Pulmonology

Pulmonology is the newest service offered to the community as part of the Gritman promise to bring you exceptional care that’s close to home, and Gritman is proud to welcome Dr. Pranabh Shrestha, who is board certified in pulmonary disease and critical care medicine.

Before, patients with COPD or asthma were managed by family practice physicians. Having Dr. Shrestha at Gritman allows these patients to receive specialized care and the most current treatments available, right here at home.

Pulmonology is a medical specialty that deals with diseases involving the respiratory tract.

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used to describe a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. According to the CDC, 16 million Americans have COPD.
• Flexible Bronchoscopy is a visual examination of the breathing passages of the lungs. This involves placing a thin tube-like instrument into the airways via the nose or mouth to allow the physician to see inside of the airways and get samples of mucus or lung tissue if necessary.
• Pulmonary Function tests (PFTs) are breathing tests to find out how well one can move air in and out of the lungs and how well oxygen enters into the body. They help detect early changes in lung function and measure the effects of chronic diseases like COPD, asthma and pulmonary fibrosis.

Our respiratory therapists can help you set realistic goals, develop strategies and provide the support you need to stop smoking. We offer tobacco cessation counseling free of charge.

When you stop smoking:

20 minutes later …

• Blood pressure drops to a level close to that before your last cigarette
• Temperature of hands and feet increases to normal

8 hours later …

• Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal

24 hours later …

• Chance of heart attack decreases

2 weeks to 3 months later …

• Circulation improves
• Lung function increases up to 30%

1 to 9 months later …

• Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease

1 year later …

• Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker

5 years later …

• Stroke is reduced to that of a non-smoker

10 years later …

• Lung cancer death rate about half of continuing smoker
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases

15 years later …

• Risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a non-smoker

Call 208-883-6236 to schedule an appointment.

We are located inside the Gritman Internal Medicine Clinic.

We are open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

719 S. Main St.
Moscow, ID 83843
Phone: 208-883-6779
Fax: 208-883-8430