The first patient, a 46-year-old man, came to the hospital with a dry, persistent cough, intermittent fever, and weight loss. A chest scan showed left lower lobe pneumonia, which led doctors to assume tuberculosis over cancer. Bronchoscopy with BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) found the presence of Aspergillus flavus, a lesser-known fungus species. The patient has now recovered completely.

The second instance involved a 56-year-old female who presented with a right upper lobe mass lesion and a thick-walled cavity, both of which were highly suspected of being malignant. In this case, a BAL fungal culture revealed Aspergillus niger. She was successfully treated, and the lesions in her lung gradually disappeared.

Speaking about the case, Dr. Nagesh Dhadge, HOD & Consultant – Respiratory Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Baner, said, “Pulmonary aspergillosis is no longer confined to the immunocompromised. Climate change, air pollution, and excessive moisture during the monsoon season all contribute to non-immunocompromised conditions linked with fungal infections, independent of immune competence. In both cases mentioned, bronchoscopy and antifungal medication led to timely intervention, preventing major consequences. We were able to make a diagnosis after eliminating tuberculosis and malignancy. Bronchoscopy and BAL cultures were important in isolating the fungus species and implementing appropriate care.”

Anand Mote, Cluster Director, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune, said, “At Manipal Hospitals, we are committed to treating patients quickly and competently, especially in uncommon and difficult situations. Although rare, these situations serve as strong reflections of the importance of rapid diagnosis and the use of multidisciplinary teams to manage complex infections.”

It is important to urge the public to be alert to persistent respiratory symptoms, particularly during the monsoon season, and to make prompt diagnosis and treatment decisions. Some respiratory symptoms, such as coughing without explanation, fever, and weight loss, should not be taken seriously, especially if a person resides in an environment where fungi can grow rapidly.

The post The Treatment of Rare Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Non-Immunocompromised Patients at Manipal Hospital, Baner appeared first on NRI News.

Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre recently arranged an event in Goregaon to highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle and pure air for patients of pulmonary diseases. Masala King Dhananjay Datar, a philanthropist and an ardent supporter of social welfare projects, attended the program and donated oxygen kits to 6 such patients who regularly need oxygen but can’t afford the expenses. Each kit included an oxygen concentrator of 5 to 10 kg capacity to supply oxygen at home, a portable oxygen machine to supply oxygen for a few hours in travel or outside the home, and a Pulse Oximeter to check the oxygen saturation level in blood. Dhananjay Datar had given 8 such kits last year also.

Dhananjay Datar said, “My mother, in her last days, suffered from a pulmonary ailment and couldn’t draw breath properly. I couldn’t bear her pain and struggle. Even today, I feel restless when I see such patients who are in dire need of oxygen, but can’t afford an oxygen supply instrument. During the COVID pandemic, many patients died without timely oxygen provision, and some could not even reach the hospital in time due to the unavailability of an ambulance. We, therefore, financially supported a unique drive called ‘Rickshaw Ambulance’ where an auto-rickshaw can be equipped with an oxygen cylinder and can be utilised as an ambulance. Last year’s donation was a small token of our help, and this year, we continued it. We will endeavour to help many more such patients in the future.”

The program was coordinated by Dr. Poorvi Devani, who has extensive experience in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients of pulmonary diseases. She said that patients of pulmonary diseases could live a normal and healthy life with positive thinking, correct treatment, discipline, and regular exercise, along with counselling and rehabilitation.

Dr. Prahlad Prabhudesai and his wife, Mrs. Vaishali Prabhudesai, the founders of Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre, acquainted the audience with the activities and social work of the centre. Dr. Prabhudesai said, “It is important to live a healthy life and for that everyone should understand the necessity of maintaining health, adopting the right lifestyle and realising the value of a breath.”

The post Masala King Dhananjay Datar Donates Oxygen Kits to Support Pulmonary Disease Patients in Mumbai appeared first on NRI News.

Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre recently arranged an event in Goregaon to highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle and pure air for patients with pulmonary diseases. Masala King Dhananjay Datar, a philanthropist and an ardent supporter of social welfare projects, attended the program and donated oxygen kits to 3 such patients who regularly need oxygen but can’t afford the expenses. Each kit included an oxygen concentrator to supply oxygen at home, a portable oxygen machine to supply oxygen for a few hours in travel or outside the home, and a Pulse Oximeter to check the oxygen saturation level in blood. Dhananjay Datar had given 5 such kits last year also.

Dr.Dhananjay Datar said, “My mother, in her last days, suffered from a pulmonary ailment and couldn’t draw breath properly. I couldn’t bear her pain and struggle. Even today, I feel restless when I see such patients who are in dire need of oxygen but can’t afford an oxygen supply instrument. During the COVID pandemic, many patients died without timely oxygen provision and some could not even reach the hospital in time due to the unavailability of the ambulance. We, therefore, financially supported a unique drive called ‘Rickshaw Ambulance’ where an auto-rickshaw can be equipped with an oxygen cylinder and can be utilized as an ambulance. Last year’s donation was a small token of our help and this year, we continued it. We will endeavor to help many more such patients in the future.”

The program was coordinated by Dr. Poorvi Devani, who has extensive experience in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with pulmonary diseases. She said that patients with pulmonary diseases could live a normal and healthy life with positive thinking, correct treatment, discipline, and regular exercise, along with counseling and rehabilitation.

Dr. Prahlad Prabhudesai and his wife Mrs. Vaishali Prabhudesai, the founders of Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre, acquainted the audience with the activities and social work of the center. Dr. Prabhudesai said, “It is important to live a healthy life and for that everyone should understand the necessity of maintaining health, adopting the right lifestyle, and realizing the value of a breath.” 

The post Masala King Gifts Oxygen Kits to Mumbai’s Pulmonary Patients appeared first on NRI News.

PUNE: Over the last two years, Sahyadri Hospitals in Pune have observed a troubling trend: an increase in cases of pulmonary embolism (PE) associated with long-haul international travel. Recently, a 42-year-old patient was diagnosed with PE after presenting symptoms of chest discomfort and breathlessness, exacerbated by a history of recent international flights.

Dr. Kaurabhi Zade, Interventional Radiologist at Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune, emphasized the heightened risks associated with prolonged immobility during flights. “Flights longer than four hours can triple the risk of blood clotting, primarily due to cramped seating, dehydration, and lower cabin oxygen levels,” Dr. Zade explained. This insight comes after the successful treatment of 17 cases of PE through mechanical thrombectomy at the hospital—a procedure chosen for its efficacy when traditional clot-dissolving medications are unsuitable.

One of the recent research further underscores these observations. A study titled “Travel-Associated Venous Thromboembolism” highlights a mild to moderate association between VTE and the length of travel, with the risk increasing by 26% for every additional 2 hours of air travel starting after 4 hours. The study also noted the effectiveness of low-risk prophylactic measures like graduated compression stockings in preventing VTE, particularly during flights.

The patients, ranging from 21 to 72 years old, displayed varied health backgrounds, indicating that younger populations are increasingly at risk. “Pulmonary embolism is a high mortality condition, ranking as the third most common cause of cardiovascular death. Immediate treatment is crucial,” Dr. Zade added.

Dr. Kapil Borawake, the leader of the Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) at Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune, highlighted preventive measures, especially with the holiday season in full swing. “As people increasingly embark on long air travels, it’s crucial to be mindful of dos and don’ts to prevent health risks such as pulmonary embolism. Simple actions like taking brisk walks every half-hour, staying hydrated, and avoiding alcohol, which can further dehydrate you, are essential,” Dr. Borawake advised.

Mechanical thrombectomy involves physically removing blood clots from the patient’s arteries, an approach that was necessary when clot burdens were high or when initial medical treatments failed. Despite the procedure’s challenges, such as managing complications from massive clots, the long-term outcomes have been promising, with significant survival benefits.

The public should be aware of the risks posed by extended periods of travel. This ongoing issue of travel-associated PE stresses the importance of vigilance and prompt medical intervention, reinforcing Sahyadri Hospitals’ commitment to leading-edge cardiovascular care.

The post Rising Cases Of Pulmonary Embolism Linked To International Travel appeared first on NRI News.

Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre recently arranged a symposium in Goregaon to highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle and oxygen for patients with pulmonary diseases. Masala King Dhananjay Datar, a philanthropist and an ardent supporter of social welfare projects, attended the program and donated oxygen kits to 5 such patients who regularly need oxygen but can’t afford the expenses. Each kit included an oxygen concentrator to supply oxygen at home, a portable oxygen machine to supply oxygen for a few hours in travel or outside the home, and a Pulse Oximeter to check the oxygen saturation level in blood.

Dhananjay Datar said, “My mother, in her last days, suffered from a pulmonary ailment and couldn’t draw breath properly. I couldn’t bear her pain and struggle. Even today, I feel restless when I see such patients who are in dire need of oxygen but can’t afford an oxygen supply instrument. During the COVID pandemic, many patients died without getting oxygen in time and some could not even reach the hospital in time due to the unavailability of ambulance. We, therefore, financially supported a unique drive called ‘Rickshaw Ambulance’ where an auto-rickshaw can be equipped with an oxygen cylinder and can be utilized as an ambulance. Today’s donation was a small token of our help and we will endeavor to help many more such patients in the future.”

The program was coordinated by Dr. Poorvi Devani, who has a prolonged experience in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with pulmonary diseases. She said that patients with pulmonary diseases could live a normal and healthy life with positive thinking, the right treatment, disciplinary life, and regular exercise, along with counseling and rehabilitation to lead a happy life.

Dr. Prahlad Prabhudesai and his wife Mrs. Vaishali Prabhudesai, the founders of Pratibha Prabhakar Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre, acquainted the audience with the activities and social work of the center. Dr. Prabhudesai said, “It is important to live a healthy life and for that everyone should understand the necessity of maintaining health, adopting the right lifestyle, and realizing the value of a breath.”

Dr. Sheilja Sing, Consultant Physician, and Lifestyle Consultant, also delivered a lecture on the subject ‘Emotional Well-Being and its Impact on Health’.

The post The World is Realising the Value of One Breath appeared first on NRI News.