Pulmonology

Treatment of lung and breathing disorders

doctor showing x-ray to patient

Pulmonology-Great River Medical Center diagnoses and treats diseases affecting the lungs and chest. This includes:

  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Interstitial lung disease
  • Lung cancer
  • Pneumonia
  • Pulmonary tuberculosis
  • Sarcoidosis of the lungs

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease that causes swelling in your airways. You may have one or more of these symptoms:

  • Chest tightness (a squeezing or sitting sensation)
  • Lingering coughing that is worse in the evening and the morning
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing

Asthma can come and go but cannot be cured. With proper lifestyle changes, education and treatment, it can be controlled.

Most patients come to Great River Pulmonology by referral from their primary-care providers. But it is possible to become a patient without a physician referral. Please call the clinic at (319) 768-3240. Staff will ask you for information about your health history. A provider will review the information, and you will receive a return call.

What Is COPD?

Smoking is the most common cause of COPD in the U.S. According to the American Lung Association, smoking causes 80 to 90 percent of cases. Other causes are exposure to air pollution, secondhand smoke and occupational dust or chemicals.

When we breathe, air travels through airways in our lungs to millions of air sacs. Air moves easily in and out of healthy lungs. COPD makes it difficult to get air through these airways and in and out of our air sacs, as well.

COPD includes two serious lung issues:

  • Chronic bronchitis – Inflamed airways cause extended periods of coughing and mucus production.
  • Emphysema – Air sacs don’t work properly because they are damaged or the breathing tubes in our lungs collapse.

Coughing that may produce mucus, shortness of breath and fatigue are common symptoms of COPD—all of which can get progressively worse without treatment. If you have symptoms of COPD, contact your healthcare provider immediately so you can begin managing the disease. Making lifestyle adjustments, such as quitting smoking, is a powerful first step to improving your lung health.

Becoming a Patient

When you are referred to Pulmonology-Great River Medical Center, your primary-care provider should send copies of your pertinent medical history and reports of all laboratory tests for one full year before your appointment. If you were not referred, please ask your primary-care provider’s office to send this information to Great River Pulmonology.

Bring the following to your appointment:

  • Insurance card so our staff can photocopy it and file documents with your insurance company
  • List of medicines you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements and cold remedies. Be sure to update your medicine list every time there is a change, and bring a copy to each appointment.
  • Photo ID

During your appointment, your provider will review your medical history and laboratory results with you. Following your first appointment, your care may involve laboratory and other diagnostic tests to assess your pulmonary condition.