Breathing problems can arise at any age from a variety of issues such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema, pulmonary fibrosis, and acute bronchitis, and manifest itself by sounding like bubbling, crackling or clicking stemming from the lower airways of your lungs. Another reason is shortness of breath or trouble catching your breath whether you are active or inactive at the time. You can also hear yourself wheezing from the narrowing of the air passages in your lungs, possibly from asthma, anaphylactic reaction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute bronchitis, bronchiolitis, heart failure, or even pneumonia.
One common cause of lung inflammation is pneumonitis, which is a noninfectious kind of inflammation in the tiny air sacs of your lungs, making it challenging for necessary oxygen to pass through and enter into your bloodstream, many times because of irritants in the air that affect your lungs.
You could find yourself struggling with pneumonitis because of antibiotics, heart medicine, excess aspirin or chemotherapy drugs as well as inflammation from constant exposure to mold or bacteria in the lungs. Even radiation treatment like that given to breast cancer or lung cancer patients can lead to lung inflammation.
With pneumonitis you may find yourself hacking dry cough, losing weight from lack of appetite, and fatigue. If you find yourself with a breathing problem it is a good idea to seek diagnosis and treatment. Dr. John Abroon is pleased to offer lung inflammation assessment for those struggling with breathing issues so effective treatment can be sought. Left untreated, your lungs can become permanently damaged, leaving them with internal scarring.
Lung Assessment
First, Dr. Abroon will listen to your lungs using a stethoscope while you calmly inhale and exhale. If needed, a chest X-ray, CT scan or blood test may also be used for your assessment. Additional tests Dr. Abroon uses to diagnose your lung health includes spirometry – which measures the amount of air you breathe in and out, particularly how fast you breathe out, while a bronchoscopy may be done placing a thin tube with a light and camera into your nose or mouth that shows the inside of your lungs. And finally, having a surgical lung biopsy done may mean taking some lung tissue samples to check for lung disease.
After your lung issue has been assessed, an effective treatment plan can be created. Dr. John Abroon is a longtime successful internist helping patients in New York, New York. We strive to help you take good care of your health, including your lungs!