Pulmonology Disease, Diagnosis, Surgery & Treatment Cost

  Category: Lungs Diseases-Pulmonology      Date: 04-08-2023  

Pulmonology supervises the diagnosis and management of various diseases and conditions affecting the respiratory system. Typically, these diseases are caused by viral, fungal or bacterial infection, smoking tobacco, occupational hazards (chemicals, dust, fumes), and environmental factors like pollution. There is no need to worry if you face a simple cough due to allergies or cold. However, if you encounter pain or tightness in chest, wheezing, fatigue, troubled breathing, chronic bronchitis or cold, and asthma then you must see a pulmonologist doctor near me. They will comprehend your symptoms and order tests to thoroughly diagnose the problem. Moreover, they provide you a detailed treatment plan to combat your chronic problems.

Some of the common pulmonology diseases include:

• Asthma: Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness.

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COPD is a progressive lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is typically caused by long-term exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke and leads to difficulty breathing and reduced lung function.

• Pneumonia: Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It leads to inflammation and fluid accumulation in the air sacs, causing symptoms like cough, fever, and difficulty breathing.

• Pulmonary Fibrosis: Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which lung tissue becomes scarred and thickened over time, leading to impaired lung function and difficulty breathing. The best pulmonologist near me can accurately diagnose this condition and suggest the relevant treatment.

• Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lung tissue. It can cause symptoms such as persistent cough, chest pain, weight loss, and fatigue.

• Interstitial Lung Diseases: Interstitial lung diseases encompass a group of disorders that cause inflammation and scarring in the interstitial spaces of the lung, affecting the ability to breathe properly.

• Cystic Fibrosis: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the respiratory and digestive systems, leading to the production of thick, sticky mucus that can obstruct airways and promote lung infections.

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): OSA is a sleep-related breathing disorder characterized by repetitive interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.

• Pulmonary Embolism: Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition where a blood clot travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow and causing symptoms such as sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing up blood. Make sure to visit a super speciality hospital in Patna if you face serious complications due to Pulmonary Embolism.

• Bronchiectasis: Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the airways become permanently dilated and inflamed, leading to recurrent infections and impaired lung function.

• Tuberculosis (TB): TB is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs. It can cause symptoms such as persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.

• Lung Abscess: A lung abscess is a localized collection of pus within the lung tissue, often caused by bacterial infection.

Diagnosis: 

• Medical History: The first step in diagnosing pulmonology diseases is taking a comprehensive medical history. The pulmonologist will ask about the patient's symptoms, their duration, and any factors that may worsen or alleviate them. They will also inquire about the patient's medical and family history, lifestyle habits (e.g., smoking), occupational exposures, and any previous lung or respiratory issues.

• Physical Examination: A thorough physical examination is conducted to assess the patient's lung function and overall respiratory health. The pulmonologist will listen to the patient's breathing using a stethoscope, checking for abnormal lung sounds and signs of respiratory distress.

• Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): These tests assess how well the lungs are functioning. They measure lung capacity, airflow, and gas exchange, providing important information about conditions like asthma, COPD, and restrictive lung diseases.

• Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray is a common imaging test used to visualize the lungs and assess their structure. It can help identify abnormalities such as pneumonia, lung masses, and lung infections.

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: CT scans provide detailed cross-sectional images of the chest and are useful for detecting lung nodules, pulmonary embolisms, and interstitial lung diseases. The Patna best hospital effectively performs CT scans for comprehensive analysis of pulmonology diseases.

• Bronchoscopy: This procedure involves passing a flexible tube with a camera (bronchoscope) through the airways to visualize the lung structures and obtain samples for biopsy or culture.

• Thoracentesis: In cases of pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid in the lung lining), a sample of the fluid is withdrawn using a needle for analysis.

• Sputum Culture: Sputum samples may be collected and analyzed to identify the presence of infectious agents, such as bacteria or fungi.

• Blood Tests: Blood tests may be conducted to assess oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, check for signs of inflammation, or detect specific antibodies or markers related to certain lung diseases.

• Sleep Studies: For suspected sleep-related breathing disorders like sleep apnea, sleep studies (polysomnography) can be conducted to monitor breathing patterns during sleep.

• Specialized Testing: For specific conditions, the pulmonologists at Apollo hospital in Patna may recommend additional specialized tests, such as:

• Pulmonary angiography: For diagnosing pulmonary embolism.

• Lung biopsies: To confirm certain lung diseases, such as interstitial lung diseases or lung cancer.

• Multidisciplinary Approach: In complex cases or when a definitive diagnosis is challenging, pulmonologists often work in collaboration with other specialists, such as allergists, infectious disease specialists, thoracic surgeons, and oncologists, to provide a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis.

• Lung Cancer Surgery: Surgical treatment for lung cancer may involve procedures like lobectomy, pneumonectomy, wedge resection, or segmentectomy. The cost of lung cancer surgery can range from thousands to Lakhs of Rupees, depending on the complexity of the surgery and the healthcare facility.

• Lung Transplant: In cases of end-stage lung diseases, a lung transplant may be necessary. Lung transplant surgery is a complex procedure and can be expensive, with costs often exceeding from thousands to Lakhs of Rupees. Additionally, there are ongoing expenses related to post-transplant care and immunosuppressive medications.

• Bronchoscopic Procedures: Bronchoscopic interventions, such as bronchial stent placement, endobronchial tumor resection, or bronchial thermoplasty, are used to treat various lung conditions. The cost of these procedures range from thousands to lakhs of Rupees, depending on the complexity and the specific procedure and treatment from super speciality in Patna.

• Pleural Diseases Surgery: Surgical interventions for conditions like pleural effusion or pleural tumors may involve thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. The cost of pleural surgery varies depending on the specific procedure and the hospital charges.

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive program that includes exercise training, education, and counseling for individuals with chronic lung conditions. The cost of pulmonary rehabilitation programs can vary based on the length of the program, location, and the pulmonologist.

• Medication Costs: Treatment costs for pulmonology diseases also include expenses for prescribed medications, such as inhalers, bronchodilators, antibiotics, and antifungal drugs. The cost of medications can vary depending on the type and brand of the drug and whether it is covered by insurance.

Diagnostic Tests:

Based on your medical history, the team of pulmonologists at Big Apollo Spectra-best hospital in Patna can provide most appropriate and accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis process for pulmonology diseases:

After carrying out thorough diagnosis as per the above section, patients can approach a pulmonologist to create a personalized treatment plan to effectively treat the particular pulmonary disease. Patients can make sure to have early and precise diagnosis to obtain proper and timely care. Consequently, patients benefit from effective recovery from their pulmonology diseases.

The need for surgery and the treatment cost for pulmonology diseases can vary significantly depending on the specific condition, its severity, the chosen treatment approach, the pulmonologist, and the geographic location. Based on the following pulmonology diseases, the pulmonologist doctor near me may suggest surgery or specific treatments, along with expected cost considerations:

Patients with health insurance coverage can benefit from a significant reduction in the costs of treatment for pulmonology diseases. Typically, insurance plans encompass a part of the medical expenses which makes pulmonology treatment from the Patna best hospital more cost-effective for patients. But, the extent of coverage differs based on the insurance policy and the particular treatments the patient needs.

You can directly consult the pulmonologist or super speciality hospital for a precise estimate of the treatment cost. They can share details about the anticipated expenses, potential insurance coverage, and any financial assistance programs. An open communication with the pulmonologists’ team helps patients wisely choose the wise treatment options based on the relevant costs.

When patients experience an uncommon and complicated respiratory ailment, it becomes vital to seek treatment from a pulmonologist. Feeling breathless or short of breath is common during exercise or rigorous physical activity. However, if your breathing issues persist and you feel dizzy or light-headed, it might be a sign of critical concern.  In such scenarios, it is better to immediately consult with a pulmonologist.

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