Respiratory Medicine

Respiratory medicine is a specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the respiratory system (airways, lungs).

Common conditions that we treat include:

Asthma

Asthma affects all age groups but usually starts in childhood. It is characterised by the inflammation of the airways causing reversible narrowing and reduction of air flow to the lungs. Even though the prevalence of asthma has increased over the past 30 years, deaths from asthma have greatly decreased as well. Let us help you to get your asthma under control so that you can lead a healthy and active life.

Acute and chronic bronchitis

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Together with asthma, these 2 respiratory diseases are significant health burdens. Usually associated with smoking, the inflammatory process of these diseases can cause the airways to narrow. The effect is not completely reversible.

Pneumonia

Pulmonary embolism

Tuberculosis

In recent years, we have seen a resurgence of TB. Consult us if you have persistent cough for more than 3 weeks associated with night sweats, weight loss, low grade fever or/and blood stained phlegm.

Our experienced respiratory physicians use the latest procedures to aid in diagnosis and treatment, including:

• Bronchovideoscopy – A small scope equipped with a video recorder is inserted into the airway (usually via the nose or mouth) to examine for foreign bodies, tumours, bleeding or inflammation. Apart from diagnostic capabilities, it can also perform treatments such as remove obstructions, remove tumours, and insert stents.
• Bronchoscopy
• Thoracentesis – This is a procedure to remove excess fluid between the lung and chest wall. Excess fluid, called pleural effusion, can compress the lung and make breathing difficult.
• Ultrasound guided pleural drainage, pleural biopsy
• Lung function tests