Respiratory Infections Specialist

What are common respiratory infections?

Your respiratory system includes your nose, sinuses, mouth, throat, windpipe, and lungs. You can get upper respiratory infections like colds, sinus infections, and the flu, or lower respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis, which affect your lungs. 

Other respiratory problems include asthma and COPD, which cause inflammation and damage to the airways and bronchi in your lungs, disrupting your ability to breathe. 

What are the signs of a respiratory infection?

A cough is one of the most common signs of a respiratory infection. Your cough may be dry and raspy, or it may produce phlegm. Upper respiratory infections also cause sinus pain, congestion, headaches, and sore throats.

Asthma and COPD cause other disruptive symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. You may also experience asthma attacks, during which your symptoms suddenly and severely flare up. 

How are respiratory infections diagnosed?

The team at Russak Personalized Medicine provides thorough exams and state-of-the-art diagnostic testing to identify the respiratory condition causing your symptoms. After listening to your lungs and asking about your symptoms, your provider uses special lung function tests – including spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) – to gauge the inflammation in your lungs and measure the air entering and exiting your lungs. 

During spirometry, you breathe into a tube that’s connected to equipment that measures the volume of air entering and leaving your lungs. You take a deep breathe and exhale through the tube for several seconds and repeat the process three times. Then, your provider gives you a bronchodilator to open the airways in your lungs, and you repeat the process. 

During FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) testing, you take a deep breath and exhale into a tube that’s connected to a machine that assesses the volume of cytokines and interleukin in your exhalation. These cells indicate the presence of mast cells and antigen-specific T-helper cells type 2, which are present when your lungs are inflamed. 

What is the treatment for respiratory infections and problems?

Treatment for lung infections depends on the type and severity of your illness. For example, your provider may prescribe inhalable medicine to reduce inflammation in your lungs. They may also recommend oxygen therapy to help you maintain your oxygen levels. 

Your provider also shares lifestyle advice to help you improve your overall health and reduce factors that contribute to respiratory infections. 

If you’re interested in a concierge medicine program or have trouble breathing, call Russak Personalized Medicine or make an appointment online today for expert diagnosis and customized treatments.