Lung Disease, Glutathione and Health

Over 30 million Americans are affected by lung disease. What are the lung related diseases and how do they affect us? The answer will take your breath away.

More importantly, what can be done to protect ours lungs from these diseases? And how does glutathione play a role?

One of the most dreadful symptoms people may experience in their life is dyspnea or shortness of breath. I know this because I had asthma as a child. To awake in the middle of the night not being able to breathe was frightening.

Lung disease is divided into two types. Acute (sudden onset) or chronic (persisting more than 6 months). Diseases of the lungs can be congenital (inherited), acquired, or self inflicted.

One commonality of lung diseases is inflammation of the lung tissue. Complimentary treatments used to enhance traditional medicine include antioxidants.

This is where the bodies own natural antioxidant plays an important role.

The Pulmonary Exception

Here is a human body anomaly. We cannot absorb glutathione (GSH) in the diet. Only by eating the building blocks can we build GSH at the cellular level. The Lungs are the exception. They can absorb glutathione directly. Additionally Mucomist, a topical type of cystine (N-acetyl-cysteine) is an effective glutathione precursor.

Chronic Lung Disease

Asthma

Asthma Treatment

Asthma and Milk Could not resist busting this myth and learned something important you need to know if you have asthma.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Emphysema

Cystic fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis

Lung Cancer

Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Toxic exposure to particulates

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis or TB is a disease that primarily affects the lungs. TB is caused by breathing in the bacteria called mycobacterium tuberculosis. This can happen when an infected person sneezes or coughs, the bacteria become airborne. Sun light and fluorescent light kills the bacteria. So the greatest risk of infection comes from enclosed spaces.

Many who are exposed to TB become infected are able to fight the infection, leaving the bacteria inactive. The bacteria are still alive and may become active again in the future. Those with latent infection do not suffer from symptoms of the disease and do not spread TB to others.

Once active, if the body's immune system is not strong enough to fight the infection, the TB bacteria will grow and multiply. It can even spread to other parts of the body and is a condition known as active TB. Active TB is contagious. It can be deadly if not treated. There is a cure but it only works if the meds are taken every day, usually for six to nine months. Even if the symptoms improve, it is necessary to continue with the treatment as prescribed by the doctor.

Failure to do so could not only put your life at risk, it could also affect others you come in contact with.

Bronchitis is inflammation or swelling (itis) of the airways (bronchia). Additional symptoms include increased mucous production. Bronchitis can be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (long term).

Chronic bronchitis definition...having a mucous producing cough for 3 months of a year for 2 consecutive years. The condition has a constant irritation of the airways. Smoking, dust and other air pollution can contribute to chronic bronchitis.

Chronic post nasal drip can trigger a cough that will often be diagnosed as chronic bronchitis.

Cough variant asthma is often misdiagnosed as bronchitis.

Acute Lung Disease

Other Pulmonary Dysfunction

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