Pulmonary Medicine

When it’s hard to breathe, everyday tasks are difficult.

Baystate Health’s pulmonologists will work closely with you to help you feel your best. We provide comprehensive pulmonary care throughout western Massachusetts for a variety of conditions, including asthma, COPD, emphysema, and cystic fibrosis.

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Pulmonary Conditions, Treatments, and Diagnostics

Quality Care That's Closer to Home

You don’t have to travel far to manage a chronic lung condition. You will find Baystate lung specialists and support in clinics and hospitals throughout western Massachusetts.

Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is ideal for anyone who wants to successfully manage a long-term breathing problem as well as people who have recently had thoracic surgery or a lung transplant.

At Baystate Children’s Hospital, our pediatric lung specialists, respiratory specialists, and child life specialists work closely with your family to care for lung problems in babies and children.

Pulmonary Conditions We Treat

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis
Asthma
Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary fibrosis
Interstitial lung disease
Cough
Lung cancer
Lung nodules
Cystic fibrosis
Airway obstructions
Smoking-related diseases
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Tuberculosis

Related Conditions, Treatments, and Diagnostics

Specialized Care That's Right for You

Dr. Talal Dahhan, Chief of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, discusses how specialized care and evidence-based management plans make Baystate Health is a leader in pulmonary medicine and critical care.

Pulmonary Services and Support

Lung Function Testing

The Pulmonary Function Laboratory at Baystate Medical Center uses pulmonary function tests (PFTs) to measure how well your lungs are working. The results of these tests guide your rehabilitation and treatment plan. PFTs are also called lung function tests.

Lung function tests include:

Spirometry, which measures the amount of air you breathe out
Plethysmography test, which measures the volume of gas in your lungs (lung volume)
Diffusion capacity test, which measures how well the air sacks inside your lungs (alveoli) work
Your doctor may also suggest cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to help determine reasons for shortness of breath.

Inpatient and Outpatient Rehabilitation

We offer different phases of pulmonary rehabilitation, based on our needs and goals. Your rehab may include an inpatient phase, an outpatient program of education and exercise, and an ongoing program of medically supervised exercise.

Cystic Fibrosis Support

Our cystic fibrosis team work closely with your family to help you understand CF and how to manage it. We can teach your family homecare tips and airway clearance techniques. We can also connect you to community resources and help you arrange for home respiratory equipment.

We have pediatric and adult cystic fibrosis clinics located at the Baystate Children's Specialty Center.

Evaluation for Home Oxygen

If your doctor has recommended supplemental oxygen, Baystate can help you complete an evaluation for oxygen in your home.

Tracheostomy Support

Our program includes the only outpatient clinic in western Massachusetts that provides care to patients with a permanent tracheostomy.

Asthma Education

We offer one-on-one support to help you take control of your asthma. If you want to understand your triggers, how to use your inhaler, or when to call your doctor, Baystate can help. We can also work with you to create an asthma action plan.

Pulmonary Disease Management

Baystate offers education and support for most pulmonary conditions. This can include tips for using your asthma medication properly, breathing training, preventive care, and quitting smoking support.

Our specialists are also here to help you learn the best way to clear your lungs, which can prevent lung infection and help you breathe better. Pulmonary specialists can help you learn the most effective airway clearance techniques.

6-Minute Walk Test

A simple walking test can help us understand your overall condition. It’s also a way to measure progress in pulmonary rehabilitation. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is often used with people who have serious heart or lung (cardiopulmonary) disease, including COPD.

Flexible Bronchoscopy (airway endoscopy)

When your doctor needs to see the inside of the airways of your lungs, they’ll do a flexible bronchoscopy.

During this visual exam, doctors place a thin tube-like instrument through the nose or mouth and down into the lungs.

We use bronchoscopies to look for the cause of an infection, an abnormal “spot” on the lung, an airway blockage, bleeding, or noisy breathing, or to check on transplanted lungs.