National Healthy Lung Month

By Faisal Siddiqui, MD, and Dylan Linnell, PA-C

Dear Readers:

My name is Faisal Siddiqui (Fay-Sul, Sid-e-key), and I am a pulmonologist (physician looking after folks with lung diseases) working at Carson Tahoe Hospital.  I work alongside my colleague, Dylan Linnell, PA-C, who has been a wonderful recent addition to our team. 

Lung diseases remain a critical public health challenge in Northern Nevada and are mostly related to issues concerning low cancer screening rates, unique environmental challenges and poor healthcare access, especially in rural counties. While the overall rate of new lung cancer cases in Nevada remained low (the silver state holds 8th place out of 51 for new cases in 2024 and 2025), this is partly a result of low lung cancer screening rate. Nevada ranks near the bottom nationally with a screening rate of roughly 14% among the eligible high-risk individuals compared to higher national benchmarks. This ultimately results in delayed diagnosis as the state ranks 49th out of 50 for early-stage diagnosis with only 22% of the cases caught at initial stages. 

Other issues including unique environmental challenges related to lung diseases are driven primarily by seasonal wildfire smoke, dry climate conditions, heavy construction dust from rapid urban growth, and industrial emissions especially in a stagnant basin geography trapping air during hot summer months leads to worsening air quality grades.  These environmental issues become particularly important for people with chronic conditions including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma and pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lung) and other vulnerable populations including children, older adults and people with immuno-compromised conditions.

Lung cancer remains a critical concern due to smoking and secondary environmental exposures notably radon gas, which occurs naturally in Northern Nevada soil and can accumulate in homes.  Eligible high-risk individuals undergo annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screenings.  Treatment requires a multidisciplinary oncological approach including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or immunotherapy.

COPD and asthma are the leading chronic pulmonary conditions in Northern Nevada.  Patients are usually screened with the help of pulmonary function testing and sometimes a methacholine challenge test is ordered to confirm airway hyperresponsiveness if standard tests are inconclusive.  Both conditions are treated primarily through tailored prescriptions of inhaled bronchodilators and steroids.  Over the last few years, several patients have been successfully placed on various biologic agents, which have drastically changed the course of their illness.  Our clinic also works with several DME companies in the area to facilitate supplemental oxygen therapy for our patients.  We also have an in-house pulmonary rehabilitation program that combines exercise training with breathing strategies.

Besides lung cancer and chronic obstructive lung conditions, the Northern Nevada region experiences sharp seasonal surges in viral and bacterial respiratory infections, including Influenza (Flu), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), COVID-19 and periodic spikes in pertussis.  Rapid molecular testing, physical exams and chest x-rays are often used to check for secondary complications like bacterial pneumonia.  We see patients fairly urgently in the clinic to help diagnose and guide treatment.  This treatment often includes targeted antivirals earlier on and antibiotics if bacterial pneumonia is suspected.

Below is a list of these common conditions, diagnostic modalities and management.

Faisal Siddiqui, MD and Dylan Linnell, PA-C are both with the Carson Tahoe Medical Group Pulmonology Clinic.  For an appointment, please call (775) 445-5500.

Thank you,

Faisal Siddiqui & Dylan Linnell