Pulmonology

Pulmonary medicine is a field of medicine that focuses on diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract. Doctors who practice in this field called pulmonologists and have received specialized training in diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the entire respiratory system. These diseases can affect lung function, make breathing difficult, and lower an individual’s quality of life. Pulmonary medicine is closely associated with both critical care medicine and sleep medicine, and many pulmonologists choose further specialization in these fields. At BASS Medical Group, our qualified pulmonary physicians represent a diverse range of specialties and expertise; they are all board-certified in internal medicine and pulmonary diseases, and some hold additional certifications in critical care and/or sleep medicine.

Related Conditions

Sleep Medicine

Our specialists diagnose and treat a broad range of conditions including:

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Asthma
Bronchiectasis
Chronic cough
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Emphysema
Interstitial lung disease
Lung cancer
Lung masses
Occupational lung disease
Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary tuberculosis
Pulmonary vascular disease
Sarcoidosis of the lungs
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
Sleep disorders

- Obstructive sleep apnea

- Narcolepsy

- Restless leg syndrome

- Insomnia

- Circadian rhythm disorders

‍Diagnosing and Treating Pulmonary Conditions

During the evaluation and treatment process, your pulmonologist might ask that you undergo one or more of the following procedures:

Sleep Study
Bronchoscopy
Thoracentesis

In the event you are diagnosed with a respiratory disease or sleep disorder, they will recommend a treatment plan that is tailored to your individual health and needs. For respiratory diseases, this may include prescription medication, inhalers, or therapy. If your condition is serious and requires further care, your pulmonologist will make suggestions as to what your next steps should be. Treatments for sleep disorders vary and depend on the individual needs of the patient and the specific disorder. Treatments can include a combination of therapy and medication, as well as surgery in more extreme cases. For obstructive sleep apnea, your pulmonologists will likely recommend a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, as it is considered the gold standard for treatment.

Critical Care and Sleep Medicine

Critical care medicine involves caring for patients with life-threatening conditions, mostly in hospitals and ICUs (intensive care units). Pulmonologists play a major role in the care of critically ill patients as they are experts on the advanced techniques, procedures, and devices that keep these patients alive. At BASS Medical Group, many of our pulmonologists specialize in critical care medicine and hold privileges in hospitals throughout the Bay Area.

Sleep medicine focuses on diagnosing and managing sleep disorders. We have several pulmonologists at BASS Medical Group that specialize in this field and offer many years of experience treating patients with a variety of sleep disturbances and disorders. They are incredibly knowledgeable on the treatments and therapies that can help their patients gain a more restful sleep, and have access to state-of-the-art sleep centers across the Bay Area.

At BASS Medical Group, our qualified pulmonologists are here to provide comprehensive services to patients with respiratory diseases, sleep disorders, and critical care needs. They offer high-quality patient care and prioritize patients and empathetic communication. To learn more about what our pulmonologists can do for you, or to schedule an appointment, please give us a call at (925) 350-4044.