Pneumology in Palamós: Respiratory Health Specialists

What is Pneumology?

Pneumology is the medical specialty that studies diseases of the lung, the pleura and the mediastinum. It is the youngest medical specialty, as it was born in 1977.

At a preventive level, Pneumology assesses respiratory capacity, evaluates smoking (and the treatment needed for its cessation), and assesses snoring as part of the syndromes that can affect quality of life or be a cardiovascular risk factor.

The medical problems it treats are common, such as asthma, infections, sleep apnea, problems arising from tobacco use, and also lung cancer, among others.

Advances in Pneumology are remarkable and its treatments increasingly specific, as it is a field in which technology is becoming involved day by day.

If you need a pulmonologist in Palamós, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. At Clínica Eupnea we offer a comprehensive service and a complete study of the respiratory system and its relationship with other medical specialties.

What do we treat in Pneumology?

Our team of pulmonologists treats a wide variety of respiratory diseases, including:

• Bronchial asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Respiratory infections (pneumonia, bronchitis)
• Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS)
• Smoking and smoking cessation
• Lung cancer
• Pleural diseases
• Chronic cough
• Respiratory allergies
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Respiratory failure

Diagnostic Studies of Pneumology at Clínica Eupnea Palamós

The diagnostic tests are performed by a specialist in Pneumology who issues the reports, prescribes the treatment and also carries out the follow-up of the patients.

Spirometry

It is a test capable of measuring lung capacity and one of the most common within the specialty of Pneumology. The measurement of lung capacity is obtained through the amount of air that the patient is able to exhale and inhale, and the speed at which they do so. For this reason, it is one of the most typical tests to diagnose diseases such as asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, etc.

Bronchodilation test

It is a very useful test that consists of measuring the reversible component of lung function.

Bronchial provocation test

A test that measures, in a controlled context, the response to bronchial obstruction following an inhaled compound.

Peak flow meter (maximum expiratory flow)

A useful test for the home monitoring of the bronchial response in patients with asthma.

Pulmonary function testing

A group of tests aimed at determining that the lungs function correctly. Thus, they can be used to diagnose some disorders such as asthma and COPD.

Measurement of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide

The exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) test is a test that measures the degree of inflammation of the airways of asthmatic and/or allergic people. It is also useful for monitoring the anti-inflammatory effect of inhaled treatment.

On the other hand, the carbon monoxide diffusion test (DLCO) is the evaluation of the transfer of oxygen from the alveoli to the hemoglobin. This test is very useful for detecting the presence of CO in exhaled air, quantifying the degree of exposure to tobacco smoke or harmful gases. It is used in patients with COPD, among other diseases.

Continuous pulse oximetry

This test is used to measure oxygen levels in the blood. Also for the follow-up of diseases such as COPD, lung cancer, COVID-19 or heart failure.

Continuous nocturnal pulse oximetry

A test used for the monitoring of the oxygenation a person presents during the night or sleep together with the analysis of the heart rate. It is a useful test for screening sleep apnea syndrome and detecting nocturnal respiratory failure.

Home nocturnal polygraphy (sleep study)

It is a technique carried out at the patient's home. It consists of the monitoring and recording of cardiorespiratory variables. This is a specific study for cases of obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and hypopnea. During this test, the oxygenation, the heartbeat, the flow of breathed air, the snoring and the thoracic and abdominal movements are analyzed.

Actigraphy

A test needed for the study of the alternation between sleep and wakefulness of a person over hours, days or weeks. It is a very useful test for sleep-wake disorders, drowsiness and insomnia.

CPAP titration

It is a test complementary to nocturnal polygraphy, as it manages to determine the optimal pressure to eliminate apneas and snoring.

Chest ultrasound

A useful technique for the study of diseases of the chest wall, peripheral lung parenchyma, pleura, diaphragm and mediastinum. It is a very reliable technique for evaluating respiratory infections and their possible complications.

Walk test (6 minutes)

The test consists of measuring the distance the patient is able to cover in 6 minutes. In this way, the specialist can measure the person's exercise tolerance by recording, among others, the sensation of dyspnea, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and the metres covered during the 6 minutes.

Medical information related to respiratory diseases can be found on the website of SEPAR (Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery).