Patient Education

Isla Villanueva, would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

Isla Villanueva, provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Diaphragm Repair

The diaphragm is the muscle that stretches along the bottom of the rib cage. It plays a crucial role in respiration, and separates the heart and lungs from the stomach, liver, spleen and intestines (abdominal organs). If the diaphragm is herniated (has a hole in it), the abdominal organs can push upward through the hole and into the chest, interfering with breathing. A herniated diaphragm must be repaired immediately. ...

Lung Resection

Lung resection is a surgical procedure to remove all or a portion of a diseased lung. It is performed for several reasons, but the most common is for treatment of lung cancer. When lung resection is performed in the presence of early-stage lung cancer, the prognosis is much better than if the cancer has progressed. The type of lung resection performed depends on the severity of the condition. ...

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic respiratory disorder caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a material that was commonly used in construction, particularly in insulation and floor tiles, until the mid-1970s. Inhalation of its dust can cause scar tissue to form in the lungs, resulting in respiratory distress. Symptoms of asbestosis range from mild to severe, and usually do not appear until there has been prolonged exposure. The majority of patients with the disease acquired it on the job before federal regulations on its use were put into effect. Asbestosis cannot be cured, but it can be treated. ...

Lung Transplant

A lung transplant is a surgical procedure for treating advanced forms of lung disease that no longer respond to other treatments. A lung transplant involves partially or completely removing a patient's diseased lung, and replacing it with a healthy lung from a human donor. Sometimes, a patient receives a double-lung transplant. Healthy lungs can come from donors who are younger than 65, or brain dead but still on life support or, in cases of double-lung transplants, from two living donors, each of whom contributes one lung. ...

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) consists of individualized treatment programs designed to improve the health of and enhance quality of life for patients with chronic respiratory problems. Because breathing difficulties almost always result in anxiety, PR focuses on providing both physical and psychological relief. By combining medical therapy with several other techniques, pulmonary rehabilitation has proven effective in treating patients with all types of respiratory ailments. It is also an essential part of treatment, both before and after surgery, for patients undergoing lung operations. ...

Emphysema

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It occurs when the walls of the alveoli (the air sacs in the lungs) become damaged, resulting in the development of large pockets. When this happens, respiratory function is impaired and the level of oxygen in the bloodstream decreases. Emphysema is usually caused by smoking or other environmental factors. Although it can be managed with treatment, it cannot be cured because the damage to the alveoli is irreversible. ...

Asthma

Asthma is a condition in which the lungs and air passages become inflamed and constricted, interfering with normal breathing. During the first stage of an asthmatic response, inhaled allergens or other irritants cause the airways to constrict. During the second stage, an inflammatory response causes the airways to swell, and fill with thickened, sticky mucus. During an attack, patients have increasing difficulty in breathing, and usually make the wheezing sound typically associated with asthma. Although life-threatening, asthma can usually be well-controlled with medication. ...

Atelectasis

Atelectasis is a collapse of part or all of a lung as a result of a blockage in one of the bronchi, the tubes that carry air from the trachea to lung tissue. A blockage may be caused by a number of factors, including a buildup of mucus or fluid in the airways. The blockage can also be caused externally to the bronchi by a tumor or a lymph node. It is a common occurrence for a patient who has had surgery or was recently released from the hospital. ...

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy is a test performed to view and diagnose lung disease, or problems in the bronchial tubes. It is performed using a bronchoscope, a device used to view the interior of the lungs. The doctor inserts the long tube of the bronchoscope through the patient's nose or mouth, into the trachea and then into the lungs. Bronchoscopy is usually recommended for a patient showing signs of lung disease. ...

Chest-Tube Placement

Chest-tube placement (thoracostomy) is a surgical procedure in which a tube is inserted into the chest to act as a drain. The tube drains blood, fluid or air from the pleural space (the area between the inner and outer linings of the lung), enabling the lungs to fully expand. It can be performed as an independent procedure or in conjunction with heart surgery. ...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease in which a continual obstruction of the airways causes difficulty in breathing. The term "COPD" refers to both emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis. Seventy-five percent of those afflicted with COPD are cigarette smokers. In some cases, however, COPD is caused by environmental irritants, such as air pollution and chemical fumes. It is a common cause of death in the United States. ...

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that initially affects the lungs. Most people become infected with histoplasmosis by breathing in fungal spores from soil or material that has been contaminated with bird or bat droppings. People with weakened immune systems are more at risk for developing histoplasmosis, as are farmers, construction workers, landscapers and poultry workers. In the United States, it is widespread in the Mississippi, Missouri, St. Lawrence and Ohio River Valleys. ...

Lung Biopsy

A lung biopsy is a procedure in which a small piece of tissue is removed from a lung, and then examined microscopically to determine the presence or absence of damage or disease. There are several types of lung biopsies: Bronchoscopic and needle biopsies are usually performed under mild sedation; open biopsy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and mediastinoscopy, because they require incisions, are performed under general anesthesia. ...

Lung Cancer

Although one of the most preventable types of cancer, lung cancer kills more people each year than colon, prostate, lymph and breast cancers combined. Lung cancer is always treatable, however, regardless of whether or how far it has spread.

Most lung cancer deaths can be prevented through lifestyle changes, including stopping smoking. Smoke is filled with carcinogens that damage the lungs' cells, eventually causing them to behave abnormally. Because the lungs are full of blood vessels, lung cancer can easily spread to other areas of the body, often before symptoms arise. The vast majority of lung cancer is caused by smoking. ...

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect the cells of any of the body's organs. A common disease, sarcoidosis can be found in people of any age, race or gender. It typically affects African-Americans, specifically African-American women, and people of Scandinavian descent. In 90 percent of cases, sarcoidosis affects the lungs. In other cases, the following body parts are affected: ...

Single-Incision Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Single-incision video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SIVATS) is a minimally invasive way of diagnosing and treating problems in the chest. In many cases, it is used as an alternative not only to traditional open surgery (thoracotomy), but to multiple-incision video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. SIVATS is used for lung, diaphragmatic and pleural biopsies, as well as for lung resections and anti-reflux procedures, and requires an incision that is only slightly longer than an inch. ...

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection. Although it primarily affects the lungs, it can attack other parts of the body, including the kidneys, spine, brain and bones. There are two classifications of tuberculosis: latent and active. People with latent TB are asymptomatic and not contagious. They are, however, in danger of developing active TB. Those infected with active TB develop symptoms, and are in danger of infecting others. Although the number of reported cases of tuberculosis in the United States has declined annually over the years, it is still a serious problem in other parts of the world. ...

Legionnaires' Disease

Legionnaires' disease is a virulent form of pneumonia, which is an inflammation of the lungs resulting from infection. Also known as "legionella," Legionnaires' disease is caused by a bacterium known as Legionella bacterium. This bacterium also causes Pontiac fever, a milder illness with flu-like symptoms. Both illnesses are also referred to as "legionellosis." Pontiac fever usually clears on its own; Legionnaires' disease, if not properly treated, can be fatal. ...

Thoracotomy

Thoracotomy is an incision into the pleural space, which is the space between the membranes surrounding the lungs and chest cavity. Performed to correct a problem in one of the lungs, thoracotomy allows the surgeon to see into the lung, and determine exactly how extensive a repair is needed or how much tissue needs to be removed. If thoracotomy is performed to treat lung cancer, nearby lymph nodes may also be removed to determine if the malignancy has spread. Depending on the extent of the problem and the condition of the patient, thoracotomy is performed laparoscopically or as open surgery. ...

Silicosis

Silicosis is a disabling lung disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline-sized silica dust. People who work in mining, sandblasting and other jobs that expose them to mineral-based ore are at risk for developing it. There are three types of silicosis: chronic, accelerated and acute. Silicosis is often fatal. ...

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis develops when a buildup of damaged or scarred lung tissue stiffens the lungs' air sacs, making breathing more difficult. Pulmonary fibrosis is often caused by exposure to occupational and environmental elements, or to radiation; the taking of certain medications; and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When it develops with no specific cause, it is classified as "idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis." ...

Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of one or more arteries in the lungs. It is most often caused by a blood clot that travels to the lungs from another part of the body. Blood clots usually form in the veins of the legs or arms, but can dislodge and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. Although a pulmonary embolism is not usually fatal, it is a complication of deep vein thrombosis, and can be life-threatening. ...

Spirometry

Spirometry is a pulmonary examination used to diagnose conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It measures the amount of air the lungs can hold, as well as how fast they can expel air. During spirometry, a patient breathes through a tube attached to a spirometer, which calculates and records results. ...

Endotracheal Intubation

Endotracheal intubation is a procedure that involves the placement of a flexible tube into the trachea (windpipe) to open the airways. The tube is most often inserted through the mouth during emergency situations, but it can also be inserted through the nose. Endotracheal intubation can help remove blockages and increase oxygen levels; it is also used to administer medication or anesthesia. Most often, it is performed to ventilate the lungs of critically ill patients. ...

Venous Thrombectomy

Venous thrombectomy is the surgical removal of a clot within a large vein. This type of clot usually develops as a complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a common but serious condition in which a clot develops in a vein deep within the body. DVT causes vein damage, resulting in impeded blood flow. Although DVT is often asymptomatic, if the clot detaches and travels to the lungs, pulmonary embolism, which is potentially fatal, can develop. Venous thrombectomy is generally viewed as a treatment of last resort, and is sometimes performed only when a patient already has a pulmonary embolism. ...