Sometimes, something as easy as breathing needs expert care from Unihealth Southwoods Hospital and Medical Center’s Pulmonary Department.
Breathing happens automatically, but behind every breath is a complex system of organs working tirelessly to keep us alive.
Our Pulmonary Department in Laguna ensures that your lungs get the expert care they deserve in your recovery from illness, managing a chronic condition, or seeking preventative care.
Understanding How Your Lungs Work
Breathing 101
Breathing is something we do without thinking. But behind each inhale and exhale is a complex system keeping you alive.
Your lungs are spongy organs that bring in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. It’s a two-way street that fuels every cell in your body.
What Healthy Lungs Do Every Day
Your lungs work constantly to filter the air, exchange gases, and protect your body from pollutants. They adjust automatically whether you’re sleeping, walking, or laughing. That’s why keeping them healthy is crucial to your overall well-being.
Common Lung Conditions
Protecting your lungs means understanding these conditions and acting early when symptoms arise.
Asthma and Allergy-Triggered Issues
Asthma can turn a deep breath into a struggle. Triggered by allergens, stress, or weather, asthma inflames the airways and narrows your breathing passages.
USHMC provides different asthma treatment in Laguna that can help manage your condition.
COPD and Chronic Conditions
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) includes illnesses like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These conditions worsen over time and make breathing harder without proper management. Here at USHMC, we provide the best COPD treatment in Biñan, including our emhysema treatment for your ailment.
Sleep Apnea and Breathing at Night
Sleep apnea causes breathing to stop and start during sleep. This can result in poor rest and long-term cardiovascular issues. Thankfully, modern therapy options can help you sleep better and breathe easier. Additionally, USHMC also helps with sleep apnea diagnosis in Laguna and other nearby areas for your lung health.
Moreover, USHMC also offers other rehabilitation therapy services for other conditions, injuries, and disorders.
When Breathing Becomes Difficult
The sooner you seek medical help, the better your chances of managing a respiratory condition effectively. Early diagnosis prevents complications and offers a path to better health.
Why Respiratory Care Matters
Respiratory conditions can severely impact your quality of life. Fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort are just a few signs that your lungs may be struggling.
Lung diseases are in the top 10 causes of death among Filipinos. Early and accurate diagnosis followed by structured therapy can extend life expectancy and improve daily functioning.
Signs You Need to See a Pulmonologist
Don’t ignore persistent coughing, shortness of breath, or wheezing. These symptoms may indicate something deeper. If walking upstairs leaves you gasping or your chest feels tight, our pulmonologists in Laguna can help you find the root cause.
The Pulmonary Department at Unihealth-Southwoods Hospital
At Unihealth Southwoods Hospital, our Pulmonary Unit provides high-level respiratory care through specialized diagnostic tools and treatments tailored to every patient’s condition.
Expert-Led, Patient-Centered Care
The Pulmonary Department at USHMC is built around you. Their expert team offers evaluations, therapy, and specialized support tailored to your needs.
A Commitment to Breathing Better Equipped with advanced tools and a compassionate approach, the department focuses on treating various respiratory conditions for patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors.
Diagnostic Services Offered
Arterial Blood Gas Analysis
This test measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood, along with pH and bicarbonate levels. It offers insight into how well your lungs are functioning.
It’s essential for:
- Diagnosing respiratory failure
- Adjusting oxygen therapy
- Assessing acid-base imbalances
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT)
PFTs assess how much air your lungs can hold and how effectively you move air in and out.
It’s vital for:
- Diagnosing asthma, COPD, and interstitial lung disease
- Monitoring disease progression
- Measuring treatment effectiveness
Incentive Spirometer Monitoring
This tool helps patients regain lung strength post-surgery or illness. It encourages deep breaths, preventing complications like pneumonia.
It’s relevant because it:
- Prevents lung complications after surgery
- Improves lung capacity
- Supports recovery from respiratory illnesses
USHMC also offers Specialized Treatments like Endoscopy that may also help diagnose respiratory conditions such as lung infections, tumors, blockages, and other abnormalities within the airways and lungs.
Advanced Respiratory Therapies
BiPAP and CPAP for Airway Support
These machines are often used for sleep apnea or other breathing difficulties. BiPAP delivers different pressure levels for inhaling and exhaling, while CPAP maintains a constant flow to keep airways open.
USHMC offers reliable CPAP machine therapy in the Philippines to help with your condition.
They’re important since they:
- Keep airways open during sleep
- Prevent breathing interruptions
- Improve rest and oxygen levels
Aerosol Therapy (Nebulization)
Nebulization delivers medicine in mist form straight into the lungs. The fine mist allows for quicker absorption and faster relief.
It’s commonly used for:
- Asthma
- COPD
- Cystic fibrosis
High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy (HFNC)
HFNC provides a steady stream of warm, humidified oxygen. It improves oxygenation, clears carbon dioxide more effectively, and provides comfort during respiratory distress.
It’s used to:
- Enhance oxygen delivery
- Help remove CO₂
- Support patients in respiratory distress without intubation
Mechanical Ventilation for Critical Patients
In cases of severe respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation keeps oxygen moving through the lungs when the body can’t do it alone. Our Pulmonary Unit in Biñan is equipped for neonatal, pediatric, and adult ventilation.
It’s typically used in critical care for:
- Severe pneumonia
- ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)
- Post-surgical recovery
Chest Physiotherapy
Chest physiotherapy helps loosen mucus and clear the lungs. It involves gentle percussion or vibrations and is especially helpful for patients with infections or long-term lung problems.
This therapy helps patients:
- Clear mucus buildup
- Improve breathing comfort
- Prevent infections
Simple Tips for Everyday Breathing
- Avoid smoking or secondhand smoke.
- Practice deep breathing exercises.
- Stay active with regular physical activity.
- Get vaccinated against flu and pneumonia.
Benefits of Early Detection and Treatment
Acting early prevents:
- Irreversible lung damage
- Escalation of chronic conditions
- Emergency interventions
Proper diagnosis leads to targeted treatments, which means fewer hospital visits and better day-to-day comfort.
Conclusion
Your lungs do so much, day in and day out. Keeping them strong means living a fuller, more active life.
With expert diagnostics, advanced therapies, and compassionate care, our lung health clinic in the Philippines is your partner in better breathing. Whether it’s a minor issue or a major concern, help is just a breath away. For any of your lung health concerns, schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist today!
FAQs
1. What symptoms should I look out for?
Watch for persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest discomfort.
2. How often should I get a pulmonary check-up?
Annually if you’re at risk or immediately when symptoms appear.
3. Is nebulization safe for daily use?
Yes, when prescribed by a doctor for chronic conditions.
4. Are chest physiotherapy sessions painful?
No. Most patients find it relaxing. It helps loosen mucus to make coughing easier.
5. How do I prepare for my first pulmonary visit?
Avoid caffeine and smoking beforehand. Bring past test results and be ready to discuss symptoms.
Reference: https://psa.gov.ph/content/2024-causes-death-philippines-provisional-31-march-2025
