Breathing and sleeping are two of the most basic functions in life. A new medical practice with Auburn Memorial Medical Services has its patients covered in both areas.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
The Auburn Medical Building houses Auburn Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, a new practice that opened Nov. 2. Headed by Dr. Rajesh Rao, the practice focuses on sleep and respiratory disorders.
The Auburn Medical Building houses Auburn Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, a new practice that opened Nov. 2. Headed by Dr. Rajesh Rao, the practice focuses on sleep and respiratory disorders.
Auburn Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine opened its doors earlier this month. Headed by Dr. Rajesh Rao, the multifaceted practice treats conditions related to respiratory and sleep functions.
A board-certified physician in pulmonology and sleep medicine, as well as critical care and internal medicine, Rao said that he “just loved” those specialties from the beginning.
“What keeps me interested is the challenge. ... to take care of the patients and provide them with the latest care available,” said Rao, 40.
While it is not necessarily common for medical offices to focus on both pulmonary and sleep medicines, Rao said, most that are board-certified in one are also in the other. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea have been linked to cardiac problems, diabetes and asthma.
The biggest challenge in the two areas is keeping up with the constant changes in each field and translating them to a bedside clinical practice, Rao said.
“With the rising cost of the medicines, it's a challenge to optimize the right treatment strategy,” Rao said. “But I love the challenge, and I learn every day from my patients.”
Rao deals with conditions such as emphysema, asthma, pulmonary spots, chronic bronchitis, shift work disorder, insomnia and pulmonary fibrosis. Management of those conditions includes treatment with inhalers and breathing machines, as well as counseling on modifying or ceasing risk factors like smoking, he said.
Rao also deals with obstructive sleep apnea, which can cause complete pauses in breathing for up to 10 seconds. Its most common causes are weight-related, and is often diagnosed through overnight sleep studies.
Most of these conditions can be prevented through simple (though not necessarily easy) means.
“Not to smoke, to maintain proper weight by exercising, and eating healthy,” said Rao, who added patients should also be compliant with medications to prevent complications.
A medical school graduate of Karnataka University in Nehru Nagar, India, Rao is a five-year veteran of the Auburn medical community. He formerly worked at Auburn Cardiology and Pulmonary Services.
Before that, Rao completed a residency at the Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo and a fellowship in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at University of Buffalo.
Auburn Memorial Medical Association is associated with Auburn Memorial Hospital, which Rao described as a “very progressive” hospital with “excellent” nursing care and staff.
“I hope to make a difference to the organization,” Rao said, “and hope that the community as a whole supports the hospital, which is key to the success of the hospital.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
A board-certified physician in pulmonology and sleep medicine, as well as critical care and internal medicine, Rao said that he “just loved” those specialties from the beginning.
“What keeps me interested is the challenge. ... to take care of the patients and provide them with the latest care available,” said Rao, 40.
While it is not necessarily common for medical offices to focus on both pulmonary and sleep medicines, Rao said, most that are board-certified in one are also in the other. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea have been linked to cardiac problems, diabetes and asthma.
The biggest challenge in the two areas is keeping up with the constant changes in each field and translating them to a bedside clinical practice, Rao said.
“With the rising cost of the medicines, it's a challenge to optimize the right treatment strategy,” Rao said. “But I love the challenge, and I learn every day from my patients.”
Rao deals with conditions such as emphysema, asthma, pulmonary spots, chronic bronchitis, shift work disorder, insomnia and pulmonary fibrosis. Management of those conditions includes treatment with inhalers and breathing machines, as well as counseling on modifying or ceasing risk factors like smoking, he said.
Rao also deals with obstructive sleep apnea, which can cause complete pauses in breathing for up to 10 seconds. Its most common causes are weight-related, and is often diagnosed through overnight sleep studies.
Most of these conditions can be prevented through simple (though not necessarily easy) means.
“Not to smoke, to maintain proper weight by exercising, and eating healthy,” said Rao, who added patients should also be compliant with medications to prevent complications.
A medical school graduate of Karnataka University in Nehru Nagar, India, Rao is a five-year veteran of the Auburn medical community. He formerly worked at Auburn Cardiology and Pulmonary Services.
Before that, Rao completed a residency at the Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo and a fellowship in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at University of Buffalo.
Auburn Memorial Medical Association is associated with Auburn Memorial Hospital, which Rao described as a “very progressive” hospital with “excellent” nursing care and staff.
“I hope to make a difference to the organization,” Rao said, “and hope that the community as a whole supports the hospital, which is key to the success of the hospital.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
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