Respiratory Services in Las Vegas, Nevada

The respiratory system consists of organs and tissues that help you breathe. Respiratory therapists at The Valley Health System assist those suffering from chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. Those who have cardiovascular issues or sleep disorders, as well as infants who are born prematurely, might also need respiratory therapy to help them breathe more easily. Respiratory therapists also provide emergency care to patients suffering from heart attack, stroke or other forms of trauma.

Diagnosing Breathing Issues

To assess and diagnose breathing issues, patients may undergo pulmonary function or breathing tests to find out how well air moves in and out of the lungs and how well oxygen enters their body. Some of these include:

• Basic spirometry measures how much air you can inhale and how quickly you exhale
• Body plethysmography measures how much air you can hold in your lungs
• Diffusion studies measure how well the lungs exchange gases

Treatment Services

The Valley Health System provides specialized respiratory care and treatment services including:

• Airway management
• Arterial blood gas testing
• Respiratory mechanics including compliance, resistance, lung volumes, weaning parameters
• Aerosol and bronchodilator therapy
• Adult mechanical ventilation – A tube is inserted through the mouth down into the trachea (large airway), often in emergency situations.
• Pediatric and neonatal mechanical ventilation – Physicians with special expertise in children and infants insert a tube into the child's airway, often in emergency situations.
• Oxygen therapy – Supplemental oxygen delivered due to illness.
• Pulse oximetry monitoring – An external sensor that measures oxygen levels in blood.
• Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation – Ventilation that is delivered through an oxygen mask, rather than through an inserted tube.