Pulmonology

Overview

The Department of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital provides comprehensive and individualised services for all lung- and sleep-related conditions using advanced modalities for lung conditions such as asthma, COPD, tuberculosis, cancer, and transplants.

Our department is backed by a dynamic team of pulmonologists, nursing staff, pulmonary and bronchoscopy technicians, and physiotherapists, all working collaboratively to provide holistic, round-the-clock care for patients. Notably, our department features a high-tech pulmonary function laboratory, a sleep laboratory, and an advanced bronchoscopy suite.

We are especially committed to innovation in Interventional Pulmonology, offering minimally invasive procedures that help diagnose and treat complex airway, lung, and pleural diseases with quicker recovery times and improved comfort.

In the field of Sleep Medicine, our specialists focus on diagnosing and managing sleep disorders like insomnia using modern technology to improve sleep quality and overall well-being.

Location: Level 1, Heritage Building

Timings: 08:00 am to 08:00pm

Our Services
Technology & Infrastructure
Conditions We Treat

The Department of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine offers a broad spectrum of advanced, patient-centred services for diagnosing and treating lung- and sleep-related conditions.

Pulmonary services
- Specialised outpatient clinics: Community access for comprehensive lung disease treatment.
- Comprehensive care for asthma and COPD: Ongoing care and medication plans to manage chronic lung conditions.
- Lung fibrosis diagnosis and management: Specialised evaluation and treatment for interstitial lung disease (ILD), including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
- Non-invasive ventilation: Breathing support using external machines for patients with chronic respiratory failure.
- Lung cancer diagnosis: Early and accurate lung cancer detection using bronchoscopic procedures and endobronchial ultrasound.
- Pulmonary function tests: Detailed lung testing to assess breathing capacity and efficiency, which include spirometry, lung volume, flow rate, bronchodilator therapy, and others.
- Impulse oscillometry (IOS): A test to measure airway resistance, useful for asthma and young children.
- Fractional exhalation of nitric oxide (FeNO): A test that checks for airway inflammation, helping manage asthma.
- Six-minute walk test: A simple test that evaluates lung and heart endurance during physical activity.
- Cardiopulmonary exercise testing: A precise assessment of heart and lung performance during exercise.
- Allergy tests (Skin prick test and immune CAP): Tests that identify food and airborne triggers for allergies.
- Smoking cessation programs: Personalised plans and counselling to help patients quit smoking.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation: A structured program, in association with the Department of Physiotherapy, combines exercise, breathing techniques, and education for better lung health.

Interventional pulmonology services
- Pleural fluid aspiration: Remove of excess fluid around the lungs to ease breathing.
- Intercostal drainage tube placement: Insertion of a tube to drain infected or excess lung fluid.
- Flexible video bronchoscopy with BAL, EBB, and TBLB: A scope-based procedure to visualise the lungs and collect samples.
- Endobronchial ultrasound-guided bronchoscopy (radial and linear): A minimally invasive tool to biopsy lymph nodes and detect lung cancer.
- Rigid bronchoscopy and airway procedures: Advanced techniques to open blocked airways or remove obstructions.
- Balloon dilatation and airway stenting: Procedures to widen narrowed airways and place supportive stents.
- Argon plasma coagulation: A non-contact method to control airway bleeding or remove unwanted tissue.
- Medical thoracoscopy (pleuroscopy): A keyhole procedure to diagnose and treat pleural (lung lining) diseases.
- Cryobiopsy: A biopsy technique using extreme cold for better-quality lung tissue samples.
- Indwelling pleural catheter insertion: A long-term drainage option for patients with recurring fluid around the lungs.
- Percutaneous tracheotomy: A minimally invasive airway opening for patients needing long-term breathing support.

Sleep services
- Polysomnography (Level 1 Sleep Study): An overnight test that monitors brain, breathing, and heart activity during sleep.
- Titration sleep study: This test assesses the best settings for CPAP therapy in sleep apnoea patients.
- Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT): This test measures how quickly a person falls asleep to evaluate daytime sleepiness.
- Multiple wakefulness test (MWT): This test assesses alertness and ability to stay awake during the day.
- Actigraphy: A wristwatch-like device that tracks sleep patterns over several days.
- Home-based sleep study: A convenient, simplified sleep test done in the comfort of your home.
- Sleep apnoea management: Diagnosis and personalised treatment for breathing disturbances during sleep.
- Sleep-related disorder management: Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for conditions like insomnia, parasomnias (such as night terrors or sleepwalking), and narcolepsy
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy: A common and effective treatment for sleep apnoea using a gentle air pressure mask.

We use advanced tools to diagnose and manage complex lung and sleep conditions with precision and care:

Flexible video bronchoscopy: A minimally invasive test that accurately diagnoses lung diseases and relieves symptoms like bleeding or blocked airways.
Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided bronchoscopy: A technique that uses ultrasound and a bronchoscope to visualise the airway wall and adjacent structures in real time.
Medical thoracoscopy: A procedure to examine and treat conditions in the chest cavity, especially pleural diseases.
Pulmonary Function Laboratory consisting of Jaeger MasterScreen with Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) and Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing
Advanced Sleep Lab equipped with Philips Respironics Alice 6 for overnight studies to diagnose sleep disorders like sleep apnoea.
CPAP/BiPAP Titration system (OmniLab Advanced +): This system helps fine-tune therapy for patients with sleep-related breathing issues.

Our department provides support and treatment for the following conditions:

Allergic disorders: Conditions like allergic rhinitis or asthma caused by reactions to allergens such as pollen, dust, or pet dander.
Auto-immunity related lung diseases: Lung issues resulting from the immune system attacking the body’s own lung tissues.
Bronchial asthma: A chronic condition where airways become inflamed and narrowed, making breathing difficult.
Bronchiectasis: Permanent widening and damage of airways, leading to mucus buildup and frequent lung infections.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A group of lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, causing long-term breathing problems.
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19): A viral respiratory illness that can range from mild symptoms to severe lung involvement and respiratory failure.
Cystic fibrosis: A genetic disorder causing thick, sticky mucus buildup in the lungs, leading to repeated infections and lung damage.
Eosinophilic lung diseases: Conditions involving high levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) that cause lung inflammation.
Fungal diseases of the lung: Lung infections caused by fungi, especially in people with weak immunity.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis: A rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of blood vessels in the lungs and other organs.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: An allergic reaction in the lungs triggered by inhaling certain environmental substances like mould or bird droppings.
Interstitial lung disease: A group of diseases that cause scarring and inflammation of the lung tissue, making it hard to breathe.
Lung cancer: A malignant tumour in the lungs that can cause cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
Occupational lung diseases: Lung problems caused by exposure to harmful substances at work, such as asbestos or dust.
Pneumothorax: A collapsed lung caused by air leaking into the space around the lungs.
Pleural effusion: A buildup of fluid between the layers of tissue lining the lungs and chest cavity.
Pleural infections: A fluid buildup between the tissue layers lining the lungs and chest cavity.
Pneumonia: A lung infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs, often filled with fluid or pus.
Respiratory failure: A serious condition where the lungs can’t provide enough oxygen or remove enough carbon dioxide.
Sarcoidosis: An inflammatory disease that causes small clumps of cells (granulomas) to form in the lungs and other organs.
Sleep-related breathing disorders: Conditions like sleep apnoea interrupting breathing during sleep and affect rest and health.
Tuberculosis (TB): A contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs, causing cough, fever, and weight loss.