Respiratory Conditions
Lung function testing in our office, a clear diagnosis, and a plan that helps you breathe easier day to day.
What Are Respiratory Conditions?
Respiratory conditions affect your airways and lungs, and they change how easily air moves in and out. Some are short-term, like a chest cold, bronchitis or pneumonia. Others are long-term, like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, called COPD.
Long-term lung conditions often start with small changes, such as a cough that will not go away or getting winded on the stairs. Because many lung problems look alike, testing matters. A pulmonary function test, or PFT, measures how much air your lungs hold and how fast you can breathe out. That helps your provider tell one condition from another and choose the right treatment.
Signs of a Lung or Breathing Problem
Breathing symptoms that keep coming back or slowly get worse deserve a closer look.
Shortness of breath
Getting winded with everyday tasks, or more than you used to, is a key warning sign.
Lingering cough
A cough lasting several weeks, with or without mucus, should be evaluated.
Wheezing
A whistling sound when you breathe often means the airways are narrowed.
Chest tightness
A squeezing feeling in the chest can come with asthma flares.
Frequent chest infections
Repeated bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia may point to an underlying lung condition.
Night symptoms
Coughing or breathlessness that wakes you up can signal poorly controlled asthma.
Causes and Risk Factors
Lung conditions come from a mix of what you breathe in, your genes and past infections.
- Smoking or past smoking
- Secondhand smoke, dust or chemical fumes
- Allergies and a family history of asthma
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Air pollution and seasonal triggers
- Getting older
How We Treat Respiratory Conditions
We start with your history and an exam, then use pulmonary function testing in our office to measure how your lungs are working. You do not need a separate appointment elsewhere, and the results go straight into your chart. With a clear diagnosis, your provider builds a plan for your specific condition.
For long-term conditions such as asthma and COPD, we manage your inhalers and medicines, check that you are using them well, and repeat testing over time to track changes. Established patients with a sudden flare or chest infection can often be seen the same day. If you need a lung specialist, we refer you and keep coordinating your care.
- In-house pulmonary function testing (PFT)
- Asthma and COPD management
- Inhaler and medication review
- Same-day sick visits for established patients
When to See a Doctor
Book a visit for breathing symptoms that last more than a couple of weeks or keep returning. Call 911 for severe trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, or chest pain.
- A cough that has lasted three weeks or more
- Getting short of breath with activity you used to handle
- Wheezing or chest tightness, especially at night
- Needing your rescue inhaler more often than usual
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pulmonary function test?
A PFT is a breathing test that measures how much air your lungs hold and how quickly you can move air out. You breathe into a mouthpiece while following simple instructions. We do this test in our office.
What are the most common long-term lung conditions?
Asthma and COPD are two of the most common. Both can cause cough, wheezing and shortness of breath, which is why testing helps tell them apart.
How can I get over a respiratory illness faster?
Rest, fluids and staying home while you are sick help most viral illnesses run their course. If symptoms are severe, last more than a week or two, or you have a lung condition, see a provider. Established patients can often be seen the same day.
Do you accept insurance for breathing tests?
We accept most major insurance plans. Call (727) 322-4227 and our front desk will verify your coverage before your visit.
Is care available in Spanish?
Yes. Our services are offered in English and Spanish, so you can talk about your symptoms in the language you are most comfortable with.
Related Conditions
Treatments for Respiratory Conditions
We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans
Most major insurances accepted, please call our office to verify
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