Dr. Nathaniel Marchetti, a pulmonologist at the Temple Lung Center, encourages patients to consider the following five things when choosing a lung program: 1. The Experience of the Medical Staff A high-quality lung program will have a large staff of doctors who specialize in a wide variety of lung conditions, including the most complex.
Full Answer
How can I improve my lungs health?
Try to incorporate these five habits into each day: Stop smoking, exercise regularly, reduce your exposure to pollutants, avoid infections, and breathe deeply. By focusing a little of your energy on these tasks, you can help keep your lungs working optimally for life.
What treatment options are available for restrictive lung disease?
What Treatment Options Are Available for Restrictive Lung Disease? 1 Restrictive lung disease. 2 Inhalers. 3 Immunosuppressants. 4 Expectorants. 5 Oxygen therapy. 6 ... (more items)
What is the best way to avoid lung infections?
The best way to avoid lung infections is to keep your hands clean. Wash regularly with warm water and soap, and avoid touching your face as much as possible. Drink plenty of water and eat lots of fruits and vegetables — they contain nutrients that help boost your immune system.
Why should I take lung disease classes?
The classes are offered in a group setting so you get the chance to meet others with your condition, which provides an opportunity to give and receive peer support. The skills and knowledge learned in the program will help you feel better and manage your chronic lung disease.
What questions do you ask pulmonologist to keep your lungs healthy?
What Should You Ask Your Pulmonologist?Can you explain the tests you are running? ... What's my Diagnosis? ... What is likely causing or worsening my symptoms? ... What is an appropriate level of physical activity for my diagnosis? ... How often should I be screened for changes? ... Are you prescribing me anything for the symptoms?More items...•
How do you treat lung disease?
Here are some ways to keep your lungs healthy.Don't Smoke. ... Avoid Exposure to Indoor Pollutants That Can Damage Your Lungs. ... Minimize Exposure to Outdoor Air Pollution. ... Prevent Infection. ... Get Regular Check-ups. ... Exercise.
How do you check for lung problems?
The most basic test is spirometry. This test measures the amount of air the lungs can hold. The test also measures how forcefully one can empty air from the lungs. Spirometry is used to screen for diseases that affect lung volumes.
What are the common lungs ailment and their treatment?
The most common lung diseases include:Asthma.Collapse of part or all of the lung (pneumothorax or atelectasis)Swelling and inflammation in the main passages (bronchial tubes) that carry air to the lungs (bronchitis)COPD.Lung cancer.Lung infection (pneumonia)Abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)More items...•
What are the 5 diseases of the respiratory system?
Respiratory disorders, or lung diseases, are disorders such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, lung cancer, mesothelioma, pulmonary hypertension, and tuberculosis.
What are the 5 symptoms of COPD?
What Are COPD Symptoms?Chronic cough.Shortness of breath while doing everyday activities (dyspnea)Frequent respiratory infections.Blueness of the lips or fingernail beds (cyanosis)Fatigue.Producing a lot of mucus (also called phlegm or sputum)Wheezing.
What are the 4 main functions of the lungs?
Allows you to talk and to smell. Warms air to match your body temperature and moisturizes it to the humidity level your body needs. Delivers oxygen to the cells in your body. Removes waste gases, including carbon dioxide, from the body when you exhale.
What are the 5 most common respiratory diseases in the world?
The Top 8 Respiratory Illnesses and DiseasesAsthma. ... Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) ... Chronic Bronchitis. ... Emphysema. ... Lung Cancer. ... Cystic Fibrosis/Bronchiectasis. ... Pneumonia. ... Pleural Effusion.More items...•
What are the 4 main categories of lung diseases?
Lung disease is a general term for several disorders that include airway diseases, lung tissue diseases, and lung circulation diseases, some of which may lead to respiratory failure.
What are lung conditions?
The term lung disease refers to many disorders affecting the lungs, such as asthma, COPD, infections like influenza, pneumonia and tuberculosis, lung cancer, and many other breathing problems. Some lung diseases can lead to respiratory failure. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health.
Why can't my lungs expand?
Sometimes the cause relates to a problem with the chest wall. When your lungs can’t expand as much as they once did, it could also be a muscular or nerve condition. The symptoms of restrictive lung disease include: shortness of breath. wheezing.
What causes restrictive lung disease?
An autoimmune disease causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy cells. An immune system that goes after connective tissue can affect the lungs, other organs, and the lining of your joints, scarring them and making them harder. Some of these disorders include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), scleroderma, and Sjogren’s syndrome.
Why does pleural effusion go away?
Once the infection clears, the effusion and difficult breathing symptoms go away. Obesity hypoventilation syndrome can also restrict breathing. It usually occurs in people who are morbidly obese.
What is the difference between restrictive and obstructive lung disease?
You may be familiar with a common, but serious lung problem known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Instead of making it difficult to breathe in, obstructive lung disease makes it difficult to exhale all the air that’s in your lungs.
What is the goal of oxygen therapy?
The goal is to increase the amount of oxygen you inhale. People with a restrictive lung disease, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), can benefit from oxygen therapy. Your doctor may determine how much oxygen therapy you need based on your condition and activity level.
What is pulmonary rehabilitation?
The program will teach you more about your condition, safe and effective exercise options, breathing techniques, nutrition, and how to conserve your energy . These programs also help you deal with the emotional side of having a lung disease. Ask your doctor whether you would be a good candidate for pulmonary rehab.
What causes mucus in the airways?
Expectorants. Certain types of restrictive lung diseases, such as pneumoconiosis, can cause a buildup of phlegm and mucus in your airways. Breathing in certain kinds of dust particles can cause pneumoconiosis. People who work in factories and mines are at higher risk.
The Range of Treatment Options
- Because no two lung patients are the same, “one-size-fits-all” treatments should be a warning flag. “Sometimes patients are told there’s only one treatment for their lung condition,” Dr. Marchetti says. “It’s important to be seen at a lung center that offers multiple options for your condition.” T…
Cutting-Edge Research & Clinical Trials
- In addition to offering multiple treatment options, look for a hospital or lung center that has a strong research programand doctors who are on the cutting-edge of care. “A lung program engaged in research and clinical trials may offer treatment options that you won’t find anywhere else,” Dr. Marchetti says. “If you’re going to invest significant time and resources into finding the …
Specialized Centers & Programs
- One sign of a strong lung center is the presence of specialized programs for specific lung diseases. “It’s a good sign when a hospital can offer specialized centers, institutes or programs,” Dr. Marchetti says. “That means the hospital has specialists who spend most of their time focused on a specific lung condition, whether it’s allergies or COPD.” Temple offers a number of …
A Full Array of On-Site Resources & Specialists
- For highly complex lung procedures, it’s important that you seek out a hospital with a full complement of specialties and facilities. This means it has the right staff, resources and technology on site, in case you need additional medical attention beyond lung care. “For instance, if you’re considering lung transplant surgery, look for a hospital that also offers you immediate a…
Causes
Symptoms
- The symptoms of restrictive lung disease include: Symptoms of low blood oxygen include fatigue, shortness of breath, and confusion. If youre experiencing these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. You may notice a big improvement once you start oxygen therapy.
Treatment
- There are a variety of treatments that can help ease some of those symptoms. Your doctor will determine the treatment you need by the type and severity of the restrictive lung disease you have. Your age, medical history, and overall health are also key factors to consider. In general, treatment focuses on making breathing easier and slowing the pro...
Overview
- These handheld devices can deliver quick blasts of corticosteroids or medications into your bronchial tubes to relax them. These medications also fight inflammation in the lungs. If you have a type of restrictive lung disease known as interstitial lung disease, the walls of the air sacs in your lungs become inflamed. Over time, the walls can become scarred. This causes the lungs to …
Clinical significance
- Some types of restrictive lung diseases stem from autoimmune connective tissue disorders. An autoimmune disease causes the bodys immune system to attack healthy cells. An immune system that goes after connective tissue can affect the lungs, other organs, and the lining of your joints, scarring them and making them harder. Some of these disorders include rheumatoid arthr…
Types
- Expectorants come in pill or liquid form. These medications make it easier to clear your airways of mucus. Some examples of expectorants are:
Mechanism of action
- This treatment works by pumping oxygen from a portable tank through a tube to a mask worn over your nose or mouth. Or, oxygen travels through smaller tubes placed in the nostrils. There are larger, non-portable oxygen tanks for home or hospital use. The goal is to increase the amount of oxygen you inhale.
Benefits
- Pulmonary rehabilitation can treat restrictive lung disease and other lung-related health problems. Its usually an outpatient program. The program will teach you more about your condition, safe and effective exercise options, breathing techniques, nutrition, and how to conserve your energy. These programs also help you deal with the emotional side of having a lung disease. Ask your d…
Risks
- Any type of organ transplant has risks. Its possible the body could reject the new lung or lungs. This can lead to serious health complications, which is why organ recipients receive immunosuppressant drugs.
Prognosis
- Most restrictive lung diseases are chronic, which means you will need treatment for the rest of your life. The type of treatment may change as your condition changes. If you maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow through with your medications and other therapies as directed by your doctor, you may be able to live a long life.