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Health Matters: Providence St. Joseph Hospital | 9 By working in collaboration with cardiologists, thoracic surgeons and other specialized physicians, your pulmonologist will set you on a path to healing for a wide range of pulmonary and bronchial disorders. Dr. Hwe says that some common reasons to visit a pulmonologist include: 1. YOU HAVE LABORED BREATHING, WHEEZING OR COUGHING. You may have asthma, a chronic disease that involves sensitivity of the airway and is triggered by hyperreactivity to various stimuli. With proper treatment, symptoms can be controlled so you can live a normal life. 2. YOU'RE A SMOKER OR FORMER SMOKER. Smoking can cause bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other conditions. It's a good idea to have an annual screening and a regular visit with a pulmonologist. 3. YOU HAVE SHORTNESS OF BREATH THAT GETS WORSE WHEN EXERCISING. It could be a symptom of interstitial lung disease, or inflammation of lung tissue, which makes it difficult to get oxygen into the bloodstream. Treatment will include slowing the disease's progress and managing symptoms to help you stay active. 4. YOU HAVE PERSISTENT COUGH, fever and sweats, chest tightness, shortness of breath and fatigue. This could be a sign of a chronic lung infection from fungal or mycobacterial causes. 5. YOUR DOCTOR MAY SEE ABNORMAL AREAS ON CHEST X-RAYS, such as lung nodules or masses, that may require monitoring or a biopsy to determine the cause. Dr. Christopher Hwe 5 Reasons to See a Pulmonologist What is a pulmonologist, and do you need to see one? Read on to find out. If you find yourself with a persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing or congestion, your doctor may refer you to a lung specialist, or pulmonologist. These experts specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases of the lungs and airways. "You may benefit from a pulmonologist evaluation if you have been having one or more of these symptoms for more than a few weeks," says Christopher Hwe, MD, a board-certified pulmonologist with Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange. "After discussing your symptoms with you, your pulmonologist will determine whether you need further laboratory, imaging or pulmonary function testing to form a diagnosis and treatment plan. They may also perform diagnostic or therapeutic procedures if necessary." Other maladies may warrant a visit with a pulmonologist, so please ask your doctor. Our pulmonary specialists at Providence St. Joseph are dedicated to helping you stay healthy. They will provide the care you need and help you breathe easier. Scan the QR code to make an appointment with a Providence pulmonologist.

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