Pulmonology focuses on diagnosing and treating lung and airway conditions such as asthma, COPD, and pneumonia, as well as overall respiratory health.
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Symptoms of lung disease are the body’s urgent distress signals, indicating that the vital process of gas exchange is compromised. While some symptoms, like cough, are nonspecific, the pattern, duration, severity, and associated features can provide critical diagnostic clues. At Liv Hospital, we emphasize a detailed symptom history as the first and most crucial step in unraveling the underlying pathology. Ignoring or minimizing these signs often leads to delayed diagnosis and the progression of irreversible damage.
Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is the most common, distressing, and life-limiting symptom of lung disease.
Orthopnea: Difficulty breathing when lying flat, often indicating heart failure, diaphragm weakness, or severe obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
Dull Ache: Can be associated with large tumors, mediastinal masses, or chronic pleural effusions.
Fatigue and Weight Loss: Chronic hypoxia and the massively increased work of breathing burn calories and cause systemic inflammation, leading to muscle wasting (cachexia) and profound exhaustion.
Tobacco Smoke: The Primary Architect
Cigarette smoking is the single most significant preventable risk factor for lung disease globally.
Vaping/E-cigarettes: Emerging evidence links vaping to acute lung injury (EVALI) and chronic inflammation (bronchiolitis), though long-term data are still evolving.
Workplace exposures account for a significant fraction of lung diseases, often with long latency periods.
Pneumoconiosis: These are specific fibrotic lung diseases caused by the inhalation and deposition of inorganic dusts in the lung tissue.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD)
A genetic condition where the body produces insufficient or defective Alpha-1 Antitrypsin protein, which usually protects the lungs from destructive enzymes released by immune cells. This leads to early-onset emphysema, often in the 30s or 40s, and is severely exacerbated by smoking.
An inherited disorder affecting the CFTR gene, causing thick, sticky mucus to clog the airways. This leads to chronic bacterial infections, progressive bronchiectasis, and eventual respiratory failure.
Pulmonary Fibrosis: Familial forms exist, often linked to genes maintaining telomere length or surfactant proteins.
Prematurity: Babies born prematurely often have underdeveloped lungs (bronchopulmonary dysplasia), leading to lifelong reduced lung function and a higher risk of COPD.
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CT scans use X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images and are excellent for visualizing kidney stones, detecting tumors, and evaluating traumatic injuries. They are fast and widely available. MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissues, making it superior for staging prostate cancer, evaluating bladder wall invasion, and assessing pelvic floor disorders without ionizing radiation.
Contrast dye, usually iodine-based, is injected into a vein to highlight the blood vessels and urinary tract organs. As the kidneys filter the dye from the blood, it opacifies the urine. This allows the radiologist to see the internal structure of the kidneys, the ureters, and the bladder clearly, revealing blockages, tumors, or structural abnormalities that would be invisible on a non-contrast scan.
Multiparametric MRI is an advanced imaging technique that combines standard anatomical sequences with functional sequences like Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced imaging. This provides a comprehensive assessment of the prostate, allowing doctors to distinguish between benign conditions like BPH and significant prostate cancer, and to guide targeted biopsies.
CT scans do involve exposure to ionizing radiation, which carries a small theoretical risk of cellular damage over time. However, modern CT scanners use dose-modulation technology to minimize this exposure to the lowest level necessary for a diagnostic image. The benefit of an accurate and timely diagnosis for serious urological conditions typically far outweighs the minimal risk of radiation.
Many modern orthopedic implants are MRI-safe, although they may cause some image distortion. However, older pacemakers, defibrillators, and certain metal clips may be unsafe in the strong magnetic field. It is critical to inform the imaging team of any metallic implants so they can verify their safety compatibility or recommend an alternative test like a CT scan.
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