What is a pediatric pulmonologist?
The pediatric pulmonologists at Texas Pediatric Specialties and Family Sleep Center are certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and have a subspecialty in pediatric pulmonology. These experts specialize in treating breathing problems in infants, children, and adolescents up to the age of 18.
A pediatric pulmonologist understands the unique considerations that come with the onset of childhood breathing problems in developing lungs and is trained to find long-lasting solutions.
What are the most common pediatric pulmonary problems?
Children can develop any number of pulmonary problems and the following are the most common:
- Recurring pneumonia
- Sleep apnea, including infant apnea
- Asthma
- Chronic cough and/or wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Exercise-induced shortness of breath
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chronic lung disease associated with premature birth
- Chronic ventilation
- Noisy breathing
- Neuromuscular diseases
Any time your child struggles to breathe, it’s important to have a pediatric pulmonary specialist intervene to ensure that your child is able to breathe freely.
How are pediatric pulmonary problems diagnosed?
The team at Texas Pediatric Specialties and Family Sleep Center offers comprehensive testing of your child’s pulmonary health, which includes:
- Lung function testing, including spirometry, FeNO tests, and an impulse oscillometry (IOS)
- Bronchoscopies
- Rhinolaryngoscopies
After reviewing your child’s symptoms and their medical history, your pediatric pulmonary specialist determines which tests are best for identifying the problem.
How are pediatric pulmonary problems treated?
The primary goal of the pediatric pulmonary specialists at Texas Pediatric Specialties and Family Sleep Center is to improve your child’s quality of life through better breathing. They can turn to a number of tools, depending upon your child’s lung problem, which may include:
- Asthma education
- Nebulizer treatments
- Bronchodilators
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices
- Lifestyle changes
This last point is an important one as your child’s environment and physical conditioning can play large roles in their pulmonary issues. By tackling the problem from every angle, the objective is to provide your child with the tools they need for an active and happy life, free from the constraints of pulmonary issues.
For expert treatment of pediatric pulmonary disorders, call Texas Pediatric Specialties and Family Sleep Center or request an appointment using the online scheduling tool.
