THE ROLE OF LUNG SCANS IN EARLY DETECTION OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH ISSUES

The Role of Lung Scans in Early Detection of Respiratory Health Issues

The Role of Lung Scans in Early Detection of Respiratory Health Issues

Blog Article

Lung Diseases are one of the leading causes of disability, sickness, and mortality all over the world. They are becoming increasingly common. The leading causes of augmentation in lung diseases include:


  •   Smoking

  •   Genes

  •   Infections


In many cases, lung diseases also cause premature death. It is one of the leading causes of fatalities across the globe, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Early detection of the disease is, therefore, important. It allows timely prevention and treatment. If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, the chances of survival rate double. Some of the highly prevalent lung diseases across the world are:

  •   Pneumonia

  •   Interstitial Lung Disease

  •   Pulmonary Fibrosis

  •   Tuberculosis

  •   Bronchiolitis

  •   Obstructive Sleep Apnea


All of these diseases are highly fatal and require timely diagnosis. However, a timely diagnosis can only be made by opting for the right diagnostic tool—a lung scan.

What are Lung Scans?

         Lung scans are mainly diagnostic tests in the form of images. They are used to diagnose many lung diseases at an early stage. The main purpose of these scans is to assess the airways, tissues, and structure of the lung. They are also used to detect any potential abnormalities in the lung, such as scarring, honeycombing, tumors, and inflammation. These scans are non-invasive, which means they are quick and painless. The imaging technology used in lung scans makes them a safe option with no risks carried. Doctors across the globe make use of these scans to initiate the diagnostic, preventive, and treatment phases for their patients.

Types of Lung Scans

         There are different types of lung scans, each employed for a specific purpose. The most common types of lung scans involve:

  •   Computed Tomography (CT Scan)

  •   Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan)

  •   Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI Scans)


Importance of Lung Scans

         The importance of lung scans is evident from the fact that they are helpful for the early detection of diseases. They can increase the success rate of the treatment to a great extent and promise a positive prognosis. They are also highly significant for assessing if the disease is worsening from time to time. Certain lung conditions are not evident by symptoms. Lung scans help in identifying these hidden diseases as well. Moreover, scans also help in preventing complications in lung diseases. They help the doctors in assessing the disease to a deeper level to avoid any complexities in the future.

Different types of lung scans are aimed at different functionalities. They are extensively used for the screening and diagnosis of lung cancer. PET Scans are the most common type of scans used to identify cancer in the early stage. They employ radioactive technology to detect the presence of cancer cells in the body. CT scan is another form of lung scan that can uncover several fatal lung diseases such as pneumonia, blood clots, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and cancer.

Benefits of Regular Lung Scans for the Smokers

         Smokers are always at a higher risk of developing lung diseases. As their lungs are largely exposed to smoke, they develop higher risks of fatal diseases. Once a smoker develops a lung disease, their prognosis for the treatment is much slower compared to a non-smoker. Early detections of diseases, however, are favorable. Regular Lung Scans, in this case, greatly benefit smokers. They help in the early detection of diseases as well as the detection of emerging health threats that could arise in the future. The rate of lung disease-related mortality in smokers is higher compared to non-smokers. However, a timely lung scan could greatly reduce the risk of death.

Risk-free Process

         The non-invasive nature of lung scans makes them the most risk-free diagnostic tool. Unlike other testing methods of invasive nature, such as angiogram tests, lung scans are entirely painless. They pose no harm or pain to whoever they are performed on. With the advancements in technology, the radiation level is also greatly reduced in lung scans. For instance, people can opt for LDCT, which contains the least level of radiation. Lastly, lung scans are appropriate and suitable for people of all ages, genders, and with every kind of disease, except for exceptions like pregnancy. If you are experiencing symptoms that could indicate lung disease, simply visit https://123bodyscan.com/ and schedule an appointment today to get the best lung scan services. 

Report this page