Lung Care in Reno, Nevada
Advanced Lung Care
Specialists at Sierra Medical Center provide advanced lung care treatments to help keep your lungs and respiratory tract healthy. We have expertise in diagnosing, treating and preventing lung and respiratory disease. This includes asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, and more.
Diagnostic Tests
There are numerous diagnostic tests we can perform to determine what is causing your issue. Doctors then use that information to create a care plan designed to treat your specific condition.
Lung CT Scan
Detailed images of your lungs are taken during a lung CT scan. These images help doctors determine how large your lungs are and whether they are positioned correctly in your chest. This test is used for patients who may have shortness of breath, chest pain, excess fluid around the lungs, pulmonary embolism, emphysema, tuberculosis or pneumonia.
Pulmonary Function Test
If you have trouble breathing, cough excessively, or have an inability to exercise due to breathing issues, you may be a good candidate for a pulmonary function test. This test measures how well you are able to breath and how well oxygen enters your body. It is used to help diagnose conditions such as asthma, COPD or emphysema.
Other Diagnostic Tests
We can perform other diagnostic tests including a bronchoscopy, chest fluoroscopy, ultrasound, or X-ray.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation is for patients who have chronic breathing conditions such as COPD, sarcoidosis or cystic fibrosis. During rehab you will engage in exercise training and you’ll receive nutrition counseling, strategies for better breathing, and psychological counseling or group support.
Conditions Treated
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition in which the air passages in the lungs become inflamed and swollen. Any irritation of these overly-sensitive air passages can lead to an asthma attack. Symptoms may include chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing or a feeling of not being able to catch one’s breath. Asthma can become critical or even fatal if ignored. Don’t wait to seek emergency care when symptoms of respiratory distress appear:
- Shortness of breath when walking or talking
- Feeling of constant fatigue
- Inability to sleep or eat
- Inability to tolerate regular activities without breathing difficulty
If you have one or more of the symptoms above, especially with a family history of asthma, you should seek emergency care. Pollutants and other factors are triggers of asthma, but no definitive cause or cure has been discovered. Treatment for asthma can involve medications including IVs, heart monitoring, and multiple breathing aids including inhalants.
COPD (Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema)
COPD is a progressive disease that makes it harder for you to breathe. There are two types of COPD: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Each type can cause many symptoms including a cough that produces mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. While there is no cure for COPD, treatments can help relieve symptoms. Treatment options include medication, oxygen therapy, surgery and lung transplant.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs. Bacteria, viruses, or inhaling certain liquids can cause pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and chest pain. Pneumonia can be a serious condition, especially in young children, older adults and people with other health issues. Vaccines are available to help prevent some types of pneumonia.
Influenza
Viruses can cause influenza, or the flu, a respiratory infection. Millions of people get sick from the flu every year. Symptoms are generally worse than the common cold and can include body aches, chills, fever, headache and sore throat. While most people will recover from the flu on their own, it can cause serious complications. The Centers for Disease Control recommends annual flu shots.
Other lung conditions we treat include lung nodules/lung cancer, sleep apnea, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, HIV/AIDS related conditions and interstitial lung disease.
Lung Care and Respiratory Health Tips
Physicians at Sierra Medical Center are dedicated to helping patients prevent disease. Consider these tips to help you stay healthy:
- Do not smoke! Smoking narrows the airways and causes chronic inflammation. It is a leading cause of lung cancer and COPD.
- Exercise. Heart-pumping aerobic exercise and breathing techniques can help improve lung function.
- Avoid air pollution. This includes secondhand smoke, chemicals and poor outdoor air quality. Have your home tested for radon, too.
- Fight off infection. Be sure to frequently wash your hands, don’t forget that flu shot and practice good dental hygiene.
- Don’t skip checkups. Schedule well visits with your doctor. If you have lung or respiratory issues, you may want to see a pulmonologist.
If you need a referral to a physician at Sierra Medical Center, call our free physician referral service at 775-356-6662.