One of the most frequently diagnosed pathologies associated with impaired functioning of the respiratory system is compacted roots of the lungs. As a rule, going to a chest x-ray, people do not even suspect that they have this problem. Despite the fact that it does not pose a serious threat to he alth and life, nevertheless, timely treatment is necessary to avoid various complications.
If nothing is done, the patient may develop bronchitis, pneumonia and many other serious diseases. No one is immune from such unwanted ailments. During the examination, the doctor may announce the bad news when the root of the lung is sealed. What does this mean for the patient, let's talk in more detail. We will provide information about the types of the disease.
General information
Suppose you read in your medical record that you have fibrous lung rootscompacted. What does this mean and how terrible is such a diagnosis? The root of the lung is an anatomically complex complex of structures that unites the organs of the mediastinum and is responsible for their synchronous work. They consist of the pulmonary aorta, blood vessels, two windpipes, lymphatic vessels, nerves, hypodermis, and serosa. All these structures have a strict order, however, during the X-ray, it is not noticeable, since it is closed by other internal organs. In medical practice, by the roots of the lungs, it is customary to mean not the entire system, but only large blood vessels and the bronchial tree.
Anatomical features of structures
In order to see on an x-ray that the roots of the lungs are compacted (what this means was discussed above), you need to have an idea about their features.
Each of the lungs, both left and right, has its own root, which consists of the following parts:
- heads;
- body;
- tail.
The last part also includes a network of branching capillaries. During x-rays, doctors pay attention to the width of the roots. If the patient does not have any pathologies, then it should be in the range from one and a half to two centimeters. In addition, doctors are interested in the structure of blood vessels. Arteries should be in a vertical plane, and veins in a horizontal plane. If any deviations from the norm are found, then this indicates that the person has compacted roots of the lungs.
Differences in the location of the roots
As alreadymentioned earlier, each root has its own structure, which is located at the entrance to the lungs. However, their location is slightly different. The set of structures located on the right (in the region of the second rib) resembles a curved arc in its shape, which gradually expands in the direction from bottom to top. In the left lung, this system is at the level of the first rib, i.e., slightly higher than its counterpart.
Differences in system structure
To understand that the roots of the lungs are deformed, compacted, or that any other changes are taking place in them, you need to understand their structural differences. The left-sided organ is partially covered by the heart, which is why only a small part of its root is visible on the x-ray. Therefore, it is very difficult for even specialized specialists to identify deviations from the norm and make an accurate diagnosis. In addition, the left lung is characterized by a heterogeneous structure, in contrast to the right. The root of the second is a small vascular network intertwined with the bronchus.
Causes of disease
Such a pathology as compacted roots of the lungs can develop for many reasons, but the most common are the following:
- various chronic obstructive respiratory diseases;
- enlargement of paratracheal and parabronchial lymph nodes caused by the deposition of s alts and calcium;
- aneurysms of various etiologies;
- malignant tumors;
- fluid accumulation in the lungs;
- an overgrowth of connective tissue caused by pneumonia,injuries and surgeries;
- different types of tuberculous lesions of the roots of the lung;
- diseases resulting from work in hazardous industries;
- obstructive chronic disease.
If a person has dense roots of the respiratory organs, then pathology can be detected by a number of clinical manifestations. Most often it is accompanied by a strong cough with purulent sputum, aggravated in the morning. In addition, the patient is worried about shortness of breath, which is observed not only during physical activity, but also at rest. A state of air deficiency occurs.
If the doctor assumes compaction of the roots, then the patient also takes a sputum test for the presence of various bacteria and viruses in it. This is necessary in order to select the most effective therapy. If the cause of the pathology lies in pathogens, then the patient is prescribed medication with antibiotics or antiviral drugs together with expectorants that help thin and remove sputum from the bronchi. Depending on the patient's clinical picture, doctors may prescribe other medications.
Malignant tumors
One of the most dangerous causes behind the fact that the roots of the lungs are fibrously compacted is cancer. Fortunately, such options are extremely rare. In most cases with similardiseases, cancer affects only one lung, so even with the complete removal of the respiratory organ, a person can live.
As the disease progresses, the patient's condition gradually worsens. The first symptom of lung cancer is shortness of breath and a slight cough, which can occasionally be accompanied by pain in the chest area. In the later stages of cancer, sputum with an admixture of blood begins to come out, and severe shortness of breath also appears. At the same time, a violation of the functioning of the respiratory system has a negative impact on the entire body as a whole. The patient experiences constant malaise, begins to quickly lose weight and get very tired even with little physical exertion.
If the x-ray shows that the patient has compacted roots of the lungs, then to determine the exact diagnosis, soft tissues of the respiratory organs are taken from him for a deeper analysis. This allows not only to confirm the presence of a malignant tumor, but also to determine its type, which is vital for treatment. At the same time, regardless of the stage of cancer, the therapy program always includes the same methods: surgery, as well as radio- and chemotherapy.
Occupational diseases
In almost all people of such professions as miners, builders and welders, the root of the right lung is sealed. This is due to the fact that they work with harmful substances, which in almost 100% of cases cause the development of many occupational diseases. As labor activity in the respiratory organsharmful particles accumulate, leading to soft tissue necrosis. At the same time, the most difficult thing is to diagnose the disease in time, since the clinical manifestations can be very different. As for the complete elimination of the problem and cure, as such it does not exist. The only way out is to change jobs.
Tuberculosis of the roots of the lungs
Most often, pathologies of various etiologies of the respiratory organs caused by mycobacteria are diagnosed in children, but representatives of absolutely all age categories are susceptible to tuberculosis when they are re-infected. The patient's condition worsens gradually, so the symptoms appear for a very long time, which is dangerous, because the carrier will infect people around.
Among the main clinical manifestations are dry cough, chest pain, excessive weight loss and constant fatigue. In some cases, a small amount of reddish sputum comes out, due to the admixture of blood in it. As the disease progresses, the patient's condition gradually worsens.
Bacteria culture is a mandatory procedure for tuberculosis. It allows not only to make a diagnosis with high accuracy, but also to determine the type of pathogen, as well as to select the appropriate medications. If, due to tuberculosis, the roots of the lungs are compacted, the treatment should be long and continuous. As medical practice shows, it takes at least six months for a full recovery. However, in order to achieve maximumeffectiveness in the process of therapy, 4 different antiviral drugs are used simultaneously.
What does the diagnosis mean - the roots of the lungs are tight?
Such a syndrome is very common and occurs, as a rule, in people who use tobacco products or work in hazardous industries. However, in some cases, this pathology is not caused by habits and working conditions, but by inflammatory processes occurring in the respiratory tract in an acute form, as well as malignant tumors. In this case, the strands mean compacted fibers of the fibrous tissue of the roots of the lungs. It is worth noting that this syndrome in itself does not pose any threat to he alth, but it may indicate the presence of any diseases, so doctors, having identified it, send patients for further examination.
Low structure of the roots of the lungs
Is it dangerous for he alth? Very often you can hear from doctors that the roots of the lungs are unstructured, compacted, but what does this mean? Behind this term lies the fact that destructive disorders have occurred in the tissues of the pulmonary system, as a result of which it becomes impossible to distinguish it from the bronchi on an x-ray. In most cases, such a pathology is the result of a tuberculous lesion or a cancerous tumor. At the same time, low structure is often accompanied by root compaction caused by s alt deposits.
Conclusion
This kind of pathology is a compaction of the pulmonary rootis not dangerous to human he alth, so with it he can live to a ripe old age. However, it can be the result of many serious diseases that can lead to death. Therefore, when the first symptoms of the syndrome appear, it is recommended to undergo a full examination in the hospital in order to start timely treatment if necessary. Appreciate your he alth every day, as it is the key to a successful life!
