If you have trouble breathing or issues falling or staying asleep, HSHS Medical Group Multispecialty Care - St. Elizabeth's has pulmonary medicine specialists who can help. Learn more about what a pulmonologist does below.
What are the most common conditions seen/treated in pulmonary medicine?
Some of the most common conditions pulmonary medicine treats include:
- Asthma
- COPD
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Abnormal lung imaging/pulmonary nodules
- Lung cancer
- Bronchiectasis
What are recommended screenings/tests to catch pulmonary issues early?
Two tests recommended by pulmonary medicine are lung cancer screenings for qualifying patients and sleep studies for patients deemed high risk for obstructive sleep apnea.
Is pulmonary medicine involved in lung screenings, etc. for those who smoke?
Yes.
How does pulmonary medicine help people with sleeping issues?
Pulmonary medicine specialists mainly treat obstructive sleep apnea and sleep-related hypoxemia (low blood oxygen) by managing and prescribing CPAP/BiPAP therapy and night-time supplemental oxygen devices.
When should someone see a pulmonologist?
Patients should schedule an appointment with pulmonary medicine when they have any lung mass, abnormal lung imaging not otherwise explained by known diagnosis or chronic respiratory symptoms that are not controlled and/or have an unclear diagnosis. They should also see pulmonary medicine for treatment or workup of obstructive sleep apnea.
What technologies are used to help provide the best care for patients?
Pulmonologists use pulmonary function testing, sleep studies, imaging of the chest, bronchoscopy, navigational bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound to help diagnose and treat patients.
Are certain people more prone to having pulmonary issues?
Patients who are current or former smokers and industrial workers are at higher risk of chronic lung disease, and those who snore and are overweight are at increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea.
To see an HSHS Medical Group pulmonologist, call 618-641-5803 or schedule an appointment online.