Airborne Diseases

Airborne microbes, allergens and chemicals cause respiratory disease - inflammation in the nose, throat, sinuses, upper airway and the lung. Many infections are acquired by inhalation of pathogens that may remain in the respiratory system but also invade the rest of the body through lymphatic and blood circulations.

Upper airway inflammation is often expressed congestion, coughs and sore throats. Air pollution, both indoor and outdoor, plays a significant role in the exacerbation of airway disease in asthmatics and may contribute to the overall increase in asthma morbidity. Hospitalization for asthma has increased by 50% over the past 20 years, and deaths from asthma in the United States have increased to more than 5,000 per year. It is suggested that mortality is particularly high in lower socioeconomic groups who are exposed to higher levels of air pollution and have poorer access to early and effective medical care.

Learn More About Asthma

Ozone is an atmospheric pollutant that enhances the effect of inhaled allergens in asthmatics, suggesting that pollutants influence lung function by increasing airway inflammation. Over 50% of the United States population lives in areas which exceed air quality standards for ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and particulates (as monitored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - EPA).

Learn More About Air Pollution

Spring or summer wheezing attacks of pollen sensitive patients is a form of allergic asthma, usually obvious to patients and allergists alike. Indoor allergens often play a role in maintaining year-round airway disease and may present as rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma and/or bronchitis.

Learn More About Allergy

Every human alive on planet earth suffers from recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Infection. Over 80 % of these infections are caused by viruses, which run their course regardless of what medications are offered. The prescription of antibiotics to treat cold symptoms is one of the more futile actions of MDs, responding to patient demand.  The common cold is the most prevalent form of viral infection caused by viruses such as rhino and corona viruses. More virulent virus such as influenza and adenoviruses can begin with cold symptoms and progress to involve the lung in patterns of inflammation that may involve bronchi (bronchitis), bronchioles (bronchiolitis) or alveoli (alveolitis, a.k.a. pneumonia).

Learn More About Respiratory Viruses

The ubiquitous presence of fungi in both indoor and outdoor environments is a potential health threat that is poorly understood and almost ignored in medicine. Molds reproduce by releasing spores into the air. Mold spores are usually more abundant than plant pollens. Molds grow mycelia, branching thread-like structures that infiltrate materials. Spore bearing structures, conidiophores, grow from mycelia.

Learn More About Airborne Fungi and Disease

Chronic inflammation is always an immune mediated process. The key questions are what antigens initiate the inflammation? Chronic inflammation leads to scarring and obstructive lung disease.

Learn more about Pulmonary Fibrosis and Sarcoidosis.

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Air and Breathing

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