Pulmonology (Lungs)

If you have obstructive sleep apnea and difficulty with continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, therapy, upper airway stimulation therapy is an alternative option available in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It's the only obstructive sleep apnea treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration that works inside the body with a click of a button.

Upper airway stimulation therapy involves implanting a small device under the skin in the upper chest during a short outpatient procedure. The device, which monitors breathing while you sleep, delivers mild stimulation when needed to keep your upper airway open. Simply press the button on the remote to activate the monitoring device when you're ready for bed. While sleeping, the device opens your airway to allow for normal breathing and a peaceful night's rest.

How is the upper airway stimulation procedure done?

In a same-day procedure, the upper airway stimulation device is inserted just under the skin with three small incisions:

• In the lower chest to place the breathing sensor
• In the upper chest to place the device
• Under the chin to place a small cuff on the nerve that controls the tongue

Who is eligible for upper airway stimulation therapy?

You must meet certain criteria to be considered for upper airway stimulation therapy:

• 18 or older
• Failure or intolerance of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy
• Body mass index below 35
• Apnea hypopnea index between 15 and 65
• Other testing procedures completed to confirm eligibility for treatment

Patients receiving upper airway stimulation therapy will receive treatment and care by specialists in Pulmonology and Ear, Nose & Throat (Otorhinolaryngology).

Lung screening looks for signs of early-stage lung cancer in otherwise healthy people when it's more likely to be curable.

This is a noninvasive test that can measure how well your lungs work to help diagnose chest or lung disease.

Pulmonary rehabilitation can help with lifestyle changes to improve your health and reduce the risk of future health problems if you have a history of chronic lung disease.

A pulse oximeter assesses your breathing by measuring your heart rate and the oxygen saturation of arterial blood. It's sometimes called "pulse ox." You may have seen hospitalized patients wearing a plastic clip with a light attached to their finger.

Pulse oximetry is provided on an outpatient basis by respiratory therapists in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in addition to Barron, Bloomer and Osseo. That means you can have this simple screening test overnight in your own home.

Pulse oximetry screening:

• Assesses your home oxygen use
• Evaluates your oxygen levels on room air

After your home assessment is completed, you'll return the pulse oximeter to Respiratory Care the next day. You'll follow up with your primary care provider after results are interpreted by a pulmonologist. You may be referred for sleep evaluation with a pulmonologist or neurologist, evaluation by a pulmonologist for nonsleep-related causes or home oxygen may be arranged for you.

Lung cancer can be detected at the earliest stages with advanced technology and robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. Pulmonologists use a bronchoscopy to examine your lungs, obtain samples of mucus or tissue, biopsy nodules to check for cancer, remove foreign bodies or to provide treatment for lung problems.

The benefits of robotic-assisted bronchoscopy include:

• There are no incisions, so there's a lower risk of infection.
• With robotic technology, the bronchoscopy scopes are smaller and more flexible than standard scopes. Using a CT scan of your lungs, the pulmonologist can navigate the complex, interwoven network of airway passages with increased precision to reach nodules, even when they're touching critical organs like the heart, to get bigger tissue samples.
• Lung nodules can be reached and biopsied that previously couldn't, eliminating the watch-and-wait approach, providing you with answers the same day as your procedure.
• You need only one procedure and anesthetic to receive a diagnosis and stage of the lung disease, decreasing time from diagnosis to treatment, so you can receive the care you need faster.

Watch this video to learn more about the advantages of robotic bronchoscopy.

Watch this video to learn what to expect during a robotic bronchoscopy procedure.

• Overnight sleep oximetry
• Polysomnogram
• Pulmonary function testing
• Radiology exams, such as chest X-ray and CT scan

Lung screening is available for people with the greatest risk of lung cancer, including:

• People between the ages of 55 and 80, current or past smoker, and smoked a pack a day for 30 or more years; or
• People between the ages of 50 and 80, current or past smoker, and smoked a pack a day for 20 or more years and have at least one of these factors:
  • Lung cancer more than five years ago and have been cured
  • A father, mother, sister or brother with history of lung cancer
  • Been told they have chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema or exposure to asbestos

Watch this video to learn the importance of lung cancer screening.

Discuss the benefits and risks of lung screening with your healthcare provider. Together, you can review your risk of lung cancer and decide whether screening is right for you.

For your first appointment, bring your current prescription information or medical records from non-Mayo Clinic Health System facilities. Complete a medical records release form to authorize the transfer of health records from another healthcare facility to us. Visit our Medical Record Forms page for this form and other forms in multiple languages.

Visit the billing page of your preferred location for information on insurance, billing and payments.

We serve patients in difficult financial circumstances and offer financial assistance to those who have an established need to receive medically necessary services. Learn more about financial assistance options.

Yes — call the appointment number at your preferred pulmonology location. See What should I bring to my first appointment for tips on how to prepare.

Always call 911 in case of an emergency. For after-hours help with other issues, get virtual care 24/7 through the Primary Care On Demand app or review our convenient care options.