See within.Find the cause.Care for every breath. — Dr. Jafar Mahdizadeh
Internal Medicine Specialist, Fellowship in Pulmonary Diseases Tabriz
For a cough that will not go away, shortness of breath, asthma and other lung diseases, with clear explanations and regular follow-up.
Find the cause first, then plan.
Dr. Jafar Mahdizadeh is an internal medicine specialist with a fellowship in pulmonary diseases, based in Tabriz. This site is written for people whose cough has lasted for weeks, who run out of breath on the stairs, who live with asthma or COPD, or who were referred after a lung CT report. Here you can read when to see a lung doctor, how to use an inhaler properly, what the words in a CT report mean and which signs are urgent. In long-term lung disease the aim is usually to control symptoms and have fewer flare-ups.
More about the doctorLung conditions, in plain language.
Every breathing problem has its own story. These pages explain what the condition is, how it is usually investigated and how treatment generally goes. Your diagnosis and treatment plan are decided by the doctor after an examination.
Asthma and respiratory allergy
Asthma is a long-term condition of the airways that shows up as wheezing, cough (especially at night), breathlessness and a tight chest. This page explains who should be seen, how the assessment goes, what treatment generally looks like, what you can do yourself and when to get urgent help.
Read moreCOPD, chronic bronchitis and emphysema
COPD is the name for a group of long-term lung conditions that limit airflow; emphysema and chronic bronchitis are part of it. This page explains the symptoms, when to be seen, what spirometry does, what treatment generally looks like and what to do when things suddenly get worse.
Read moreLong-lasting cough and unexplained breathlessness
A cough that has lasted for weeks, or breathlessness whose cause you do not know, is not a diagnosis. It is a symptom with many possible causes. This page explains which causes are common, who should be seen, how a doctor looks for the cause and which signs are urgent.
Read morePneumonia, bronchiectasis and tuberculosis
Lung infections range from a simple chest infection to pneumonia, bronchiectasis (long-term damage to the airways that produces a lot of phlegm) and tuberculosis. This page explains the symptoms, who should be seen, how the assessment goes, when antibiotics are needed and why TB treatment must be finished.
Read moreLung nodules and interstitial lung disease
A lung nodule is a small round spot seen on a lung scan, most often benign, and follow-up is set by the doctor. Interstitial lung diseases are a group of conditions that thicken or scar the tissue around the air sacs. This page explains what each means, how the assessment goes and what to do.
Read more
From your history to following up the plan
Most lung diseases are not settled in one visit, and the plan is adjusted over time. At each step you know what comes next.
- Step 1 of 5.
History and listening to the lungs
The doctor asks about your cough, breathlessness, smoking and work, and listens to your lungs. Bring your medicine list, your inhalers and earlier results.
- Step 2 of 5.
Lung tests and imaging if needed
If needed, spirometry or a chest X-ray or CT is requested. No single result is a diagnosis: it is read together with your history and examination.
- Step 3 of 5.
Diagnosis and treatment plan
The doctor explains the diagnosis and the options in plain words, and you make the plan together. In long-term lung disease the aim is to control symptoms and reduce flare-ups.
- Step 4 of 5.
Learning to use your medicine
An inhaler works only as well as it is used. You learn the right technique and the difference between controller and reliever medicines. Do not stop a medicine on your own when you feel better.
- Step 5 of 5.
Follow-up and adjusting the plan
The plan is adjusted at regular visits, based on how you are. Get in touch sooner if a new symptom appears or you feel worse.
You are not alone on this path.
Treatment is more than a visit. Sometimes you need a CT scan, blood tests, a specialty medicine or an appointment with another doctor. The support team coordinates these so that you and your family spend less time chasing them.
Medical imaging centers and ultrasound
Quick appointments and results for CT, MRI, specialist ultrasound and PET scan. Radiography, mammography and bone density (densitometry) also with quick appointments.
Medical diagnostic laboratory
Quick appointments and results, with special support services and blood sampling at home.
Pharmacy and specialty medicines
If you have a particular pharmacy in mind, you write its name on the form.
Fast referral to specialists and sub-specialists
You write the name of the doctor or the specialty you need on the form.
Rehabilitation and wellbeing
Quick appointments and referrals to rehabilitation and health specialists, arranged by the support team.
Specialist treatment and rehabilitation at home
You write the name or specialty of the doctor you want for a home visit on the form.
Services marked "Free" on the support form are provided at no cost.
What is worrying you?
Tap what you are facing to reach the matching page. This list is not a diagnosis; it only points you to the right page.
- A cough that has lasted for weeks
- Breathless on exertion
- Wheezing and night cough
- Seasonal allergy
- Cigarettes or waterpipe
- Pneumonia again and again
- Cough after an infection
- Words in a CT report
- My inhaler is not working
Severe breathlessness, blue lips or nails, coughing up blood, or a reliever inhaler that does not help cannot wait for an appointment. In an emergency, call 115 (Iran's emergency number). When should I call urgently?
Simple answers to the first questions.
My cough has lasted for weeks; should I see a lung doctor?
A cough that goes on for weeks even after a cold, or comes with breathlessness, wheezing, fever, coughing up blood or weight loss, is worth checking. Common causes are asthma, postnasal drip, reflux and infection, but telling them apart is the doctor's job and starts with your history and an examination. If your breathing has become very difficult or you cough up blood, do not wait for an appointment.
Are inhalers addictive?
Asthma inhaler medicines are not addictive, and COPD inhalers are largely the same kinds of medicine. The medicine goes straight to the airways, which is why a small amount works. If you keep needing the reliever inhaler, it means the condition is not well controlled; tell your doctor.
I feel fine now; can I put the inhaler away?
A controller inhaler is there to keep you well, so feeling better is usually a sign that the medicine is working. Only your doctor decides whether to reduce or stop it. A reliever inhaler is different: it is for when symptoms start.
Is a waterpipe less harmful than cigarettes?
No. Waterpipe smoke also contains toxic substances and carbon monoxide and damages the lungs. That it is milder is a common misbelief. If you want to quit, say so at the visit.
What should I bring to the first visit?
The films and reports of any CT or chest X-ray, earlier spirometry and test results, all your medicines and the inhalers themselves, and a short note on when the symptoms began, your smoking or waterpipe history and your work. If something is missing, you can still come.
Does a lung nodule mean cancer?
Not necessarily. Most nodules seen on a CT are benign, for example the scar of an old infection. Size, shape and change matter, and the doctor decides how often it should be checked again. Bring your CT report.
How do I get an appointment?
Through the booking page, or by calling the support number. If no online time is open, you leave your number and the support team calls you to arrange the visit.
Do you work with insurance?
The list of insurers will be announced once the doctor confirms it.
Do you offer online follow-up?
Details will be announced once the doctor confirms them.
These answers are general and do not replace your doctor's advice for your situation.
The first step, a calm conversation.
Send a request from the booking page or call support. If no online time is open, the support team calls you and arranges the visit.
Support number