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PAY ATTENTION TO THE COMBINATION OF COPD AND LUNG CANCER
Sequence shows that there is a close relationship between lung cancer and COPD. The risk of lung cancer increases 4-5 times in people with COPD who continue to smoke. Turkey Medicals member from Thoracic Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital Professor Doctor tells us more about it…
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WHEN IS DRUG THERAPY NECESSARY FOR COPD?
Drug therapy in Turkey, is started if there are conditions such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, fatigue, weight loss, a decrease in muscle mass. Roughly 2 types of drugs are used: inhalers and drugs with steroids (cortisone) that suppress inflammation in the airways. In addition to these, certain medications can also be prescribed, such as antibiotics, expectorants, cough suppressants, medications that dilate the airways. A significant part of the drugs used in COPD are given by a device called an inhaler. Medications taken with an inhaler device are popularly known as decongestants or spray medications. Compliance with the inhaler device is good, the number of attacks and the number of hospital admissions in patients is low.
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ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS OF CORTISONE DRUGS?
The side effects of using cortisone taken with an inhaler device are low. But cortisone, which is used through a pill or needle taken orally, can have side effects such as high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers. Osteoporosis can be seen with long-term use. With prolonged use of cortisone administered orally and intravenously, it is necessary to pay attention to the restriction in the consumption of salt and sugar.
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AT WHAT STAGE CAN OXYGEN THERAPY BE PRESCRIBED?
In patients with chronic respiratory failure and oxygen deficiency at rest, oxygen therapy is needed. In these patients, oxygen therapy is applied for 15 hours a day and above, which increases survival. Patients who use oxygen for a long time should be reconsidered within 60-90 days to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
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CAN COPD PATIENTS TRAVEL BY PLANE?
Air travel is safe for many patients with chronic respiratory failure who use long-term oxygen therapy. But the trip is recommended only after the doctor’s control and approval. For patients in need of oxygen, some airline companies provide oxygen tube services.
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IS THERE A PLACE FOR SURGERY IN COPD?
In the emphysema form of COPD, surgery may be necessary in cases where medications and other treatments are insufficient. In this method, which is called lung volume reduction surgery, the parts of the lungs that do not work are removed by cutting. Thus, air muscle in the lung decreases, the respiratory muscles work more effectively.
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WHICH PATIENTS ARE HOSPITALIZED?
Patients with a tendency to sleep, which suddenly worsens during rest,
Those with acute respiratory failure,
- The appearance of new physical signs (such as bruises on the skin, edema of the legs),
. - Patients who do not respond to drug therapy administered at the onset of exacerbation,
. - Those who have problems such as severe heart failure, newly formed palpitations,
. - Those who have insufficient home support.
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CAN COPD DEVELOP INTO LUNG CANCER?
If exposure to cigarettes or other risk factors continues, patients with COPD may develop lung cancer. The most important thing in common between the two diseases is smoking 30 Percent of smokers develop COPD, and 10 percent develop lung cancer. In patients with COPD who continue to smoke, the risk of lung cancer increases 4-5 times. Therefore, I would like to emphasize once again the importance of quitting smoking. Lung cancer can cause some complaints, such as cough, phlegm, that do not go away, as in COPD. Blood coming from the mouth, weight loss, sometimes arm pain and dizziness are other symptoms that we often see in lung cancer patients in Turkey.
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HOW IS LUNG CANCER DIAGNOSED? IS LUNG FILM ENOUGH?
Although a lung X-ray can help us diagnose lung cancer, it is not always enough. In addition to lung X-ray, blood biochemistry, hemogram, thoracic tomography, PET CT, brain MRI are the imaging methods that we use most. Again, it may also be necessary to examine the trachea and bronchi with a device that we call a bronchoscopy. By the way, our own clinical experience shows that here are delays in the diagnosis of lung cancer due to avoiding going to the hospital for fear of ‘becoming a CORONA’ with the COVID-19 pandemic, and being unable to shift complaints. Patients may appear in more advanced stages. For this reason, it is especially useful for smokers or those who have been exposed to certain chemicals for many years to take their complaints seriously and consult a Turkish doctor at hospital.
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Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.
Physician's Resume:
Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.
Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.
In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.
Awards:
Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.
Certificates:
Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .
Professional Members:
American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.
Disclaimer:
Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.