Dayton Respiratory Center

What Is a Thoracentesis Procedure?

What You Need to Know About Thoracentesis

Our lungs are responsible for vital functions — like oxygenating our blood. But the organs are delicate. Some medical conditions cause fluid to accumulate around the lungs, hindering normal breathing. Eliminating this fluid is necessary for survival. Doctors can remove excess fluid through thoracentesis. Let's dive deeper into thoracentesis. We'll discuss the benefits, risks and how to prepare for the procedure. What Is Thoracentesis? Thoracentesis is a medical procedure to remove excess fluid from the pleural space. The pleura is a thin layer of tissue that lines your lungs and walls of your inner chest. A small amount of fluid between these two layers (pleural space) helps them move smoothly past each other as your lungs expand and contract during breathing. However, conditions like

Jan 06 2023

6 mins read

Signs Your COPD is Getting Worse

What Are the Warning Signs of a COPD Flare-Up?

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a progressive lung disease that gradually worsens over time. While there's no cure, proper treatments help patients manage the condition and slow its progression. But sometimes — especially in the early stages of COPD — a person only experiences mild symptoms and chooses to ignore them. The problem? Untreated COPD can lead to lung exacerbations — which can be life-threatening. Let's dive deeper to understand COPD exacerbations, what triggers them, and how you can identify them. What Is a COPD Exacerbation? A COPD exacerbation is an episode of worsening symptoms. The lungs become swollen and inflamed — making breathing very difficult. There are two types of COPD exacerbations: sudden-onset and gradual-onset. What's the difference? - Sud

Dayton Respiratory Center

Dec 08 2022

4 mins read

How Fast Does COPD Progress?

Learn About the Stages of COPD and How to Delay Its Progression

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a progressive disorder marked by inflammation and mucus build-up in the airways and lungs. While there's no cure, you can manage the condition and maximize life expectancy by making positive lifestyle changes. But first, you need to understand how COPD worsens over time. Let's look into the different stages of COPD, how quickly the disease progresses, and how to manage your condition effectively. What Are the Stages of COPD? There are two ways to group the stages of COPD: GOLD grades and ABCD groups. GOLD The GOLD system has four COPD stages (or grades) based on a person's FEV1 (forced expiratory volume) — a measurement of how much air you can forcefully exhale in one second. The GOLD stages include the following: - Grade 1: Mild COP

Dayton Respiratory Center

Nov 23 2022

4 mins read