About Lung Diseases Affecting Airways

Asthma is a chronic disease that makes the lungs very sensitive and hard to breathe. Asthma cannot be cured, but with proper treatment, people with asthma can lead normal, active lives.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Other causes of COPD can include genetic reasons, occupational dusts and chemicals, second hand smoke, frequent lung infections as a child.

Chronic bronchitis is a form of COPD characterized by a chronic productive cough.

Emphysema, a lung damage that allows air to be trapped in the lungs in this form of COPD. Difficulty blowing air out is its hallmark.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians. Cystic fibrosis mainly affects lungs and digestion. People with cystic fibrosis have an unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs their lungs, makes it hard to breathe, and can lead to life-threatening lung infections. CF also affects the pancreas.