Breathing is, without a doubt, the most fundamental biological process. Yet, we often take it for granted until it becomes laboured. A lot of the respiratory complications begin subtly with symptoms like mild breathlessness, occasional coughing, or fatigue.
But, behind these symptoms, there could be a severe lung disease brewing and festering in the background. Chandigarh, as an evolving city, is exposed to rising pollution levels, smoking habits, occupational hazards, and lifestyle factors.
Hence, the need for prompt and precise diagnostic measures for lung diseases in Chandigarh becomes a non-negotiable. This Jindal Chest Clinic guide will highlight the best tests to diagnose lung diseases.
What is the Role of Proper and Precise Lung Disease Diagnosis?
Unlike a lot of the other chronic ailments, lung diseases progress slowly (and silently). This means that even an occasional cough could be an early symptom that we ignore. And, by the time the symptoms get worse, the condition may already be advanced.
Getting an early and correct diagnosis serves multiple purposes:
- Identifying the exact condition affecting the lungs
- Determining the severity and progression of the disease
- Differentiating between similar symptoms (e.g.,asthma vs.COPD)
- Guiding the most effective treatment plan
- Monitoring response to treatment over time
When you don’t get proper testing and diagnosis, the treatment process becomes a “guesswork,” which might treat the symptoms temporarily but doesn’t target the root cause, thereby letting the condition fester and progress deep inside.
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)
These are considered the “foundation” of lung disease assessment. Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are the most fundamental tool for evaluating lung health, measuring how well your lungs are working in terms of airflow, lung capacity, and gas exchange.
The most common types of PFTs include:
1. Spirometry
In this test, you are asked to breathe into a device that measures airflow. Spirometry helps diagnose conditions like asthma and COPD by identifying airflow obstruction.
2. Lung volume measurement
This test, as the name suggests, measures the total volume of air your lungs can hold. It is useful in diagnosing restrictive lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis.
3. Forced oscillometry
FO or forced oscillometry is a non-invasive technique that measures airway resistance. It helps in the early detection of small airway diseases and is particularly useful in managing difficult-to-treat asthma cases.
4. Diffusion capacity test
The last main test in PFT is DLCO, which assesses how well oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood. It is especially helpful in conditions affecting the lung tissue or blood vessels.
If you are experiencing persistent cough or breathlessness, suspected asthma or COPD, need pre-surgical evaluation or for monitoring chronic lung diseases, that’s when our specialists at Jindal Chest Clinic prescribe and recommend PFTs. The best thing about these tests is that they are non-invasive, quick and highly informative.
Chest X-Ray
The most accessible and commonly recommended imaging test for diagnosing lung diseases is Chest X-Ray. It provides a quick overview of the lungs, heart, and chest structures.
Getting a chest X-ray can detect the following:
- Lung infections like pneumonia or tuberculosis
- Fluid accumulation (pleural effusion)
- Enlarged heart or structural abnormalities
- Tumors or suspicious masses
So, if your pulmonologist suspects that you might be dealing with certain lung diseases, chest X-ray is usually the first imaging test they would recommend you to get. Also, the test is fast, accessible, cost-effective and has minimal radiation exposure, making it a great option for initial screening.
CT Scan of the Chest
While we are on the topic of imaging tests, a CT scan of the chest is another recommended test for diagnosing lung disease. It provides cross-sectional images of the lungs, offering much greater detail than a standard X-ray.
There are two major types of CT scans available for the chest:
- High-resolution CT (HRCT)
- CT pulmonary angiography
The test is usually recommended by our pulmonologists at Jindal Chest Clinic when the chest X-ray findings are abnormal, there are persistent and unexplained symptoms or if our doctors suspect that you might have lung cancer. Getting a CT scan plays a major role in confirming the diagnosis before starting the treatment.
Advanced Interventional Diagnostics
Beyond the non-invasive procedures and imaging tests, there are certain interventional diagnostic tools recommended for confirming the diagnosis of any lung disease.
These include:
1. Bronchoscopy
This minimally invasive procedure involves passing a thin, flexible tube with a camera (bronchoscope) through the nose or mouth into the lungs. It allows doctors to visualise the airways, check for tumors, clear blockages or even take biopsies.
Bronchoscopy is an indispensable test if your pulmonologist suspects that you have lung cancer, chronic infections like Tuberculosis, or unexplained lung shadows.
2. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)
Up next is EBUS, which Jindal Chest Clinic is a pioneer of in Chandigarh. It is an advanced form of bronchoscopy that uses ultrasound to "see" through the airway walls.
The major benefit of EBUS is that it allows for the sampling of lymph nodes and masses in the area between the lungs without the need for any kind of invasive surgery. It helps in staging lung cancer and even helps with confirming the diagnosis of Sarcoidosis.
3. Thoracoscopy
If fluid is accumulated around the lungs, a thoracoscopy may be recommended. The procedure involves inserting a scope into the space between the chest wall and the lungs to examine the lining and take a biopsy.
Specialised Testing for Modern Respiratory Challenges
Beyond the gaseous exchange in and out of the lungs, there are certain modern respiratory challenges that require specialised testing. Our lung health is often influenced by factors that occur while we are asleep or through inflammation that isn't visible on a scan, and this is where these tests come into play.
1. FeNO
FeNO or Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide measures the levels of nitric oxide in your breath, which is a key marker of allergic inflammation in the airways. This test, in particular, is prescribed to confirm the diagnosis of allergic asthma and even determine if the patient would benefit from steroid-based inhalers.
2. Sleep study or polysomnography
Many "lung" problems actually stem from sleep-disordered breathing. Chronic snoring or daytime fatigue can be signs of sleep apnea. Getting a sleep study monitors your oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing patterns during your sleep at night. If you do have sleep apnea and it is left untreated, it puts immense strain on the heart and lungs, leading to long-term cardiovascular complications.
Diagnostic accuracy for your lung disease is non-negotiable. It is necessary to confirm the diagnosis so as to align and personalise the treatment planning in accordance. At Jindal Chest Clinic, our diagnostic process focuses specifically on chest and respiratory conditions, ensuring a higher level of diagnostic precision and care.
Don’t Ignore the Signs!
Lung diseases are often progressive. What starts as a mild wheeze or a "smoker's cough" can evolve into a condition that severely limits your quality of life.
The right combination of tests, guided by an experienced specialist, can uncover issues early and significantly improve treatment outcomes. Seeking expert consultation at a trusted centre like Jindal Chest Clinic can give you clarity, reassurance, and a clear path forward.
Schedule your consultation with the best pulmonologists in Chandigarh at our clinic!
