Pulmonary or lung nodule is a common lung disorder that can develop in the lungs due to any respiratory infections, scarring, or illnesses. The formation of these abnormal growths is often non-cancerous but in some rare cases, it can also be an indication of lung cancer.
If you have a family history of lung cancers or have experienced any respiratory health conditions recently then you must seek the guidance of a medical professional. The doctor will first diagnose your condition through various tests and if pulmonary nodule is detected then you can avail of the best treatments of pulmonology in Siliguri.
Given below are some of the common symptoms, causes, and treatment options for pulmonary nodules.
Symptoms
You won’t experience any signs and symptoms if you have small pulmonary nodules but if the growth has increased then it may suppress the airflow by pressing the airways. In such cases, you may suffer from shortness of breath, cough, or wheezing. There can also be some cases where the lung nodule may present the symptoms of lung cancer.
Some of the serious symptoms of lung nodules, when you must consider contacting a doctor, include loss of appetite, sudden weight loss, chest pain, persistent coughing, blood in cough, hoarseness, fatigue, and frequent respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. All of these symptoms depend upon the growth rate and size of the nodules.
Causes
The inflammation caused in the lungs due to any illness or infection is the main reason behind the development of a granuloma. When these granulomas calcify, they become lung nodules that are mostly non-cancerous. Apart from this, if you continuously get exposed to pollutants and air irritants then also you can develop these nodules.
The other probable causes include fungal infections, and autoimmune diseases such as sarcoidosis, scar tissue, and tuberculosis. The formation of cancerous nodules can happen if you are a smoker and have received radiation therapy. In such cases, you must book an appointment with the best pulmonologist in Siliguri to receive proper treatment.
Treatment Options
Once you’re experiencing the symptoms of pulmonary nodules, the doctor will recommend some diagnostic tests to check the size of the nodules. Some of the common screening tests that the doctor may perform include a biopsy guided by a CT scan, Positron emission tomography (PET) scan, and bronchoscopy. All of these tests help the doctor to look into your lungs clearly and retrieve tissue samples to check for any abnormalities.
After getting the results of the tests, the doctor will recommend an effective treatment for speedy recovery. The most common treatment methods include thoracotomy and Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). During these surgical processes, the doctor will make small incisions to remove the nodules. The doctor may also prescribe antibiotics in case of any infections caused by the nodules.
One of the main lifestyle changes that the lungs specialist doctor in Siliguri may recommend to prevent lung nodules and protect your lungs from further infections is to stop smoking. However, you must also remember that the doctor may not recommend any surgery if the nodules are small and non-cancerous since they may go on their own.
(Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14799-pulmonary-nodules)
