St. Alexius Heart & Lung Clinic

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Pulmonology – Lung

Tests and Treatments – Pulmonology – Lung

Arterial blood gas (ABG)

An ABG test measures the acidity (pH) and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood to find out how well the lungs are moving oxygen into the blood and removing carbon dioxide from the blood.

 

Lung function tests

Lung function tests (or pulmonary function tests, or PFTs) determine how much air your lungs can hold, how quickly you can move the air in and out of your lungs, and how well your lungs put oxygen into and remove carbon dioxide from your blood.

Disease Management – Pulmonology – Lung

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system that causes inflammation and tightening of the bronchial tubes. This causes episodes of difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness and coughing. 

 

Black lung disease

Black lung disease is any lung disease developed by inhaling coal dust. The lungs look black instead of the normal pink color. 

 

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. It may be hard for air to pass in and out of the lungs and more mucus is produced. A cough is the most common symptom of bronchitis. 

 

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation in the bronchial tubes which causes a cough and brings up mucus. 

 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD is a group of irreversible diseases that make it difficult to breathe. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are two diseases that cause COPD. 

 

Cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs. Mucus in the lungs gets trapped and causes repeated infections.

 

Emphysema

Emphysema is a chronic, irreversible lung disease that occurs when tiny air sacs and blood vessels in the lungs are damaged, usually as a result of long-term smoking. 

 

Lung cancer

Lung cancers occurs when cells start to grow rapidly and in an uncontrolled manner in the lungs, usually as a result of tobacco smoke. 

 

Pneumoconiosis

Pneumoconiosis is an accumulation of dust in the lung causing shortness of breath and coughing. 

 

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by infection with bacteria. 

 

Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)

Collapsed lung is a buildup of air in the space between the lung and the chest wall. Therefore the lung cannot expand properly when a person tries to breathe.

 

Pulmonary edema

Pulmonary edema is the buildup of fluid in the lungs, resulting from the heart’s inability to pump blood through the body effectively. It may be caused by heart or kidney failure, poisoning, widespread infection or near-drowning.

 

Pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism is a sudden blockage of blood flow in an artery in the lung cause by a blood clot, tumor, amniotic fluid or fat in the artery. 

 

Pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis occurs by an infection or injury, or by breathing certain material, such as asbestos. This can lead to difficulty breathing. 

 

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis causes inflammation and scar tissue throughout the body, especially the lungs, lymph nodes, liver, skin and eyes. 

 

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is when an adult regularly stops breathing or has slowed breathing during sleep.