What is COPD?

COPD, 'Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease', is frequently seen in people who use or are exposed to polluted air, smoky environments and tobacco products, and begins to appear especially after the age of 40; It is a progressive lung disease that causes symptoms such as cough, sputum, shortness of breath, wheezing and makes breathing difficult. What is Balloon Treatment? It is the process of cleaning and widening the trachea in patients with narrowing of the trachea and thickening of the cells that create phlegm as a result of smoking and tobacco use.

It is observed that 1-2 days after balloon treatment, the lung capacity of patients increases by at least 50%.

Who Can Get Balloon Treatment in COPD?

Bronchoscopic treatment is applied to patients with narrowing of the respiratory tract and thickening of goblet cells due to chronic bronchitis due to tobacco exposure. Although a single session is sufficient for 95 out of 100 patients, this procedure can be easily performed on any patient who does not have a serious heart problem.

At what stage is COPD balloon treatment performed?

Balloon therapy can be applied at all stages of COPD (mild, moderate, severe, very severe).

How is Balloon Therapy Applied in COPD?

For this procedure, COPD balloons selected in accordance with the diameter of the bronchi in the respiratory tract are used. These balloons are inflated and deflated with adjustable pressure and frequency with the help of an electronic pump, scraping the thickened inner layer of the bronchi and bringing them back to their previous thickness. The lung bronchi are scraped and cleaned with bronchoscopic balloon treatment, which is known to be performed in a few centers around the world. For the scraping process, these balloons, which are selected according to the diameter of the bronchi in the respiratory tract and have a scraping feature, are covered with a hard mesh. With the help of the balloon, the goblet cell layer is brought to the consistency of foamy liquid, allowing the respiratory tract to reach its original width. In the procedures performed, the risk of lung cancer is reduced and the breathing difficulties experienced by the patient are eliminated.

Thanks to this method, patients who are in intensive care and have to live connected to an oxygen device for a long time can breathe without the need for an oxygen device. Things to Know About COPD Balloon Treatment: With COPD balloon treatment, patients' narrowed airways and damaged epithelial tissue are tried to be restored. The procedure is painless and painless.

Patients can return to their daily lives the next day. At the end of the procedure, the lung functions of patients who have difficulty breathing at least double. Shortness of breath caused by exertion decreases, the need for oxygen consumption decreases, and the quality of life increases. A solution is produced with immediate and effective intervention without placing a foreign object in the body.