Comprehensive lung and respiratory care
Our pulmonologists provide high-quality treatments to support your well-being.
At Portsmouth Regional Hospital, our respiratory care team provides accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment for acute and chronic lung conditions. When you are in our care, your well-being is our top priority.
Expert advice, available 24/7
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Free health-related information is just a phone call away. Our nurses help you understand your symptoms, treatment options and procedures. They will also help you find a provider or specialist and schedule an appointment.
Lung conditions we treat
We offer multidisciplinary care for acute and chronic lung and thoracic conditions. Our highly skilled specialists assess and treat:
- Asthma
- Blood vessel anomalies
- Bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Esophageal disease
- Histoplasmosis
- Infectious diseases
- Interstitial lung diseases
- Lung cancer
- Lung disease
- Pleural disease
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Reflux disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Swallowing disorders
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Thoracic trauma
- Tuberculosis
Our pulmonology and respiratory services
Our team of pulmonary care professionals works with you to create a personalized plan for your long-term well-being. We help you get and stay healthy through education, lifestyle changes, smoking cessation support and medications.
Lung cancer care
Our team wants to help protect your lung health with preventive care. If you are a current or former smoker and are between 55 and 75 years old, our cancer care team recommends lung cancer screening. We use the latest imaging and screening technology to provide you with quickest, most accurate diagnoses possible. If lung cancer is detected, we will collaborate with our oncology providers to get you the treatment you need.
Lung and thoracic surgery
Our thoracoscopic surgical procedures mean significantly smaller incisions, enhanced precision and dexterity, as well as high-resolution, 3D views of internal organs for your surgeon. We are proud to offer the potential benefits of minimally invasive procedures, including a faster recovery, shorter hospital stay and minimized scarring.
Your options for lung and thoracic surgery include:
- Chest wall resection
- Endobronchial ultrasound
- Esophageal procedures
- Lobectomy
- Lung biopsy
- Mediastinoscopy and mediastinal surgery
- Pericardial window
- Segmentectomy
- Video-assisted thoracic surgery
Pulmonary treatments and technology
We go above and beyond standard fixes to provide you with effective, long-term respiratory care solutions. Using the latest technology, our specialists provide both inpatient and outpatient diagnostic and treatment options.
Asthma treatment
Asthma, a chronic condition that narrows the lung's airways or tubes, makes breathing difficult. When you come to our emergency room (ER) with an asthma attack, we determine your peak airflow and provide appropriate treatments, typically with bronchodilators, steroids or other medications.
Bronchoscopy
A bronchoscopy is a visual examination of the air passages leading into the lungs using a bronchoscope — a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera on the tip. Bronchoscopies are used to diagnose and treat conditions involving the lungs and trachea, including bleeding, difficulty breathing, chest pain or obstructions of the airway.
You may also be a candidate for endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), an alternative to surgery, used to diagnose lung infections, lung cancer and other diseases that enlarge the lymph nodes in the chest. Our providers are ready to speak with you about your eligibility and how you can benefit from this specialized technology.
Pulmonary function testing (PFT)
Our pulmonary function testing includes diagnostic assessments to measure lung capacity and flow rates of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases and determine how gases are exchanged in the lungs. These breathing tests help physicians see how well your lungs function.
We offer a full range of pulmonary testing, including:
- Diffusion study — Evaluates the ability of the lungs to move oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the blood
- Lung volume measurement — Determines total lung size to help distinguish among types of lung disease
- Methacholine/bronchial challenge — Aids in diagnosis of reactive airway disease, which may occur after exposure to high levels of an irritating vapor, with symptoms such as wheezing and allergic reactions
- Spirometry — Evaluates functional lung capacity compared to normal capacity
Accredited pulmonary rehabilitation program
Pulmonary Rehabilitation helps you maximize your quality of life by learning to manage lung conditions. Our program is accredited by the American Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) and recognized by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) as the standard of care for moderate to severe lung disease. Pulmonary rehabilitation helps you maximize your quality of life by learning to manage lung conditions.
Our multispecialty team of professionals evaluates your needs and tailors a pulmonary therapy program fit to your specific situation — improving your ability to breathe each day. Because inactivity can worsen breathing issues, exercise is a key component of the program. We monitor your health and offer support, education and resources to help you:
- Conserve your energy
- Enhance your range of daily activity and quality of life
- Exercise safely and improve upper body strength
- Improve your overall nutrition, self-esteem and level of independence
- Learn techniques for more comfortable breathing
- Reduce anxiety, depression and the need for hospitalization
- Stop smoking
- Take your medication and use oxygen effectively
For more information about our pulmonary rehab program, call (603) 433-4015.
Pulmonary rehabilitation program details
Our pulmonary rehabilitation program meets for two hours each Tuesday and Thursday for nine weeks. Program components include supervised exercise and education on pulmonary care and overall health topics. Family members are encouraged to attend education sessions with you.
Before you can begin, you may need a breathing test. We'll schedule you for an assessment and orientation session, including a supervised walk test, to help us establish your eligibility and identify your specific needs. At the end of the program, you'll repeat the health assessment and supervised walk test to measure your improvement.
Many insurance carriers cover the cost of pulmonary services, though you may be responsible for a copayment. Review your policy or ask your insurance company about pre-program certification and/or reimbursement.
Our program fee includes interval training, education, oxygen saturation monitoring and the personal attention of our expert staff. If you're eligible for Medicare, a percentage of the cost is covered.