Our Respiratory Specialist Services

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    Respiratory Specialist Services

    If you are experiencing a persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and/or chest pain, tightness or discomfort, you may be experiencing a respiratory disorder. The presence of any of these symptoms over a period of time requires medical assessment. Chest pain in particular often warrants urgent assessment in an emergency department.

    If you require diagnosis and treatment for a respiratory disorder, the qualified and experienced specialists at Manse Medical will provide you with a high level of respiratory care services. Manse Medical supports healthcare providers to improve the level of care for people with respiratory disease in our region. Not only do they do this by helping to make respiratory testing readily available, but they also achieve this by providing a professional opinion on diagnosis and treatment options and specialist services when required.​

    What does a respiratory specialist do?

    Respiratory specialists use their knowledge and expertise to identify symptoms and diagnose disorders in the respiratory system. In order to do this, the specialist will conduct rigorous tests that assess the patient’s respiratory system in order to monitor its condition and determine any signs of respiratory disease.

    Once a respiratory disorder has been identified, the specialist then recommends a course of treatment that will help alleviate the symptoms, as well as any subsequent discomfort, and provide the patient with a new quality of life.

    What conditions can a respiratory specialist diagnose?

    A respiratory specialist is qualified to diagnose a wide range of disorders that are prevalent in our region, including:

    Asthma

    Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus, making different tasks such as physical activity and even the act of breathing difficult.

    Hay fever

    Hay fever is an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens (such as pollen, dust mites, or tiny flecks of skin and saliva shed by cats, dogs, and other animals with fur or feathers) that causes cold-like signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure.

    Cigarette smoking-related lung problems

    Cigarette smoking-related lung problems (i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, where prolonged exposure to lung-damaging irritants such as cigarette smoke cause chronic lung illnesses such as bronchitis and emphysema).

    Lung cancer

    Lung cancer, in which abnormal cells grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way, beginning in the lungs and potentially spreading to other organs or lymph nodes in the body.

    Lung infection

    Lung infection, in which bacteria, fungi or a virus afflict the bronchial tubes of the lungs; causing symptoms such as a cough that produces thick mucus, stabbing chest pains, fever, body aches, runny nose, shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing, skin discolouration and discomfort in the lungs.

    Inflammation in the lung

    Inflammation in the lung, which results in general discomfort as well as strong breathing difficulties.

    Asbestos-related respiratory problems

    Asbestos-related respiratory problems, in which the inhalation of asbestos fibers causes scarring in both the lungs and the pleural membrane (the lining that surrounds the lungs), resulting in difficult breathing, a cough, lung damage, and an enlarged heart in severe cases

    What kinds of lung function tests can a respiratory specialist conduct?

    The purpose of a lung functions test (also known as a pulmonary test) is to determine how well your lungs and airways operate, by measuring the amount of air you breathe in and breathe out. From there, the specialist can identify any symptoms that suggest a patient may be afflicted with a respiratory disorder.

    At Manse Medical Centre, our respiratory testing services include a range of lung function tests. These options include:

    • Spirometry requires the patient to breathe into a device called a spirometer. Typically, this involves taking a breath in as big as they can, and breathing out as hard and fast as possible. A spirometry test is usually performed while seated at least 3 times and takes approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.
    • DLCO Gas Transfer involves taking a deep breath in, holding that breath for approximately 10 seconds, and then breathing the air out.
    • Lung Volume Tests are conducted at our centre with the patient seated in an airtight chamber, known as a body box. Our respiratory specialist communicates with the patient through an intercom, instructing them on how to breathe during the test.
    • Bronchial Provocation Tests are particularly useful in the diagnosis of asthma by mimicking the process where you’re exposed to potential triggers. This requires the patient to inhale a powder called Mannitol and perform spirometry after each dose. Lung function will be assessed after each dose is administered to measure if any changes have occurred.
    • 6 Minute Walk Test, where patients walk at a normal pace for six minutes, where our specialist will monitor the response to any potential lung, heart and other health issues.

    What should I do once I have booked an appointment with a respiratory specialist?

    Part of the respiratory testing requires us to measure the effects of bronchodilator medication. As a result, there are certain medications that you should avoid prior to the appointment in order to ensure the efficacy of our respiratory testing.

    Please ensure that you obtain your doctor’s permission to withhold these medications prior to your visit to the centre. Your safety is our utmost priority.

    Avoid the following medications twelve hours prior to your appointment at the centre:
    • Alvesco
    • Anoro
    • Breo
    • Bretaris
    • Brimica
    • Flixotide
    • Flutiform
    • Incruse
    • Onbrez
    • Oxis
    • Seebri
    • Seretide
    • Serevent
    • Spiolto
    • Spiriva
    • Symbicort
    • Ultibro
    Avoid the following medications four hours prior to your appointment at the centre:
    • Airomir
    • Asmol
    • Atrovent
    • Bricanyl
    • Ventolin

    Where should I go for a respiratory specialist?

    Manse Medical is the premier respiratory and sleep medical centre in Melbourne, Western Victoria, as well as South-East South Australia. We aim to provide the highest level of care for patients with respiratory and sleep disorders throughout Melbourne.

    Our experienced team of respiratory specialists will help you identify and treat any respiratory and associated sleep problems causing you discomfort. Book your appointment online by selecting your preferred location and then choosing from the list of available specialists.

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