Pulmonologists in Chattanooga
Often, the effects of lung and respiratory conditions go beyond physical limitations. The struggle to breathe easily can affect your activities, emotional health and overall quality of life. Our pulmonologists are committed to using the latest medical and treatment advances to achieve the best possible outcome to help you return to a normal, healthy lifestyle.
Parkridge Medical Group offers an experienced, highly trained team of pulmonary specialists who understand all aspects of lung-related diseases. Our pulmonology team is skilled in diagnosing, treating, and managing conditions ranging from asthma and sleep disorders to infections or lung cancer.
See how we can help you start breathing better by scheduling an appointment with one of our pulmonary care providers.
Pulmonary conditions we treat
Our pulmonologists and respiratory specialists diagnose and treat a full range of pulmonary diseases and conditions, including:
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cystic fibrosis (CF)
- Emphysema
- Infections, including tuberculosis
- Lung cancer
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumonia
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Sleep apnea
Your pulmonologist will work with your primary care provider to make sure you're receiving comprehensive, coordinated care.
Pulmonary diagnostics and procedures
We use a wide variety of tests and procedures to correctly diagnose the cause of lung disease as well as to find out how well treatment is working so adjustments can be made as needed. The following procedures help our team ensure you're getting the right diagnosis as well as the most effective plan of care:
- Airway or bronchial stent — Stents are tube-shaped devices with a hollow opening inserted into an airway to treat a variety of large airway diseases.
- Bronchoscopy — A bronchoscopy is a procedure designed to look directly at the lung airways using a thin, lighted tube, otherwise known as a bronchoscope.
- Bronchoalveolar lavage — Used to collect a sample of the lower respiratory tract for testing, this procedure involves a saline solution to wash the airways.
- Cardiopulmonary and pulmonary exercise stress testing — These types of tests measure your exercise ability, including how well your heart and lungs are working during exercise. During this test, your physician also evaluates the amount of oxygen your body is using.
- Chest imaging — Chest imaging includes the use of various exams such as computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and X-rays.
- Low-dose CT for lung cancer screening — As the only recommended screening test for lung cancer, this exam uses a low dose amount of radiation to make detailed pictures of your lungs. This test should be completed yearly for people who have a 20 pack-year or more smoking history, smoke now or have quit within the past 15 years or are between 50 and 80 years old.
- Pleuroscopy — Also known as medical thoracoscopy, this is a minimally invasive procedure to inspect and perform a biopsy of the pleural space.
- Pulmonary function test — A pulmonary function test (PFT) is a noninvasive test to show how well the lungs are working. It evaluates the respiratory system, measuring lung volume, capacity, flow rates and gas exchange. Your doctor uses this information to make a diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment plan.
- Pulse oximetry — A noninvasive test used to monitor oxygen saturation, pulse oximetry is an easy and painless way to see how well oxygen is being sent to various parts of the body.
- Spirometry — Spirometry is a common type of PFT measuring how much air you can breathe in and out of your lungs, and how fast and easily you can blow the air out of your lungs.
- Thoracentesis — This medical procedure removes fluid or air from in and around the lungs (pleural space).
Pulmonary sleep medicine
Our pulmonologists also diagnose and treat a wide range of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, which are often caused by respiratory issues. Our sleep medicine services include comprehensive sleep evaluations, treatment and follow-up care.