Pulmonary Diseases
The physicians of Redwood Pulmonary Medical Associates in Redwood City and Novato, California are experts at evaluating, diagnosing and treating the wide spectrum of pulmonary disorders. We will evaluate symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, chest pain and decreased activity levels, along with diagnostic tests such as an abnormal chest x-ray and spirometry, to diagnose your condition and develop an individualized treatment plan. Our goal is to help minimize and manage your pulmonary disease and maximize your quality of life.
Our physicians will devise an individual plan to help you stop smoking. Quitting smoking can minimize your risk of developing many diseases, including lung cancer, and can lower your blood pressure, improve your circulation and decrease chronic symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.
If you suspect you have a pulmonary disorder, or you want a proven, physician-supervised smoking cessation program to help you quit smoking, turn to the professionals at Redwood Pulmonary Medical Associates. To schedule an appointment, call us at (650) 367-5636 in Redwood City or (415) 925-1416 in Greenbrae, or use our online appointment request form.
Learn more about the most common pulmonary diseases below:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an irreversible lung condition. Diseases classified as COPD cause swelling of the large airways in the lungs, which obstructs or blocks the flow of air. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and decreased activity levels. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are common forms of COPD. Cigarette smoking is the main cause of COPD.
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Emphysema is a long-term progressive lung disease in which it is difficult to exhale air and empty the lungs when breathing. In turn, the lungs are unable to completely fill up with fresh air when inhaling, which leads to a decreased level of oxygen in the blood over time. Symptoms include shortness of breath and limited activity levels. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of emphysema.
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Asthma is a lung disease that causes the breathing tubes in the lungs to temporarily narrow. People with asthma have difficulty breathing air in and out of their lungs. Since an allergen or irritant in the air usually triggers an asthma flare-up, some asthma attacks can be prevented. Symptoms may include wheezing, chest pain or chest tightness. Asthma can be treated and managed with lifestyle changes and medication.
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Pulmonary hypertension is a lung disorder that causes high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. The main symptom of pulmonary hypertension is shortness of breath with exertion. Other symptoms may include chest pain, fainting and fatigue. Pulmonary hypertension may be caused by a number of medical conditions, including congestive heart failure, HIV infection, autoimmune diseases, obstructive sleep apnea and more. The condition is typically treated and managed with lifestyle changes and medication.
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Interstitial lung disease is a group of over 100 lung disorders, including pulmonary fibrosis, that causes progressive scarring of lung tissue and affects your ability to breathe. While the exact cause of pulmonary fibrosis is unknown, the condition is thought to begin with repeated injury to the tissue within and between the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. The damage eventually leads to scarring (fibrosis), which stiffens your lungs and makes breathing difficult. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath and a dry cough. Treatment includes medications and respiratory therapy to improve lung function and quality of life.
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Bronchiectasis is a condition in which damage to the airways in your lungs causes them to widen and become loose and scarred. It usually results from an infection or other condition (such as cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, inhaling a foreign object) that injures the walls of your airways and prevents the airways from clearing mucus. Symptoms are often slow to develop and may occur months or years after the first lung infection. Treatment may include daily drainage to remove bronchial secretions and medication.
Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, occurs when cells in the lung grow abnormally out of control and form tumors. Early stages of lung cancer may not produce symptoms; however, early diagnosis and treatment is important to ensure the best outcome. Lung cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Smoking causes the majority of lung cancer cases.
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Please visit our patient education library to learn more about pulmonary disorders.
We have two convenient offices to serve you. Call us at (650) 367-5636 in Redwood City or (415) 925-1416 in Greenbrae, or use our online appointment request form.
Pulmonary Diseases
The physicians of Redwood Pulmonary Medical Associates in Redwood City and Novato, California are experts at evaluating, diagnosing and treating the wide spectrum of pulmonary disorders. We will evaluate symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, chest pain and decreased activity levels, along with diagnostic tests such as an abnormal chest x-ray and spirometry, to diagnose your condition and develop an individualized treatment plan. Our goal is to help minimize and manage your pulmonary disease and maximize your quality of life.
Our physicians will devise an individual plan to help you stop smoking. Quitting smoking can minimize your risk of developing many diseases, including lung cancer, and can lower your blood pressure, improve your circulation and decrease chronic symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.
If you suspect you have a pulmonary disorder, or you want a proven, physician-supervised smoking cessation program to help you quit smoking, turn to the professionals at Redwood Pulmonary Medical Associates. To schedule an appointment, call us at (650) 367-5636 in Redwood City or (415) 925-1416 in Greenbrae, or use our online appointment request form.
Learn more about the most common pulmonary diseases below:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an irreversible lung condition. Diseases classified as COPD cause swelling of the large airways in the lungs, which obstructs or blocks the flow of air. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and decreased activity levels. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are common forms of COPD. Cigarette smoking is the main cause of COPD.
Go back to the top
Emphysema is a long-term progressive lung disease in which it is difficult to exhale air and empty the lungs when breathing. In turn, the lungs are unable to completely fill up with fresh air when inhaling, which leads to a decreased level of oxygen in the blood over time. Symptoms include shortness of breath and limited activity levels. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of emphysema.
Go back to the top
Asthma is a lung disease that causes the breathing tubes in the lungs to temporarily narrow. People with asthma have difficulty breathing air in and out of their lungs. Since an allergen or irritant in the air usually triggers an asthma flare-up, some asthma attacks can be prevented. Symptoms may include wheezing, chest pain or chest tightness. Asthma can be treated and managed with lifestyle changes and medication.
Go back to the top
Pulmonary hypertension is a lung disorder that causes high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. The main symptom of pulmonary hypertension is shortness of breath with exertion. Other symptoms may include chest pain, fainting and fatigue. Pulmonary hypertension may be caused by a number of medical conditions, including congestive heart failure, HIV infection, autoimmune diseases, obstructive sleep apnea and more. The condition is typically treated and managed with lifestyle changes and medication.
Go back to the top
Interstitial lung disease is a group of over 100 lung disorders, including pulmonary fibrosis, that causes progressive scarring of lung tissue and affects your ability to breathe. While the exact cause of pulmonary fibrosis is unknown, the condition is thought to begin with repeated injury to the tissue within and between the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. The damage eventually leads to scarring (fibrosis), which stiffens your lungs and makes breathing difficult. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath and a dry cough. Treatment includes medications and respiratory therapy to improve lung function and quality of life.
Go back to the top
Bronchiectasis is a condition in which damage to the airways in your lungs causes them to widen and become loose and scarred. It usually results from an infection or other condition (such as cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, inhaling a foreign object) that injures the walls of your airways and prevents the airways from clearing mucus. Symptoms are often slow to develop and may occur months or years after the first lung infection. Treatment may include daily drainage to remove bronchial secretions and medication.
Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, occurs when cells in the lung grow abnormally out of control and form tumors. Early stages of lung cancer may not produce symptoms; however, early diagnosis and treatment is important to ensure the best outcome. Lung cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Smoking causes the majority of lung cancer cases.
Go back to the top
Please visit our patient education library to learn more about pulmonary disorders.
We have two convenient offices to serve you. Call us at (650) 367-5636 in Redwood City or (415) 925-1416 in Greenbrae, or use our online appointment request form.