A cough that will not go away, wheezing at night or getting breathless on the stairs can slowly affect sleep, work and daily life. Many people put off seeing a doctor because the symptoms seem mild at first. But lung problems such as asthma, COPD and infections are easier to manage when they are found early.
A pulmonologist in Chennai can find the cause of breathing problems, test how well the lungs are working and plan treatment. At Prashanth Hospitals, lung specialists care for children, adults and older people with a wide range of breathing conditions.
What is Pulmonology?
Pulmonology is the branch of medicine that deals with the lungs and airways. It covers breathing problems, airway diseases and lung infections. This includes asthma, COPD, pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), sleep apnea, allergy related breathing problems and lung recovery after viral infections such as COVID.
Who is a Pulmonologist?
A pulmonologist is a doctor trained to diagnose and treat lung and breathing problems. They see people with long term cough, wheezing, chest congestion, breathlessness and snoring with pauses in breathing at night.
To understand what is happening in the lungs, a pulmonologist may use:
- A chest X ray
- A pulmonary function test (PFT), a breathing test that measures how well the lungs move air
- A CT scan of the chest for a detailed view
- An oxygen level check with a finger clip (pulse oximeter)
- Bronchoscopy, where a thin flexible tube with a camera is passed into the airways
Repeated chest infections, noisy breathing or breathlessness that does not settle are good reasons to see a lung specialist in Chennai.
Pulmonologists in Chennai at Prashanth Hospitals
The pulmonology department at Prashanth Hospitals cares for people with long term lung conditions, lung infections and serious breathing problems that need intensive care. Each doctor’s qualifications and areas of care are given below.
Dr. Kapali Siva K
- Qualifications: MBBS, DTCD, DNB
- Experience: 15 years
- Designation: Senior Consultant, Department of Pulmonology
- Areas of care: Interventional pulmonology, bronchoscopy, airway diseases, lung infections, breathing disorders
About the Doctor
Dr. Kapali Siva K is a pulmonologist in Chennai whose work includes interventional pulmonology. He performs bronchoscopy and other airway procedures to find and treat problems inside the lungs, and he manages asthma, COPD, long term cough and lung infections. He explains each test and treatment step to patients and their families.
Dr. M. Deepa Selvi
- Qualifications: MBBS, DA, MD (Respiratory Medicine)
- Experience: 10 years
- Designation: Consultant, Department of Pulmonology
- Areas of care: Respiratory diseases, critical respiratory care, asthma, COPD, lung infections
About the Doctor
Dr. M. Deepa Selvi is a pulmonologist in Chennai with training in respiratory medicine and anaesthesia. She treats asthma, COPD, bronchitis and lung infections, and cares for patients with severe breathing problems who need intensive care support.
Lung Conditions Treated by Pulmonologists
- Asthma: Swelling and narrowing of the airways that causes wheezing, cough and breathlessness, often triggered by dust, smoke or cold air
- COPD: Long term lung damage, usually from smoking or smoke exposure, that makes breathing harder over time
- Bronchitis: Swelling of the airways that causes cough with mucus
- Pneumonia: An infection that fills the air sacs in the lungs with fluid
- Tuberculosis (TB): A bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs and needs a full course of medicines
- Breathlessness after COVID or other viral infections
- Allergy related breathing problems
- Sleep apnea: Breathing stops and starts during sleep, often with loud snoring and daytime tiredness
- Smoker’s cough and repeated chest infections
Lung Care Services at Prashanth Hospitals
Lung care at Prashanth Hospitals includes tests, treatment and follow up for long term and sudden breathing problems.
Tests and procedures:
- Pulmonary function test (PFT)
- High resolution CT chest
- Chest X ray
- Bronchoscopy
- Allergy testing
- Sleep study
Treatment and support:
- Inhaler and nebuliser treatment
- Oxygen therapy
- CPAP and BiPAP breathing support
- Respiratory physiotherapy
- Help to stop smoking
- Intensive care for severe breathing problems
Services may differ by branch, so please confirm before visiting.
When to See a Lung Specialist in Chennai
It is a good idea to see a pulmonologist for:
- Breathing problems that do not settle: Cough, wheezing or breathlessness that lasts more than 3 weeks
- Long term lung conditions: Asthma, COPD or lung allergies that need a clear plan and regular review
- Recovery after infection: Ongoing cough or breathlessness after pneumonia, TB or COVID
- Sleep related breathing problems: Loud snoring, pauses in breathing at night or daytime sleepiness
- Chest discomfort with cough: To check for infection, fluid around the lungs or inflammation
- Regular follow up: Tracking a long term lung condition over time
Seek emergency care straight away for severe breathlessness, blue lips or fingertips, coughing up blood, chest pain or confusion.
Simple Steps to Protect Lung Health
- Stop smoking and avoid second hand smoke
- Reduce exposure to dust, smoke and cooking fumes where possible
- Take inhalers exactly as prescribed, even when feeling well
- Keep vaccinations up to date, including flu and pneumonia vaccines when advised by the doctor
- Stay active within comfortable limits, as advised by the care team
Conclusion
The lungs work every moment of the day, and early care can make breathing problems easier to manage. Even a cough that lingers or mild breathlessness deserves attention, especially in older people, young children and those with allergies. Seeing a pulmonologist in Chennai helps find the cause and plan the right treatment. At Prashanth Hospitals, lung specialists offer tests, treatment and follow up for a wide range of breathing conditions.
