Breathing is essential to life, and many pulmonary diseases affect this vital function and tend to worsen over time. Board-certified physician Sabri Malek, MD, FIPP, at Hospice and Palliative Care of California, offers supportive health services for people with pulmonary disease to improve comfort and quality of life. To schedule a consultation with the hospice care specialists, contact the office in Pasadena, California, by phone or book an appointment online today.
Pulmonary Disease Q&A
What is pulmonary disease?
Pulmonary disease, also called lung disease, is any health condition that affects lung function. Your lungs are part of your respiratory system and are responsible for inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide.
Though there are many types of pulmonary diseases, they all affect the vital exchange of gasses needed to support life.
What are the types of pulmonary disease?
There are three main types of pulmonary disease. These include airway diseases, lung tissue diseases, and lung circulation diseases.
Airway diseases
Airway problems affect the normal functioning of the tubes that allow oxygen into the lungs when you inhale. People with an airway disease experience shortness of breath and feel as though they’re breathing through a straw. Common airway diseases include asthma, bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Lung tissue diseases
Lung tissue conditions include inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue. The tissue damage may prevent the full expansion of the lungs, which may affect the intake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide. Pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease are types of lung tissue diseases.
Lung circulation diseases
Your lungs are closely connected to your circulatory system and play a vital role in removing carbon dioxide from your blood and replacing it with oxygen. Blood clots, inflammation, and scarring may affect the blood vessels in your lungs and make you feel short of breath, especially when exerting yourself. Pulmonary hypertension is a type of lung circulation disease.
How is pulmonary disease treated?
Treatment for pulmonary disease depends on the type and severity of your symptoms. Your treatment plan may include medications, oxygen therapy, and lifestyle modification.
The goal of treatment for pulmonary disease is to prevent respiratory failure. Many pulmonary diseases worsen over time and lead to respiratory failure.
What types of pulmonary diseases benefit from hospice care?
The compassionate team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California offers comfort care for irreversible pulmonary diseases that affect the quality of life. Some types of pulmonary diseases that benefit from hospice care include:
- COPD
- Interstitial lung disease
- Pulmonary fibrosis
The multidisciplinary team at Hospice and Palliative Care of California develops individualized treatment plans aimed at providing comfort and end-of-life supportive care, which may include oxygen therapy, nursing care, intravenous fluids, and pain control.
To schedule a consultation to learn more about hospice care for pulmonary disease, call Hospice and Palliative Care of California or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment today.