Being aware and informed is the first step towards living a heart-healthy life
How is Respiratory Failure treated?
If you are able to breathe on your own and have mild hypoxemia, you may receive oxygen from an oxygen tank to improve your breathing. A breathing tube may be inserted into your mouth or nose and connected to a ventilator by your doctor if you are unable to breathe on your own.
A procedure known as a tracheostomy may be required to create an artificial airway in the windpipe if you require prolonged ventilator support. You might get oxygen by means of an oxygen tank or ventilator to assist you with breathing better.
The following are possible treatments for chronic respiratory failure:
- Oxygen therapy
- Non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP and CPAP)
- Mechanical ventilation
- Lung transplant
Need for Lung Surgery
Lung surgery may be performed for one of several reasons:
- To perform a biopsy of lung tissue in case, any abnormal growth is suspected
- To drain fluid build-up from the chest in a lung surgery procedure called pleurodesis
- To remove a part of the lung if it has been infected by cancer; the lung operation can be performed to remove a portion of the lung, an entire lung section known as alone or a complete lung. Breathing normally with one lung is possible.
- To drain blood from the chest cavity after trauma such as an accident
- To replace a lung in case, no other lung surgery procedure can give results
- To remove “pulmonary blebs” and prevent the collapse of the lung
Types of Lung Surgeries
Lobectomy
A lobectomy is the surgical removal of a lobe of an organ. It most often refers to the removal of a section of the lung. The right lung has three lobes — upper, middle and lower — and the left lung has two lobes — upper and lower.
A lobectomy is the most common way to treat lung cancer. It is often performed to remove cancerous tissue on any one of the lobes to prevent the spread of the cancer. Lobectomy is also done to treat fungal infections, benign tumours, emphysema, lung abscesses and tuberculosis.
Pneumonectomy
A pneumonectomy is the removal of one of the lungs. Lung cancer is the most common reason for a pneumonectomy. Other reasons for a pneumonectomy include:
- Traumatic lung injury
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Fungal infections of the lung
- Bronchiectasis
- Congenital lung disease
- Bronchial blockage with a destroyed lung
- Pulmonary metastases
Pleurodesis
Pleurodesis is a procedure that uses medicine to adhere the lung to the chest wall. It seals the space between the outer lining of the lung and chest wall to prevent fluid or air from building up around the lungs. One may require a pleurodesis if you are experiencing a recurring collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or an ongoing buildup of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion). When there is too much fluid in the space between the lungs and chest wall (pleural space), the lungs can’t expand properly. A variety of conditions can cause extra fluid to build up in the pleural space, including:
- heart failure
- pneumonia
- tuberculosis
- cancer
- liver and kidney disease
- inflammation of the pancreas
- rheumatoid arthritis
Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis is a procedure that is performed when there is an excess of fluid collected in the pleural space. This is called pleural effusion, it can compress the lungs and cause difficulty breathing. A thoracentesis procedure will make it easier for the patient to breathe again. The drained pleural fluid can be examined and analysed to discover the cause of fluid accumulation. Some conditions can cause this excess of fluid accumulation are:
- cancer tumours
- pneumonia or other lung infection
- congestive heart failure
- chronic lung diseases
Who Requires a Lung Transplant?
A lung transplant is regarded as the final treatment option for lung failure.
The pulmonologist may recommend a lung transplant for patients with severe respiratory failure who do not respond to other treatments like oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, or medication. In light of the harm to the lungs, the specialist may either suggest a single lung transplant or a double-lung (bilateral) transplant.
The following conditions may cause enough damage to your lungs to necessitate a transplant:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Sarcoidosis
