Page 6 - MidWeek - June 29, 2022

6 MIDWEEK JUNE 29, 2022
A s a pulmonologist with Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Dr. Ronson Sato evaluates people with lung-related complaints such as wheezing, coughing or short- ness of breath, and works to alleviate
DR. RONSON SATO, pulmonologist with Hawai‘i Pacific Health Interviewed by Don Robbins
Sleep Tight With The Right Advice
those symptoms.
This involves learning more
others and enjoy my relationships with my patients.
What would you like readers to know about your medical train- ing?
I was born and raised on Oʻahu and received most of my education and training in Hawaiʻi. Graduating from University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine and Ha- waiʻi Internal Medicine Residency program empowered me to better un- derstand the needs of the community and challenges to health care access. After completing specialty training in pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine in California, it was always a goal of mine to return home. I am grateful for my local upbringing and strive to provide care for my patients as if they were family. I feel truly blessed to work and live in Hawaiʻi and intend to help its people for as long as possible.
over the years, with the excep- tion of evolving infections such as COVID-19. However, laboratory testing, imaging, medications and di- agnostic procedures have improved significantly. One example is a flex- ible camera pulmonologists use to evaluate the lungs, which is called a bronchoscopy. It is used to evaluate a person who has a lung nodule, lung mass, or enlarged lymph nodes for possible inflammation, infection or cancer. Technology has improved the accuracy and reliability in diagnos- ing smaller, more peripheral abnor- malities, as well as those deep in the chest, all without surgery. The same goes for sleep medicine. Although positive airway pressure, or PAP devices, remain first-line treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, a new, implantable device which does not require wearing a mask or oral appli- ance during sleep can be an effective alternative.
about a patient’s history as well as utilizing diagnostic tools, including radiographic imaging or lung-func- tion testing to help determine the best treatment. He is also a board-certi- fied sleep specialist and treats people with various sleep disorders.
In this article, he discusses the rea- sons he chose his field of work and offers some insight into sleep-related health issues.
Pulmonologist Dr. Ronson Sato of Hawai‘i Pacific Health consults with a patient.
What inspired you to pursue a medical degree and pulmonology? Watching my parents struggle to care for an ailing family member through the complexities of our health system motivated me to study
PHOTOS COURTESY HAWAI‘I PACIFIC HEALTH
A specialist can help to determine the seriousness of symptoms, possi- ble causes, and how to best treat them and prevent recurrence.
see many patients with other prob- lems such as insomnia, delayed sleep phase disorder and poor sleep hy- giene. Many people could improve their quantity and, more important- ly, quality of sleep by reinforcing a regular sleep schedule and practicing healthy sleep habits.
medicine.
I was naturally drawn to pulmo-
When should a person see a spe- cialist?
What are some of the most com- mon causes of sleep disorders that you see?
Is there anything else you’ d like to add?
nary and sleep medicine since many in my family snore or suffer from asthma. Equipped with a background in medicine, I feel fortunate to help
People should seek the help of a specialist if their symptoms fail to improve or affect their daily function and quality of life.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder that I treat. It is when the upper airway pe- riodically collapses, reduces air flow and disrupts a person’s sleep. I also
What are the range of treatments and how have they changed?
I enjoy fishing and exchanging stories with my patients, especially when they’ re willing to share their secret fishing spots!
The range of pulmonary illness- es has not changed significantly
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