It can cause alveoli to fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult for you to breathe. Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungus.

Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may include: air pollutants, such as cigarette smoke.Asthma can be triggered by a number of things, including common allergens, such as: It’s a common condition that affects approximately 1 in 13 people in the United States.Įxperts aren’t sure what causes some people to develop asthma, but environmental factors and genetics appear to play a role. Long-term exposure to chemical irritants can also cause COPD.ĬOPD increases your risk for other conditions affecting the lungs and heart, such as lung cancer and heart disease.Īsthma is a condition that causes your airways to swell and narrow. The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoke. In 2019, it caused 3.23 million deaths worldwide.Įmphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common conditions associated with COPD. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)ĬOPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that obstructs airflow to your lungs.

Anything that affects your body’s ability to deliver enough oxygen to your blood can cause a V/Q mismatch.

Dead spacing in the lungs