Lung Transplant
What is Lung Transplant?
A lung transplant is a surgical procedure that involves replacing a diseased or damaged lung with a healthy lung from a donor. This procedure is typically performed on patients with severe lung diseases that have not responded to other treatments and significantly impair their ability to breathe and maintain quality of life. Lung transplants can involve the replacement of one lung (single lung transplant) or both lungs (double lung transplant).
How to diagnose Lung Transplant? When to consult a doctor?
Diagnosing the need for a lung transplant involves several steps, primarily focusing on evaluating the patient's lung function and overall health.
You should consult a doctor if:
- Severe Shortness of Breath: If you have difficulty breathing during daily activities or at rest.
- Chronic Cough: A persistent cough that doesn’t improve with treatment or interferes with daily life.
- Frequent Respiratory Infections: Recurrent lung infections or exacerbations of lung disease that worsen your condition.
- Decreased Exercise Tolerance: An inability to perform activities that were previously manageable due to fatigue or breathlessness.
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Causes
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Bronchiectasis
Symptoms
- Severe Shortness of Breath
- Chronic Cough
- Fatigue
- Wheezing
- Cyanosis
Frequently Asked Questions
Recovery involves a hospital stay of several days to weeks, followed by rehabilitation. Patients will need to take immunosuppressive medications for life to prevent rejection.
Risks include infection, rejection of the transplanted lung, complications from anesthesia, and long-term issues such as chronic rejection and medication side effects.
The longevity of a transplanted lung can vary. Many patients live for years after transplantation, but factors like the underlying disease, adherence to medication, and overall health affect outcomes.