Inhalation Lung Disease Specialist

What is inhalation lung disease?

Inhalation lung diseases occur when you breathe in toxic dust, gas, various biologic materials, or other substances. You can inhale damaging substances in any environment, including your home or in an accident, but many of these diseases occur from toxin exposure in the workplace.

What causes inhalation lung disease?

Inhalation lung disease typically occurs over time as you continuously inhale varying amounts of toxins, such as gases or dusts. However, these conditions can also develop suddenly during explosions, such as steam pipe explosions, as well as catastrophic accidents.

You can develop inhalation lung disease from many chemical and biological agents, including exposure to:

• Asbestos
• Smoke
• Dust
• Diesel exhaust
• Mold
• Bacteria
• Chlorine
• Ammonia
• Welding fumes
• Cleaning solvents
• Silica
• Pesticides
• Gasoline

Inhaling dust from a wide range of industries may injure your lungs. Examples include dust from wood, coal, flax, and cotton.

Many people develop complex lung conditions when inhaling multiple substances.

What conditions are associated with inhalation lung disease?

A few of the most common conditions seen together with inhalation lung disease include:

• Airway irritation
• Rhinitis
• Sinus infections
• Work-related asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asbestosis
• Silicosis
• Lung cancer
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
• Pulmonary fibrosis or scarring

What symptoms does inhalation lung disease cause?

As you inhale toxic substances, you may develop problems in your nose, throat, bronchial tubes, and structures deep in your lungs, including the air sacs. You may also end up with problems in many areas at the same time.

Inhalation lung diseases can cause the following symptoms:

• Chronic cough
• Shortness of breath
• Asthma or wheezing
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Sinus pressure
• Headaches
• Loss of smell
• Chest pain or tightness when breathing
• Heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux
• Fatigue 

The physicians at Kamelhar-Teller Pulmonology perform a thorough examination and pulmonary function tests to determine the root cause of your symptoms and the extent of your problem.

Dr. David Kamelhar of Kamelhar-Teller Pulmonology treated first responders shortly after 9/11 and still provides ongoing care to people who developed lung disease and related conditions after exposure to the intense dust and fumes from the collapse of the World Trade Center. He has evaluated patients after chlorine explosions, smoke and fire-related lung injury, mold-related disease after Hurricane Sandy, damage related to inhalation of diacetyl, as is found in artificial butter flavoring and as if found in vaping-related lung disease.

How is inhalation lung disease treated?

The most important first step is to determine the specific location of your breathing problem, for example the bronchial tubes or air sacs. Your doctor will determine the extent of injury and then how best to correct it. If not fully correctable, it will be determined how best to relieve symptoms. 

Defining the exact cause of your inhalation injury and deciding whether it is due to a specific exposure or combination of exposures. It then needs to be decided how to avoid that exposure in the future. 

In sum, Dr. Kamelhar and Dr. Teller will design a personalized treatment plan focusing on preventing ongoing exposure, managing your symptoms, and helping you to stay healthy.

Kamelhar-Teller Pulmonology understands the emotional, financial, and legal burdens you face after developing an inhalation lung disease. 

If you need help with inhalation lung disease, call Kamelhar-Teller Pulmonology or book an appointment online today.