Project Description
Chest Physician
We have the joint benefit of highly skilled general practitioners, specialist from other disciplines and the diagnostic infrastructure like laboratories, which include pathologists and radiologists.
Apart from superior technology and advanced medical skills, Sree Lakshmi Hospital gives you the advantage of faster lead times. In-house facilities and medical expertise can reduce co-ordination times and lead to more timely treatment and better outcomes.
A chest physician, also called a respiratory physician in some countries, is a doctor who treats disorders of the respiratory tract. In some countries, the practice of chest or respiratory medicine is part of a medical specialty called pulmonology. Pulmonology is a branch of internal medicine and includes intensive care medication. Pulmonologists are trained in diseases of the chest like pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, tuberculosis and chronic chest infections. These specialists manage patients who are on life support systems.
- Hereditary diseases of the lungs like alpha 1-antitrypsin and cystic fibrosis
- Exposure to toxins like tobacco, alcohol, asbestos fumes and other pollutants
- Bacterial and viral infections
- Autoimmune diathesis, which can predispose a person to certain respiratory ailments
- Inspection of hands for clubbing of the chest wall and checking the respiratory rate
- Palpitation of cervical lymph nodes, trachea and the chest wall
- Lung fields for hyper-resonance or dullness
- Unusual or reduced breath sounds
- Thorough cardiac investigation
Some of the more common diagnostic procedures followed by or recommended by a chest physician are the following:
- Laboratory investigations of body fluid like blood and sputum
- Chest X-rays
- CT/PET scans
- Scintigraphy, if nuclear medicine is involved
- Spirometry to check air-flow in the lungs
- Bronchoscopy with/without biopsy
- Epithelial brushing
- Studies of sleeping patterns
Sometimes, the diagnostic procedure may involve surgery. These are specialised procedures used to extract crucial samples from inside the chest and lungs. Radiography helps pathologists to view the vasculature of the lungs and the heart, which would assist with the final diagnosis.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a medical term defined as a ‘multidimensional continuum of services’. This is usually done by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists. It is intended to educate patients and their families, treat the disease effectively and improve the overall quality of life. The last is the most important objective at Sree Lakshmi Hospital.
Medication is an important part in the treatment of most pulmonary diseases. Medicines may be inhalators or tablets. Inhalers are common in the treatment of inflammatory lung disorders like asthma and emphysema. Oxygen therapy becomes necessary in severe respiratory diseases. If these don’t work, the patient may be put on ventilation.
Breathing and other exercises may be a component of the rehabilitation. Of course, conditions that cannot be treated by the above procedures may necessitate surgery, usually performed by a thoracic surgeon.