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ConditionsThe Institute for Better Breathing provides comprehensive and innovative treatment for pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases. Pulmonary or respiratory disease encompasses a wide variety of disorders which generally fall into one of the following categories: obstructive disorders (asthma), restrictive disorders (fibrosis), infectious disorders (pneumonia), cancer, diseases of the lungs' blood vessels, and disorders of sleep. Respiratory system disorders may result in snoring; nasal symptoms such as headache; reduced air flow; and post nasal drip; cough; shortness of breath; wheezing; chest pain; coughing up blood (hemoptysis); and swelling. The Institute for Better Breathing has the collective experience, staff and sophisticated equipment to diagnose and treat these pulmonary and respiratory dysfunctions. For the convenience of our patients, the Institute performs in-office chest x-ray, full pulmonary function testing, allergy testing, fiber optic laryngoscopy as well as state of the art DEXA scanning to diagnose and guide treatment of osteoporosis. Our doctors have special interest and expertise in Somnoplasty, a new minimally invasive technique that effectively treats nasal obstruction, snoring and some elements of sleep apnea. Among the patients we treat at the Institute are those suffering from the following conditions: |
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| Allergies An allergy is a specific reaction to normally harmless substances such as pollens, dust particles, mold, certain foods, latex rubber, insects and medicines. Doctors at the Institute provide testing to identify specific allergens, advice on ways to avoid these allergens, and prescribe medications to relieve associated symptoms. Although there is no cure for allergies, one or more of these strategies usually provide significant relief from allergy symptoms. Allergy Tests |
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Asthma |
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Bronchitis |
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| Chronic Cough Coughing can be normal; however it can also be annoying, debilitating, or a symptom of something more serious. A cough that persists for more than 3 weeks should be evaluated by a physician who specializes in airway and breathing disorders. A full medical examination and laboratory tests may be necessary to arrive at a correct diagnosis. The cause could be as simple as rhinitis with post nasal drip, or something more serious like asthma, acid reflux disease, or even lung cancer. Most causes of chronic cough can be effectively treated once the cause is known. Chronic Cough Tests. |
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) includes several related conditions that limit the ability to exhale. The two major diseases in this category are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Both diseases are caused from smoking. In emphysema, the very small airways (bronchioles) that join the alveoli are damaged, and the walls lose elasticity, resulting in labored breathing and increased susceptibility to infection. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by structural changes in the airways of the lungs and enlargement of the mucous glands, which causes coughing and production of sputum. The doctors at The Institute For Better Breathing will perform other tests to confirm their diagnosis. Symptoms of both diseases include shortness of breath. However, with chronic bronchitis, additional symptoms may include infection, mucous production and coughing. Treatment for both diseases may include the use of bronchodilator and corticosteroid medications, oxygen-replacement therapy and antibiotic medication as well as careful instruction on breathing techniques. Day-to-day management of symptoms includes smoking cessation, protection against respiratory infections, breathing exercises, controlling secretions, exercise and diet. In severe cases, surgery may be warranted. COPD Tests. |
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Hemoptysis (lung) |
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Lung Cancer |
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| Nasal Obstruction Nasal obstruction disrupts the normal functions of the nose, requiring the affected individual to breathe through the mouth. Chronic nasal obstruction can lead to frontal headaches, nasal drainage, a diminished sense of smell, dry mouth, snoring, and facial or sinus pressure. Treatment of chronic nasal obstruction can almost always be helped or cured by Somnoplasty. |
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| Osteoporosis Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis commonly occurs in people with lung disease but can occur in otherwise healthy people as well. While osteoporosis is often thought of as an older woman's disease, it can strike at any age and either sex. The disability and threat to independence caused by fractures makes it imperative to diagnose this very treatable disease at an early stage. The Institute offers state of the art DEXA scanning for this purpose. Osteoporosis Tests |
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Pleural Effusion Pleurisy can develop from many things, including bacterial or viral infections of the lungs (such as pneumonia), TB, lupus, chest injury or trauma, a blood clot in the lung, or cancer. The hallmark of pleurisy is severe chest pain that starts suddenly. The pain is often strong or stabbing when you take a deep breath. It usually subsides or disappears between breaths. It's usually felt on one side of the stomach area or lower chest. Deep breathing and coughing often make it worse. You may also have a fever, pain when moving, or fast, shallow breathing. Typically, you will be able to point to the exact location of the pain. In some people, the pain spreads to the neck, shoulder, or abdomen. Pleurisy will occasionally clear up by itself but is often a sign of more serious problems. Possible problems include pneumonia or fluid build-up in the lining of the lungs. Some problems can cause damage to the lungs and affect the ability to breathe. Medications may be prescribed for infection and to reduce fluid build-up. |
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| Pneumonia Pneumonia is an acute or chronic disease marked by inflammation of the lungs. It is caused by viruses, bacteria and physical and chemical agents. Symptoms of pneumonia may include chest pain, blood-streaked or brownish sputum, fever, cough and fatigue. Our doctors can perform various tests to diagnosis pneumonia and its possible causes and offer expert treatment and follow-up. |
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| Pulmonary Fibrosis A granulomatous disease in which inflammation occurs in lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin and other tissues. Symptoms may include the following: (malaise), fever, shortness of breath, cough, skin lesions, skin rash, headache, visual changes, neurological changes, enlarged lymph glands (armpit lump), enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, dry mouth, fatigue (one of the most common symptoms in the pediatric population), weight loss (one of the most common symptoms in the pediatric population). Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease are decreased tearing, seizures, nosebleeds, joint stiffness, hair loss, eye burning, itching & discharge, rales or other abnormal breath sounds. Note: There may be no symptoms. The Institute For Better Breathing performs Pulmonary Fibrosis Tests. |
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Respiratory Failure |
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| Sleep Apnea With sleep apnea breathing stops for anywhere from a matter of seconds for as long as two minutes. This may occur dozens of times during the night, and the person may partially awaken when it happens, preventing restful continuous sleep. Sleep apnea may cause morning headaches, impotence, high blood pressure, and can contribute to cardiac risk. Refer to Sleep Apnea Tests for more information. Treatment for sleep apnea includes weight reduction, lifestyle changes including smoking cessation and reduction of alcohol intake, and possibly treatment with continuous positive airflow pressure (CPAP). Somnoplasty, a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that reduces and tightens excess tissue in the upper airway can have significant benefit in many cases. |
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| Snoring Snoring usually occurs due to the vibration of the tissues in the nose and throat. Snoring might be caused by a variety of illnesses ranging from the common cold to sleep apnea and may put an individual at risk for hypertension, high blood pressure, heart attack and sexual dysfunction. It may also cause considerable marital discord. Treatment methods to reduce snoring have included weight loss, sleeping on the side of the body, avoidance of alcohol, quitting smoking, the use of a dental appliance, and invasive surgery. Refer to the test section for tests for snoring. The latest and most exciting new technique is Somnoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that can shrink tissue responsible for snoring. This procedure represents a marked advance over previously available techniques. It is done under local anesthesia, in an outpatient setting, with the patient typically resuming normal activities the following day. Disclaimer |
