We Need Our Lungs To Live, Laugh, Love And Other Activities

The leading cause of death and morbidity in the world , more than 1 billion people struggle with respiratory problems such as lung cancer, copd, asthma, bronchitis and  pneumonia, sleep apnea,  tuberculosis, each day. İn top of this, the covid 19 pandemic claiming the lives  of 6.9 million people in the last 2-3 years ; and the harmful effects of air pollution and climate change underlines the importance of respiratory health

In my chest disease department, I focus on prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and education for respiratory diseases.

There are 4 lung diseases and COVID-19 in the top 10 causes of death.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Although the estimated number is 200 million, only about 30% of them (65 million people) have been diagnosed. Three million people die from it each year, making it the third leading cause of death worldwide. Lung function tests are essential for diagnosis, and smoking cessation is crucial for both prevention and treatment.

Pneumonia: Pneumonia is estimated to cause approximately 3 million deaths annually, making it the fourth leading cause of death. Prevention through flu and pneumonia vaccination, early diagnosis, and timely treatment initiation are critical for treatment success.

Lung Cancer: Each year, 1.8 million people die from lung cancer, making it the sixth leading cause of death. With treatment success rates as high as 90%, we prioritize early diagnosis and screening programs. We take a multidisciplinary approach to both diagnosis (bronchoscopy, EBUS, low- and standard-dose CT, CT-guided biopsy, pathology) and treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Asthma: Affecting 334 million people, asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases. With early diagnosis, regular doctor visits, appropriate treatment, and control of triggering factors, asthma patients can live as healthy as professional athletes—our ultimate goal.

Sleep Apnea: More than 100 million people suffer from sleep-disordered breathing. In our sleep lab, we perform polysomnography for both diagnosis and treatment selection.

Smoking Cessation: Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of mortality, responsible for 6 million deaths annually. Smokers who quit can expect to live longer and are less likely to develop cancer, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and infections. We advise all smokers to quit and offer behavioral support and pharmacologic therapy at our smoking cessation clinic.