Question: Which Lung Diseases Are the Most Common in Women?
Answer: According to The National Women's Health Information Center, the most common lung diseases in women include the following:
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung condition characterized by difficulty in breathing caused by airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction. The lungs react easily to certain triggers like smoke, dust, mold, pet dander, pollen, viruses, and roaches. Asthma causes chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath and cough. Asthma has inflicted more and more women in the past 20 years due to smoking.
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease that causes the lungs' airways to become blocked, making it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs. COPD includes two major respiratory disorders - chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Women typically have higher rates of chronic bronchitis than men. And although historically more men than women suffer from emphysema, the cases in women have increased. Emphysema sufferers experience chronic, worsening cough, increased mucus, shortness of breath, the need to constantly clear the airways.
Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow out of control forming masses. Although substances such as asbestos and coal tar products can cause lung cancer, it is primarily caused by smoking. As with Asthma, Lung Cancer has become more prevalent in women due to smoking. Symptoms include chronic, worsening cough, constant chest pain, coughing up blood, hoarseness or wheezing, chronic bronchitis or pneumonia, swelling of the face and neck, loss of appetite, and extreme fatigue.Source: The National Women's Health Information Center
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