COPD
COPD is a long-lasting and progressive (chronic) lung disease that causes narrowing of the airways. Since airway stenosis in this disease is an insidious and irreversible narrowing, it may cause respiratory failure in some patients.
COPD, an acronym for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is a disease characterized by progressive airflow limitation. It is also known as chronic bronchitis among the people. Unfortunately, this disease is permanent and progressive. It is a disease that is mostly expected to be seen in advanced ages (50-60 years old), but can also be seen after 30 years of age with its early onset due to the trigger of smoking. Although the biggest cause of COPD is smoking, it can also be seen in non-smokers due to environmental exposure (exposure to dust, gas, smoke and fuel fumes, etc.).
Small bronchi are particularly affected in COPD. Sputum production increases in the 3 to 8 millimeters of these bronchi due to smoking. Afterwards, the sputum solidifies and forms a mechanical plug. The goblet cells in the small bronchioles, the cells responsible for sputum production, become hyperplasia (swell), the bronchial smooth muscle becomes hypertrophied (swelled), and the increased mucus (sputum) accumulating in the narrowed bronchial space mechanically obstructs the bronchi. Despite medications, expectorants, and physiotherapy, these sputum can solidify and form mechanical plugs.
Mechanical plugs formed in the airways both negatively affect the respiratory capacity of the patient, can cause infections, and negatively effect drugs reaching and affecting the small airways. Mechanical cleaning of the respiratory tract in patients with COPD and severe asthma allows a significant increase in respiratory functions, a serious improvement in shortness of breath, and a normalization of sputum character. Although the importance of effective bronchial cleaning and its effect on eliminating shortness of breath are known, a suitable method has not been found in practice until today.
With the Bronchial Disobstruction Treatment Technique developed by Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca, recanalization of the bronchial lumens, removal of sputum and treatment of the bronchial lumen that produces phlegm are provided. Thus, it contributes to the solution of a very important problem in patients with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and severe asthma.
In the COPD Balloon treatment technique, the trachea is entered with a bronchoscope under general anesthesia and all clogged airways are cleaned one by one with the help of a special device. With this method, the bronchi that are clogged and air flow blocked due to COPD are opened and the patient regains the freedom of breathing. Bronchial dilatation treatments were originally developed to treat lung cancer. Airways, which should be filled with air, are clogged by tumor tissue in lung cancer, phlegm and phlegm-producing cells in COPD and severe asthma patients. The important thing is that the technique of opening the small airways can be applied effectively.
