Pulmonary Medicine

Pulmonary medicine is a specialized branch of internal medicine dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders affecting the respiratory system, which includes the lungs, airways, and related structures. This field addresses a variety of conditions that can impair breathing and overall lung function, ensuring patients maintain optimal respiratory health.

For many common breathing disorders, your primary care provider may order various tests, prescribe medications, suggest pulmonary rehabilitation or a sleep test. They may suggest you visit a pulmonologist.

Dr. Victor Salloum, Pulmonologist, sees patients in Emporia. Your primary care provider can send a referral and the scheduling staff at Dr Salloum’s office will contact you.

Dr Salloum also treats patients in the Sleep Disorders Center at Newman Regional Health.

Common conditions managed in pulmonary medicine:

Asthma: Chronic airway inflammation causing wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing, often triggered by allergens or irritants.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, characterized by airflow obstruction and breathing difficulty, often linked to smoking.
Pneumonia: Infection of the lung tissue, bacterial or viral, causing fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Pulmonary Fibrosis: Scarring of lung tissue leading to progressive shortness of breath and reduced oxygen transfer.
Lung Cancer: Malignant tumors in the lungs, often associated with smoking, presenting with cough, weight loss, or hemoptysis.
Pulmonary Hypertension: High blood pressure in lung arteries, causing shortness of breath and fatigue.
Sleep Apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea involves airway collapse during sleep, leading to snoring and daytime fatigue.
Cystic Fibrosis: A genetic disorder that causes thick, sticky mucous to build up in the lungs, digestive system, and other organs, leading to breathing and digestive problems.
Bronchiectasis: Chronic dilation of bronchi leading to recurrent infections and mucus production.
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD): A group of disorders causing lung inflammation and scarring, leading to breathlessness.
Pulmonary Embolism: Blockage of lung arteries by blood clots, causing sudden life-threatening shortness of breath and chest pain.

What tests are done to diagnose breathing disorders?

A Pulmonologist may order a variety of tests to diagnose conditions affecting the lungs and respiratory system. These tests are available at Newman Regional Health, either through the Cardiopulmonary Department or through the Imaging Department. They assess lung function, structure, and underlying causes of symptoms. These tests are chosen based on symptoms, medical history, and suspected conditions.

Common tests performed

Spirometry: Measures lung function, including how much air you can exhale and how quickly, to diagnose conditions like asthma or COPD.
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): A broader set of tests including spirometry, lung volume testing, and lung diffusion capacity (DLCO) to evaluate lung efficiency for gas exchange, used for COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or restrictive lung diseases.
Chest X-ray: Imaging to detect abnormalities like infections (pneumonia), lung masses, or fluid retention in the chest.
CT Scan (Chest): Detailed imaging to identify lung nodules, pulmonary embolism, interstitial lung disease, or bronchiectasis.
Bronchoscopy: A procedure using a flexible tube with a camera to visualize airways, often with biopsy or lavage, to diagnose lung cancer, infections, or inflammation.
Blood Gas Analysis: Measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in blood to assess respiratory failure or acid-base balance.
Oximetry: Non-invasive test to monitor oxygen saturation, often used for sleep apnea or chronic lung disease.
Thoracentesis: Removal of fluid from the pleural space for analysis, used to diagnose causes of pleural effusion (e.g., infection, cancer).
Lung Biopsy: Tissue sample from the lung, obtained via bronchoscopy, needle biopsy, or surgery, to diagnose cancer, fibrosis, or infections.
Sputum Culture/Cytology: Analysis of mucus coughed up to identify infections (e.g., TB, bacterial pneumonia) or cancer cells.
Sleep Study (Polysomnography): Monitors breathing, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns to diagnose sleep apnea or other sleep-related breathing disorders. Learn More: Newman Regional Health Sleep Disorders Clinic
Home Sleep Apnea Testing: A sleep study to be performed at home. Monitoring respiratory effort, oxygen levels, and breathing patterns to diagnose Sleep Apnea.
Exercise Testing (e.g., 6-Minute Walk Test): Assesses oxygen needs and exercise tolerance in conditions like pulmonary hypertension or COPD.
Allergy Testing: Skin or blood tests to identify triggers for asthma or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
D-Dimer Test: Blood test to screen for pulmonary embolism, often paired with imaging like CT pulmonary angiography.

Common treatment for pulmonary disorders

Medications

Bronchodilators: Inhaled medications (e.g., albuterol, salmeterol) to open airways, used for asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis. Short-acting for quick relief, long-acting for maintenance.
Corticosteroids: Inhaled (e.g., budesonide) or oral (e.g., prednisone) to reduce inflammation in asthma, COPD exacerbations, or interstitial lung disease.
Antibiotics: Treat bacterial infections like pneumonia or bronchiectasis exacerbations (e.g., azithromycin, amoxicillin).
Antifibrotics: Drugs like pirfenidone or nintedanib to slow progression in pulmonary fibrosis.
Antituberculous Drugs: Multi-drug regimens (e.g., isoniazid, rifampin) for tuberculosis, typically over 6-9 months.
Pulmonary Vasodilators: Medications like sildenafil or bosentan for pulmonary hypertension to improve blood flow.
Mucolytics: Drugs (e.g., acetylcysteine) to thin mucus in cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis.
Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy/Targeted Therapy: For lung cancer, depending on type and stage (e.g., pembrolizumab for non-small cell lung cancer).

Oxygen Therapy

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Airway Clearance Techniques

Surgery

Non-Invasive Ventilation

Lifestyle and Supportive Care

Smoking Cessation: Critical for COPD, lung cancer, and asthma management, often supported by counseling or medications (e.g., varenicline).
Vaccinations: Pneumococcal and influenza vaccines to prevent infections in COPD, asthma, or immunocompromised patients.
Diet and Exercise: Nutritional support and physical activity to improve outcomes in cystic fibrosis or pulmonary rehabilitation.

Palliative Care

Location: 1201 W 12th Ave, Emporia, KS - Speciality Clinic in the Main Hallway, Entrance C

Phone: 316-440-1010

Meet the Doctor

Victor Salloum, MD

Pulmonology & Sleep

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How to get started with Pulmonary Medicine

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Pulmonary Medicine

Common conditions managed in pulmonary medicine:

What tests are done to diagnose breathing disorders?

Common treatment for pulmonary disorders

Meet the Doctor

Victor Salloum, MD

How to get started with Pulmonary Medicine

Related Services

Cardiopulmonary

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Radiology & Imaging

Sleep Disorders Center

Central Care Cancer Center

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