The Differences Between Healthy & Diseased Lungs

Humans have two lungs that measure between 10 to 12 inches long. Their function is to perform respiration. Healthy lungs bring oxygen into the body and allow a person to easily breathe. Diseased lungs not only hinder normal breathing, they also bring on a host of problems and conditions.

Significance

• A healthy lung works harder when the body needs more air, and slows down when it is time to rest. A diseased lung inhibits breathing.

Healthy Lungs

• The average adults takes 20,000 breaths a day, or 15 to 20 breaths a minute. Healthy lungs keep pace and keep up with every breath a person takes. A diseased lung causes diseases that constrain breathing such as asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It can also bring on infections like influenza, pneumonia and tuberculosis (TB).

Identification

• Smoking, bacteria, viruses and air pollution can all cause lungs to become diseased. A chronic cough, shortness of breath, chronic mucus, wheezing, coughing up blood and chest pain can all be symptoms of unhealthy lungs. A person with a healthy lung breathes freely and clearly.

Tests

• A chest X-ray, a CT scan and an MRI can detect an unhealthy lung. These procedures can reveal suspicious area, nodules and irregularities in the lungs. Graphic pictures clearly show the difference between healthy and diseased lungs. Healthy lungs are full and pink. Diseased lungs appear shriveled, dark and wasted.

Considerations

• Up to 25 percent of patients diagnosed with lung cancer have no immediate or outward symptoms. Any change in breathing, a persistent cough, pain, and/or weight loss warrants a visit to a doctor. Non-smokers also can get lung cancer and any changes in health should be checked out.

Prevention/Solution

• Keeping lungs healthy and free from diseases includes stop smoking, exercise, avoiding the inhalation of harsh chemicals, smoke and air pollution.