Lung Cancer, Thoracic Oncology
Expert Highlights The Critical Role Of X-ray And PFT Machines In Improving The Diagnosis Of COPD
As the awareness surrounding respiratory diseases continues to rise, doctors are stressing the importance of early detection and lifestyle modification for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Dr Ujjwal Parakh, senior consultant in chest medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, highlighted the critical role of medical advancements, such as X-ray and pulmonary function test (PFT) machines, in improving the diagnosis of COPD across the country.
"Increased availability of diagnostic tools like X-rays and PFTs has made identifying COPD more evident and easier. If someone experiences persistent respiratory symptoms, such as chronic cough with mucus or increasing shortness of breath, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider for a proper evaluation and early diagnosis. COPD is a preventable and manageable condition, but early diagnosis and intervention remain key to better long-term health outcomes," said Dr. Parakh.
COPD is a progressive lung condition commonly caused by smoking, long-term exposure to pollutants, or genetic factors. According to Dr. Parakh, early signs include a chronic cough lasting 2-3 months annually, shortness of breath when walking long distances or climbing stairs, easy fatigue, and frequent respiratory infections.
"The main differentiator between COPD and other respiratory illnesses like asthma is the cause. While asthma is often triggered by allergies, COPD is caused by chronic lung inflammation due to persistent exposure to pollutants or smoking," Dr Parakh explained.
Dr Parakh emphasized that the diagnosis begins with a thorough medical history, considering factors such as exposure to environmental pollutants, smoking history, or a family history of respiratory issues. "a pulmonary function test (PFT) is crucial to confirm COPD. The test measures lung capacity and airflow, helping to assess resistance and lung function," he added.
In treating COPD, Dr. Parakh advocates for three primary actions like quitting smoking, eliminate exposure to pollutants, initiating treatment as soon as possible to slow the progression of the disease.
Dr Parakh concluded by urging individuals experiencing respiratory symptoms to seek professional advice at the earliest. "Lifestyle modification, alongside proper medical intervention, can significantly improve the quality of life for COPD patients," he said.
Effects Of Physical Training In Asthma: A Systematic Review
Objectives—To assess the evidence for the effects of physical training on pulmonary function, symptoms, cardiopulmonary fitness, and quality of life in subjects with asthma.
Methods—A search was conducted for randomised controlled trials of subjects with asthma undertaking physical training using the Cochrane Airways Group register of controlled clinical trials, Medline, Embase, Sportdiscus, Science citation index, and Current contents index. Studies were included in the review if the subjects had asthma, were 8 years of age or older, and had undertaken physical training for at least 20 minutes per session, twice a week, for a minimum of four weeks. The eligibility of trials for inclusion in the review and the quality of the trials were independently assessed by two reviewers.
Results—Eight studies with a total of 226 subjects met the inclusion criteria for this review. Physical training had no effect on resting lung function but led to an improvement in cardiopulmonary fitness as measured by an increase in maximum oxygen uptake of 5.6 ml/kg/min (95% confidence interval 3.9 to 7.2). None of the studies measured quality of life.
Conclusions—Physical training improves cardiopulmonary fitness without changing lung function. It is not clear if the improvement in fitness translates into a reduction in symptoms or an improvement in the quality of life. There is a need for further randomised controlled trials of the effects of physical training in the management of asthma.
Tests & Diagnosis
Learn about the tests your doctor may use to make an asthma diagnosis. Discover more about lung or pulmonary function tests and the different tests used for allergies and for asthma.
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