Expertly Treating a Wide Array of Pulmonary Conditions

For specialized pulmonary disease treatment near you, rely on the team of experts at West Coast Pulmonary & Sleep Disorders Center. Since our clinic’s founding in 2004, we’ve treated more than 10,000 satisfied patients and become the premier pulmonary care provider in Ventura County. When you turn to us for assistance with a pulmonary condition, you can expect to receive highly individualized treatment recommendations and an unparalleled care experience.

Pulmonary Conditions Treated

From asthma to lung cancer and everything in between, the board-certified providers at West Coast Pulmonary & Sleep Disorders Center have experience treating a wide range of diseases affecting the lungs. Some of the most common pulmonary conditions we see include

Asthma

A chronic (long-term) lung disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways (bronchi). These airways are tubes or passages that carry air into and out of the lungs. People with asthma have inflamed airways and excessive production of mucus which causes chest tightness, shortness of breath (dyspnea), and coughing.

Certain substances and conditions, such as dust, pollen, animal dander, cold or humid air, upper respiratory infections, or stress may trigger an asthmatic attack. When the airways react the muscles around them tighten. This causes the airways to narrow and less air flows to the lungs.

Asthma frequently develops in childhood and is the most common cause of chronic illness in children. In the United States more than 22 million people are known to have asthma with 6 million being children.

Effective medications are available to help control and treat asthma. Patients who work closely with their physicians are able to manage the disease effectively and live relatively healthy and active lives.

Chronic Bronchitis

A chronic (long-term) lung disease with inflammation of the airways (bronchi) which results in increased production of mucus. It is described as a persistent cough that produces phlegm and mucus for at least three months in two consecutive years. The main symptoms are cough with expectoration (spitting out of mucus), breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness, and swelling of the lower extremities.

Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. Other contributors may be bacterial or viral infections, or environmental pollution.
Management includes smoking cessation and regular use of bronchodilators and other pulmonary medications.

COPD

Persistent, progressive obstruction of the airways occurring with emphysema, chronic bronchitis or both. Airflow though the airways within the lungs is partially blocked, resulting in difficulty breathing. As the inflammation gets worse, the airways (bronchi) fill with mucus making it harder for air to flow. Symptoms develop slowly and often worsen over time. Symptoms include a cough that produces large amounts of mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, along with other symptoms.
COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and Canada. The leading risk factor for COPD is smoking. COPD can also cause high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) which can lead to heart disease. There is no cure for COPD and the damage caused to the airways and lungs cannot be reversed.

Treatments and lifestyle changes can help patients remain more active and slow the progress of the disease.

We partner with tertiary centers for co-management.

Chronic Cough

A Chronic Cough is a cough that lasts 8 weeks or longer.

Chronic Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure is the lung’s inability to take in the oxygen the body needs or remove the carbon dioxide the body produces. The blood and other bodily fluids become too acidic, which is why respiratory failure can also be called respiratory acidosis. There are two types of respiratory failure: Hypoxemia refers to the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, and Hypercapnia refers to the excess of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. We partner with tertiary centers for co-management.

Emphysema

A chronic (long-term) lung disease usually seen in patients with longstanding smoking histories. Lung inflammation destroys the walls of the air sacs which causes them to lose elasticity . Air becomes trapped in the air sacs and interferes with the patient’s ability to exhale.

The main symptoms are shortness of breath (dyspnea), breathing difficulty and reduced capacity for physical activity, cough, fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss.
Smoking accounts for 85% of people who die from emphysema. Quitting smoking can slow the disease down, however, a large part of the disease process is not reversible.

Treatment generally consists of preventative measures such as smoking cessation and flu vaccinations in addition to bronchodilators and other pulmonary medications. Advanced emphysema may be treated with oxygen therapy.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

This disorder is believed to be an autoimmune phenomenon of the body attacking the lung tissue which results in scarring of the lungs. Patients with this disease will have gradually progressive shortness of breath, cough, and abnormal breath sounds called “crackles.” Patients may be thought to have congestive heart failure or pneumonia, however, they do not respond to treatments for those diseases.

A CT scan may show the features of scarring. The diagnosis is confirmed by a lung biopsy generally performed by a thoracic surgeon. Treatment involves prednisone to suppress the autoimmune process. In patients who do not respond to prednisone additional chemotherapy or immunosuppressant agents may be used.

We partner with tertiary centers for co-management.

Lung Cancer & Tumors

Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. If you are a current or former smoker we will ensure that annual screening for lung cancer is up to date per guidelines. We will also support you in overcoming your tobacco addiction so that you can enjoy the benefits of better health. We partner with tertiary centers for co-management.

Occupational Lung Disease

Lung conditions can develop as a result of inhaling harmful substances at work. Occupational lung diseases are the most common work-related illness in the United States. Fortunately, many of these diseases are preventable or controllable with proper treatment.

Inhaling certain substances can damage the airways and lungs and cause or worsen conditions such as asthma, asbestosis, lung cancer, emphysema, bronchitis, and others. Repeated and long-term exposure to certain irritants can lead to an array of lung diseases that may have lasting effects, even after exposure ceases.

We partner with tertiary centers for co-management.

Pneumonia

An infection of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or other organisms. Aspiration pneumonia is caused by breathing in vomit, fumes or other substances. This type of pneumonia cannot be spread to other people. Pneumonia can range from mild to severe, even fatal. The severity of the disease depends on the type of organism causing the infection, as well as the general health of the patient.

The most common symptoms are shortness of breath (dyspnea), chest pain especially when breathing in, cough, shallow rapid breathing, fever and chills. Coughs usually bring up mucous (sputum). Pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics.

Pulmonary Hypertension

A rare lung disorder in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries (the blood vessels that feed the lungs) rises far above normal levels. Over time, the increased pressure damages both the large and small pulmonary arteries. When the vessels are no longer able to transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide normally between the blood and the lungs the levels of oxygen in the blood may fall.

Other disorders may cause pulmonary hypertension such as congestive heart failure, malfunction of the heart valves or congenital heart diseases (heart problems at birth). Lung disorders such as COPD or emphysema, fibrosis of the lung, pulmonary embolism (blood clots to the lung) and obstructive sleep apnea can cause pulmonary hypertension. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing with activity, chest pain, lightheadedness or fainting.

Treatment involves treating the underlying cause, however, frequently this disease cannot be cured and may worsen.

We partner with tertiary centers for co-management.

Sarcoidosis

This disease results from a specific type of inflammation of tissues in the body. It can appear in almost any body organ, but it starts most often in the lungs or lymph nodes. 90% of patients with sarcoidosis have lung involvement. The cause is unknown, although it is theorized that it may be an autoimmune disease.

Shortness of breath (dyspnea) and chronic cough may be the first symptoms, but sarcoidosis can begin suddenly with the appearance of skin rashes or red bumps on the face, arms, or shins or inflammation of the eyes. It is not unusual for the patient to experience weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, and fever.

Although sarcoidosis occurs in all races and both genders, the most susceptible populations seem to be of African-American, Scandinavian, German, Irish, or Puerto Rican origin. Some patients require prolonged treatment with prednisone.

We partner with tertiary centers for co-management.

Get the Care You Need

If you’d like to speak with one of the pulmonary specialists at our clinic, contact West Coast Pulmonary & Sleep Disorders Center today. We have offices in Oxnard and Camarillo, and we’d be happy to set up an appointment at whichever location is most convenient for you. Both offices are open on weekdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and if you require prompt attention for a pulmonary condition, you’ll be glad to know that we have same- and next-day availability. And for patients outside our area or those who find it difficult to attend an in-person appointment, we’re pleased to offer state-of-the-art telemedicine services.

Pulmonology & Sleep Disorder Specialists You Can Rely On

When you need top-notch pulmonology care or treatment for a sleep disorder, we’re the specialist you can trust. We provide state-of-the-art diagnostics, comprehensive treatment, and patient-centric service.

Meet Our Team

The experienced team of medical providers at West Coast Pulmonary & Sleep Disorders Center is here to provide you with top-notch care that goes above and beyond to meet your needs. All of our providers are board-certified in internal medicine and many also hold additional board certifications in pulmonary disease, sleep medicine, and critical care medicine. Our bilingual staff can speak English and Spanish for our patients’ convenience.