Tucuruí Polyclinic Reinforces the Importance of Early Diagnosis of Respiratory Diseases
Patient reports relief with specialized follow-up and unit guides on warning signs and prevention
“I sought care at the Tucuruí Polyclinic on the recommendation of the pulmonologist's work and the excellence of the general team's service at the unit,” says Cleydene Lopes Ferreira, 46, a teacher from Vila Permanente.
The symptoms that led her to seek help included shortness of breath, constant cough, chest tightness, and nasal obstruction. For her, early diagnosis made all the difference. “The quick detection of these conditions was crucial for the success of my treatment and to prevent serious complications. The follow-up from the team, with guidance and prescribed medications, has been essential in controlling my respiratory disease.”
The patient's account is supported by the experience of pulmonologist Walter Netto, who is responsible for the specialized care at the unit. He explains that “without a doubt, most patients with respiratory diseases are carriers of asthma or COPD, but we also treat patients with lung cancer, interstitial lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, sequelae of Covid, and other conditions. Cystic fibrosis is rarer, being monitored in specific centers, such as the João de Barros Barreto University Hospital in Belém.”
According to the specialist, the Tucuruí Lago Polyclinic has already performed over 1,301 specialized consultations in pulmonology in the last year, and the demand continues to grow. He warns of signs that should never be ignored: “Persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing up blood, and weight loss are symptoms that require immediate evaluation. We recommend that patients initially seek their basic health unit for screening, being referred to pulmonology when necessary,” said Walter Netto.
The Tucuruí Polyclinic offers essential tests for diagnosis and monitoring, such as pulmonary function tests (spirometry), X-rays, and chest CT scans. Dr. Netto adds that a bronchoscopy service, essential for evaluating suspected cases of neoplasia, interstitial lung diseases, and complex infections, will soon be implemented. “Our goal is to ensure that patients receive adequate evaluation and access to treatments, including high-cost ones, provided by the SUS,” he emphasizes.
The unit also guides on the importance of continuous follow-up and early diagnosis, emphasizing that quick interventions can prevent serious complications and significantly improve the quality of life for patients with chronic respiratory diseases.
Service
The Tucuruí Lago Polyclinic is a unit of the Government of the State of Pará, managed by the Institute of Social Health and Environmental Health of the Amazon (ISSAA), offering specialized and humanized care, focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, and comprehensive follow-up of the health conditions of the population. The unit is entirely public, with all services provided at no cost to users. It is located at Avenida Raimundo Veridiano Cardoso, No. 1008, in the Santa Mônica neighborhood.
Text: Roberta Paraense
