Institute of Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
Chest, lung and sleep care in Lucknow

A cough that will not go away, breathlessness, wheezing, TB, or loud snoring with daytime sleepiness? Our pulmonologists at Charak Hospital, Hardoi Road, Dubagga, diagnose chest and sleep problems with lung function tests, scans and bronchoscopy, and treat them with inhalers, medicines and respiratory care.

Book an appointment Call 0522-666-4444
NABH-accredited hospital 300-bed multispeciality Pulmonology & critical care Lung function & sleep tests

Talk to our chest team

Share your details — our coordinator will call you back to schedule a visit.

Your details are used only to contact you about your appointment.

24×7 hospital & emergency0522-666-4444
Our approach

Breathing and sleep care, from diagnosis to recovery

Lung diseases such as asthma and COPD are common in North India, made worse by air pollution, smoke from cooking fuels and tobacco. Most can be controlled well with the right inhaler and regular review. We also treat TB, pneumonia, lung scarring and sleep apnoea.

  • Your test results and options explained clearly
  • Inhaler technique checked at every visit
  • Lung function tests, scans and bronchoscopy on the same campus
  • ICU and ventilator care for severe breathing problems
  • Joint care with cardiology, ENT and critical care

Asthma & COPD

Diagnosis, inhalers, flare management and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Infections

Pneumonia, tuberculosis and other chest infections.

Interstitial lung disease

Lung scarring and other long-term lung conditions.

Sleep medicine

Snoring, sleep apnoea and other sleep problems.

300Bed multispeciality hospital
NABHAccredited for quality and patient safety
24×7Emergency & critical care
27+Specialities under one roof
Know the signs

When to see a chest specialist

See a doctor if any of these last more than 2–3 weeks, or keep coming back.

Cough for more than 2 weeks

Especially with phlegm, blood, fever or weight loss.

Breathlessness

Getting breathless on walking or climbing stairs, or at night.

Wheezing or chest tightness

Whistling in the chest, often worse at night or with dust or cold air.

Coughing up blood

Any blood in the phlegm needs checking.

Fever with cough

Fever, chills and chest pain on breathing.

Weight loss and night sweats

Possible TB or other serious illness.

Loud snoring and daytime sleepiness

Pauses in breathing at night, morning headaches.

Long-term smoking

Smokers with cough or breathlessness should have a lung check.

Go to emergency straight away for severe breathlessness, blue lips, chest pain, coughing up a lot of blood, or confusion with breathing difficulty. Call 0522-666-4444.

Conditions A–Z

Find information about a chest or sleep condition

Tap a condition to read the common signs, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated.

Asthma

Narrowing and swelling of the airways

Common signs

Wheezing, cough (often at night), chest tightness and breathlessness, triggered by dust, cold or exercise.

How it is diagnosed

History, spirometry with reversibility test and peak flow monitoring.

How it is treated

Daily preventer inhalers, reliever inhalers for symptoms, and an action plan.

See asthma action plan

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Common signs

Long-term cough with phlegm and breathlessness that slowly worsens, usually in smokers or people exposed to smoke.

How it is diagnosed

Spirometry, chest X-ray and oxygen levels.

How it is treated

Stopping smoking, inhalers, vaccinations, pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen when needed.

Read about COPD

Chronic cough

Cough lasting more than 8 weeks

Common causes

Asthma, post-nasal drip, acid reflux, smoking, medicines or lung disease.

How it is diagnosed

Examination, chest X-ray and lung function tests.

How it is treated

Treating the cause.

Breathlessness & COPD

Pneumonia

Infection of the lungs

Common signs

Fever, cough with phlegm, chest pain on breathing and breathlessness.

How it is diagnosed

Examination, chest X-ray and blood tests.

How it is treated

Antibiotics; hospital care, oxygen or ICU for severe pneumonia.

Read about pneumonia

Tuberculosis (TB)

A treatable infection, common in India

Common signs

Cough for over 2 weeks, fever, night sweats, weight loss and sometimes blood in phlegm.

How it is diagnosed

Sputum tests (including rapid molecular tests), chest X-ray and sometimes bronchoscopy.

How it is treated

A full course of TB medicines, usually for at least 6 months. Completing treatment is essential.

Read about TB

Pleural effusion

Fluid around the lungs

Common signs

Breathlessness and chest pain on breathing.

How it is diagnosed

Chest X-ray, ultrasound and testing a sample of the fluid.

How it is treated

Draining the fluid and treating the cause, such as TB or infection.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

Scarring of the lungs

Common signs

Dry cough and slowly worsening breathlessness.

How it is diagnosed

High-resolution CT scan, lung function tests and sometimes biopsy.

How it is treated

Treating the cause, anti-fibrotic or immune medicines, and oxygen if needed.

Read about ILD

ARDS and respiratory failure

Severe lung injury

Common signs

Rapidly worsening breathlessness and low oxygen, often with a serious infection.

How it is diagnosed

Oxygen levels, chest X-ray or CT.

How it is treated

ICU care with oxygen and ventilator support.

Read about ARDS

Bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis

Damaged, widened airways

Common signs

Daily cough with large amounts of phlegm and repeated chest infections.

How it is diagnosed

CT scan and sputum tests.

How it is treated

Airway clearance, antibiotics for flares and inhaled treatments.

Read about cystic fibrosis

Lung nodules and lung cancer

Spots or growths on the lung

Common signs

Often none; cough, blood in phlegm, weight loss or chest pain.

How it is diagnosed

CT scan, bronchoscopy or biopsy.

How it is treated

Monitoring small nodules; treatment with the oncology team for cancer.

Oncology at Charak

Allergic rhinitis and allergies

Allergy affecting the nose and airways

Common signs

Sneezing, blocked or runny nose, itchy eyes, often with asthma.

How it is diagnosed

History and sometimes allergy tests.

How it is treated

Avoiding triggers, nasal sprays and medicines, with ENT care when needed.

ENT at Charak

Obstructive sleep apnoea

Breathing pauses during sleep

Common signs

Loud snoring, gasping at night, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches and high BP.

How it is diagnosed

Sleep study (polysomnography).

How it is treated

Weight loss, sleeping position, CPAP therapy, and ENT surgery for some.

See sleep treatment

Insomnia and other sleep problems

Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep

Common signs

Trouble falling or staying asleep, waking unrefreshed.

How it is diagnosed

Sleep history and diary; sleep study when needed.

How it is treated

Sleep habits, treating the cause, and short-term medicines when needed.

No match found. Please call us on 0522-666-4444 — we will guide you.

Diagnosis

How we find the cause — before we treat

Lung problems are diagnosed with a few simple tests. Bronchoscopy and CT scans are used when needed.

Consultation & examination

Your symptoms, smoking and exposure history, and a chest examination.

Chest X-ray & oxygen

Chest X-ray and oxygen level (SpO2).

Lung function tests

Spirometry to measure how well you breathe out.

CT scan & sputum tests

High-resolution CT and sputum tests for TB and infection.

Bronchoscopy & sleep study

A camera test of the airways, or an overnight sleep study.

Your asthma action plan

An action plan tells you what to do when asthma changes. Tap a zone to see what it means.

Treatment

The main treatments we offer

Choose a topic to see what treatment involves and how to stay safe.

Inhaler treatment

Inhalers deliver medicine straight to the lungs with fewer side effects than tablets. Preventers control inflammation; relievers open the airways quickly.

Preventer inhalersReliever inhalersSpacersNebulisation

What to expect

  • Your inhaler technique checked
  • A written action plan
  • Review every few months

Good habits

  • Use your preventer every day
  • Rinse your mouth after steroid inhalers
  • Carry your reliever with you
Services

Chest and sleep services at Charak

Tests, procedures and guides. Tap a card to read more.

Lung Function Tests

Spirometry for asthma and COPD.

Book a visit
Bronchoscopy

Camera test of the airways with samples.

Book a visit
Sleep Study

Overnight test for sleep apnoea.

Book a visit
Respiratory ICU Care

Oxygen, BiPAP and ventilator support.

Read more
COPD Care

Diagnosis and long-term treatment.

Read more
TB Care

Diagnosis and full-course treatment.

Read more
Pneumonia

Diagnosis and treatment of lung infection.

Read more
Interstitial Lung Disease

Care for lung scarring.

Read more
Your visit

What happens, step by step

Step 1

Consultation

Tell us about your symptoms, smoking and work exposures.

Step 2

Tests

Chest X-ray, oxygen and lung function tests.

Step 3

Diagnosis & plan

Your results and treatment explained.

Step 4

Treatment

Inhalers, medicines or procedures, with technique training.

Step 5

Rehab & prevention

Breathing exercises and vaccinations.

Step 6

Follow-up

Regular reviews to keep symptoms under control.

Lung check

Air pollution and smoke harm the lungs

Smoking, outdoor air pollution and smoke from wood or cow-dung cooking fires are major causes of lung disease in North India. A simple breathing test can find problems early.

Who should have a lung check

Ask for a lung function test if any of these apply:

  • !Smokers or ex-smokers with cough or breathlessness.
  • !Long exposure to smoke or dust at home or work.
  • !A cough lasting more than 2 weeks — get a TB test too.
  • !Loud snoring with daytime sleepiness — ask about a sleep study.
Chest care at Charak
  1. Consultations with our pulmonologists.
  2. ICU and ventilator care with the critical care team.
  3. Snoring and nose problems with the ENT team.

Breathe easier

Tap each one you do:

  • I do not smoke, and I avoid second-hand smoke
  • I use my preventer inhaler every day, if prescribed
  • My inhaler technique has been checked
  • I avoid smoke from cooking fires and burning waste
  • I wear a mask on high-pollution days
  • I have had flu and pneumonia vaccines, if advised
  • I walk or exercise most days

If your reliever inhaler is needed more than twice a week, your asthma may not be well controlled — book a review.

Book a lung check
Living well

Living well with a chest condition

General guidance — always follow the specific advice your doctor gives you.

Asthma

Take your preventer every day and follow your action plan.

Avoid triggers such as dust, smoke and strong smells.

COPD

Stop smoking — it is the most important step.

Do breathing exercises and stay as active as you can.

During TB treatment

Take every dose for the whole course, even when you feel better.

Eat well and attend all follow-up tests.

Using home oxygen

Use oxygen for the hours prescribed.

Keep it away from flames and never smoke near it.

Sleep apnoea

Use CPAP every night and keep the mask clean.

Lose weight if advised and avoid alcohol at night.

Bad air days

Stay indoors when pollution is high and keep windows closed.

Carry your reliever inhaler.

Contact us urgently if

  • Severe breathlessness or difficulty speaking
  • Blue lips or fingertips
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing up a lot of blood
  • Confusion or drowsiness with breathlessness
  • No relief from your reliever inhaler
0522-666-4444
Family care

Chest care for every stage of life

Children

  • Asthma and wheezing in children
  • Pneumonia needs prompt treatment
  • Joint care with paediatrics
Paediatrics & neonatology

Working adults

  • Work-related dust and smoke exposure
  • Allergies and asthma
  • Sleep apnoea and daytime sleepiness
ENT

Older adults

  • COPD and breathlessness
  • Pneumonia vaccination
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation
Physiotherapy
Prevention

Lung health checks and vaccinations

These are general guides. Your doctor may advise different timings based on your health.

WhoWhat we recommendHow often
Anyone with cough over 2 weeksSputum TB test and chest X-rayPromptly
Smokers 40 and aboveSpirometryOnce, then as advised
People with asthma or COPDReview of inhalers and techniqueEvery 3–6 months
Adults 50+ and people with lung diseaseFlu vaccineEvery year
Adults 65+ and people with lung diseasePneumococcal vaccineAs advised
Close contacts of a person with TBTB screeningAs advised
Stop smoking
Use clean cooking fuel and good ventilation
Wear a mask on high-pollution days
Get flu and pneumonia vaccines
Stay active
Keep a healthy weight to reduce sleep apnoea
Myths & facts

Clearing up common misunderstandings

Tap a card to see the fact.

Myth

“Inhalers are addictive.”

Tap to flip
Fact

Inhalers are not addictive. They are the safest and most effective way to treat asthma and COPD.

Myth

“Inhalers are only for severe asthma.”

Tap to flip
Fact

Inhalers are used at every stage. Early, regular use keeps asthma under control.

Myth

“TB cannot be cured.”

Tap to flip
Fact

TB is curable when the full course of medicines is taken.

Myth

“Snoring is harmless.”

Tap to flip
Fact

Loud snoring with pauses in breathing can be sleep apnoea, which raises the risk of high BP and accidents.

Myth

“I can stop TB medicines when I feel better.”

Tap to flip
Fact

Stopping early can bring TB back and cause drug resistance.

Myth

“Only smokers get lung disease.”

Tap to flip
Fact

Air pollution, cooking smoke, dust, infections and genetics also cause lung disease.

Our doctors

Meet our chest team

Critical care ENT Radiology Physiotherapy
Practical help

Preparing for your visit, costs & insurance

A little preparation helps us make the most of your appointment.

What to bring to your visit

Tick off as you pack:

  • All previous chest X-rays, CT scans and reports
  • All inhalers and medicines you use
  • Previous TB treatment records, if any
  • Sputum sample containers if you have been given them
  • For a sleep study: your partner’s description of your snoring
  • A list of the questions you want to ask

Costs & insurance

Costs depend on the tests and treatment you need. Ask our team for a written estimate before planned tests, procedures or admission.

  • ✓Written estimate— ask for one before planned procedures or admission.
  • ✓Health insurance & TPA— cashless treatment for admissions under tie-up insurers; outpatient visits depend on your policy.
  • ✓Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) accepted for eligible admissions.
  • ✓Corporate & PSU panels— ask whether your employer has a tie-up with Charak Hospital.

*Coverage depends on your policy and the treatment. Our insurance desk can check this for you.

Call 0522-666-4444
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is asthma curable?

Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled so that most people live normal, active lives.

How long does TB treatment take?

Usually at least 6 months for drug-sensitive TB; longer for drug-resistant TB. Every dose must be taken.

What is spirometry?

A simple breathing test where you blow hard into a machine. It shows how well your lungs work.

Do I need a CT scan for my cough?

Not usually. A chest X-ray and lung function tests are enough for most people. CT is advised for specific concerns.

What is a sleep study?

An overnight test that records breathing, oxygen and sleep to diagnose sleep apnoea.

Is CPAP uncomfortable?

Most people get used to CPAP within a few weeks, especially with a well-fitting mask.

Should people with lung disease get vaccines?

Yes. Flu and pneumococcal vaccines are usually advised. Ask your doctor.

How do I book an appointment?

Call 0522-666-4444 or use the request call back form on this page. For severe breathlessness, come straight to the 24×7 emergency.

Glossary

Words you may hear from your chest doctor

SpirometryA breathing test of lung function.
FEV1The amount of air you can blow out in one second.
Peak flowA quick measure of how fast you can blow out.
Preventer inhalerAn inhaler, usually a steroid, used every day to control asthma.
Reliever inhalerA quick-acting inhaler that opens the airways.
SpacerA tube that helps inhaler medicine reach the lungs.
NebuliserA machine that turns medicine into a mist to breathe in.
COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
BronchoscopyA camera test of the airways.
HRCTHigh-resolution CT scan of the lungs.
SpO2Oxygen level in the blood measured by a finger probe.
ABGArterial blood gas — a blood test of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
BiPAP / NIVBreathing support through a mask.
VentilatorA machine that breathes for a patient in the ICU.
Pleural effusionFluid around the lungs.
ILDInterstitial lung disease — scarring of the lungs.
TBTuberculosis, a treatable bacterial infection.
Sleep apnoeaRepeated pauses in breathing during sleep.
CPAPA machine that keeps the airway open during sleep.
Pulmonary rehabilitationAn exercise and education programme for lung disease.

No matching term. Please ask your doctor at your next visit.

Related pages

Related departments and guides

COPD Tuberculosis Pneumonia ILD Breathlessness Critical care ENT Internal medicine Obstructive sleep apnoea Health library Asthma COPD Pneumonia Tuberculosis (TB)

Cough, breathlessness, TB or snoring to discuss?

Speak with our chest team. For severe breathlessness, come straight to the 24×7 emergency department.

0522-666-4444 Request a call back

Your details are used only to contact you about your appointment.

Medical information disclaimer: This page provides general health information for patients and families. It is not a substitute for a consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified doctor. Treatment decisions depend on each patient's individual condition. In an emergency, call 0522-666-4444 or go to the nearest emergency department.

About this page: Prepared by the Charak Hospital web team with the help of AI writing tools, using information from the Institute of Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine, Charak Hospital & Research Centre ·  Last updated: October 2026

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