Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Cures and Remedies for Broncho-Pulmonary Dysplasia

• What is Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)?

  Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) involves abnormal growth in the airways and the actual lung tissues of infant children. The abnormal growth may involve only a small part of the lung, or most of the lung and the airways.

  Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is a lung disease that affects some premature infants during the first few months of of their lives.

• What causes Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)?

  We don't know the exact cause yet. It is believed that the more oxygen and/or positive pressure that a baby needs during the first few weeks of her life, the greater the risk of developing Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD).

  Premature infants often have under-developed lungs (and other organs), and they often need extra oxygen, and breathing assistence -especially during the first few days of their lives.

• What are Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Symptoms?

  Children with BPD will often breathe faster than normal and need more effort. They also often cough and wheeze like those with asthma.

• Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Treatment:

  There is no treatment that is specific for BPD.

  Treatment and management of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia patients is usually multifaceted, involving several components, including the following supportive measures and symptomatic treatment. The primary focus of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Treatment is usually to help BPD babies breathe better and to give their lungs time to mature. This allows the baby's lungs to improve gradually through normal repair processes.

  Management & caring for a BPD infant usually involces the following:

  • Continued mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen to maintain blood oxygen levels. Ensuring that the child is getting enough oxygen,
  • Bronchodilator medications to improve airflow in the lungs,
  • Prevent worsening of lung function during colds and other infections,
  • Corticosteroids and other medicines to reduce inflammation of airways,
  • Fluid restriction and diuretics to decrease fuild accumulation in the lungs
  • Antibiotics to control infections,
  • IV feeding of needed nutrients, and ensuring that the child is gaining weight, and growing normally,
  • Physical therapy to improve muscle strength and to help the drain mucus from the lungs, and
  • Providing appropriate activities to promote normal physical and mental development.
    
    
• Prognosis of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Patients:

  With the recent advances in medical sciences, currently infants with BPD appear to have less severe disease as compared to infants with BPD only a few years ago. However, infants sufferng from severe BPD remain at high risk for pulmonary morbidity -especially during the first 2 years of their lives.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease News section of this website for the latest Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) Treatment News, and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) related Articles.

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