Obstructive Lung Diseases

Diseases characterized by obstruction to airflow in the lungs; manifest with symptoms of cough, breathlessness, wheezing, heaviness in the chest, feeling of suffocation. Require chest X-ray, spirometry and other lung function tests for diagnosis and treatment.


Acute and Chronic Airways Obstruction (AO)

Acute AO can occur with infections or mucus plugging in the throat and upper respiratory tract; Foreign body obstruction especially in children.
Chronic AO typically occurs in bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)


Bronchial Asthma

Most common respiratory disease at all ages especially the children and young adults. It is an allergic disorder which is intermittent and reversible in nature. Asthma is usually seasonal in onset secondary to air-borne allergens, climatic and environmental factors. Inhalation therapy is the treatment of choice.
There are multiple phenotypes of asthma.  


Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

It is a progressive lung disease leading to chronic lung damage and ultimately respiratory failure. Most common cause is tobacco smoking but also occurs in people chronically exposed to house-hold and environmental air-pollutants.
Chronic cough, sputum production, breathlessness and wheezing are common symptoms. Oxygen saturation falls in severe COPD with respiratory failure.

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

Diseases characterized by stiffness and shrinkage of lungs; manifest with symptoms of cough, breathlessness, wheezing, heaviness in the chest, feeling of suffocation. Require chest X-ray, CT scan, spirometry, Diffusion Capacity and other lung function tests for diagnosis and treatment.
It is a group of over 200 diseases; most commonly the following

  • Associated with connective tissue diseases – Systemic Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and others
  • Hypersensitivity Pneumonias
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Interstitial Pneumonias and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Others.

Respiratory Sleep Disorders

Snoring, frequent urination and awakening during sleep; Drowsiness, fatigue, cough and breathlessness.
May lead to hypertension, diabetes and chronic heart disease; Can cause sudden collapse and death.
Requires full sleep study with titration for diagnosis

Treatment requires good sleep practices; CPAP or BiPAP is required at night.

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