Visiting an Urgent Care Clinic in Salem, OR, for Shortness of BreathShortness of breath can be caused by an upper respiratory infection, a collapsed lung, cardiovascular disease, or pulmonary disease. It may even be caused by acute panic attacks and severe anxiety. When you go to an urgent care clinic in Salem, OR, for your shortness of breath, here are some things you can expect from your visit.
Oxygen Therapy
One of the first interventions that the physician at the urgent care clinic in Salem, OR, will implement is oxygen administration. Not only will oxygen therapy help facilitate an optimal pattern of breathing, but it will also help relieve the anxiety you are experiencing as a result of shortness of breath.
It is essential that oxygen therapy be the first intervention because if you are panicking as a result of your inability to breath, then you may be unable to tolerate a physical examination or diagnostic testing.
Pulmonary and Heart Tests
To rule out lung problems and cardiovascular diseases, your doctor may order a chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, and a blood gas test to determine if your blood is well-oxygenated. If your chest x-ray or electrocardiogram reveals abnormalities, the clinic physician may refer you back to your personal physician.
Your physician may then refer you to a pulmonologist or a cardiologist for further testing and treatment. If no abnormalities are revealed, the clinic doctor may determine that you have a mild bacterial infection of the respiratory tract and prescribe antibiotics.
To make an appointment for a checkup, call Swiftcare, LLC or visit the website.
