Children often have minor respiratory ailments, such as a cold or stuffy nose. However, if you find that your child has frequent respiratory problems, your doctor may refer you to the specialists in pediatric pulmonology at the Mississippi Center for Advanced Medicine. During the initial consultation, our friendly pediatric pulmonologist will conduct an examination and document the symptoms and history of your child’s lung issues. Early intervention can give your child the help they need to fight off an infection or heal from a lung related ailment. It can also prevent the condition from becoming chronic, improving your child’s chances for a full recovery.

For kids with trouble breathing, we’ll provide an immediate course of action and propose a treatment plan to help prevent future issues.

What Is Pediatric Pulmonology?

Pediatric pulmonology focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of lung and breathing problems in children. Pediatric pulmonologists specialize in treating kids with lung diseases. In this role, they deal with a variety of lung conditions, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, and sleep apnea.

Here are some things a pediatric pulmonologist does on a daily basis:

  • Diagnose lung problems: Tests used to diagnose lung problems in children include chest X-rays, spirometry, and pulmonary function testing.
  • Develop treatment plans: Pediatric pulmonologists can develop treatment plans for children with lung problems. These plans may include medications, breathing exercises, or surgery.
  • Monitor progress: Our team continuously checks to see if the treatments are working, making adjustments as needed.
  • Provide support and education: We strive to support and educate families regarding their health and welfare. We do this to help your family fully understand your child’s lung condition.

What Are Some of the Conditions Treated by a Pediatric Pulmonologist?

Chronic respiratory problems and lung infections affect all aspects of your child’s life. Fortunately, the caring team members at our pediatric pulmonology department offer many treatment options. Here are some of the conditions we treat:

  • Asthma: A chronic condition that affects the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
  • Bronchiolitis: This infection of small airways in the lungs causes wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing, particularly in infants and young children.
  • Chronic airways clearance problems: Difficulty clearing mucus from the airways can cause infections, breathing problems, and other complications. A pediatric pulmonologist may recommend treatments to improve breathing.
  • Chronic cough: Does your child have a cough that has lasted for more than eight weeks? Coughing often accompanies conditions such as asthma, allergies, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  • Chronic lung disease in premature infants: A pediatric pulmonologist can help diagnose and manage chronic lung disease so your prematurely born infant can overcome the condition effectively.
  • Cystic fibrosis: This genetic disorder causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and other organs. This can lead to infections, breathing problems, and other complications.
  • Difficulty breathing: This can be caused by a variety of conditions, including asthma, pneumonia, and heart disease.
  • Evaluation of scoliosis or pectus deformities on breathing: Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine, and pectus deformities are chest wall deformities. This evaluation refers to an assessment of the impact on breathing by our pediatric pulmonologist.
  • Noisy breathing (stridor): If your child makes a high-pitched sound while breathing in, it may indicate a narrowing of the airways, a vocal cord problem, or a birth defect.
  • Obesity as it relates to breathing: Obesity can make it difficult to breathe, and it can also increase the risk of developing sleep apnea. A pulmonologist can help assess your child’s condition and recommend treatments to help improve breathing.
  • Recurring pneumonia: Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
  • Recurrent bronchitis and sinus infections: Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways, and sinus infections are caused by inflamed sinuses. These conditions make it difficult to breathe and children are not always able to explain to parents that they are finding it challenging to breathe.
  • Sleep disorders and sleep apnea: Conditions that disrupt sleep and can affect breathing. Sleep apnea can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and other problems.
  • Vocal cord dysfunction and anxiety-related breathing issues: A pediatric pulmonologist can help diagnose these issues and provide a treatment plan to help improve breathing.

Mississippi Center for Advanced Medicine has experienced, compassionate pediatric pulmonologists to help your child breathe a little easier. Contact us today to book an appointment for any of the conditions listed above or if you need help diagnosing and treating a respiratory disorder in your child.