Tag Archive for: pulmonary services

5 Tips For Holiday Traveling With A Lung Disease

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he holiday season is right around the corner, and we can’t believe it! This is always an incredibly exciting time of year, with trips planned and precious time spent with family and friends.

For people with chronic lung diseases or temporary pulmonary conditions, however, the holidays can present a number of challenges as well. Travelling with a lung condition or disease can be complicated, but with proper preparation, you’ll be able to navigate these difficulties with ease while traveling for the holidays.

No matter what your holiday itinerary is, there are 5 major tips you need to follow to make sure your lung condition doesn’t keep you or your family members grounded (yes, even if supplemental oxygen is your best buddy).

1. Get a spare oxygen tank if your doctor has every prescribed oxygen for you, even if you don’t use supplemental oxygen on a regular basis. If you do use supplemental oxygen, don’t forget to take enough oxygen tanks to cover your holiday travel.

If you’re traveling by plane, don’t forget that the air in the cabin is pretty thin, and sometimes even people with healthy lung functioning may crave more oxygen and require assistance to breathe. Patients with a pulmonary chronic disease or temporary condition like bronchitis or allergic asthma should have an oxygen tank or portable oxygen container with them during their entire holiday travel, just on the off chance that they’ll need it. Don’t forget to take your oxygen prescription and a letter from your doctor with you as well!

2. Arrive at the airport at least 4 hours before a domestic flight and 5 hours prior to international flight to have enough time for a security check.

This rule will be most applicable to people with a portable oxygen concentrator, who will need additional time to go through the security check. Unfortunately, some airlines make It incredibly complicated and don’t allow travelers with special needs to check in online, which means people with a pulmonary chronic disease or temporary conditions who want to bring their portable oxygen concentrator (POC) on board will have to physically check in at the airport.

On top of that, your POC may be examined by the airport security officers, which will take even more time. So, if you want to stay out of a holiday rush, make sure to arrive early and plan accordingly. Also, something very important for a holiday traveler with pulmonary conditions: don’t be shy to ask for a spot in an expedited security line if you are running out of time, just explain your condition to the airport staff and show a doctor’s note.

3. Make sure your accommodation is located on the lower floor, has elevators or special assistance to go up and down.

While stairs and elevations might seem like no big deal during the travel planning stage, it may become a bigger problem on the spot. People with normal lung function will have no problems going up and down stairs or hills as many times as they possibly can – their lungs will be just fine – unless they’re constant smokers who get shortness of breath. However, people with a chronic lung disease or any temporary pulmonary conditions may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, and other life-threatening conditions that can lead to disastrous complications like heart or lung failure.

In order to prevent any risks, be sure to select accommodations that are easily accessible and are not substantially higher or lower than the ground level. When booking your holiday trip, don’t forget to include an additional note requesting appropriate accommodations for a traveler with a pulmonary condition.

4. If traveling to colder places, use appropriate winter gear and wear a mask.

Cold climate has its benefits, but can be extremely harmful to people with pulmonary conditions. People with pulmonary chronic diseases or even temporary conditions have very vulnerable lungs, which means cold weather and dry air can affect the lungs in a negative way, leading to bigger pulmonary conditions.

To combat this, make sure you keep your entire body warm, but not sweaty. In order to prevent sweating, choose layers made from natural materials and try to stay away from synthetics. In addition to that, use a cold weather mask that can warm up the air before it gets into your lungs, making it more comfortable and safe for you and your lungs.

5. Stay away from seasonal infections.

No matter what type of pulmonary condition you have, you don’t want any additional infections in your body, right? So, the most obvious but most important advice would be to think 10 steps ahead and minimize exposure to infection on your holiday journey. Before the travel, make sure you get a flu shot to prevent an infection and a pneumonia shot (if prescribed by your doctor). Besides vaccinations, make sure to wash your hands often, use sanitizing gels or wipes before you touch anything and stay away from crowds.

Despite the fact that traveling with a pulmonary condition may require additional preparation, it can still be a great holiday journey that you will remember your entire life. All you need is to spend some additional time and resources to carefully plan all the details of your travel in a way that accounts for your pulmonary conditions and any complications that may be associated with it. And, of course, if you need help of an experienced pulmonologist, just let us know! We’re here to help you with any pulmonary issues or questions you might have.

Happy Holidays & Safe Travel!

5 Things We Are Thankful For This Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is a unique holiday for Pulmonary Associates of Brandon, one that gives us an opportunity to show our appreciation to all the people who have walked through our doors over the years, and the many factors that contribute to the overall well-being and success of our patients and the healthcare industry as a whole. While we’re thankful for a lot of things every single day of our lives, today we would like to share 5 special things we are particularly thankful for this Thanksgiving:

We are grateful for our precious patients who entrust their health to us.

Our dear patients, we are truly thankful for having you in our lives! Our first and foremost goal is to make you happy and healthy – you are our friends, teachers, and the main motivation to grow personally and professionally every day. It warms our hearts to read your reviews and realize that we were granted an exceptional chance to impact someone’s life, and another patient was able to fight a lung cancer or any other life-threatening condition. We truly hope that you will never experience any health issues, but if you ever need help, we are here to provide pulmonary and sleep care you will love. Our hearts chose to serve you and we will stand by our pledges in any circumstances.

We are thankful for our brilliant Pulmonary Associates of Brandon team.

Did you know that every Pulmonary Associates of Brandon team member is unique in his/her own ways? Our team is full of compassionate and clever people who always strive for success and go out of their way to help each and every single person that walks through our doors. It’s a pleasure to work with a healthcare team that supports each other and shares common values. Wondering what makes our practice so special? The answer is obvious: our staff and physicians that absolutely love what they do!

We are thankful for the research opportunities that advance healthcare worldwide.

Pulmonary Associates of Brandon Clinical Research is a multi-specialty research center dedicated to offering our patients the highest quality of care, cutting-edge technology, and research trials that make a positive difference. This Thanksgiving we’re thankful for the opportunity to conduct research studies because FDA approved research is a crucial part of discovering new treatments and devices for existing medical conditions worldwide. So far, our center has participated in more than 125 clinical trials in the areas of COPD, Asthma, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diabetic Painful Neuropathy, Sleep Apnea, and much more. Our research findings have helped hundreds of patients to receive advanced treatment that was never used before and opened the door to new treatment methods worldwide.

We are grateful for our sleep disorder center that helps dozens of patients every day.

For millions of Americans, getting a good night’s sleep and waking up rested can be quite difficult. Did you know that more than 100 million Americans of all ages regularly fail to get a good night’s sleep? That’s why we are grateful for an exceptional opportunity to help our patients explore the underlying causes of their sleep problems and find the most effective ways to treat them. We understand the importance of a proper sleep and are honored to help our patients improve their quality of life by conducting sleep studies in our sleep disorder center.

 We are thankful for our families who always support us along the way.

And, of course, how could we forget about our families who always support us in any challenges, the ones who always wait for us to return home from long, and, sometimes, overnight shifts? Any healthcare profession is highly stressful, physically and mentally, and we are extremely thankful for the care and compassion our families grant us. Each moment spent with our loved ones is genuinely unique and makes us realize how fortunate we are.

This Thanksgiving we will gather for a regular holiday celebration, but our prayers and blessings will be truly unique. We will be grateful for each and every patient who we had an honor to serve, every team member we are so lucky to work with, and every family member we love with all our hearts. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

9 Questions To Ask Your Pulmonologist At Your First Appointment After An Abnormal Chest Scan

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Receiving the notice that your chest scan came back a little abnormal is worrying to say the least. Your pulmonologist will probably want you to return for another appointment to speak with you about the results and perhaps order further tests.

While this can be very off-putting, it is also the right moment to ask any questions you have about your symptoms and your concerns. By arming yourself with the best possible arsenal to obtain information, you will be better equipped to handle any diagnosis. Here are some questions to ask your doctor during your visit.

  1. Can you explain the test that was run? Each test is used to diagnose different conditions, and learning about the test(s) that were conducted will help you to better understand what your doctor was looking for and how and/or why your chest scan was abnormal.
  2. What makes my scan “abnormal”? This may seem like something you don’t even need to ask, but it’s important to know exactly what your scan is showing, why it varies from the norm, and to what degree it’s considered abnormal.
  3. What can the abnormality mean? Be ready to ask your pulmonary physician about the possible diagnosis of your abnormal chest scan. It is likely that your pulmonary physician isn’t sure what the abnormality means without further testing, but knowing everything it could point at will prepare you for the final diagnosis.
  4. Will I need further testing? If so, what tests can I expect and how do they work? Usually, if an initial chest scan shows an abnormality your pulmonary physician will assign you further testing to determine whether the abnormality is malignant or benign. These tests can vary, and knowing what they are and how they work will help you get through them with more confidence.
  5. How often should I be screened for changes? This is an important question to ask regarding the maintenance for your pulmonary health. Even a positive diagnosis on abnormalities should be followed up on in case it starts to become malignant later down the line.
  6. Are you prescribing me anything for the symptoms? It’s important to understand any medications you will be prescribed as well as any side effects of the medication.
  7. Are there things I can do to manage my condition? Ask what types of habits and activities you can do on your own time to keep your pulmonary health under control or even lessen some of your symptoms.
  8. Should I follow any dietary/lifestyle restrictions? Be sure to ask and understand if there are any restrictions or changes you should make to your current regimen. Some doctors may choose to wait on further tests and simply test you again in a few months to see if your abnormality has changed or grown. In the meantime, they may recommend some lifestyle changes or impose restrictions on your diet and/or activity.
  9. What should I do if my symptoms increase? Ask your doctor when to contact them if symptoms worsen to avoid an unnecessary trip to the ER.

Preparing for your first appointment after being notified of an abnormal chest scan can be very nerve-wracking and tense. By asking the right questions and educating yourself on your diagnosis, you will be better able to maintain your pulmonary health and suppress your symptoms. Be sure to write down these questions and bring them with you so you don’t forget to ask anything!

9 Questions to Ask Your Pulmonologist Before Your First Appointment

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If your primary care doctor suggests you may have a lung or breathing ailment such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD, you may be referred to a pulmonologist or a doctor who specializes in lung disorders. If you’ve never been to see a pulmonologist before, it would be wise to prepare yourself for the initial appointment with a list of questions to ask. By arming yourself with the best possible arsenal to obtain information, you will be better equipped to handle any diagnosis. Here are some questions to ask your doctor during your visit.

What Should You Ask Your Pulmonologist?

1. Can you explain the tests you are running?
Understanding the tests that will be run will help you to better prepare for them.

2. What’s my Diagnosis?
This may seem like something you don’t even need to ask, but to be certain, I would

3. What is likely causing or worsening my symptoms?
Asking this question ensures that if there are certain behaviors that are causing a flare up of your symptoms, you can deviate or avoid these behaviors.

4. What is an appropriate level of physical activity for my diagnosis?
Be ready to talk to your pulmonary specialist about your diet or exercise regimen and any challenges you may experience starting one.

5. How often should I be screened for changes?
This is an important question to ask regarding maintenance for your condition. Knowing when to follow up with your doctor is an important part of maintaining lung health and keeping any chronic pulmonary diseases under control.  

6. Are you prescribing me anything for the symptoms?
It’s important to understand any medications you will be prescribed as well as any side effects of the medication.

7. Are there things I can do to manage this (chronic) condition?
Ask what types of habits and activities you can do on your own time to keep your condition under control or even lessen some of the symptoms of your illness.

8. Are there any additional restrictions for my diagnosis?
Be sure to ask and understand any restrictions that your illness may pose to your current regimen.

9. What should I do if my symptoms increase?
Ask your doctor when to contact them when symptoms worsen to avoid an unnecessary trip to the ER.

In addition to asking the right questions during the appointment, it’s essential to be prepared before the appointment as well. Here are some things you can do to prepare for your first appointment with a pulmonology specialist.

How to Prepare for Your First Appointment with Pulmonary Associates

  • Write down all symptoms you have experienced
  • Take note of what things make your symptoms worse or better
  • Ask family members if anyone has experienced similar symptoms or were diagnosed with a chronic lung disease
  • List any medications you are currently taking
  • See if a family member or close friend can accompany you to your appointment

Preparing for your first appointment with a pulmonologist is critical to receiving the best possible care. By asking the right questions and educating yourself on your diagnosis, you will be better able to maintain your condition and suppress your symptoms. Be sure to write down these questions and bring them with you so you don’t forget to ask anything!

Can I Still Get COPD & Emphysema as a Non-Smoker?

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, more commonly known as COPD, is a disease that makes breathing more difficult as time passes. Symptoms are constant coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. Emphysema is another name for this long-term disease that affects about 11 million people in the United States. 

What are causes of COPD?

The most common cause of COPD is smoking. In fact, over 80 percent of COPD patients suffer because of their smoking habits. The chemicals in cigarettes ruin the defense system in your lungs and can weaken and narrow the airways causing the symptoms listed before. 

Are Non-Smokers Safe from COPD?

Although smoking is the number one cause to this disease, it is not the only one. Non-smokers can suffer, too. It is not as likely, but it is possible and new non-smoking patients are added to the 11 million existing COPD sufferers every day.

What causes COPD if you’re not a smoker?

  • The environment – The environment is one reason for non-smokers getting COPD. Though these patients are not purposefully inhaling chemicals and toxins, they are breathing in everyday air that holds these things. Air pollution cannot be avoided in today’s world. Chemicals can enter a person’s body without them even knowing it. Over time, this is what can lead to the chest disease.
  •  Genetics – Genetics can also cause non-smokers to have COPD. There is only one genetic deficiency known right now that causes this disease. This inherited deficiency is called Alpha-1 antitrypsin and can lead to lung and liver disease. 
  • Asthma – Asthma that goes untreated for a long time can also be a reason a non-smoker gets diagnosed with COPD. Asthma is a respiratory condition that can weaken the system over time. Without treatment, asthma can lead to other internal issues, such as COPD. Effects of asthma are very similar to the symptoms of COPD and should be watched carefully. 

If a person is experiencing any breathing problems that are out of the ordinary and seem like the symptoms of COPD or an obvious decrease in lung health, they should consult a pulmonologist no matter their smoking history. COPD is serious and has led to many deaths. The sooner the diagnosis, the sooner treatments can be started.

What Does It Mean If My Chest Scan Is Abnormal?

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An abnormal chest scan could mean many things. It could be one problem, or a litany of problems, or it could be nothing serious. Dr. Rolando Sanchez MD says an abnormal chest x-ray could show an “enlarged heart, fluid in the lungs, air pockets, pneumonia, among many other things.” Pulmonary physicians can help read these scans and determine the particularities of any abnormality.

What Is A Chest Scan?

Two common forms of chest scans are chest x-rays and chest CTs. The x-ray is a more basic procedure and the CT is more detailed. It uses x-ray technology in conjunction with computer imaging software to create a more detailed picture of the lungs.

Chest x-rays are fast and painless tests that use electromagnetic waves to produce pictures of the structures in and around your chest. These tests are used to diagnose and monitor such conditions as pneumonia, heart failure, lung cancer, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and scarring of the lung tissue.

Chest CT scans or Computed Tomography scans are also painless tests. They provide more detailed images. They often create cross-sectional images of the lungs often called “slices”, and they also use computer technology to create 3-D models of the lungs. These tests are usually follow-up tests to abnormal chest x-rays. They are often used to diagnose certain lung conditions such as check to see if you have certain lung problems such as a tumor, excess fluid around the lungs that is known as pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism, emphysema, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.

Abnormal Scans

If you are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chronic mucus production, etc. then your physician may order a chest x-ray. If the x-ray is abnormal or the physician sees something in the x-ray, then they might order a CT scan or even a PET scan to further diagnose what showed up on the x-ray.

Conditions such as heart failure, pneumonia, lung cancer, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, pleural effusion, embolisms, emphysema, and lung scarring would all show up on chest scans in various ways.

Pulmonary Nodules

Pulmonary nodules are small spots on the lungs that may show up on x-rays or CT scans. They are often causes of serious concern for patients even thought they do not have to be. A pulmonary nodule is usually less than 3cm in diameter, and can sometimes be in the lungs for years without the patient knowing. They do not always cause symptoms.

Nodules show up as white spots on imaging scans. Your physician will probably want to take a biopsy of the nodule to see if it is malignant or cancerous. Less than five percent of pulmonary nodules cause cancer, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Other causes of these nodules include infection, neoplasms, or sarcoidosis.

What Next?

The experts at Pulmonary Associates of Brandon are equipped to diagnose and treat a variety of pulmonary diseases and conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, acute and chronic respiratory failure, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, lung infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sleep disorders. They can help you determine what is causing your abnormal chest scan, and can help decide the best path to take for it. The team of highly specialized physicians will know the best way to analyze a chest scan and the most effective way to proceed from any abnormalities.

Crazy Facts About Your Lungs and Pulmonary Health

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Your Lungs are Amazing!

The lungs should be considered “the environmental organ.” They are unique in their size and formation, and they interface with all the materials you inhale from the community environment, the work environment, and the personal environment. The lungs are made up of a series of branching tubes that provide the pathways for air entry and exit. These pathways, called bronchi, are exquisite in their design, with each tube branching twice: The major airway or windpipe (trachea) divides into two main bronchi, which in turn beget smaller and smaller orders of bronchi until some 22 divisions result in the final conducting passageways.

The respiratory or gas exchange function of the lungs begins in tiny sacs or folded structures (alveoli) attached to these tiny passageways. These smallest passageways continue to branch and finally connect with alveolar ducts, passageways thoroughly lined by alveoli. Each duct ends in a mass of alveoli. The alveolar-capillary membrane lines all of the alveoli and works as the blood-air interface. It allows life-giving oxygen into the blood and extracts the waste gas, carbon dioxide, from the blood. This delicate membrane is only 1/50th the thickness of tissue paper, thin enough to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide, but still a barrier against fluid formation within the alveolar spaces.

The lungs are the largest organ in the body. The total surface of the alveolar membrane varies from 100 to 200 square meters, depending on the size of the person. The overall surface area of the alveolar membrane has frequently been equated to that of a tennis court. This comparison is really an underestimation! Thus, the lungs are by far the largest organs that make intimate contact with the environment.

The lungs are also the only organs of the body that receive all the blood from the heart with every heartbeat. Thus, any material in the bloodstream circulates through the lungs constantly. Some materials, such as small blood clots, can injure the membrane and cause the lung to leak fluid. Infections can cause pneumonia, and heart failure can flood the lungs. In these conditions, gas exchange becomes abnormal.

People who truly understand the lungs marvel at their complexity. Consider that roughly 100,000 small air passages that feed a membrane surface area greater than the size of a tennis court! This membrane wraps itself around at least 300 million alveoli and is lined with a myriad of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. Consider further the fact that approximately four quarts of air pass through the gas-exchange surface each minute, along with some five liters of blood, which traverse the capillary membrane. This magnificent machine occupies the chest cavity and, in all, is some 4 to 6 quarts of total volume. We certainly must consider the lungs the most exquisite packaging job in nature, and their function a splendid orchestration. Only the brain possesses greater complexity and capability in design and function.

Oxygen is required for all organ functions, including heart functions that are involved in every living activity. Oxygen is critical to the survival of all human beings. A shortage of oxygen affects every organ in the body. The brain has the highest oxygen requirement of all the organs. The heart has an immense oxygen requirement compared with the other organs in the body. The liver, kidneys, and all other organs require oxygen for their own vital functions. Thus, in states of oxygen deficiency, the whole body becomes robbed of vital energy.

Oxygen is involved in the process of metabolism, which converts food into the energy we need to live. The by-product of metabolism is carbon dioxide. The lungs remove carbon dioxide from the blood as it is returned from the tissues. When the lungs cannot exhale enough carbon dioxide, there is a toxic build-up, resulting in “acidosis,” an acid poisoning of all cells of the body. The brain, heart, and other organs are also impaired by carbon dioxide retention.

Understanding the lungs would be easy if they simply exchanged oxygen and carbon dioxide, but they do much more. Many of the body’s chemicals are either inactivated or activated by the lungs. For example, the lungs activate a hormone that helps control blood pressure. The lungs, through their normal function, affect our daily moods and emotions.

Naturally, the lungs must be defended against outside damage, and research has revealed some fascinating defense mechanisms. The nose acts as a filter, and the conducting air passages contain a protective mucous lining. Within the lungs, tiny hair-like cells called cilia sweep the air entering the lungs almost constantly, acting as janitors. Scavenging cells, called macrophages, are poised and ready to engulf particles that evade their sentinels. Macrophages are potent obstacles to damage from the environment, but these cells can release enzymes that damage the lung’s delicate structure.

Small amounts of normal lung fluids also help the lungs defend themselves. The surfactant system of the lungs allows easy filling and emptying of the lungs. Surfactant also provides an antibacterial and immune function to protect against infections. Within the blood vessels of the lungs, an anti-clotting system combats small accumulations of damaging cells, aggregates, and small clots that enter the lungs from other parts of the body. Thus, normal lung fluids are being formed and washed away constantly. The lungs have anti-irritants, anti-infectives, anti-enzymes, and immune defense mechanisms, all of which are coordinated to serve these organs well.

The gas-transfer function of the lungs is well understood today. In fact, everyone should learn about this process, the essence of normal organ system function. The biochemical or non-respiratory functions of the lungs are less recognized. We continue to marvel at the hormonal activities of the lungs that regulate other functions of the body, possibly including the brain. Thus, the lungs work in cooperation with the brain, and are the main control system for the body. The lungs are unequaled in their diversity of functions and contributions to the health of the individual.