Pulmonary medicine deals with diseases that affect the lungs and breathing. Our doctors are experts in the treatment of respiratory and sleep disorders, including:
- ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Emphysema
- lnterstitial lung disease
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Occupational lung disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Sarcoidosis of the lungs
- SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
- Sleep Disorders
- Tuberculosis
Learn more about some of these conditions below.
About Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in your lungs. It causes the small tubes that draw in air to narrow, making it difficult for you to breathe. If you’re diagnosed with asthma, we’ll work closely with you to develop a care plan that includes controller medications as well as quick-relief, or rescue, medications.
Advanced Treatment for Asthma: Bronchial Thermoplasty
At Bergen Medical Alliance, our pulmonologists have considerable experience treating persistent asthma. One of the asthma treatment options we offer is bronchial thermoplasty (BT).
BT is not a medication. It’s an outpatient procedure that uses gentle heat to reduce excess smooth muscle tissue in your airways. Less muscle tissue means less airway constriction during an asthma attack.
Unlike daily asthma medications, BT can help decrease asthma attacks for years. BT is an add-on therapy for your current asthma medications. Ask one of our asthma experts if BT could help you.
Learn more about bronchial thermoplasty.
About Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD describes a chronic lung condition that makes it hard for you to breathe. This disease, which makes you cough and wheeze, is most often caused by long-term exposure to irritants that damage the lungs. Your COPD may include both chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
To diagnose your COPD, we’ll review your symptoms, discuss your medical history, and ask about any exposure you’ve had to lung irritants — particularly cigarette smoke. We also use lung function tests called spirometry, chest X-rays, CT scans, and arterial blood gas analysis to further assess your condition.
While there is no cure, we partner with you to find effective ways to improve your quality of life and manage your symptoms.
About Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that damages your lungs and digestive system. With CF, a defective gene causes a thick buildup of mucus in your lungs, pancreas, and other organs. A sweat test is one of the most useful assessments we have to diagnose CF.