Pulmonary Q&A by Dr. Schiffman

All Pulmonary Q&A's:

Bronchitis Slideshow Asthma Myths Quiz Slideshow

• My husband has been diagnosed with Stage IV COPD, what does Stage IV indicate?
• How long after you begin antibiotic treatment for pneumonia are you no longer contagious to other people?
• What are calcified nodules in the lung?
• I have had pleurisy three times in the last three months. Will a flu shot help my situation?
• Could you please give me information on pericardial fat present on the lower left lung?
• I have COPD. Recently I experienced a pneumothorax due to a prick from insertion of a port. Since returning home I have been experiencing lightheadedness and am very unstable when I try to walk or stand. I am also experiencing memory lapses. I was taken off my blood pressure meds by my treating physician, are these symptoms common?
• What is pulmonary neuropathy?
• What are the symptoms of respiratory distress?
• What are the most common lung diseases or conditions for which people are hospitalized?
• My friends told me smoking cigarettes was less harmful to your lungs than smoking marijuana. Is this true? Is one really any better than the other?
• Why does lung cancer spread so quickly, faster than a lot of other cancers?
• I heard that you can still get lung cancer even if you stop smoking, is this true?
• I'm 50 and in fairly good health, should I have a pneumonia shot?
• Is air pollution really that bad for your lungs?

Dr. Schiffman's Message:

As a pulmonary care physician and founder of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Education Program in Southern California, Dr. Schiffman enjoys taking the opportunity to inform patients as best he can about their disease or condition. He feels informed patients make everyone's life easier because the patient is empowered with knowledge, and patient care is a team approach.

"In pulmonary care we're in a unique position where we have the privilege to save people's lives," Dr. Schiffman says. "Participating in saving someone's life is the greatest feeling or sensation anyone can have in any profession."

Dr. Schiffman enjoys taking the time to work with people and improve their health as well as having the privilege to be involved in his patients' lives.

Besides pulmonary care, Dr. Schiffman has a passion for guitars and enjoys playing and even building guitars in his free time. He also enjoys skiing and spending time with his family as well.