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Pulmonology is one of the newest specialities offered at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center

Lung cancer, asthma and chronic breathing problems are some of the reasons that individuals seek care from Dr. Waseem Ahmed, a board-certified pulmonologist.

Dr. Waseem, who also is board-certified in internal medicine, joined the medical staff at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center last March. Pulmonology is a specialty that deals with illnesses and medical conditions relating to the lungs.

–In my practice, I treat individuals who experience symptoms such as problems with breathing, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood and smoking-related lung disease,” said Dr. Waseem, whose practice is located at 439 West Walnut Street, Suite 201, in Danville.

Dr. Waseem said the symptoms that bring most people to see him are coughing and shortness of breath. The two most common illnesses that cause these symptoms, he said, are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Dr. Waseem, who previously practiced in Las Vegas, said he was surprised at the prevalence of lung cancer among the patients he has seen since moving to Kentucky.

–I diagnose two to three cases of lung cancer each week, due to smoking,” he said.

Other medical conditions that he diagnoses and treats are emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic cough, lung masses and nodules on the lung.

Dr. Waseem employs a variety of treatments and procedures as he works to heal his patients. Among the more common are oxygen therapy, inhalers and antibiotics. He also performs a procedure known as bronchoscopy for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including lung biopsy and the diagnosis of lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis and pneumonia. He also uses the procedure to biopsy lymph nodes to aid in diagnosing lymphoma, cancer, fungal disease and sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease common among African-Americans and females.

Dr. Waseem's specialty also involves treating pleural disease resulting from tuberculosis, cancer, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr. Waseem sees hospitalized patients at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center. Many of his hospitalized patients are critically ill and may require ventilators or oxygen therapy and may have multiple organ involvement with their medical condition.

Dr. Waseem accepts patients from the age of 8 through adulthood. Most of his patients are elderly, he said.

Individuals who are experiencing symptoms relating to diseases of the lungs may schedule an appointment directly with Dr. Waseem or they may ask their primary care physician to refer them.

Dr. Waseem's office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. Appointments may be scheduled by calling (859)236-9203.