EXPERT
Dr. Delbert H. Meyer, MD
Pulmonologist
Dr. Delbert Meyer practices Pulmonology in Carmichael, CA. A pulmonologist is a physician who possesses specialized knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary conditions and diseases. Dr. Meyer manages patients who need life support and mechanical ventilation, and is specially trained in diseases and conditions of the chest, particularly pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema, and complicated chest infections.
62 years
Experience
Dr. Delbert H. Meyer, MD
- Carmichael, CA
- Univ of Ks Sch of Med, Kansas City Ks
- Accepting new patients
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Is it better to sit or lie down when you have trouble breathing?
It depends on what you consider trouble. If you have heart disease and maybe in congestive failure, sit upright. If you're light headed as if passing out, lie down. With emphysema, READ MORE
It depends on what you consider trouble. If you have heart disease and maybe in congestive failure, sit upright. If you're light headed as if passing out, lie down. With emphysema, any position of comfort is OK.
Del Meyer, MD
Del Meyer, MD
What type of doctor treats respiratory issues?
Hello,
*Respiratory* doctors treat respiratory issues. The related technical specialty still uses the term *Respiratory* Therapist. We have 5 names: *Thoracic physicians* was READ MORE
Hello,
*Respiratory* doctors treat respiratory issues. The related technical specialty still uses the term *Respiratory* Therapist. We have 5 names: *Thoracic physicians* was used in the 1900s. It's still retained by the Thoracic Surgeons the surgical specialty that operates on Lungs such as Cancer, other tumors, etc. Today we are called *Pulmonologist* and treat shortness of breath and the entire gamut of lung diseases. Hence, we're also called *Lung Docs.* Another related technical specialty is Pulmonary Function Tech, those that do pulmonary function testing to measure lung function.
*Respiratory* doctors treat respiratory issues. The related technical specialty still uses the term *Respiratory* Therapist. We have 5 names: *Thoracic physicians* was used in the 1900s. It's still retained by the Thoracic Surgeons the surgical specialty that operates on Lungs such as Cancer, other tumors, etc. Today we are called *Pulmonologist* and treat shortness of breath and the entire gamut of lung diseases. Hence, we're also called *Lung Docs.* Another related technical specialty is Pulmonary Function Tech, those that do pulmonary function testing to measure lung function.
What causes shortness of breath walking upstairs?
S of B at your age could be any of three different causes. The most likely is:
1. De-conditioning. (Out of shape) It you get S of B on one flight of stairs, try to two flights READ MORE
S of B at your age could be any of three different causes. The most likely is:
1. De-conditioning. (Out of shape) It you get S of B on one flight of stairs, try to two flights two or three times a day. Once this becomes easier, proceed to three flights two or three times a day. Then continue to proceed increasing every two or three weeks.
2) If your S of B is associated with nocturnal shortness, waking up during the night with S of B or ankle edema, cardiac causes should be suspected. An ECG should R/O a cardiac cause.
3) If your S of B is associated with wheezing or other noise in your chest, an evaluation with a CXR (chest X-ray) should be done to R/O pulmonary fibrosis or other lesions in the chest, with wheezing a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) would be needed for evaluation. Both of these can usually be done by most family physicians. Also, an urgent care center should be able to do them.
If this is primarily being out of shape from lack of conditioning, I have outlined a complete program in a Handbook for Total Body Re-Conditioning readily available under my name or the title on Amazon.
Best Wishes,
Del Meyer, MD
1. De-conditioning. (Out of shape) It you get S of B on one flight of stairs, try to two flights two or three times a day. Once this becomes easier, proceed to three flights two or three times a day. Then continue to proceed increasing every two or three weeks.
2) If your S of B is associated with nocturnal shortness, waking up during the night with S of B or ankle edema, cardiac causes should be suspected. An ECG should R/O a cardiac cause.
3) If your S of B is associated with wheezing or other noise in your chest, an evaluation with a CXR (chest X-ray) should be done to R/O pulmonary fibrosis or other lesions in the chest, with wheezing a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) would be needed for evaluation. Both of these can usually be done by most family physicians. Also, an urgent care center should be able to do them.
If this is primarily being out of shape from lack of conditioning, I have outlined a complete program in a Handbook for Total Body Re-Conditioning readily available under my name or the title on Amazon.
Best Wishes,
Del Meyer, MD
How long does it take to do a pulmonary function test?
About 5 to 25 minutes depending on what parameters are ordered. Spirometry: 5 minutes Flow volume loop 5 Lung volumes 15 Distribution studies: 10 minutes Lung diffusion 15 If using READ MORE
About 5 to 25 minutes depending on what parameters are ordered.
Spirometry: 5 minutes
Flow volume loop 5
Lung volumes 15
Distribution studies: 10 minutes
Lung diffusion 15
If using a body box, may take a lot longer.
It may take twice as long if the Pulmonary Function Tech doesn't know
his equations.
Del Meyer, MD
Pulmonologist
FATD Patient Questions wrote:
Spirometry: 5 minutes
Flow volume loop 5
Lung volumes 15
Distribution studies: 10 minutes
Lung diffusion 15
If using a body box, may take a lot longer.
It may take twice as long if the Pulmonary Function Tech doesn't know
his equations.
Del Meyer, MD
Pulmonologist
FATD Patient Questions wrote:
