Welcome to Royal Parade Respiratory & Sleep –

Symptom management

Respiratory and sleep disturbances can present with a range of symptoms that cause discomfort, interfere with function in personal and professional activities, and impact negatively upon quality of life. We work to identify and find relief from symptoms including:

Difficulty breathing, cough, wheeze and chest tightness

Snoring, difficulty falling or staying asleep, and daytime sleepiness

Concern from a family member or health professional that you may have a specific medical condition

Abnormal results from a test or scan, such as changes on a chest x-ray

Diagnosis

Receiving an accurate and timely diagnosis is critical to accessing effective treatment, symptom relief and peace of mind. We use an evidence-based approach to choose investigations tailored to your individual needs. Our priority is to provide you with knowledge and understanding of any medical diagnosis that arises.

Treatment options

The treatment options which we recommend are diverse, including medications, respiratory therapies, lifestyle changes and procedures. Some sleep conditions are optimised through the use of assistive devices. We believe in shared-decision making to find the best choice for the individual, based on:

Effectiveness, side effects and long-term implications of different treatments

Your thoughts, preferences and lifestyle requirements

Recognising that the most appropriate treatment may change over time

Quality of life

Many people wish to improve their quality of life because a respiratory or sleep concern is affecting their ability to enjoy or perform their daily activities. Quality of life is unique to each individual, and health priorities can change during the course of an illness. We will work with you to help optimise your quality of life and reduce the limitations that may arise from a medical condition.

Understanding prognosis

Understanding the prognosis of a respiratory or sleep concern includes knowing about the the risk of progression, developing a complication or potential long-term consequences. Many people identify understanding prognosis as a health priority.

Sleep quality

For people with a sleep concern, improving sleep quality and the practices and routines around sleep (sometimes called ‘sleep hygiene’) is important. Poor sleep can have consequences for your ability to function during the day, and impacts other aspects of your physical and mental health. Optimal sleep quality is fundamental to overall wellbeing.

Access to investigations

Investigations will be offered to you based upon your individual needs and the assessment made at your initial consultation. We will explain the rationale for each test, and the significance of results. Common tests performed in respiratory and sleep medicine evaluation include:

Lung function tests to measure breathing

Sleep studies (performed at home or in hospital)

Imaging studies of the lungs

Emotional & psychological impact

All medical conditions have the potential to impact psychological and emotional wellbeing, as well as physical health. Our holistic approach takes these important components into consideration.

Long-term management

While short-term management is often focused on obtaining an accurate diagnosis and achieving symptom control, we will also work on long-term strategies for respiratory and sleep health. These include:

Ongoing symptom control

Prevention of exacerbations

Maintenance of optimal health

Achieving wellbeing over time

Education & empowerment

We invite you to actively participate in your care by providing information about medical conditions, treatment options and self-management strategies that allow you to make informed decisions and take control of your health.