Lung Care

Acute and chronic pulmonary embolism

A blockage in one or more blood vessel in the lung by a blood clot, air bubble or other debris.

Pulmonary embolism symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Sharp chest pain
• Rapid heart rate
• Cough

Asthma

A condition where an airway becomes swollen which makes it hard to breathe.

Asthma symptoms include

• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing
• Tight feeling in the chest

Bronchiectasis

A condition where lungs are damaged and have abnormally wide airways leading to excess mucus.

Symptoms include:

• Daily cough
• Large amounts of phlegm

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Incurable lung disease with narrow, damaged airways making it hard to breathe.

COPD symptoms include

• Chronic cough
• Shortness of breath with activity
• Wheezing

Cystic fibrosis

A life-threatening disorder, cystic fibrosis is inherited and causes damage to the lungs and digestive system from a build up of phlegm.

Patients with cystic fibrosis are at high risk for lung infections.

Emphysema

Emphysema is a lung condition in which air sacs in the lungs are damaged, creating too large of airspaces that results in shortness of breath and fatigue.

Fungal infections of the lung

Valley fever, histoplasmosis and aspergillosis are fungal infections of the lungs that are each associated with different geographic locations.

Granulomatous lung diseases

This umbrella term is used to describe a group of bacterial and fungal infectious conditions characterized by the creation of granulomas.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome

This syndrome is most commonly seen along with liver disease in which oxygen levels are low and causes shortness of breath from enlarged blood vessels.

Interstitial lung disease

This is an umbrella term that is used to describe diseases that cause the lungs to scar.

Scarring can result in stiffness in the lungs, making it hard to breathe and get oxygen to the bloodstream.

Lung cancer

The leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide is lung cancer.

In fact, non-small cell lung cancer accounts for most cases with the remainder being small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer symptoms include:

• Cough with blood
• Chest pain
• Wheezing
• Weight loss (typically not until the cancer is advanced)

Pleurisy

Sharp or stabbing chest pain that worsens with deep breaths caused by conditions such as inflammation in the tissues surrounding the lungs and fluid or air trapping between the lung and rib cage is known as pleurisy.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection in which the lungs are inflamed and may fill with fluid.

Pneumonia symptoms can include:

• Cough with phlegm or pus
• Fever
• Chills
• Difficulty breathing

Pulmonary fibrosis

A condition where air sacs in the lungs are damaged and result in thickened, stiff lung tissue making it more difficult to breath and causing a dry cough.

Pulmonary hypertension

A condition that causes high blood pressure within the lungs.

Pulmonary hypertension symptoms include

• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Chest pain with activity

Pulmonary vascular disease

A condition that affects the blood vessels between the heart and lung.

A common symptom is shortness of breath.

Sarcoidosis

Small collections of inflammatory cells growing in different parts of the body, commonly the lungs.

Symptoms include

• Cough
• Weakness
• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain

Sleep disorders

We offer a full range of up-to-date diagnostic and treatment procedures as part of our comprehensive sleep disorders care program in Fort Worth to help you sleep through the night.

Smoking cessation

The process of quitting tobacco smoking is called smoking cessation.

Quitting smoking can be difficult, but success can be improved with help from a clinician.

Tuberculosis

A bacterial infection mainly affecting the lungs.

Tuberculosis symptoms are not common but do include

• Cough
• Weight loss
• Night sweats
• Fever

Tuberculous and nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease

This is an umbrella term used to describe lung infections caused by mycobacteria, which is typically found in soil and water.

Bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy is a test during which a physician examines the patient's airways by inserting a camera called a bronchoscope into the patients lungs. This camera transmits an image of the throat, larynx, trachea and lungs to the physician.

Endobronchial ultrasound

Endobronchial ultrasound is a minimally invasive way of diagnosing lung disease that makes biopsy of lung and lymph node tissue without traditional surgery possible.

Endobronchial valve treatment

The endobronchial valve is a small, umbrella-shaped, one-way valve that is placed inside the airways of the diseased lung.

The valve system redirects the air you breathe away from the areas most affected by your emphysema and toward the healthier areas of your lungs allowing you to breathe more easily.

Lung cancer screening

Baylor Scott & White Health's lung cancer screening program offers those at high risk of developing lung cancer the opportunity to screen and diagnose lung cancer before symptoms develop through the use of a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan that takes less than five minutes.

Navigational bronchoscopy

Navigational bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive treatment for emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In this procedure, a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and a small camera is inserted into the lungs through the patient's nose or mouth to help doctors position small valves that then prevent air from becoming trapped in the diseased part of the lung. This allows more air to circulate in the healthy lung tissue, and helps patients breathe better.

Navigational bronchoscopy is also used to perform minimally invasive lung biopsies.

Pulmonary function tests

PFTs are an evaluation consisting of many different tests that measure the function of the lungs and diagnose various lung conditions.

Pulmonary rehabilitation

The healthcare professionals at the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program at the Carter Rehabilitation Center in Fort Worth will help you return to a normal lifestyle after a pulmonary event. We'll work with you to develop a healthy plan that includes physical activity, stress management and nutrition counseling.

Sleep disorders

Help for sleep disorders is available at many Baylor Scott & White Health facilities.

Our sleep programs are dedicated to alleviating symptoms and improving sleep patterns and daily life for people with problems sleeping. We offer a full range of up-to-date diagnostic and treatment procedures as part of our comprehensive care program to help you sleep through the night.

Thoracic surgery

Baylor Scott & White Health has thoracic surgeons on the medical staff who diagnose and treat diseases of the lungs, esophagus and diaphragm. They'll provide you with care in all aspects of general thoracic surgery, including minimally invasive and traditional open surgical procedures.