Today we will tell you how to check the lungs. There are several ways. All of them will be considered in detail in the article.
Such an organ of the body as the lungs is located in the chest. It is designed to support the breathing process. During it, air enters the body, which consists of many elements, one of which is oxygen. Saturation with body oxygen is very important for the normal performance of all systems.
Why check the lungs?
To evaluate the patient’s health, the doctor needs to know how the lungs function regularly. Not only focal disorders can be determined using how the above organ works, but also to draw conclusions regarding other disorders in the body.
For example, many heart diseases are directly related to impaired lung function. Therefore, as soon as the first signs of such problems arise, this may indicate a heart disease in a person.
Common diseases
Chronic lung diseases spread rapidly. According to the statistics of such diseases, more than half are observed. The most common painful deviations from the norm or pathology of the respiratory system:
- Pneumonia is an infectious lung disease. It affects mainly the organs of people with weak immunity.
- Lung cancer or oncology - damage to organ cells by a malignant tumor.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Due to the abnormal inflammatory response of lung tissue to external stimuli, the flow of air into the respiratory tract is limited, and it is difficult for a person to breathe.
- Asthma. This is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract.
- Bronchitis is a disease that characterizes inflammation of the bronchi.
Inflammation and neoplasm in the lungs may appear not only in smokers or people living in areas with poor ecology. Therefore, organs should be examined regularly, even if they feel good, an additional preventive measure will not harm. It is especially dangerous if the child is sick. And how to check the lungs of the child for pulmonary diseases? You can start with a more common diagnosis. For example, this may be an X-ray of the lungs, the price of this study is not too high, about 200 rubles.
To date, various methods are used to diagnose the lungs and determine the disease and identify pathologies.
Types and methods of examination of the lungs
X-ray examination of the lungs involves a picture of the chest. There are several types of such diagnostics:
- The most famous method is how to check the lungs, with which you can consider changes in the structure of lung tissue, find areas of compaction or empty spaces, determine if there is fluid or air in the pleural cavity. An X-ray machine can create an image and then display it. This type of research is carried out in real time. It is called fluoroscopy. The main disadvantage of such a diagnosis is that it is impossible to consider very small foci of a pathology that has already begun to develop.
- An x-ray machine is also used for research such as radiography. But this method involves fixing the image on film without displaying it on the screen. With it, you can see even the most minor changes. Many diseases can be detected using radiography: tuberculosis, pneumonia, lung abnormalities. Often you can’t do the procedure, because you can get a large dose of radiation. X-rays of a child can be done only as a last resort, if it is impossible to make a diagnosis using other research methods.
- According to the same principle of action as radiography, another method is distinguished under the name fluorography. Here also the image of the lungs is printed on film or displayed on a monitor. Less fluorography in poor image quality. With its help, you can see the pathology, but it is impossible to consider in more detail. The low impact of radiation on humans with this method makes it possible to conduct mass preventive research.
But how to check the lungs except for fluorography? This question is asked by people if there is any doubt about the thoroughness of the detection of diseases. Computed tomography is already suitable for this . Speech about her will go a little further. And where to get fluorography for prevention? Usually it is carried out in a clinic at the place of registration. The doctor will prescribe a referral to this procedure. And where to take fluorography? If you need a second study, you can contact a private medical center that specializes in providing such services.
CT scan
How to check the lungs for oncology? A more thorough examination of the lungs can be obtained using computed tomography. Cross sections of the chest and other organs in the image are very clear.
This cannot be seen using the three methods described above. The tomography shows how the lung tissue or trachea, bronchi, and lymph nodes have changed.
Bronchography
Radiography performed under anesthesia is needed to monitor the condition of the bronchi. When bronchography uses a contrast agent, which is introduced into the lumen of the bronchi. Since the substance does not transmit x-rays, the image is contrasted. If the bronchi are dilated or there are abscesses and cavities of the lungs, as well as neoplasms, then with the help of bronchography this can be seen.
Endoscopic examination
Endoscopic examination involves the introduction of endoscopes (optical instruments) inside in order to examine and examine the internal organs for various pathologies. A doctor can tell how to check the lungs without resorting to x-rays. Especially when the check is needed for a small patient, because a child should not have an X-ray of the lungs.
You can examine the mucous membranes of the trachea and bronchi using bronchoscopy. This study is done under local anesthesia, which protects the patient from discomfort. A bronchoscope is inserted into the trachea, to which forceps are attached in order to take a tissue sample, remove a foreign body or remove polyps, as well as a miniature camera and other devices. Visual inspection of the inner surface of the bronchi and trachea, biopsy or snapshot of the bronchi using this diagnostic is possible . This method can detect erosion, an ulcer or a tumor, as well as treat bronchiectasis and inflammatory processes of the lungs.
Thoracoscopy
Endoscopic examination of the membranes of the lungs is carried out using a thoracoscope. With thoracoscopy, it is injected into the lungs under anesthesia. In this case, a puncture is made in the chest. Real-time examination of the lungs, images and tissue samples can be done with thoracoscopy.
Ultrasound scan
An ultrasound examination of the lungs is used to detect fluid accumulation in the membranes of the lungs (pleural effusions). Through the alveoli, the penetration of ultrasonic waves is impossible. Therefore, the use of this method is limited. Monitoring puncture or the introduction of a drainage tube for pumping air, fluid is done using ultrasound of the lungs.
Determine the respiratory volume of the lungs, the degree of respiratory failure can be using pulmonary ventilation.
Pleural puncture
The membrane of the lungs is examined using pleural puncture. A piece of tissue is taken through a small puncture. Diagnosis is carried out under local anesthesia. If there is a suspicion of pleurisy, tumor or pleural effusions, then this procedure is prescribed.
Secretion study
Mucous discharge from the airways is also examined to understand how well the lungs function. In this case, two methods are distinguished: microscopic and bacterioscopic.
Detection of mucus, parasites and various formations is possible by the first method. And the identification of pathogens of various pulmonary infections using the second method.
Conclusion
As you can see, an X-ray of the lungs, the price of which starts at 200 rubles, is not the only procedure that allows you to check the organ in detail. There are many more different methods.
If there are any disturbing symptoms in the lungs, you should immediately consult a doctor. If this is the development of pathology, then it must be treated in the early stages. Otherwise, it may affect the vital activity of other organs in the human body. Among other things, the sooner therapy is started, the lower the cost of medical services can be, since treating any pulmonary pathology is much easier at an early stage.