.png)
Patinents information
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a frequent cancer in males, mostly presents in advanced stage.Tobacco smoking in form of cigarettes, beedis ,hookah and cigar is the common cause.Women exposed to cooking fuels like coal, wood are also at risk. Symptoms are coughing out blood, chest pain and breathing difficulty. Early diagnosis by CT scan and Bronchoscopy is important for cure of disease. Currently advanced therapies are available which prolong life span.
Asthama and COPD
Both Asthama and COPD cause obstruction and narrowing of air passages resulting in breathing difficulty, cough and wheeze (musical sounds in chest). With appropriate inhalation therapy, nebulizations , avoidance of causative factors, the diseases can be controlled better.
Sleep disorders
​Changes in sleeping pattern or habits of sleep will cause sleep disorders. Patients especially obese individuals , will have snoring during sleep with frequent stopping of breathing which is called OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). They have too much of daytime sleepiness, leading to problems of heart, high blood pressure, stroke, mood disturbances, diabetes and eventually lung failure. It is treated with CPAP after conducting a sleep study.
Pigeon fancier's disease
Breathing in of certain invisible antigens continuously
will lead to a disease called 'Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis'. Eg., Bird Fancier's disease.The antigens orginate from moulds, compost, contaminated humidifiers, air conditioners. More commonly the disease develops due to bird protein inform of feathers, bloom, droppings, of birds like pegions, budgerigars,love birds, parakeets,parrots etc.The disease leads to scarring of the lung, lung failure and death. Diagnosis is made by CT scan and Lung biopsy.Complete avoidance of the responsible antigen is important.
COPD
Its a chronic obstructive condition occurring in smokers,
usually above 35 years of age.The hydrocarbons, nitrosamines in the smoke cause the air passages to be narrowed and movement of air in and out of lungs becomes increasingly difficult. Symptoms like chronic cough, difficulty in breathing, wheeze will progress and become persistent. Diagnosis is made by spirometry which measures the degree of obstruction.Treatment consists of stopping smoking , inhalation therapy to dilate the air ways, certain oral drugs and vaccinations.
End stage may require home oxygen therapy and NIV.
Non Smoking COPD.
About three billion people world wide burn biomass fuel like firewood, coal, animal dung and crop residue for cooking at homes. Children and young women ,who are exposed to such smoke for 30 to 40 years , will develop COPD. COPD in such women ,in rural areas is usually neglected ,undiagnosed and untreated.
Asthma and allergens
Asthma and allergens
Asthmatics are commonly allergic to a wide variety of allergens like pollen, dust mites, molds, pet dander (cat, dog fur), air pollution, cockroach droppings, smoke, strong odours, perfumes and foods like nuts and milk.These allergic causes may vary from one asthmatic to another asthmatic. Asthma can occur in persons without any history of allergies also.
Spirometry
Spirometry is a common lung function test (PFT) in which the patient is asked to breathe out with maximum force into a tube connected to spirometer. The graph on computer screen detects if the patient is able to breathe out the air in lungs freely or not. It identifies if there is any obstruction to airflow and to what extent. It is used to detect Asthma, COPD etc. It also helps to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and if there is any progression of the disease.
​
​
Tuberculosis (TB)
In India, TB is a common disease , which most commonly affects lungs and so can infect other people. But it can affect any organ in body including brain, spine, kidney, abdomen etc. To
diagnose TB early, many advanced technologies are available now. Pulmonary TB symptoms are cough, fever, night sweats, coughing out blood, weight loss and appetite loss. If not diagnosed and treated early ,damage to lung or other organs can be very severe and at times may cause Drug Resistant TB which is difficult to treat.
Smoking cessation
Giving up the habit of smoking is called smoking cessation. Smoking cigarettes, beedis, hooka, cigar etc causes serious diseases like Lung Cancer and COPD. To quit smoking, a pulmonologist should be consulted who offers personalised counselling and helps with certain therapies and medication.
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) (IPF)
ILD is a group of conditions that cause scarring of lung tissue. Lung becomes hard and stiff and lung expansion becomes difficult. So oxygen carriage into blood stream also becomes difficult. Patient develops cough, breathlessness which progress with time. ILD can occur without any cause ,eg. IPF or can occur in conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis or on exposure to silica dust etc. It is diagnosed by pulmonologist with the help of CT scan, PFT, BAL and biopsy. If not diagnosed and treated early the scarring becomes irreversible and lung failure results.