Pulmonary and Respiratory Care
Northwestern Medicine offers diagnostic testing and treatment services for a wide range of pulmonary and respiratory conditions.
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Northwestern Medicine Pulmonary and Respiratory Care provides complete diagnostic testing and treatment services in modern, patient-centered facilities for all types of respiratory system conditions. Our advanced respiratory care services are designed to help you breathe easier, for various pulmonary and respiratory conditions.
The physicians at the Northwestern Medicine Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine provide full medical supervision of the medical intensive care units at both Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center. All of the physicians are fully certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and by the sub-specialty Board of Pulmonary Diseases. Some are also certified in Critical Care Medicine or Sleep Medicine.
Research
Since its establishment, basic and clinical research have been an integral part of the mission of Northwestern Medicine. Northwestern Medicine physicians are national leaders in many areas of clinical research. Our physicians are committed to finding answers to today's most disabling and puzzling medical problems. Working collaboratively with the scientists of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, our physicians are translating exciting research advances discovered in the laboratory into more effective treatment approaches and prevention strategies for our patients.
Areas of Care
Conditions
- Asthma
- Atelectasis and Pneumothorax
- Barrett's Esophagus
- Bronchitis
- Chronic Cough
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Esophageal Cancer (Pulmonary)
- Esophageal Motility Disorders
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- General Pulmonary Conditions
- Hyperhidrosis
- Lung Cancer
- Lung Diseases
- Lung Nodules
- Mediastinal Tumors
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Pulmonary Vascular Disease
- Respiratory Failure
- Respiratory Infection
- Respiratory Muscle Dysfunction
- Sarcoidosis
- Shortness of Breath, Breathlessness
- Sleep Disorders
- Tracheal and Bronchial Stenosis
Tests
- Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody Test
- Arterial Blood Gas Test
- Brochoalveolar Lavage
- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Stress Test
- Complex Airway Tests and Diagnoses
- Endobronchial Ultrasound
- Esophageal Diseases Tests and Diagnoses
- Laryngoscopy
- Lung Disease Tests and Diagnoses
- Methacholine Challenge Test
- MuSK Antibody Skin Test
- Peak Flow Meter
- Phrenic Nerve Stimulation Test
- Pleural Fluid Culture
- Pleuroscopy
- Pulmonary Function (PFT)
- Pulse Oximetry
- Spirometry
- Sputum Test
- Stool Fat Absorption Test
- Thoracic Cavity Tests and Diagnoses
- Thoracoscopy
- Transbronchial Needle Aspiration
- Tuberculin Skin Test
Treatments
- Asthma Education And Management
- Bronchoscopy
- Bronchothermoplasty
- Bullectomy
- Chest Tube
- Emergency Medicine
- Endobronchial Stent Placement
- Esophagectomy
- Exercise Testing
- Heller Myotomy
- Home Ventilation
- Laryngoscopy
- Lung Disease Treatments
- Mediastinoscopy
- Pleurodesis
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Sternotomy
- Sympathectomy
- Thoracentesis
- Thoracic Surgery
- Thoracotomy
- Thymectomy
- Tracheostomy
- Tunneled Pleural Catheter Placement
- Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery
- Downtown (AMC)
- Northern Suburbs
- Western Suburbs
- Greater DeKalb County
The Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
The Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine provides complete diagnostic and treatment services and facilities for patients with all types of diseases of the respiratory system.
Patients are accommodated at various sites within the Northwestern University-McGaw Medical Center depending upon the nature of their disease and treatment needs. Close liaison is maintained with related discipline—Thoracic Surgery, Radiology, Oncology, Cardiology etc.—so that our physicians continue to participate in the care of their patients when the services of other medical specialists become necessary or an unrelated illness occurs.
Our physicians provide full medical supervision of the medical intensive care units at both Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center. All of the physicians are fully certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and by the sub-specialty Board of Pulmonary Diseases. Some are also certified in Critical Care Medicine or Sleep Medicine.
To schedule an appointment or refer a patient, please call 312.695.1800.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
Northwestern Medicine pulmonologists work with their peers at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital to combine exercise training with breathing retraining, behavioral and educational programs designed to help patients with COPD and other related chronic lung diseases.
The main goals of pulmonary rehabilitation are to help you control symptoms, improve daily living activities and restore your ability to function independently. Our team of nurses, respiratory therapists, exercise physiologists, pastoral care staff and dietitians will be with you from the start. They'll develop a plan that's right for you by gradually increasing activity levels and improving your quality of life.
How do I enter the program?
To enter the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at Lake Forest Hospital, you’ll need a referral from your physician with an appropriate diagnosis, as well as a pulmonary function test.
We will also work with you to schedule a patient entry assessment prior to entering the program. This takes about two hours and includes assessment of the following:
- Daily life activities
- Education
- Lifestyle
- Medical history
- Nutrition
- Physical response to exercise
- Quality of life
- Symptom
Chronic lung disease like asthma, COPD or pulmonary hypertension can restrict your independence and lifestyle — but it doesn’t have to. The pulmonary rehabilitation specialists can assess your physical condition and personalize a program to increase your strength and endurance, while helping you live a more active lifestyle and prevent complications and hospitalizations.
Pulmonary Medicine
Our board-certified pulmonology team specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the lungs and respiratory tract.
Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group treats common conditions such as:
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Chronic pulmonary disease
- Chronic respiratory failure
- Emphysema
- Interstitial lung diseases
- Lung Cancer
- Other respiratory illness
- Pulmonary nodule evaluation
Our specialists use a variety of innovative diagnostic testing options to properly treat pulmonary diseases and disorders. Diagnostic services include:
- Comprehensive cardiopulmonary stress testing
- High altitude simulation testing
- In-office ultrasound guided thoracentesis
- Methacholine challenge
- Overnight oximetry
- Oxygen assessments
- Pulmonary function testing
Thoracic Surgery
If you require chest surgery, you will find comfort and confidence in the thoracic surgery team at Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group. The team includes two dedicated, board-certified thoracic surgeons, including one who is specially trained in minimally invasive da Vinci® robotic-assisted thoracic surgery.
Our physicians treat the following conditions, among others:
- Abnormalities of the chest wall (pectus excavatum)
- Benign and malignant tumors of the lung, esophagus, and mediastinum
- COPD and emphysema
- Excessive sweating of the palms and face (hyperhidrosis)
- GERD
- Hernias (Hiatal, Hyperhidrosis)
- Lung cancer
- Lymph node enlargement (adenopathy)
- Pleural effusion
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Thymoma
- Lung nodules
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Nationally recognized in Pulmonology (25th)
Lung Transplantation Referrals
Northwestern Medicine's physician specialists work hard to find the best possible candidates for transplant and to deliver exceptional pre- and post- transplant care to patients.
Call our 24-hour physician referral line: 844.639.5864.
Related Resources
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center: The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University is committed to being a national leader in the battle to overcome cancer.
