Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a lung disease that is characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath, cough and sputum production) due to abnormalities of the airways and/or alveoli that cause persistent, often progressive, airflow obstruction.
Often, COPD patients chalk these symptoms up to age, weight gain or even recurring sickness from time spent with young grandchildren. Because COPD is progressive and worsens over time, it is essential to talk to a Hattiesburg Clinic physician early to help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Progressive airflow limitation can lead to worsening shortness of breath. Some patients with COPD are at risk for frequent “exacerbations” that can lead to hospitalization and further loss of lung function.
As part of your ongoing treatment of COPD, the pulmonologists at Hattiesburg Clinic offer full pulmonary lung function testing (PFT) which includes total lung capacity and diffusion capacity. While spirometry is used to measure how much air you can inhale and exhale, full PFTs provide a comprehensive way to monitor disease progression and the effectiveness of treatments, leading to better long-term management.
In addition to imaging and PFTs, our onsite lab at Hattiesburg Clinic can measure Arterial Blood Gas (ABG). ABG provides our pulmonologists with detailed information about a patient’s respiratory status, allowing for accurate assessment of disease severity, effective monitoring of respiratory failure and precise tailoring of treatment plans. ABG testing helps ensure that COPD patients receive the best possible care, improving their quality of life and overall outcomes.
At Hattiesburg Clinic, our pulmonologists are board-certified in both pulmonology and critical care. This dual certification helps our doctors identify early signs of complications allowing them to intervene promptly, whether you are in the hospital or visiting the office. This proactive approach helps prevent readmissions and exacerbations. By working both at Hattiesburg Clinic and in the ICU, our pulmonologists work hard to ensure you receive consistent, informed and proactive treatment.