Currently, there are only two types of treatment for those individuals afflicted with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. One is specific drug medications, and the other is lung transplants. Let's take a look at both types of treatment options.

There are a number of drugs which can help individuals suffering with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. Although it must be noted that not every drug may work, and may have side effects which may involve changing dosage or opting for other drugs until the proper one is found to work. If you have been diagnosed with PPH by your PPH specialist, he will no doubt perform a catheterization to determine which drugs are appropriate for you.

The following drugs are currently available and/or being further studied:

* Prostacyclin is a drug which is administered intravenously.
* Treprostinil is a drug which is also given as a continuous infusion under the skin.
* Calcium blockers help to relax the muscles in the blood vessels.
* Anticoagulants help to prevent the blood from clotting.
* Diurectics help to remove excess fluid from body tissues.
* Oxygen can be used to enter the bloodstream.
* Remodulin is given as an injection and helps to regulate the size of the blood vessels. It is also helpful in alleviating symptoms caused by increased exercise.
* Flolan is given as an injection 24/7, and is similar to Remodulin in is efficacy.
* Tracleer helps to improve breathing and the ability to exercise.
* Iloprost can be inhaled through a nebulizer.
* Viagra improves the condition of PPH individuals by allowing the arteries to open.
* Revatio controls the narrowness or wideness of blood vessels in the lining of the lungs.
* Ambrisentan appears to be helpful for individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

As with any drug, it is important for you and your PPH specialist to determine the efficacy of these drugs; which drugs cause serious side effects; and the treatment options associated with these drugs.

In the event the Primary Pulmonary Hypertension increases damage to a lung, the PPH specialist will probably discuss the second option, which is a lung transplant. It may be worthy to note that the first heart-lung transplant was performed in 1981. Many of these operations were performed for patients with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension.

However, the single lung transplant is the most common method of transplant used in cases of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. This procedure involves the replacement of one lung; either the right or left.

This procedure was first performed in 1983 in patients who had pulmonary fibrosis. There are also cases in which double lung transplants are also done to treat Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, but are less common than the single lung transplant for treatment of PPH.

While there are fewer complications with the single lung transplant than with the heart-lung transplant, the survival rate is 70 percent for one year. It has also been reported that the ability of the right ventricle to heal itself is noteworthy. In patients with lung transplants, both the structure and function of the right ventricle dramatically improve.

While there can be complications associated with lung transplants including rejection by the body of the transplanted organ, as well as infection, there are risks with any surgery that involves removal and transplant of major organs. Those who have had lung transplants are required to take medications for life in order to reduce their body's immune system's ability to reject the new organ.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment that can stop the progression of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, however, the existing treatments can aid in slowing the disease's progression and improve an individual's quality of life. Treatment, therefore, is critical because without it, patients live less then five years.

This is why seeking a PPH specialist is so important.
While new studies on the treatment of Primary Pulmonary Hypertension are on-going, it is necessary to mention not only the cost of treatment, but the determining factor which caused PPH in the first place.

It is a well documented that Fen-Phen ultimately caused this disease, and litigation is on-going. The problem with those who have taken this weight suppressant is that the effects of the drug do not normally show up for ten years. Thus, you can imagine the anxiety of those individuals who have taken this drug, only to be informed it causes Primary Pulmonary Hypertension.

It is highly recommended if you do show signs of PPH, that you first contact a PPH specialist to determine the cause of your symptoms, and then contact a PPH attorney who can file a lawsuit on your behalf. While this disease may alter your life, the costs involved in treatment and possible surgery are incalculable.

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Nick Johnson is lead counsel with Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving Fen-Phen and PPH, Paxil, Mesothelioma and Nursing Home Abuse. Call Nick Johnson at 1-888-311-5522 or visit http://www.jbclawfirm.com for a free case evaluation.