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Posted 15 December, 2025

Pulmonary Hypertension: Its Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Pulmonary hypertension refers to a rare condition that causes high blood pressure in the lungs. This condition occurs when the pulmonary arteries become narrowed, blocked, or destroyed. The damage slows blood flow through the lungs. As a result, the heart must work harder to pump blood through the lungs. This will cause the heart to become enlarged and weakened, leading to heart failure.

Symptoms

The symptoms of pulmonary hypertension can vary based on the severity; sometimes they go unnoticed for months or even years. As this condition develops, following symptoms may occur:

Difficulty breathing during physical activity.
Chest pain or discomfort
Dizziness
Swelling in ankles (edema)
Fatigue
Uneven heartbeat

Causes

Pulmonary hypertension can have various causes, including:

1.Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension(PAH)

Idiopathic PAH: Unknown cause, though it involves genetic factors in the blood vessels.
Heritable PAH: Changes in a gene down through families.
Associated PAH: Use of some medicines or drugs or getting infected from HIV infection, Liver disease, or congenital heart defects can lead to pulmonary arterial hypertension.

2.Left Heart Disease (LHD):

It is the most common form of pulmonary arterial hypertension; it causes left heart failure, mitral valve disease, or aortic valve disease.

3.Chronic Lung Disease (CLD):

It causes scarring of the lungs, sleep apnea, or interstitial lung disease and also affects those who have long-term exposure to higher altitudes.

4.Blood Clots: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

is caused by chronic blood clots or blockages in the pulmonary artery, leading to elevated blood pressure.

Apart from the above, Pulmonary hypertension is caused by other health conditions like sarcoidosis and metabolic disorders, including glycogen storage disease.

Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension

As it can be challenging to diagnose early, its symptoms overlap with other conditions. Moreover, its symptoms are similar to those of other heart and lung conditions.

Some common diagnostic tests include:

1.Echocardiogram:

Sound waves are used to assess heart function in this test. An echocardiogram shows the pressure in the pulmonary arteries.

2.Chest X-ray:

It is a technique used to examine the structure of the heart and lungs. It is used to look for signs of enlargement or damage.

3.Blood test:

It can help identify the causes of pulmonary hypertension, such as autoimmune diseases or blood clotting disorders.

4.Right heart catheterization:

This is used after an echocardiogram shows signs of pulmonary hypertension. This procedure involves inserting a thin flexible tube called a catheter into a blood vessel to measure blood pressure in the main pulmonary arteries and the right ventricle.

Treatment and Management

While there is no cure for pulmonary hypertension, treatment is available to manage the symptoms and keep the disease from getting worse.

1.Medications

There are several medications that can treat symptoms and help you feel better:

Vasodilators: These drugs help open narrowed blood vessels and reduce pressure in the lungs.
Endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs): These medicines block the effects of endothelin, a protein that constricts blood vessels.
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors): This inhibitor is used to increase blood flow through the lungs. It is also used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Oxygen therapy: This treatment is suggested for those who live at higher altitudes; if their blood oxygen levels are low, they may be prescribed supplemental oxygen to ensure that the organs receive enough oxygen.

2.Surgery interventions

In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to help control the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. Surgeries to treat pulmonary hypertension include:

Atrial septostomy: It is a procedure aimed at improving severe symptoms of pulmonary hypertension by creating a hole between the upper left and right chambers of the heart. This treatment is mainly used when other treatments have failed.
Lung Transplantation: This surgery is considered for patients with severe pulmonary hypertension. This treatment may be needed, especially for young people, to treat idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

3.Lifestyles and home remedies

Lifestyle changes play an important role in improving quality of life by incorporating these practices into daily routines.

Eat healthy: A proper diet plays a significant role in managing pulmonary hypertension. Eating a healthy, rich diet of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can support overall health, improve heart function, and reduce complications.
Avoid high altitudes: It can make it harder to breathe and worsen symptoms because pulmonary hypertension directly affects the lungs and blood flow.
Weight management: Losing weight is beneficial in pulmonary hypertension, and a combination of a healthy diet and regular physical activity can alleviate some of the strain on the heart and lungs.

Posted 10 August, 2025

Chest infections: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

A chest infection is an infection that affects the lower part of the respiratory tract, including the lungs, bronchi (the tubes that lead to the lungs), and alveoli (small air sacs in the lungs where oxygen is exchanged). Chest infections are caused by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens that can lead to inflammation and infection of the airways or lung tissue, causing cough, shortness of breath, and fever.

Types of chest infections

There are two types of chest infections: bronchitis and pneumonia. Both are common, but they differ in symptoms.

1.Bronchitis

It is the inflammation of the main airways that carry air to the lungs. It is caused by bacterial or viral infections and lasts for a few weeks.

Symptoms of Bronchitis:

Sore throat
Headache
Wheezing or shortness of breath
Mild fever
Fatigue

2.Pneumonia

It is an inflammation of the lung tissue that affects the tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. It can be caused by a variety of pathogens, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Mostly, it affected those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of Pneumonia:

Pain while coughing and sneezing
High fever
Rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing.
Fatigue
Dizziness

Causes of chest infections

There are several factors, including bacteria and viruses, which are the most common causes. Here are the key causes:

1.Bacterial infections

This infection can be typically more severe than viral infections. These include:

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia.
Hemophilus influenzae is a bacteria that causes respiratory infections and is common in individuals with chronic lung diseases.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a bacteria that causes atypical pneumonia.
Legionella pneumophila is a severe type of bacteria that is acquired through the inhalation of contaminated water droplets.

2.Viral infections

It is the leading cause of infections, especially during the winter. Some common viruses are:

Influenza virus is a contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system and can lead to pneumonia or bronchitis.
COVID-19 is also a contagious infection and can lead to pneumonia.

Symptoms

Chest infections can manifest in various ways. The most common symptoms are:

Persistent cough
Difficulty in breathing
Chest pain or wheezing.
Fever and chills
Fatigue
Weakness

Diagnosis

Diagnosing chest infections involves a combination of medical history and diagnostic tests. Here are the following methods:

Medical history and physical analysis The doctors will ask about the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and underlying conditions Moreover, they perform physical evaluations, including listening to the patient’s breathing to check for any sign of infection.
Chest X-rays or CT scans may help visually identify any abnormalities in the lungs.
Blood tests are taken because they provide a complete blood count (CBC) and identify the presence of an infection.

Treatment

The treatment mainly depends on the underlying cause of the infection. Here are some common treatment approaches:

Antibiotics are often prescribed by doctors to help eradicate the infection and prevent resistance.
Antiviral medications: Doctors may prescribe these, especially for infections like viral fever, COVID-19, and influenza. These medicines help reduce the duration and severity of viral chest infections
Cough medicines and pain relievers like cough suppressants and expectorants may help manage the persistent cough caused by chest infection.
Proper hydration and adequate rest are essential for the body’s natural healing.

How to prevent chest infection

Strengthen your immune system: Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep support immune function and reduce the risk of infection.
Maintain proper hygiene: Regularly washing your hands prevents the spread of viruses and bacteria.
Get vaccinated: Vaccines help reduce the risk of viral and bacterial infections.

When should I see a doctor?

You should consult a doctor if you experience:

High fever
Chest pain or discomfort
High fever
Coughing up thick, discoloured mucus

Sources:

1. Healthline: What is chest infection?, Types

Link: https://www.healthline.com/health/chest-infections

2. Carehospitals: Symptoms, Causes, treatment, and prevention

Link: https://www.carehospitals.com/symptoms/chest-infection

Posted 02 March, 2023

What is COPD? Know its Causes, Symptoms and Home remedies

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease which obstructs the breath which leads to difficulty in breathing. It can be well managed in the initial stage but ignoring it can also be fatal. The problem of shortness of breath (COPD) occurs due to many reasons like smoking, living in a polluted environment etc.

The lungs are usually very spongy. When we breathe in air, oxygen flows into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is released but COPD disease interferes with this process. A person suffering from COPD has troubled breathing and oxygen does not reach his body in full quantity. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two main factors that contribute to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Chronic bronchitis is a condition in which a person's bronchial tubes become inflamed. These trachea serve to carry air to the lungs. Apart from this, emphysema is such a condition, in which the sac of the lungs (bronchial) gradually starts getting destroyed gradually.

Symptoms of COPD

Following are the common symptoms of COPD-

Rapid breathing.
Being troubled by mucus for several months in a row.
Persistent cough with mucus.
Chest infection.
Persistent sore throat.
Chest tightness.
Having a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection for several days.
Weakness.

Other symptoms of COPD are-

Rapid weight loss.
Feeling tired.
Unbearable pain in the chest.
Swelling and pain in the knees.
Blood in the mucus while coughing.

Causes of COPD

Excessive use of tobacco and smoking.
Smoking cigars, cigarettes etc. even if you have asthma, Tuberculosis.
Polluted environment i.e. smoke from factories and chulhas.
Exposure to fumes from the burning of any kind of fuel.
Exposure to dust and chemicals.
Harmful odor emanating from chemicals used in pesticides and paints.
Genetics i.e a family member has had lung-related problems in the past.

Prevention of COPD

Avoid air pollution.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Keep the weight under control.
Don't smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.
Avoid exposure to chemical fumes and dust in the workplace.
Do pranayama and yoga regularly.
Take medicines regularly for people with COPD.

Diagnosis of COPD

After knowing the symptoms of COPD, doctors request some physical examinations, which are as follows:

Spirometry-

The patient's lungs are examined with a test called spirometry. Through this, the working capacity of the lungs of the person is determined. This test is conducted through a machine called a spirometer, in which the patient is asked to breathe. The obtained readings are then compared based on the age of the patient which shows obstruction of the airways of the body.

Chest X-ray-

To test for COPD, doctors may order a chest X-ray. Through this, problems occurring in the lungs are determined, which exhibit symptoms like chest infection in a disease called COPD.

Blood test-

Many health conditions are detected through blood tests. In this, common symptoms of COPD such as iron deficiency in the blood (anemia) are checked.

Home remedies for COPD

Lukewarm water-

COPD patients should drink lukewarm water. This loosens the phlegm which provides relief to the lungs.

Honey-

Honey acts as a great antibiotic. Consuming honey mixed with lukewarm water helps to reduce the swelling due to which the chances of spreading infection in the body are reduced. Taking cinnamon with honey or jaggery thrice a day also provides relief.

Turmeric-

Turmeric has antibacterial and antioxidant properties which work to relieve cough, asthma, bronchitis and colds. In such a situation, if there is a problem related to COPD, drink half a teaspoon of turmeric mixed in a glass of milk.

Tulsi-

Tulsi has antioxidant properties which work to provide relief to the patients of COPD. In addition, Tulsi also increases immunity. For this, drinking ginger, honey and basil juice together stops the formation of phlegm.

Garlic-

Garlic has antibacterial properties which help in the treatment of COPD. In addition, garlic has antimicrobial properties that activate the immune system and protect against infection. For this, boil 3 to 4 cloves of garlic thoroughly in milk before sleeping every day. Now let this mixture cool and drink it.

Onion-

Onion has also been used in traditional medicine for asthma, bronchitis due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant properties. All these properties help to relieve the infection. For this, roast the onion and consume it with honey or by mixing one spoon of honey in onion juice.

Coriander seeds-

Coriander seeds boost the body's immune system to fight infections. For this, make coriander tea and give it to the patient twice a day.

Yoga and pranayama-

Yoga and Pranayama act like Sanjeevani Booti for COPD patients. Including it in daily routine helps to relieve the symptoms of COPD. Apart from this, doing pranayama in the early stage of COPD reduces the risk of increasing its severity. But keep in mind that before doing the below listed pranayama, consult a specialist. The following are some types of pranayama, which help to prevent or reduce the symptoms of COPD:

Controlled breathing (Anulom-vilom).
Skull shining breath (Kapalbhati).
Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) while chanting Om.
Shoulder stand (Sarvangasana).
Cobra pose (Bhujangasana).
Lion pose (Simhasana).