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Opportunistic etiological agents causing lung infections: emerging need to transform lung-targeted delivery
Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic
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ILDs are a set of unique conditions with variable degrees of inflammation and scarring of the lungs. Scarring leads to stiff lungs, and patients may present with cough, shortness of breath, and require oxygen supplementation. It can be secondary to various causes, but in some cases, the reason remains unknown despite comprehensive evaluation. These conditions are often challenging for patients due to difficulty with diagnosis and treatment. Patients will benefit from being seen at specialized centers that require close monitoring of specialized medications. Some of the patients may require lung transplantation.
There are about 200 different conditions that are categorized under ILD. The conditions commonly considered as ILDs include various disorders such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), connective tissue disease-ILD (CTD-ILD), chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and sarcoidosis. Several other rare conditions can present as ILD too. For patients with connective tissue disorders (CTD) and ILDs (e.G., Rheumatoid arthritis, Scleroderma, Sjogren syndrome, Myositis), we partner with other specialties like Rheumatology to align their complex medical care. Our team consists of pulmonologists who offer expert care in this realm of diseases, along with trained specialist registered nurses, respiratory therapists, thoracic surgeons, chest radiologists, and pathologists.
The Lung Institute
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The Lung Institute provides comprehensive diagnostics and treatments to patients with illnesses that affect the lungs and breathing, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, asthma, interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis, benign and malignant neoplasms, and lung transplantation.
The Lung Institute has developed a comprehensive program across specialties with one site for virtually all aspects of ambulatory pulmonary patient care, including a full pulmonary function testing lab, complete radiology services, echocardiography, laboratory, and nuclear medicine services.
Our physicians and surgeons are national and international experts in lung disease. Together, they offer comprehensive services, including highly specialized care to patients.
10 Things To Know About Lung Transplant
1. Lung Transplants Are an Option for People With Severe Lung Conditions.These conditions can include:
This evaluation process includes a physical, meeting with the lung transplant team, and testing. This process helps the transplant care team decide if a lung transplant is right for you and make sure you are physically able to have one.
3. Being in the Best Shape Possible Will Help You Prepare.While it may be challenging to keep your body in good shape, the stronger you are, the faster you can recover. While recovery time is different for every patient, keeping your body as healthy as possible will help you prepare for a lung transplant.
4. You Will Need a Caregiver and Support System.A lung transplant is not something you go through by yourself. You will need a support network of family and friends. For your evaluation and after the transplant itself, you will need to visit your treatment center for many appointments.
5. You Might Have to Travel to a Transplant Center and Stay Nearby for a While.There are centers that perform lung transplants around the country, but you may have to travel to reach one. You should consider how you are going to travel to the center and where to stay.
While you wait for your lung transplant, you will also need to stay close by and be available. You will not know when you will get the call to have your transplant. Transplant surgeons only have four to six hours to complete the operation after they receive donor lungs.
After your transplant, your care team will need to see you frequently during the first few weeks and months. It is very important for providers to keep a close eye on how your new lungs are functioning. You will want to be no further away than an hour from your care center.
During this time, your care team may also help you find a care team closer to your home. This will help you take long-term care of your lungs.
Find a list of transplant centers.
6. An Organization Called UNOS Oversees Organ Matching.The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) is a non-profit organization that oversees transplant programs in the U.S. UNOS makes sure that organs are distributed in a fair and ethical way. They run the U.S. Organ and Procurement Transplantation Network (OPTN).
This means that factors like income or celebrity status do not affect how organs are distributed.
7. Organs Are Matched to Patients Through These WaysMedical factors and location can affect how organs are matched to patients. These include:
For a lung transplant specifically, OPTN must also consider the:
When you, a friend, or family member are suffering from a serious illness, you may experience depression or anxiety. It is important to get treatment for this throughout the transplant process.
Be patient with yourself, your friend or family member. The transplant process will take time, and it will take time for you to return to the things you enjoy doing. Take time to do what you enjoy doing (as long as it's safe!).
You can also find a support group or an online community to help you through the process.
9. Can You Have a Lung Transplant More Than Once?It is possible to have lung retransplantation, but it is not that common. About four percent of lung transplants are retransplant procedures.*
10. Wait Times Are Different for Different Transplant CentersDepending on where you choose to have your transplant done, the wait time may be different. If you are accepted as a lung transplant candidate, your name will be added to the UNOS waiting list at the transplant center of your choice.
Most patients at University of Utah Health spend between two and six months on the lung transplant list.
*Statistic from the American Lung Association
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