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Southeast Lab Services, previously located at 62 Doctors’ Park, is now open at 60 Doctors’ Park, upper level. Office hours are Monday – Friday from 8am – 4:30 pm.

Pulmonology

Find a Provider

Pulmonology

Southeast Heart, Lung & Vascular Center

371 South Broadview Street
Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
573.331.6710

Southeast Pulmonology Clinic - Dexter

1300 N. One Mile Road
Suite 1
Dexter, MO 63841
573.331.7830

Southeast Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

1701 Lacey Street
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
573.331.7950

Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County

1200 N. One Mile Road
Dexter, MO 63841
573.624.5566

Southeast Pulmonology provides specialized care for adults with pulmonary and respiratory conditions, including sleep disorders.

Our team of breathing specialists includes board certified pulmonologists and respiratory therapists. We have the expertise to treat a full range of lung conditions, including asthma, lung nodules, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Because breathing issues often accompany other health problems, we work closely with SoutheastHEALTH surgeons and other specialists to ensure that you always receive the right care.

Our Pulmonology Services and Locations

We provide most of our pulmonology services in Cape Girardeau. We also see patients for consultations in our Dexter Outreach Clinic.

Learn how to avoid asthma flare-ups.

An asthma attack means your symptoms are worsening. See what happens. Reviewed 3/6/2023

What happens during an asthma attack

Find out what happens when your asthma flares up

Breathing is one activity that should be so easy that you don't have to think about it. You inhale, you exhale. It should be automatic. But that's not how it always works when you have asthma.

ASTHMA TRIGGERS

With asthma, your airways (tubes through which air flows in and out of your lungs) are supersensitive. They tend to be in a chronic state of redness and inflammation, and the tiniest things can aggravate them—things like pollen, dust, smoke, fumes and pet dander can trigger a full-blown asthma attack.

When you inhale one of your asthma triggers, it sets off a series of events.

First, the inflammation and redness in your airways worsen.

In reaction, the muscles that surround your airways tighten. Your airways—already narrowed by swelling—become even smaller. Airflow is restricted.

Another reaction to the aggravating trigger: Cells in your airways start producing more mucus than usual, further restricting the flow of air. You're now in the midst of an asthma attack.

An asthma flare-up can cause asthma symptoms to occur or worsen. These symptoms may include:

Wheezing. You may notice a whistling or squeaking sound that occurs when you breathe.

Coughing. You might cough more at night. You might also cough up mucus.

Shortness of breath. You may feel like you can't catch your breath or get air out of your lungs.

Chest tightness. It might feel like something is squeezing or sitting on your chest.

It's important to treat these symptoms as soon as you notice them.

HOW CAN YOU AVOID ASTHMA FLARE-UPS?

  • Identify your asthma triggers. Allergy tests can help with that. Once you know your triggers, you and your doctor can work out ways to avoid them.
  • Work with your doctor to make an asthma management plan. This plan will spell out what your medications are, when to use them and what to do when your asthma is worsening.

A peak flow meter is an important tool for asthma management. By using it regularly, you can stay on top of your symptoms and work to reduce them before they get out of control.

LEARN HOW TO USE A PEAK FLOW METER

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Our services include:

Lung disease diagnosis and treatment. Whether you need an asthma doctor or a COPD doctor, we can help. Our highly trained nurses are also available to assist you with questions about your asthma or COPD.

We also prescribe and perform lung function and imaging tests, such as spirometry and chest x-rays. You may need a diagnostic test like this if you have shortness of breath or a persistent cough, for instance.

Sleep medicine care. We see patients for sleep medicine consultations, order any needed tests and then create a treatment plan. Sleep tests are performed by the sleep technicians at SoutheastHEALTH’s Sleep Diagnostic Center. Learn more about our sleep lab and our home sleep studies.

Special procedures. We perform procedures such as bronchoscopy to look inside the lungs for problems. Our team is able to offer you EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) bronchoscopy, a minimally invasive diagnostic and biopsy technique.

Lung cancer screening. Low-dose CT scans are recommended for certain former or current smokers. There are a limited number of screenings available. Please call 800.800.5123 to register or learn more.

Endobronchial valve treatment for severe COPD. We are proud to offer groundbreaking technology to help patients with severe emphysema breathe better. This treatment does not require surgery. Instead, our team places a special valve inside the lungs using an endoscope that is inserted down the throat. The valve blocks the area of the lungs affected by emphysema. This helps the healthy part of the lung work better, improving quality of life.

SoutheastHEALTH is the only provider that offers the endobronchial valve procedure in our area.

Pulmonary rehabilitation. If you have chronic lung disease, our pulmonary rehabilitation program can help you make the most of every breath.

Pulmonary rehabilitation combines monitored exercise in a safe environment with education and support. We've earned certification by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Only a few programs have achieved this honor in our region.

Our team will design your rehabilitation program to help you achieve your personal goals.

Pulmonary rehab is available at Southeast Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Cape Girardeau by medical referral. Ask your provider if pulmonary rehabilitation is right for you.

Cardiothoracic Surgery

If your lung condition requires surgery, you're in good hands. SoutheastHEALTH's cardiothoracic surgeons have more than 70 years of combined experience. Procedures our team performs include:

  • Lung cancer surgery
  • Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)
  • Robot-assisted thoracic surgery
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Navigational bronchoscopy
  • Mediastinoscopy
  • Segmentectomy

Learn More or Make an Appointment

To schedule a pulmonology appointment, please call 573.331.7830.

To learn more about pulmonary rehab, please call 573.331.7950.