Best Pulmonologist in Srinagar
39 Top Pulmonologists in Srinagar listed below
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Srinagar is the largest city in Kashmir, it is also the summer capital of the Jammu & Kashmir union territory. This means it is used as the administrative capital for extended periods of time, particularly in the summer.
Srinagar is situated on the banks of the Jhelum River in the Kashmir valley, which is at the base of the Zabarwan mountain.
The city is also surrounded by a number of swamps and lakes, namely Dal, the Anchar, Kushal Sar, the Nigeen, Hokersar, and a tributary of the Indus.
National highway 1A and National highway 1D are some of the highways that link the city well.
Srinagar also has the Sheikh ul-Alam International airport for both domestic and international flights.
Some of the hospitals offering top-quality pulmonary services include Florence Hospital, New City Hospital, S.M.H.S Hospital, and Noor Hospital.
Reasons to See a Pulmonologist
A pulmonologist is a physician who specializes in diseases of the lungs, breathing passages, and chest cavity. Pulmonologists diagnose and treat lung-based conditions as well as other respiratory illnesses.
These range from infections and autoimmune diseases to structural weaknesses and inflammation of the respiratory system, cancerous growths, and degenerative conditions.
Conditions treated by a pulmonologist
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames the airways and causes episodes of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, affecting people of all ages but most commonly occurring in children. Asthma can be triggered by pet dander, pollen, or cigarette smoke.
This chronic condition is characterized by
- Labored breathing
- Coughing
- Tightness in the chest
- Wheezing (where a whistling sound can be heard)
Asthma attacks can also be triggered by excess physical exertion and weather change (during winter) for asthma patients. It can also come about because of smoking; it can also be hereditary (history of asthma in the family).
Treating the symptoms for quick relief and long-term medication are part of the holistic treatment plans for asthma patients.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by a gradual worsening of airflow in and out of your lungs.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two examples of progressive conditions that damage or block the airways and air sacs in the lungs. Years of damage to the lungs can cause physical changes, which result in thick mucus build-up.
Smoking heavily for many years is a major risk factor for COPD. It is a progressive disease that will escalate over time. Symptoms include
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Tightness in the chest
- Excess mucus in the lungs
- Morning headaches
- Obesity
- Fatigue
- Blue-tinted lips or fingernails
- Swollen legs are common too
Treatment for chronic bronchitis can include prescription medications, such as bronchodilators and steroids; oxygen therapy may also be prescribed. Quitting smoking and avoiding air-borne irritants are important parts of the treatment plan.
Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension, or PH, is a condition that causes abnormally high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. It typically develops as a result of another underlying condition (such as clots or emphysema), heart failure, or liver disease.
The walls of the pulmonary arteries become thick and rigid, preventing them from expanding properly.
Treatment can reduce the severity of your symptoms and help you manage your condition. It is important to start treatment as soon as possible as Pulmonary hypertension can usually get aggravated over time.
Interstitial Lung disease
This disease reduces the elasticity of lung tissue, which causes scarring that leads to inflammation and a dry cough. It makes it difficult for people to breathe even when at rest
Some of the prominent conditions include
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Asbestosis
- Chronic silicosis
These diseases are often triggered by long-term exposure to chemicals, animal proteins, coal dust, radiation, and tobacco smoke. These diseases can also be caused by certain autoimmune diseases.
Medication is the main form of treatment for someone suffering from these lung diseases. Treatment focuses on managing the symptoms of your underlying illness and improving your quality of life.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. These interruptions may cause snoring or choking sounds to occur when breathing resumes. This causes less oxygen to enter your lungs and bloodstream.
Sleep apnea may also cause
- Snoring
- Daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
This condition may lead to other complications such as depression, hypertension (high blood pressure), or heart attack.
The majority of people manage sleep apnea by wearing a mouthpiece and using breathing devices. For some people, surgical treatment may also be necessary.
To diagnose sleep apnea, your doctor will likely ask you to complete a questionnaire related to the symptoms of the condition. An examination and possibly an overnight sleep test may also be part of this process.
What to expect on your first visit to the Pulmonologist
Generally, after your primary doctor has assessed your situation, they will refer you to a Pulmonologist according to the severity of the situation. Once you’ve got a referral for your respiratory disease, it is important to see the pulmonologist as soon as possible so that he or she can accurately diagnose the problem.
The specialist may ask you to go through the following exams and tests to determine specific pulmonary conditions:
- Blood test
- Physical examination
- Chest ultrasound
- CT Scan
- Spirometry
- Thoracentesis
- Bronchoscopy
- Pulse oximetry test
- Pleural biopsy
- Pleuroscopy
- Nitric oxide test
- Sputum test
A couple of other suggestions before you go in for your initial consultation with the pulmonary specialist are to carry all past medical records, like prior medication prescriptions. It is also best to bring along previous records of x-rays, CT scans, blood work, etc
You will also be asked a series of important questions relating to your symptoms and medical history. It is of crucial importance that symptoms are not minimized or ignored; this is a mistake usually made by patients. The pulmonologist, after testing, will assess and diagnose the best treatment plan for you, after which it is important to keep follow-up appointments as prescribed.