Respiratory Medicine

What is Respiratory Medicine?

Respiratory Medicine is the branch of internal medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases affecting the lungs and respiratory tract.

This includes the nose, sinuses, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea), lungs, bronchi, and diaphragm.

Common symptoms evaluated by respiratory physicians include:

  • Persistent cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
  • Sleep-related breathing difficulties

Respiratory Medicine at Khetarpal Hospital

  • Diagnosis and long-term care of respiratory diseases through outpatient and inpatient services
  • Interdisciplinary care with ICU, internal medicine, and radiology teams
  • Expertise in managing chronic respiratory conditions, acute infections, and respiratory failure
  • Regular pulmonary function assessments and therapeutic interventions
  • Evaluation of abnormal chest X-rays and unexplained respiratory symptoms

Services Offered

Diagnosis and management of asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis
Pulmonary tuberculosis and post-TB lung damage care
Evaluation of chronic cough and breathlessness
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) management
Lung cancer diagnosis and supportive care coordination
Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
Pulmonary vascular disorders (e.g., pulmonary hypertension)
Management of pleural effusions and pneumothorax
Pulmonary rehabilitation planning and guidance

Procedures Performed

Pleural Ultrasound – for fluid assessment in the lungs
Bronchoscopy – visual inspection of the airways using an endoscope
Thoracoscopy – inspection of the chest cavity for diagnosis or biopsy
Indwelling Pleural Catheter Insertion – for fluid drainage
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) – guided biopsy for diagnosing lung cancer or lymphadenopathy
Bronchial Thermoplasty – airway treatment for severe asthma
Airway Stenting – for managing airway obstructions

How We Work

  • Each patient is clinically assessed through medical history, imaging, and pulmonary function tests
  • Individualized treatment plans are created based on diagnosis and patient profile
  • Coordination with internal medicine, infectious disease, and critical care units
  • Ongoing follow-up and education on medication use, inhaler technique, and breathing exercises

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the most common respiratory diseases?

Common conditions include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and infections like tuberculosis or pneumonia.

How do I know if my cough is serious?

A cough that lasts longer than three weeks, worsens at night, or brings up blood should be medically evaluated.

What causes chronic cough?

It can be due to post-nasal drip, asthma, acid reflux, infections, or more serious lung conditions.

How is COPD different from asthma?

COPD is usually caused by long-term smoking and worsens over time. Asthma is often triggered by allergens and may be reversible with treatment.

Can respiratory diseases be prevented?

Some can be prevented with vaccinations, quitting smoking, avoiding pollutants, and early treatment of infections.

How is sleep apnoea diagnosed?

Through sleep studies that monitor breathing during sleep. Symptoms include loud snoring, choking at night, and excessive daytime fatigue.

What lifestyle changes help manage respiratory disease?

Pulmonary rehabilitation, regular exercise, avoiding triggers (like smoke or allergens), and using prescribed inhalers correctly.

Is respiratory disease curable?

While some conditions are chronic, they can often be effectively managed with medication, lifestyle changes, and regular follow-up.

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