Pulmonary health at St. Joseph’s/Candler
Breathing is a vital part of life, and the Center for Pulmonary Health is here to ensure that every breath you take is easier and healthier. From early diagnosis to personalized treatment plans, our dedicated team provides comprehensive care for a wide range of pulmonary conditions, using the latest diagnostic and treatment technology. Your quality of life and future depends heavily on the quality of your breathing, and we have every resource possible to empower you to breathe clearly and freely.
Pulmonary diagnostics
Our center offers a full spectrum of diagnostic tests and services to assess, treat, and monitor lung health. Each test is designed to provide detailed insights into your respiratory function, allowing our specialists to tailor treatments specifically to your needs. These include:
- Lung Volume and Flow Studies: Measures how much air your lungs can hold and how efficiently you can breathe. This test is critical for diagnosing and monitoring conditions like asthma, COPD, and restrictive lung diseases, helping guide effective treatment plans.
- Diffusion Capacity: This test assesses how well oxygen moves from the lungs to the bloodstream. It is a key metric for identifying diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, or other interstitial lung diseases. Early detection through this test can improve treatment outcomes.
- Body Plethysmography: A highly accurate test to measure lung volumes and airway resistance. It provides crucial data for pinpointing breathing problems, even when other tests show normal results, ensuring no condition is overlooked.
- Bronchial Challenge Testing: This test measures how airways respond to specific triggers, helping diagnose asthma and other airway hyperresponsiveness conditions. It is particularly useful for evaluating unexplained shortness of breath.
- Nutritional Assessments: This service offers personalized dietary advice to support lung health, including guidance on foods that reduce inflammation, maintain energy, and promote better breathing. Proper nutrition plays a pivotal role in managing chronic lung conditions.
- Exercise Oximetry: Monitors oxygen levels during physical activity, helping determine how your body responds to exertion. This test is essential for crafting pulmonary rehabilitation plans and improving exercise tolerance.
- Bronchoscopy: A minimally invasive procedure to examine the airways, collect tissue samples, or remove blockages. It is instrumental in diagnosing conditions like lung cancer, infections, and chronic inflammation.
- Interventional Pulmonology: Advanced procedures, including stent placements and tumor removal, restore airway function and improve breathing. These minimally invasive treatments can also reduce recovery times compared to traditional surgery.
- Cardiopulmonary Stress Testing evaluates the interaction between the heart and lungs during exercise, identifying underlying issues that may affect physical performance or endurance. This test is key for patients experiencing exercise intolerance or shortness of breath.
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A comprehensive program designed to improve lung function, reduce symptoms, and enhance the quality of life for patients with chronic respiratory conditions. Pulmonary rehabilitation can also increase independence and reduce hospital visits.
- Ultrasound Bronchoscopy: This technique combines imaging and bronchoscopy to detect and biopsy abnormalities with precision. It is particularly useful for diagnosing lung cancer, infections, and other diseases without invasive surgery.
Each test is conducted with patient comfort in mind, and our expert team ensures you receive thorough explanations of your results. These advanced diagnostics provide the foundation for targeted treatments, helping you breathe easier and live healthier.
Do you have questions or need to schedule an appointment? Call us at 912-819-6095. Our team is ready to assist you and provide the expert pulmonary care you deserve.