The importance of a healthy respiratory system in preventing lung complications

At the present time, in the context of the ongoing pandemic, many people have reported issues with the workings of their lungs and overall respiratory system. What’s more, nowadays, the number of patients suffering from lung complications is growing, due largely in part to general lack of awareness regarding respiratory problems. The most common respiratory diseases and complications faced by people in recent times are discussed here.

Unbeknownst to most of us, the majority of complications of the respiratory system manifest in the trachea (more commonly known as the windpipe). Some of the most common respiratory diseases are asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis. On the other hand, diseases like tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia and viral pneumonia are caused by respiratory infections. The deadliest of all, however, is of course lung cancer.

Many individuals do not know the signs which may indicate that it’s time to visit a lung specialist. As such, pertinent symptoms of respiratory diseases end up being ignored. The list of some common signs of respiratory complications include sudden shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough lasting two weeks or more, and coughing up blood (hemoptysis). The importance of visiting a pulmonologist promptly following the onset of one or more of these symptoms. He also named loss of appetite and involuntary weight loss as some of the less commonly seen symptoms of respiratory issues.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most prevalent lung-related complications. In fact, the number of patients suffering from COPD has been increasing steadily since the appearance of Covid-19. 

The primary cause of COPD is smoking, but air pollution can also be a reason for it. "We should at least take appropriate steps to curb internal pollution."  Preventing exposure to external air pollution is a large undertaking; avoiding smoking is more manageable on a personal scale. 

Based on the frequency of symptoms, number of flare-ups and PFT (pulmonary function test) values, COPD diseases are categorized into groups A, B, C and D, with the combination of drugs varying accordingly. COPD patients are usually advised to take medicines like corticosteroids and bronchodilators in inhaled form, using an inhaler or nebulizer. Oral or ivy bronchodilators and steroids are also used in complex cases. For patients whose COPD cannot be controlled with medication, the procedures of surgical and endobronchial long volume reduction are used.

One of the most effective methods of diagnosing respiratory infections and lung cancer is endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), a minimally invasive procedure. EBUS helps to detect endobronchial lesions of the mediastinal lymph nodes or lungs, and this is done with a dedicated ultrasound probe tip in a bronchoscope. Most common diseases identified by this procedure include tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, lymphomas and other cancers.

Thoracoscopy, a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure for pleural diseases. In this method, a small 1cm port is created in the lateral chest wall. Through this, a thoracoscope is passed into the pleural cavity. This makes the entire lung surface visible, allowing fluid to be drained and a biopsy to be taken when needed. Thoracoscopic adhesiolysis is performed in mainly localized or organized pleural discharge.

Writer: Consultant, Pulmonologist, Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad, India