Breathe easier, live healthier
Pulmonology
The Pulmonology department at Chord Road Hospital is dedicated to providing comprehensive and specialised care for patients with respiratory conditions. The department's mission is to promote lung health, diagnose and treat respiratory diseases, and improve the quality of life for individuals with pulmonary disorders. The experienced pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, and support staff work collaboratively to deliver exceptional patient-centred care.
Services
- Diagnosis and Treatment: The department offers advanced diagnostic techniques and personalised treatment plans for various respiratory conditions.
- Respiratory Care: The team provides comprehensive respiratory care, including oxygen therapy, nebuliser treatments, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
- Interventional Procedures: The department performs various interventional procedures to diagnose and treat respiratory disorders, such as bronchoscopy and lung biopsy.
- Critical Care: Pulmonologists are skilled in managing critically ill patients with respiratory failure and provide specialised care in the intensive care unit (ICU).
- Sleep Medicine: The department offers evaluation and treatment for sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, through sleep studies and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
Conditions
The Pulmonology department treats a wide range of respiratory conditions, including but not limited to
- Asthma: A chronic respiratory condition characterised by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, and coughing.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A progressive lung disease that causes airflow limitation, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, and excessive mucus production.
- Lung Cancer: The abnormal growth of cells in the lungs, often associated with a history of smoking or exposure to certain environmental factors, with symptoms including a persistent cough, chest pain, and unexplained weight loss.
- Pneumonia: Infection or inflammation of the lungs, commonly caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, presenting with symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
- Interstitial Lung Diseases: A group of disorders affecting the interstitium of the lungs, leading to scarring and thickening of lung tissues, resulting in breathlessness and decreased lung function.
- Pulmonary Hypertension: A condition characterised by increased blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain.
- Sleep Apnea: A sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, causing fragmented sleep and daytime sleepiness.
- Bronchiectasis: A condition characterised by permanent dilation and thickening of the bronchial tubes, leading to chronic cough, sputum production, and recurrent respiratory infections.
- Pulmonary Fibrosis: A progressive lung disease characterised by forming scar tissue in the lungs, leading to impaired lung function and shortness of breath.
- Pulmonary Embolism: A blockage of one or more lung arteries, usually caused by a blood clot, resulting in sudden onset of chest pain, difficulty breathing, and sometimes coughing up blood.
- Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder that affects the lungs, causing the production of thick, sticky mucus, leading to recurrent lung infections, breathing difficulties, and poor growth.
- Occupational Lung Diseases: Lung conditions are caused by exposure to harmful substances in the workplace, such as asbestos, silica, or certain chemicals, resulting in lung damage and respiratory symptoms.
Procedures
The department performs various methods to diagnose and treat respiratory conditions, including
- Bronchoscopy: A procedure to examine the airways and collect samples for analysis.
- Lung Biopsy: Removal of a small sample of lung tissue for examination and diagnosis.
- Thoracentesis: Removal of fluid or air from the space around the lungs for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
- Pulmonary Function Tests: Assessing lung function through various breathing tests.
- Pleural Procedures: Procedures involving the pleural space, such as pleural biopsy or pleurodesis.
- Research: The Pulmonology department actively engages in research initiatives to advance the understanding and treatment of respiratory diseases. Some key research areas include:
- Development of New Treatments for Lung Cancer: Investigating innovative therapies and targeted interventions to improve outcomes for patients with lung cancer.
- Advancements in COPD Management: Conducting research to enhance the understanding of COPD and exploring new therapeutic approaches for better disease management.
- Evaluation of Novel Diagnostic Tools: Assessing the effectiveness of new diagnostic tools and techniques in the early detection and diagnosis of respiratory conditions.
- Impact of Environmental Factors: Investigating the influence of environmental factors on respiratory health and exploring strategies for prevention and control.