Common Questions to Ask Your Lung Doctors in Hallandale Beach, FL

Pulmonologists or lung doctor specialize in all aspects of optimal lung function. They address a wide range of medical conditions related to lung health, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and sleep apnea. During your appointment, the doctor will inquire about your symptoms and conduct a thorough physical examination.

This examination may include listening to your breath while you breathe in and out. The physician gathers a comprehensive patient and family history and places particular emphasis on examining the throat and upper airway. Additionally, the chest area is assessed using a stethoscope. Before the consultation, the pulmonologist or lung doctor reviews any relevant test results as well.

Given that patients should expect to discuss relevant medical information at their appointment with a lung doctor it is best to come prepared. Patients can expect to discuss their symptoms so it may benefit them to write them down ahead of the appointment. While taking note of symptoms it is also important to identify any potential triggers, for instance, if the pulmonary symptoms present outdoors or indoors, occur more often during the day or while sleeping, among any other patterns.

Coming prepared with personal and family medical information alongside a list of any current medications is also the best practice to help pulmonologists or lung doctors gather as much essential information as possible to aid in the diagnosis of their condition.

There are numerous types of lung diseases and as such the causes can be equally varied. Viral, bacterial, or fungal infections are responsible for certain lung diseases, they are more frequently the cause of acute lung conditions that resolve as the infection does. Environmental and lifestyle factors are common causes of both acute and chronic lung diseases.

Lifestyle factors such as smoking and environmental circumstances like exposure to air pollution, asbestos, chemicals, and more fall under these categories. Cigarette smoking stands as the leading cause of lung cancer while second-hand smoke can also lead to the development of the condition. Genetics can also play a significant role in the development of various lung diseases.

What happens if lung diseases are left untreated depends on the nature of the condition; however, in many instances, the absence of treatment opens patients up to a wide range of risks and worsening health outcomes. Many chronic lung diseases are progressive in nature which means they are prone to worsening over time.

In the absence of treatment progressive lung diseases can lead to permanent damage, deteriorating health, and in some cases, even death. The symptoms of untreated lung diseases, especially those chronic in nature, are unlikely to improve.

This results in symptoms such as difficulty breathing or shortness of breath having adverse effects on an individual’s quality of life. Certain untreated lung conditions can also increase the risk of developing other diseases, such as lung cancer.

By consulting a lung doctor, such as Dr. Luis J. Mesa, MD, early diagnosis and treatment interventions enable the management of the disease, leading to improved health outcomes in every regard.

When you visit a lung doctor for lung disease, they will employ a wide range of diagnostic techniques to determine the nature of the condition and the best course of treatment. The exact methods utilized may vary depending on the presenting symptoms; however, lung diseases will typically be diagnosed through a combination of symptom review, medical history, physical examinations, exams, and testing.

These tests can include lung function tests including the measurement of lung volume and diffusion capacity, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and more.

Dr. Luis J. Mesa, MD diagnoses and treats lung diseases. We serve patients from Hallandale Beach FL, Aventura FL, Hollywood FL, Golden Glades FL, Miramar FL, Hialeah FL, Fort Lauderdale FL, and BEYOND.