Patients suffering from complex respiratory diseases successfully treated at Fortis Mohali 

Patients suffering from complex respiratory diseases successfully treated at Fortis Mohali 

-- Delay in treatment would have proven fatal for the patients suffering from chronic conditions like Disseminated Tuberculosis, ABPA, and Severe Bronchial Asthma with Small Airways Disease -- 

Sirsa, July 16, 2025: The Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care has given a new lease of life to several patients suffering from chronic respiratory ailments such as Disseminated Tuberculosis (TB) presenting with respiratory failure, Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) with Bronchiectasis and Severe Bronchial Asthma with Small Airways Disease (SAD).  

Quick medical intervention and the correct line of treatment by the team of doctors led by Dr Mohit Kaushal, Consultant, Pulmonology and Critical Care, Fortis Hospital Mohali, helped diagnose the patients properly and enabled prompt treatment, thereby saving and improving their quality of life. 

In the first case, a 29-year-old male from Sirsa had been experiencing high grade fever along with shortness of breath from last three months. Despite undergoing treatment at other hospitals, his symptoms had not subsided and had further deteriorated over the past 10 days. He was rushed to Fortis Hospital Mohali with severe respiratory failure and liver dysfunction. A PET-CT scan revealed pleural effusion (fluid build-up in the space surrounding the lungs) with multiple lytic rib lesions. Dr Mohit Kaushal diagnosed his condition after samples taken from pleural fluid (water on lungs) and rib lesion biopsy as Disseminated Tuberculosis (TB) presenting with respiratory failure – a rare manifestation of TB, wherein the infection spreads through the bloodstream to multiple organs such as the lungs, and causes severe respiratory distress. Following intensive pulmonary care management, Dr Mohit Kaushal was able to administer him the appropriate line of treatment for TB. A further delay in proper diagnosis and treatment would have proved fatal for him. The patient was discharged on the 8th day of the admission and has been coming in for regular check-up. 

In another case, a 27-year-old woman had been experiencing cough, shortness of breath, running nose and chest tightness since a few years. She had significant exposure to cattle, cow dung, and animal feed at her home. After her symptoms worsened, the patient met Dr Mohit Kaushal at the Fortis Sirsa OPD, who diagnosed her condition as Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) with Bronchiectasis. 

ABPA is a lung condition caused by an allergic reaction to the fungus Aspergillus, which commonly resides in the lungs of people with asthma or many other chronic lung diseases. It is a rare and progressive ailment, affecting about 1-2% of the population. Bronchiectasis is a condition wherein the airways become damaged due to the acute inflammation. The patient was initiated on medical management along with lifestyle modifications & tailored exercises which improved her health. She has recovered fully and is leading a normal quality of life today. 

In yet another case, a 73-year-old male had been bedridden for the past two years due to respiratory problems. He had been on steroids for a long period of time but there was no let-up in his symptoms. He approached Dr Mohit Kaushal at Sirsa where he was diagnosed with Severe bronchial asthma with small airways disease (SAD) and Hypocortisolic state – a condition wherein small airways in the lungs are affected, further aggravating the condition. Following combined medical management and pulmonary rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, the patient had a smooth recovery and after about 6 months, the patient was able to resume his normal routine. 

Discussing the cases, Dr Mohit Kaushal, said, “In all the cases, accurate diagnosis had not been done due to which the condition of the patients had further worsened. All the patients were seriously unwell when they reported at Fortis Mohali and at Sirsa OPD. However, we conducted thorough medical investigations and were able to detect, diagnose and treat the respiratory diseases in time. The common symptoms of respiratory ailments include shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, wheezing when exhaling, coughing that is worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu. One should consult a pulmonologist in case of any such symptoms.” 

Dr Mohit Kaushal holds OPDs on the third Wednesday of every month at Talwar Nursing Home (11 AM – 1 PM) and at Jeevan Jyoti Hospital (1 PM – 3 PM). 

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