Lung Specialist in Hallandale Beach, FL

There are a variety of lung diseases that affect millions of Americans every year, with lung diseases being among the most common types of medical conditions affecting people around the world. Lung disease can develop for any number of reasons, but the most frequent causes of lung disease or other conditions are genetics, smoking, and infections. The lungs are part of the larger respiratory system that is responsible for the intake of the oxygen necessary for many of the body’s functions, and the exhalation of carbon dioxide.

Lung disease refers to diseases that affect any part of the respiratory system and interfere with the intake, processing, and expulsion of air through the lungs. Common diseases that affect the lungs are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (known as COPD), chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer, pulmonary edema, and emphysema, as well as several others that affect other parts of the respiratory system. These all present themselves with different symptoms, with the symptoms affecting the sufferer’s ability to breathe properly in some form or another.

The symptoms of lung problems will vary from one person to another based on each individual person’s health and the presentation of the illness. Symptoms will also vary widely depending on the condition or disease that the person is afflicted by. As the lungs are part of the larger respiratory system, symptoms of lung problems will commonly affect the sufferer’s ability to breathe in some way. Some conditions can impact a person’s ability to breathe in oxygen, while others will affect the expulsion of carbon dioxide back out of the lungs. In other cases, people can experience wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, high blood pressure, and chest pain.

Symptoms can vary in severity and coincide with symptoms of some minor conditions such as colds, the flu, bronchitis, and allergies. When symptoms are severe, last for longer than 3 months, recur, or don’t respond to over-the-counter or prescription treatment, it is best to get checked by a lung specialist, also known as a pulmonary specialist or pulmonologist in order to determine if there is a more serious condition at hand.

The lungs and respiratory system are vital to our survival, providing our bodies with the necessary oxygen required for the proper function of many of the body’s internal systems. The lungs breathe in oxygen from the air around us and expel carbon dioxide back out. When the lungs don’t function properly, whether from developmental issues, injury, bacteria, or a disease, it can have serious, and in most cases, potentially life-threatening consequences if left untreated.

Depending on the condition affecting the functionality of the lungs and respiratory system, when left untreated, different conditions can cause scarring in the airways that block the ability for air to pass through, develop into sepsis which can spread through the body or it can aggravate an existing condition, making it more severe. It is important to seek medical care as early as possible if you suspect that you could have a potential lung condition in order to get a proper diagnosis and put on the correct treatment plan if needed.

There are many reasons to visit a lung specialist. If you are unsure if you need to see a lung specialist, you can first check in with your primary care physician for them to provide you with a physical exam and make an early diagnosis. You can also seek the care of a lung specialist yourself, without the referral of your doctor. If you are suffering from prolonged coughing lasting more than 3 months, continued trouble breathing, shortness of breath, pain in the chest, dizziness, wheezing and other symptoms that impact your ability to breathe or catch your breath, it is a good idea to get examined by a lung specialist.

Chronic or recurring symptoms are often a sign that there is something more serious going on and a lung specialist is highly trained and skilled in finding the root cause of any issues affecting the functionality of the lungs and respiratory system. In Hallandale Beach, FL, Dr. Luis J. Mesa is a board-certified doctor and pulmonary specialist with many years of experience treating patients with pulmonary conditions and diseases. We serve patients from Hallandale Beach FL, Aventura FL, Hollywood FL, Golden Glades FL, Miramar FL, Hialeah FL, Fort Lauderdale FL, and BEYOND.