Pulmonary Disorder Treatment in New York and New Jersey

Treatment for any pulmonary disorder is essential for maintaining sleep health and reducing long-term damage to the lungs. There are many different types of pulmonary disorders, and diagnosis and treatment can vary depending on the patient’s symptoms.

The sleep experts at Northeast Insomnia and Sleep Medicine educate patients on the different kinds of pulmonary disorders, diagnose their condition, and help them receive the right care. Patients across New York and New Jersey can get treatment for sleep conditions, including pulmonary disorders.

What Is a Pulmonary Disorder?

A pulmonary disorder is any disease that impacts a patient’s lungs or other areas of the respiratory system. There are three categories of pulmonary disorders:

Lung circulation disorders
Airway disorders
Lung tissue disorders

There can be many causes of a pulmonary disorder. The most common include:

Smoking
Secondhand smoke
Toxins, such as asbestos or radon
Respiratory infections

Different Types of Pulmonary Diseases

A patient can become diagnosed with one of many pulmonary disorders, such as:

Pneumonia

This is when the air sacs in the lungs become inflamed, causing the lungs to build up with fluids like phlegm. Other symptoms can include trouble breathing, insomnia, fever, chills, chest pain, fatigue, and nausea.

Pneumonia can affect anyone, from newborns to those 65 and older. It can be caused by the presence of different bacteria. Seeking treatment is especially important since pneumonia can be life threatening in some cases.

Asthma

This disease causes your airways to narrow. It can occur through a variety of factors, such as allergies, airborne pollutants, exercise, toxins in the environment, respiratory infections, medications, and stress.

Some patients may produce excess mucus alongside other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or coughing. While asthma can be a minor issue for some, other patients may experience more severe symptoms like an asthma attack. Without treatment, asthma can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life. Although there is no cure for the disease, symptoms can be controlled through treatment.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is caused by scarring or damage of lung tissues. Not only can it make it harder for patients to breathe, but it can also make it more difficult for oxygen to enter the bloodstream. The damage caused by pulmonary fibrosis is irreparable, and symptoms can come on quickly or over a matter of years.

Symptoms include aching in the joints and muscles, shortness of breath, weight loss, dry cough, and tiredness. Pulmonary fibrosis can stem from pollutants like silica, grain dust, asbestos, coal dust, or hard metal dust. It can also be caused by radiation, certain medications, or the existence of some lung diseases. In some cases, there may be no apparent cause.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD stems from obstruction of airflow to the lungs, commonly brought on by smoking. It can also come from pollutants and irritants in the environment. Symptoms can include wheezing, difficulty breathing, mucus, cough, chest tightness, fatigue, or swelling in the extremities. Without treatment, COPD can lead to lung cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. If you are a smoker, quitting is the ultimate way to control and decrease COPD symptoms.

Bronchitis

This disease occurs when the bronchial tubes become inflamed. It can be categorized as acute or chronic. Bronchitis can come from some respiratory infections, but long-term bronchitis is often caused by smoking. It can also be caused by dust, toxins, or air pollutants.

Symptoms include thickened mucus, coughing, chest pain, tiredness, fever, and difficulty breathing. If your cough lasts longer than a couple of months, treatment is necessary. This is a telltale sign of chronic bronchitis and can create long-term lung damage.

Diagnosing and Treating Pulmonary Disorders

Depending on the cause of symptoms, doctors may diagnose a pulmonary disorder using one or many testing methods, such as:

Blood tests
X-rays
Peak flow or spirometry tests
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
Biopsy

Once sleep specialists diagnose the condition, there are many ways they can treat a pulmonary disorder. This can include:

Medications, such as pain relievers, antibiotics, and allergy or cough medicine
Inhalers
Therapy

In some cases, a lung transplant or other surgeries may be necessary for full treatment, like with COPD or pulmonary fibrosis.

Seek Treatment at Northeast Insomnia & Sleep Medicine

Patients who are struggling with pulmonary disorders can find compassionate care at Northeast Insomnia and Sleep Medicine. Our practice is led by Dr. Dosik Kim, M.D., F.C.C.P., who has extensive experience diagnosing and treating pulmonary conditions, insomnia, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders. Dr. Kim takes the time to get to know each patient and educate them about what can cause pulmonary disorders and the treatment options that are available. To get started, complete our new patient forms or contact us to schedule an appointment.