About This Location
Treatment of Lung and Breathing Disorders
Pulmonology-Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center diagnoses and treats diseases affecting the lungs and chest. This includes:
WHAT IS ASTHMA?
Asthma is a chronic disease that causes swelling in your airways. You may have one or more of these symptoms:
Chest tightness (a squeezing or sitting sensation)
Lingering coughing that is worse in the evening and the morning
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Asthma can come and go but cannot be cured. With proper lifestyle changes, education and treatment, it can be controlled.
WHAT IS COPD?
Smoking is the most common cause of COPD in the U.S. According to the American Lung Association, smoking causes 80 to 90 percent of cases. Other causes are exposure to air pollution, secondhand smoke and occupational dust or chemicals.
When we breathe, air travels through airways in our lungs to millions of air sacs. Air moves easily in and out of healthy lungs. COPD makes it difficult to get air through these airways and in and out of our air sacs, as well.
COPD includes two serious lung issues:
Chronic bronchitis – Inflamed airways cause extended periods of coughing and mucus production.
Emphysema – Air sacs don’t work properly because they are damaged or the breathing tubes in our lungs collapse.
Coughing that may produce mucus, shortness of breath and fatigue are common symptoms of COPD—all of which can get progressively worse without treatment. If you have symptoms of COPD, contact your healthcare provider immediately so you can begin managing the disease. Making lifestyle adjustments, such as quitting smoking, is a powerful first step to improving your lung health.
Additional Information
Becoming a patient
Most patients come to Pulmonology-Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center by referral from their primary-care providers. But it is possible to become a patient without a physician referral. Please call the clinic at 319-768-3240. Staff will ask you for information about your health history. A provider will review the information, and you will receive a return call.
Bring these to your appointment:
Insurance card so our staff can photocopy it and file documents with your insurance company
List of medicines you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and cold remedies. Be sure to update your medicine list every time there is a change, and bring a copy to each appointment.
Photo ID
During your appointment, your provider will review your medical history and laboratory results with you. Following your first appointment, your care may involve laboratory and other diagnostic tests to assess your pulmonary condition.
