Lung abscess

Hello students and friends, today we are going to discuss what is lung abscess is and how it affects our body. Here we will learn how we can treat this condition by using medical and physiotherapy approaches.

A lung abscess is a pus-filled cavity within the lung surrounded by inflamed tissue that sometimes results from bacteria(i.e breathing bacteria) that normally live in the mouth or throat into the lungs, leading to an infection.

Is Lung abscess is serious?

A collection of pus in the lung tissue dies due to infection, which makes lung abscess life-threatening. If it lasts for under 4-6 weeks, then it is considered acute. If it lasts for longer then it is considered chronic.

What happens if a lung abscess ruptures?

Formation of bronchopleural fistula takes place which causes secondary empyema. This condition arises when there is no proper management of lung abscess in acute form by giving postural drainage and appropriate antibiotics.

Do we drain lung abscesses?

Yes, lung abscesses drain spontaneously during the course of therapy by using bronchoscopy and chest physiotherapy. Thoracocentesis and thoracotomy can be done.

Symptoms of lung abscess

Mainly symptoms are seen slowly in the patients. They may include:

1. Breathing difficulty or chest pain during breathing
2. Cough
3. Sweating in the nighttime
4. Cough is seen with sputum
5. Formation of pus with sputum(streaked with blood)
6. Weight loss
7. Fever
8. Fatigue
9. Loss of appetite
10. Bad breath
11. Clubbing

Cause of Lung Abscess

Primary lung abscess

In primary lung abscess, there is an infection caused within the lungs.

It mainly occurs due to the consumption of alcohol. As a person drinks alcohol he experiences an altered level of consciousness, nausea, and even vomiting, this results in inhalation of stomach content and bacteria into the lungs through which infection is caused.

Alcohol also weakens the immune system. When immune systems get weak, there are more chances of getting an infection.

Another cause of primary lung abscesses is pneumonia(Aspiration Pneumonia).

Secondary lung abscess

Occurs due to:

1. Obstruction of the large airways of the lungs
2. The infection spread from any other part of the body to the lung
3. Coexisting diseases in the lungs.

The ratio of secondary lung abscess is less than primary lung abscess.

Complications

1. Empyema
2. Bronchopleural fistula
3. Secondary amyloidosis
4. Gangrene of the lungs
5. Bleeding into the lungs(hemorrhage).

Diagnosis

1. History of the Patient
2. X-ray or CT scan
3. A bronchoscope (take a sample of fluid from the area of the abscess to diagnose)
4. If pus or sputum is detected, then they will analyze the sputum or pus.

Treatment

• Primary treatment of lung abscess includes antibiotics( typically this treatment lasts 3 weeks - 8 weeks).
• Avoid smoking.
• Some cases are treated with invasive procedures- A tube can be inserted to drain pus from the abscess.
• Surgery can be used to remove infected or damaged lung tissue.
• If in case of antibiotics don't work then lung drainage is done. Drainage of the lung is done via inserting a needle through the chest wall or through bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound(US).

Hope you all find this helpful for you, if you have any query related to this topic or any other topic then you all are free to contact me via contact us or you can also ask your doubts on the comment box. Thank you! 

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