One of the most frequently diagnosed pathologies associated with impaired functioning of the respiratory system is densified roots of the lungs. As a rule, when going on an x-ray of the chest cavity, people do not even suspect that they have this problem. Despite the fact that it does not pose a serious threat to health and life, nevertheless, timely treatment is necessary to avoid various complications.
If nothing is done, the patient may develop bronchitis, pneumonia, and many other serious diseases. No one is immune from such unwanted ailments. During the examination, the doctor may voice unpleasant news when the root of the lung is densified. What does this mean for the patient, we will talk in more detail. We will provide information about the types of disease.
general information
Suppose you read on your medical record that your lung roots are fibrically densified. What does this mean and how terrible is such a diagnosis? The root of the lung is an anatomically complex set of structures that combines the mediastinal organs and is responsible for their synchronous work. They consist of a pulmonary aorta, blood vessels, two tracheas, lymphatic vessels, nerves, hypodermis and serous membrane. All these structures have a strict order, but during the x-ray it is not noticeable, since it is closed by other internal organs. In medical practice, under the roots of the lungs it is customary to mean not the entire system, but only large blood vessels and a bronchial tree.
Anatomical features of structures
In order to make out on the x-ray that the roots of the lungs are densified (what this means was discussed above), you need to have an idea of their features.
Each of the lungs, both in the left and in the right, has its own root, which consists of the following parts:
The last part also includes a network of branching capillaries. During an x-ray, doctors pay attention to the width of the roots. If the patient has no pathologies, then it should be in the range of one and a half to two centimeters. In addition, doctors are interested in the structure of blood vessels. Arteries should be in the vertical plane, and veins - in the horizontal. If any deviations from the norm are found, then this indicates that the person has densified roots of the lungs.
Differences in the location of the roots
As mentioned earlier, each root has its own structure, which is localized at the entrance to the lungs. However, their location is slightly different. The set of structures located on the right (in the region of the second rib) in its shape resembles a curved arc, which gradually expands from the bottom up. In the left lung, this system is at the level of the first rib, i.e., slightly higher than its brother.
Differences in the structure of systems
To understand that the roots of the lungs are deformed, densified or that any other changes are occurring in them, you need to understand their structural differences. The left-sided organ is partially covered by the heart, which is why only a small part of its root is visible on the x-ray. Therefore, it is very difficult even for specialized specialists to identify deviations from the norm and make an accurate diagnosis. In addition, the left lung is characterized by a heterogeneous structure, as opposed to the right. The root of the second is a small vascular network interwoven with the bronchus.
Causes of the disease
Such a pathology as compacted roots of the lungs can develop for many reasons, but the most common are the following:
- various obstructive respiratory diseases that occur in a chronic form;
- an increase in paratracheal and parabronchial lymph nodes caused by the deposition of salts and calcium;
- aneurysm of various etiologies;
- malignant tumors;
- accumulation of fluid in the lungs;
- proliferation of connective tissue caused by pneumonia, injuries, as well as previous operations;
- various types of tuberculosis lesions of the roots of the lung;
- diseases resulting from work in hazardous industries;
- chronic obstructive disease.
If a person has densified roots of the respiratory organs, then pathology can be identified by a number of clinical manifestations. Most often, it is accompanied by a strong cough with purulent sputum, aggravating in the morning. In addition, the patient is concerned about shortness of breath, which is observed not only during physical activity, but also at rest. There is a state of air shortage.
If the doctor suggests root compaction, then the patient also takes an analysis of sputum for the presence of various bacteria and viruses in it. This is necessary in order to choose the most effective therapy. If the cause of the pathology is pathogens, then the patient is prescribed medication with antibiotics or antiviral drugs along with expectorants, which help to thin and remove sputum from the bronchi. Depending on the clinical picture of the patient, doctors may prescribe other medications.
Malignant tumors
Oncological diseases are one of the most dangerous health reasons for the fact that the roots of the lungs are fibrously densified. Fortunately, such options are extremely rare. In most cases with such diseases, cancer affects only one lung, therefore, even with the complete removal of the respiratory organ, a person will be able to live.
As the disease progresses, the patient's condition gradually worsens. The first symptom of lung cancer is difficulty breathing and a slight cough, which may periodically be accompanied by pain in the chest area. In the later stages of cancer, sputum with an admixture of blood begins to appear, and severe shortness of breath also manifests. In this case, a violation of the functioning of the respiratory system has a negative effect on the whole organism. The patient experiences constant malaise, begins to quickly lose weight and become very tired even with small physical exertion.
If the x-ray shows that the patient has densified roots of the lungs, then to determine the exact diagnosis, they take the soft tissues of the respiratory system for a deeper analysis. This allows not only to confirm the presence of a malignant tumor, but also to determine its type, which is vital for the treatment. In this case, regardless of the stage of cancer, the treatment program always includes the same methods: surgical intervention, as well as radio and chemotherapy.
Occupational diseases
In almost all people in such professions as miners, builders and welders, the root of the right lung is densified. This is due to the fact that they work with harmful substances, which in almost 100% of cases cause the development of many occupational diseases. In the course of labor activity, harmful particles accumulate in the respiratory organs, leading to soft tissue necrosis. The most difficult thing is to diagnose the disease in time, since the clinical manifestations can be very different. As for the complete elimination of the problem and the cure, then as such it does not exist. The only way out is to change jobs.
Tuberculosis of the roots of the lungs
Most often, pathologies of various etiologies of the respiratory organs caused by mycobacteria are diagnosed in children, however, representatives of absolutely all age categories are exposed to tuberculosis when re-infected. The patient's condition worsens gradually, so the symptoms appear for a very long time, which is dangerous, since the carrier will infect surrounding people.
Among the main clinical manifestations are dry cough, pain in the chest area, excessive weight loss and constant fatigue. In some cases, a small amount of reddish sputum comes out due to an impurity of blood in it. As the disease progresses, the patient's well-being gradually worsens.
With tuberculosis, a mandatory procedure is bacteriosis. It allows not only to diagnose with high accuracy, but also to determine the type of pathogen, as well as select the appropriate medications. If, due to tuberculosis, the roots of the lungs are tight, the treatment should be long and continuous. As medical practice shows, a full recovery requires at least six months. At the same time, to achieve maximum effectiveness in the process of therapy, 4 different antiviral drugs are simultaneously used.
What does the diagnosis mean - lung roots are heavy?
A similar syndrome is very common and occurs, as a rule, in people who use tobacco products or work in hazardous industries. However, in some cases, this pathology is caused not by habits and working conditions, but by inflammatory processes that occur in the respiratory tract in an acute form, as well as malignant tumors. Moreover, by strands are meant compacted fibers of the fibrous tissue of the roots of the lungs. It is worth noting that this syndrome in itself does not pose any threat to health, but it can indicate the presence of any diseases, therefore, doctors, identifying it, send patients for further examination.
Unstructured roots of the lungs
Is it dangerous to health? You can often hear from doctors that the roots of the lungs are unstructured, densified, but what does this mean? This term hides the fact that destructive disorders occurred in the tissues of the pulmonary system, as a result of which it becomes impossible to distinguish it from the bronchi on an x-ray. In most cases, such a pathology is the result of a tuberculosis lesion or cancer. At the same time, the low-structural nature is often accompanied by root compaction caused by salt deposits.
Conclusion
Such a pathology as compaction of the pulmonary root is not dangerous to human health, so with it it can live to a very old age. However, it can be the result of many serious diseases that can lead to death. Therefore, when the first symptoms of the syndrome appear, it is recommended to undergo a full examination in the hospital, in order to start timely treatment if necessary. Appreciate your health every day, as it is the key to a successful life!