Patient Education

would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Asthma

Asthma is a condition in which the lungs and air passages become inflamed and constricted, interfering with normal breathing. During the first stage of an asthmatic response, inhaled allergens or other irritants cause the airways to constrict. During the second stage, an inflammatory response causes the airways to swell, and fill with thickened, sticky mucus. During an attack, patients have increasing difficulty in breathing, and usually make the wheezing sound typically associated with asthma. Although life-threatening, asthma can usually be well-controlled with medication. ...

Lung Biopsy

A lung biopsy is a procedure in which a small piece of tissue is removed from a lung, and then examined microscopically to determine the presence or absence of damage or disease. There are several types of lung biopsies: Bronchoscopic and needle biopsies are usually performed under mild sedation; open biopsy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and mediastinoscopy, because they require incisions, are performed under general anesthesia. ...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease in which a continual obstruction of the airways causes difficulty in breathing. The term "COPD" refers to both emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis. Seventy-five percent of those afflicted with COPD are cigarette smokers. In some cases, however, COPD is caused by environmental irritants, such as air pollution and chemical fumes. It is a common cause of death in the United States. ...

Lung Cancer

Although one of the most preventable types of cancer, lung cancer kills more people each year than colon, prostate, lymph and breast cancers combined. Lung cancer is always treatable, however, regardless of whether or how far it has spread.

Most lung cancer deaths can be prevented through lifestyle changes, including stopping smoking. Smoke is filled with carcinogens that damage the lungs' cells, eventually causing them to behave abnormally. Because the lungs are full of blood vessels, lung cancer can easily spread to other areas of the body, often before symptoms arise. The vast majority of lung cancer is caused by smoking. ...

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs that may be caused by bacteria, a virus or fungus. As a result, the lungs fill with pus or fluid causing difficulty breathing that may be accompanied by fever and chills. It can affect people of all ages but those at a higher risk of developing pneumonia include adults age 65 and older, children age 2 and younger, people with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems, and smokers. Pneumonia can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. ...

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect the cells of any of the body's organs. A common disease, sarcoidosis can be found in people of any age, race or gender. It typically affects African-Americans, specifically African-American women, and people of Scandinavian descent. In 90 percent of cases, sarcoidosis affects the lungs. In other cases, the following body parts are affected: ...

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection. Although it primarily affects the lungs, it can attack other parts of the body, including the kidneys, spine, brain and bones. There are two classifications of tuberculosis: latent and active. People with latent TB are asymptomatic and not contagious. They are, however, in danger of developing active TB. Those infected with active TB develop symptoms, and are in danger of infecting others. Although the number of reported cases of tuberculosis in the United States has declined annually over the years, it is still a serious problem in other parts of the world. ...

Spirometry

Spirometry is a pulmonary examination used to diagnose conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It measures the amount of air the lungs can hold, as well as how fast they can expel air. During spirometry, a patient breathes through a tube attached to a spirometer, which calculates and records results. ...

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) consists of individualized treatment programs designed to improve the health of and enhance quality of life for patients with chronic respiratory problems. Because breathing difficulties almost always result in anxiety, PR focuses on providing both physical and psychological relief. By combining medical therapy with several other techniques, pulmonary rehabilitation has proven effective in treating patients with all types of respiratory ailments. It is also an essential part of treatment, both before and after surgery, for patients undergoing lung operations. ...

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a test performed to view and diagnose lung disease, or problems in the bronchial tubes. It is performed using a bronchoscope, a device used to view the interior of the lungs. The doctor inserts the long tube of the bronchoscope through the patient's nose or mouth, into the trachea and then into the lungs. Bronchoscopy is usually recommended for a patient showing signs of lung disease. ...