrate the epithelial cells that line the airways. (See: How Particles Get Into the Lungs)

In some cases, the radon becomes concentrated in areas of the lungs, causing irreversible damage. The radon can alter the genetic makeup of cells, causing cancerous tumors to form. (See: How Radon Causes Lung Cancer)

Avoid Exposure To Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural mineral with strong, flexible fibers that are 1,200 times smaller than a strand of human hair. Asbestos exposure is most common in workers in shipbuilding trades, asbestos mining and milling, manufacturing of asbestos textiles and other asbestos products, insulation work in the construction and building trades, brake repair, and a variety of other trades. Demolition workers, drywall removers, and firefighters also may be exposed to asbestos dust. (See: Health Hazards of Asbestos)

However, workers in these trades are not the only people at risk. Families living in old homes where asbestos was used in the construction of the dwelling, can be at risk for developing lung diseases related to asbestos exposure.

Since asbestos particles are so minute, they can easily enter the airways and travel to deep parts of the lungs before becoming lodged. Once there, they can disrupt normal cell division and cause respiratory infections or lung disease, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis to develop.

More Ways To Prevent Lung Disease >>