Pericardial effusion is the excess fluid between the heart and sac surrounding the heart. The fluid keeps the heart moving in the sac. The excess fluid can cause a problem in the workings of the heart and may lead to death. The space between two layers of sac usually contain 2-3 tablespoons of clear liquid. But pericardial effusion can affect the heart beats and make it weaker.

Causes 

The leading cause of the pericardial effusion is pericarditis. In this condition, the layered sac of the heart is inflamed due to some viral infection. This inflamed sac produces more fluid.

Some of the most common infections that cause pericarditis are: 

  Viral infection 

  Cytomegalovirus 

  Coxsackieviruses 

  Echoviruses 

  HIV 

The other causes of pericarditis and pericardial effusion are: 

  Injury in the heart or the sac 

  Cancer 

  Kidney failure 

  Tuberculosis 

  Lupus 

Symptoms 

Generally, when there is minimal or no inflammation in the sac, there are no symptoms. However, chest pain and short-breathing are the most common symptoms for pericardial effusion. 

The large pericardial effusion in the heart sac can show symptoms like: 

  Shortness of breath 

  Passing out occasionally 

  Fast heart pounding 

  Fatigue 

  Clammy skin 

In some cases, where the condition is not worse, patients may experience: 

  Fever 

  Fatigue 

  Vomiting 

  Muscle aches 

  Viral illness

Diagnosis 

The person experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms should visit a cardiologist for a checkup. The doctor may ask for following tests and checkups for determining the condition: 

  Physical Checkup: In the physical checkup, the doctor listens to the heartbeat of the patient and assess the heart beat rate. He will also ask about the family history and medication records. 

  EKG: With EKG, doctors determine the heart rate with the help of electronic devices. Electrodes are placed on the chest, and heart activity is tested. However, the presence of pericardial effusion is difficult with EKG. 

  Chest X-Ray: X-Ray is an excellent way to detect the presence of pericardial effusion in the patient. The enlarged portion is detected in the image. Once an enlarged sac is detected, doctors order the echocardiogram test. It is an Ultrasound for the heart and gives a clear picture of the patient&#39;s heart condition. Once it is determined that the patient has pericardial effusion, the doctor determines the size of the enlarged sac and quantity of liquid in it. Most of the time, pericardial effusion is small and not severe. But if the size and quantity of the liquid are high, the doctor determines the condition of the heart and the ability to pump the blood. The doctor may also take a sample of the fluid from the sac to determine the exact cause for inflammation. 

Take Away 

Pericardial Effusion is a condition in which fluid is accumulated between the heart and sac surrounding the heart. Though the problem is not severe, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

Pericarditis / Pericardial Effusion - Know More About It!

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is a group of progressive lung diseases. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common lung diseases. Emphysema gradually ruins the air sacs in your lungs, which are interfered with exhalation. The inflammation and swelling of airways in the lungs is called bronchitis, which further allows production of mucus, which leads to increased difficulty in breathing.

COPD is a case which makes it harder to breathe. The symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath are light at first. With passage of time, these symptoms worsen and make it increasingly difficult for the patient to breathe.

The patient may experience wheezing and feel heavy on the chest. Some patients suffering from COPD experience flare-ups of severe symptoms or exacerbations.
The main cause of COPD is cigarette smoking and therefore, people who are used to smoking for a longer time may suffer from this diesease. It is a disease that takes time to build up inside one s body. COPD can further cause heart problems and worsen respiratory diseases.

Severe symptoms of COPD include:

Occasional shortness of breath
Mild and reoccurring cough with mucus
Constant need to clear your throat
Noisy breathing
Frequent cold and cough
Loss of energy or feeling fatigued
Swelling of ankles, legs or feet
Sudden weight loss
Treatment of COPD
The treatment of COPD can ease its symptoms and avoid further complications. To treat COPD, one needs a skillful and experienced pulmonologist and respiratory therapist.

The medications which are preferred by the doctor are bronchodilators, which soothe the muscles of bronchial tubes, making it easier for the patient to breathe. This medicine is basically taken from inhalers. To reduce the inflammation, Glucocortico steroids are added.
Oxygen therapy is undertaken to provide oxygen to the patient through an oxygen mask or nasal prongs to ease the breathing process of the patient. A portable unit is advised, if the patient is cured at home.
Surgery is an option for severe COPD patients, which is undertaken if and only all other medications have already failed to control COPD, which can be the case in emphysema. Bullectomy is a kind of surgery in which the doctors eliminate the large bullae (air sacs) from the lungs. Volume reduction surgery is the last option for the doctor to cure a COPD patient. In this process, the damaged lung tissue is removed. The doctors go for a lung transplant in some rare cases of COPD.
The treatment for many diseases is a healthy and disciplined lifestyle. One should quit smoking and get the nutrition that their body needs. People should consult a dietician and get a healthy diet plan, and ask a doctor about the extent of exercise they should perform daily.

COPD - Can Oxygen Therapy Help Treat It?

Pulmonary Function Tests or PFTs are a set of tests that are used to determine, measure or observe the functioning of the lungs. The most common pulmonary function tests used are spirometry, gas diffusion, and lung plethysmography. 

Highlights of pulmonary function tests

A spirometry test is used to measure the amount of air inhaled and exhaled. It also measures the amount of time taken to complete a respiration cycle.
A lung plethysmography measures the amount of air in the lungs after the patient has taken a deep breath. It also measures the amount of air that remains in the lungs after the patient has exhaled as much air as possible.
What does a Pulmonary Function Test measure?
Pulmonary function tests would not only check how well the person is breathing but also how effectively the lungs are able to conduct oxygen to the rest of the body. In addition to air flow, these tests would measure the size and volume of the lung and lung diffusion.

These tests can also be used to measure

Total Lung Capacity   the amount of air present in the lungs after breathing in deeply
Forced Vital Capacity   the amount of air that can be exhaled after breathing in deeply
Minute Volume   the amount of air exhaled per minute
Vital Capacity   the total volume of air that can be breathed out after inhaling as much as possible
Tidal Volume   the amount of air inhaled or exhaled when breathing normally
Maximum voluntary ventilation   the amount of air that can be inhaled and exhaled in one minute
Functional Residual Capacity   the amount of air that remains in the lungs when breathing normally
Forced Expiratory Flow   the flow or volume of air during an exhalation
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate   the rate at which a person can exhale
When are Pulmonary Function Tests recommended?
A physician might recommend a patient undergo a PFT as part of a routine physical check-up. This test would be advised if the patient is experiencing any symptoms associated with lung problems or disorders such as asthma, respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD. A doctor would also use these tests to monitor and check whether a certain treatment prescribed for a lung disease or condition is working effectively.

Pulmonary function tests are safe as they are non-invasive but it is important to follow the instructions of the doctor or technician before, after and during the test. It is important to make your doctor aware of any surgeries, respiratory infections, chest pains or heart attacks that you might have experienced before the test. If you are taking any medications you might need to follow the advice of the doctor as to whether you can take them before the test.

Your doctor would also advice you on how to prepare for the test such as not eating a large meal, avoiding caffeine and wearing loose-fitting clothes. If you have any doubts, concerns or queries discuss them with your doctor.

Pulmonary Function Tests - Why Is It Required?

Interstitial lung disease is an umbrella term that includes a number of conditions that causes scarring of the tissues of the lungs. This scarring can hamper your breathing and therefore cause less oxygen to be present in your blood.

When you are exposed to hazardous materials like asbestos for long periods, you can get interstitial lung disease. Even autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can result in this condition. 

Once the tissues of your lungs are scarred, chances are that it can t be reversed. While medications can slow the progress of the but you won t be able to regain the full functionality of your lungs. In such cases, you can consider a lung transplant.

What are the signs?

You will difficulty in breathing   it may be aggravated when you exert yourself or you may experience shortness of breath during rest periods. A dry cough is another sign of this condition.

What causes it?

Interstitial lung disorders occur when you ve had an injury in your lungs that set off an abnormal healing process. With the healing not happening in a normal way, the tissues around your air sacs tend to thicken and get scarred. The does not allow oxygen to get into your blood.

There are certain triggers for this condition  

If you are exposed to certain pollutants or toxins like silica dust, bird dropping and grain dust for long periods.

Medications like chemotherapy drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs and heart medications.

If you have the following medical disorders   scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis, Sjogren's syndrome and sarcoidosis.

What is the treatment? 

First, a doctor will carry out diagnostic tests to identify the cause of the problem. The following tests are usually performed  

Blood tests to detect autoimmune responses to pollutants

Imaging tests like CT scan and echocardiogram

Tests like oximetry and spirometry to determine your lung s capacity

Surgical biopsy and bronchoscopy to analyse your lung tissue

Once the diagnosis is done, the doctor can suggest any one of them or a combination of the following methods  

1. Medications 

Corticosteroids are used to suppress the immune system. GERD can also damage your lungs, so you may be given medicines to reduce stomach acid if you have an excess of it.

2. Oxygen therapy

Oxygen therapy can help you with breathing and help you sleep better. But it won't stop damage to the lung tissues.

3. Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation can help you perform your daily tasks without any hitch. It includes exercise, breathing techniques, eating healthy and emotional support.

Surgery

If nothing else works, then the doctor may recommend a lung transplant. 

Moreover, there are certain lifestyle remedies that you can adopt  

Avoid smoking as it can aggravate your condition.

Eat a healthy and nutritious diet.

Take vaccines for respiratory infections like the flu and pneumonia.

The best way to deal with this disorder is to not have it at all. But with proper treatment, your symptoms can be reduced.

Interstitial Lung Disease - Know More!

Pulmonary diseases are some of the most commonly experienced health conditions all over the world. Millions of people suffer due to various causes including genetics, smoking, pollutants and infection. Now lungs are one of the most important and complex organs of the body. They are the apparatus through which oxygen enters and carbon dioxide gets expelled. 

Lungs expand and contract on a constant basis to ensure that we can breathe properly. Let us find out more about lung or pulmonary diseases.

Asthma: This is one of the most common and potentially fatal conditions that affect children and adults. It grips the airways formed by the bronchi which branch off into smaller tubes from the main trachea that holds them. This condition causes inflammation, and even spasms, which can lead to wheezing and breathlessness. The main triggers of asthma attacks include allergies, infections and pollutants that may escape into the airways.
COPD: This is also known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder. It is an umbrella term used for various lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties due to an obstruction of the airways. Chronic bronchitis is one of the conditions that falls under COPD, and is usually characterised by persistent, hacking coughs.
Cystic Fibrosis: This is another condition that affects the airways by causing poor passage of mucus from the bronchial tubes. This condition is a genetic one where the mucus that gathers eventually becomes a lung infection.
Pneumonia: This is a condition that causes an infection in the alveoli, which are the tiny tubes that the airways branch into. These are air sacs that can catch myriad infections like pneumonia.
Tuberculosis: This is also a kind of pneumonia, which is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. This condition usually attacks the air sacs of the lungs and can be a potentially fatal disease if it is not treated on time. The patient will require immediate hospitalisation.
Pulmonary Edema: This condition is caused by fluid leaks from the tiny blood vessels into the surrounding air sacs within the lungs. It can also be caused due to heart failure as well as back pressure which falls on the lungs. Direct injury to the lungs can also lead to this condition.
Lung Cancer: This is a fatal disease which can be found in any part of the lungs. It has many forms and the type as well as the location usually determines the kind of treatment option that will be followed.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: When the lungs suffer a sudden injury which is usually caused by a bout of serious illness, it is called ARDS. Treatment involves the use of life support ventilation.

All About Pulmonary Diseases

When you suffer from dry, chronic cough along with shortness of breath, it is normal to get worried and annoyed. You will want to know the cause and the cure. Note that it might be due to a condition called the interstitial lung disease.

Including almost more than 200 different lung conditions, interstitial lung disease refers to the inflammation and scarring caused in the lungs, which leads to less oxygen entering the blood. Mainly affecting the interstitial part of the anatomic structure of the lungs, which is responsible for the oxygen flow into the blood, interstitial lung disease can damage other parts of the lungs too, such as the lung lining, the airways or the blood vessels. The following is a brief account of the types, causes, symptoms, and treatment of ILD.

Types
Interstitial lung disease can be of various kinds, though all of them leads to the thickening of the lung s interstitial part. Some of the types of ILD are 

Nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Acute interstitial pneumonitis
 Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Asbestosis
Sarcoidosis
Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia or COP, etc. 
While some of the ILD types are short lived, some are irreversible and chronic.

The primary causes of interstitial lung disease are viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Regular exposure to inhalable irritants such as talc, silica dust, asbestos, coal dust or any other kind of metal dust, bird proteins of pigeons, chickens or any exotic birds, grain dust, etc. can also cause interstitial lung disease. Though rare, sometimes it is the intake of particular drugs that may cause ILD. For the majority of interstitial lung diseases, the exact cause is not always known.

Both men and women of any age can develop this disease, and it is more common in people with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, and autoimmune disease. Some of the primary symptoms and signs of interstitial lung disease are nonproductive dry cough, shortness of breath, and considerable weight loss. While for some types of ILDs the symptoms develop slowly and gradually over months, for others, such as the acute interstitial pneumonitis or interstitial pneumonia, the symptoms develop more rapidly, within days or a few hours.

For identifying the presence of ILD, doctors usually rely upon chest X-ray, CT scan or computed tomography, pulmonary function testing, high-resolution CT scan, and lung biopsy. In case no apparent cause behind the disease is found from the tests, a patient's history of being exposed to certain chemical environments is then taken into consideration.

Depending on the type and severity of the disease the treatment options vary from one to another. While for some taking prescribed drugs can offer a solution to prevent the lungs from deteriorating further, for some a complete lung transplant may become the only solution. Treatments like pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen therapy can also be ideal, based on the condition of the lungs.

Thus, if one is constantly exposed to lung irritants and experiences the symptoms of interstitial lung disease for more than eight weeks, he/she must seek the advice of a pulmonologist without delay as the condition may lead to severe complications when left untreated.

Interstitial Lung Disease - Understanding Its Types!

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