What are Chest
Diseases?
Pulmonology is a branch that deals with diseases of the
lower parts of the respiratory system such as pneumonia, pleurisy,
tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, lung cancers, pleural diseases, mediastinal
diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), asthma. It is a
department of internal medicine. Diseases such as emphysema and empyema are
also in this group. In our Chest Diseases Clinic; All kinds of diagnosis and
treatment services are provided for diseases such as asthma and allergies, COPD
(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and emphysema, bronchitis, lung cancer
research, pneumonia, inflammatory diseases of the lung, clotting in the lungs
(pulmonary embolism). All kinds of examinations and treatments for allergic
respiratory diseases are performed in the clinic. Pulmonary function capacity
values used in the differential diagnosis of many lung diseases are measured.
Main diagnostic methods performed in our Chest Diseases Clinic
Total IgE test
Total eosinophil count
Pulmonary function tests (Reversibility tests)
Computerized lung tomography
Sputum thinning
The most common diseases that are
followed and treated in outpatient and, when necessary, inpatient outpatient
clinics:
Asthma and Allergy
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and Emphysema
Sleep Apnea (stopping breathing during sleep) and Snoring
Lung Cancer
Benign Tumors of the Lung
Lung Cysthidatics
Pleural Cancer and other Diseases
Acute and Chronic Bronchitis, Bronchiectasis
Pneumonia and inflammatory diseases of the lung
Occupational (Interstitial) Lung Diseases
Clot in the Lungs (Pulmonary Embolism)
Diaphragm (the muscle between the lung and abdomen) Diseases
Complaints in Chest Diseases
Since the lungs are the organs through which the systemic circulation passes,
they cause complaints not only due to their own diseases but also due to
diseases related to other organs. The most important of these complaints are as
follows:
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Snoring
Cough
Phlegm
Coughing up blood from the mouth
Chest and side pain
Back and shoulder pain
Less common complaints are as follows:
Weight loss
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Night sweats
Fire
Lung and its functions
The respiratory system starts from the nose and sinuses and continues to the
very tip of the lungs. The lungs ensure that oxygen, which is absolutely
necessary for life, is taken into the body and carbon dioxide formed in the
body is expelled. There are two lungs in humans, right and left. The lungs are
located inside the rib cage. Both lungs are surrounded by a two-layer membrane
called pleura.
Diagnostic Interventions Used in Chest
Diseases
Pulmonary Function Tests (Sft) and
Reverzibility Determination
Pulmonary function tests and reverzibility determination (spirometric
examinations) are performed in the respiratory laboratory for the diagnosis,
treatment and follow-up of lung diseases. SFT is performed especially in the
differentiation and diagnosis and treatment of asthma and COPD, in the
diagnosis and follow-up of occupational diseases, and before operations when
necessary. It is recommended that patients who smoke and/or want to quit
smoking undergo SFT at least annually.
Allergy Skin Tests (ACT)
Allergy Skin Tests (Prick Test), which have an important place in the diagnosis
of asthma and allergic diseases, are performed in the respiratory laboratory.
ACT is a test performed by dropping allergen extracts on the skin of the arm
and touching it with a lancet or thin sticks. It is recommended for children
after the age of 2 and is a diagnostic tool that children can tolerate. Asthma
can accompany many allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, pharyngitis and
skin eczema. Recent studies have reported that nearly half of children with
asthma have food allergies. Nearly fifty food and respiratory allergens can be
tested with the Allergy Skin Test. Thanks to these tests, it is possible to
prevent diseases in the first place. Vaccination (immunotherapy) is planned in
necessary cases.
Bronchoscopy
It has an important role especially in the early diagnosis and staging of
lung cancer. BRONCHOSCOPY (Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy (FOB-) procedure is
performed by an experienced pulmonologist in our endoscopy unit. Bronchoscopy
is the endoscopic examination of the trachea and bronchial tree (airways). The
bronchoscopy procedure, which we perform with Fujinon brand bronchoscope
accompanied by video, is one of the most important discoveries of medicine in
recent years. It is an intervention that does not require anesthesia and is
performed with superficial anesthesia and, when necessary, with anesthesia.
The main diseases that require bronchoscopy are:
Lung cancer and benign tumors
Chronic cough for more than ten days
Spitting blood from the mouth
Especially in smokers over the age of 30, after inflammatory diseases of the
lung such as pneumonia
Occupational and lung tissue (interstitial) diseases
In some diseases that can be diagnosed with sputum, when the patient cannot
expectorate sputum
Rare lung diseases of unknown cause
Thoracentesis (Pleural Puncture)
Various diseases may cause fluid accumulation in the lining of the lung, which
we call pleurisy. In this case, it is possible to examine the fluid taken with
the thoracentesis procedure performed for diagnostic and/or therapeutic
purposes. This procedure, which is also performed to drain the fluid in
patients with shortness of breath due to excess fluid accumulation in the lung
membrane, is another interventional method of chest diseases and is performed in
our hospital.