Diagram of aveoli with<unk> <unk>  is a respiratory disease of the lower respiratory tract. It is commonly caused by tobacco smoking but a significant number of people are affected who either do not smoke, or have never smoked. The presence of<unk>  is a clear risk factor for the development of lung cancer, made stronger in those who smoke. Early symptoms of<unk>  may vary from person to person. Symptoms can include a cough (with or without sputum), wheezing, a fast breathing rate, breathlessness on exertion, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. There may be frequent cold or flu infections. Other symptoms may include anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep problems and weight loss. Since these symptoms could also relate to other lung conditions or other health problems,<unk>  is often under diagnosed. The shortness of breath caused by<unk>  can increase over time and develop into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A sign of<unk>  in smokers is the finding of a higher number of alveolar macrophages sampled from the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in the lungs. The number can be four to six times greater in those who smoke than in non-smokers.
Emphysema
Pleurisy
Plastic bronchitis
Atelectasis
Empyema
Reactive airway disease
Bronchiectasis
Acute bronchitis