Dr. Sunil Pammi, MD is a Pulmonology specialist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive pulmonary care for older adults (65 and over) at his clinic in Fort Myers, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General pulmonologists provide specialized expertise in diagnosing and managing complex lung conditions like COPD, asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, and sleep apnea common in seniors, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and other healthcare providers to ensure the best possible care. Dr. Pammi understands the unique health needs of this population and is committed to creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. He approaches his practice with a strong commitment to evidence-based medicine and collaboration.
Dr. Sunil Pammi, MD is a pulmonologist in Fort Myers, FL, affiliated with Lee Memorial Hospital and Cape Coral Hospital. He earned his medical degree from Bangalore University, M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, followed by an internship at Our Lady Of Mercy Medical Center. He then completed residency training in Pulmonology at Our Lady Of Mercy Medical Center (2000) and fellowship training in Westchester Medical Center (2003), further specializing in the comprehensive medical care of older adults (65 and over). Dr. Pammi is Board Certified in Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine. While he is committed to providing exceptional care, Dr. Pammi is not currently accepting new patients. Please call (239) 343-1105 to inquire about waitlists or future openings. Dr. Pammi provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. Sunil Pammi is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Pammi is a compassionate partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive pulmonary care with a focus on understanding each patient's unique needs. He collaborates closely with primary care physicians and other specialists to diagnose and manage complex lung conditions like COPD, asthma, and pneumonia, ensuring a personalized and supportive approach to maximize comfort and well-being.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Sunil Pammi can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Cigna
Coventry Health Care
Humana
Medical Mutual of Ohio
Medico
POMCO Group
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Anthem
- AvMed
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice Plus POS
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Emblem Health
- EmblemHealth
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- Health Net
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Midwest Health Plan
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Open Access
- Tricare
- UnitedHealthCare
- Workers Compensation
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Sunil Pammi provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Lung Abscess: A lung abscess is a serious infection causing a pus-filled cavity in the lung, often treatable with antibiotics to improve breathing and overall health.
- Acute Bronchitis: Acute bronchitis is a short-term infection of the airways causing coughing and sometimes shortness of breath. While it can be uncomfortable, treatment focuses on managing symptoms to help you feel better quickly and prevent further complications.
- Malignant Pleura Secondary: If cancer cells spread to the pleural space the area around the lungs this is called malignant pleural effusion. While this sounds concerning, treatments such as medication and procedures to remove the fluid can greatly improve your breathing and comfort level.
- Acute Upper Respiratory Infection: An acute upper respiratory infection (URI) is a common short-term illness affecting the nose, throat, and sinuses, often causing congestion, cough, and sore throat, and typically resolving with rest and supportive care.
- Benign Lung Neoplasms: Benign lung neoplasms are non-cancerous growths in the lungs that usually don't require treatment unless they cause symptoms or grow large.
- Moderate Asthma: Moderate asthma doesn't have to limit your activities. With the right medications and care, you can effectively control your breathing difficulties and preserve a high quality of life.
- Long COVID Disorder: Long COVID affects individuals differently, but for older adults, it can impact mobility and daily routines. With appropriate care and management strategies, many seniors can better manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
- Wheezing: If you're experiencing wheezing, it's important to seek medical attention as it might indicate a problem with your lungs, such as inflammation or airway blockage. Treatment can significantly reduce discomfort and improve your independence.
- Cough: A cough is a common reflex that helps clear your lungs of irritants, but persistent coughing can be a sign of a lung problem and significantly impact your comfort and daily life.
- Rheumatoid Lung Disease: For seniors with rheumatoid arthritis, it's important to be aware of rheumatoid lung disease, a possible complication that can be managed with medication and monitoring to maintain a good quality of life.
- Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis: Living with black lung (coal workers' pneumoconiosis) can be challenging, but with the right medical care, including medications and breathing exercises, you can better manage your symptoms and remain active in your daily life.
- Chronic Pulmonary Embolism: A persistent problem with blood clots blocking the blood vessels in your lungs is chronic pulmonary embolism; with careful medical management, usually including blood-thinning medications, you can prevent further clots, lessen symptoms and maintain an active life.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Sunil Pammi offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Arterial Blood Gas Test (ABG): An arterial blood gas test is a simple blood test that helps doctors understand how well your lungs are bringing oxygen into your blood and removing carbon dioxide.
- Bronchoscopy with Robotic Assist: Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy helps improve the accuracy and precision of lung biopsies, leading to better diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies for seniors with lung disease.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): CPAP is a non-invasive treatment that improves sleep quality for seniors by ensuring consistent airflow throughout the night, aiding in better breathing and reducing daytime fatigue associated with sleep apnea.
- Smoking Cessation Counseling: Smoking cessation counseling helps seniors quit smoking, reducing their risk of lung diseases like COPD and lung cancer.
- Breathing Treatment: Breathing treatments, such as oxygen therapy, can significantly improve a senior's breathing and reduce shortness of breath, enhancing their daily activities.
- Thoracotomy: If other less invasive methods are insufficient, a thoracotomy offers a direct surgical approach to diagnose and treat a range of severe lung issues in seniors, improving their quality of life.
- Non Invasive Mechanical Ventilatn Robotic Assist: For seniors experiencing respiratory failure, non-invasive robotic ventilation offers a supportive measure to improve breathing and reduce the work of breathing, potentially avoiding more invasive interventions.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Pulmonology in Florida.
Dr. Sunil Pammi is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- After undergoing treatment for a lung abscess, a senior couple experienced a significant improvement in their breathing and were able to once again enjoy their daily walks in the park, a cherished activity.
- With the guidance of a pulmonologist, a senior couple found relief from the persistent cough and shortness of breath associated with acute bronchitis, allowing them to enjoy a relaxing evening at home with their favorite board game.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Critical Care Medicine)
- American Board of Internal Medicine (Pulmonary Disease)
Here are answers to some common questions about Pulmonary care with Dr. Sunil Pammi:
- What is a Pulmonologist?
- A pulmonologist is a doctor specializing in lung and respiratory conditions. They are experts in diagnosing and treating issues like COPD, asthma, pneumonia, and sleep apnea, helping seniors maintain good lung health and quality of life.
- I have a cough that won't go away. When should I see a pulmonologist?
- If your cough lasts more than a few weeks, especially with shortness of breath, wheezing, or mucus, it's important to see Dr. Pammi. He can perform tests to identify the cause, from asthma to more serious conditions, and create a personalized plan for relief.
- I'm a former smoker. Am I still at risk for lung problems?
- We understand your history as a former smoker. Quitting smoking was the best decision for your health. While your risk decreases significantly after quitting, a history of smoking still puts you at a higher risk for conditions like COPD and lung cancer. Regular check-ups and, if eligible, low-dose CT screening for lung cancer are important preventive steps.
- What is a pulmonary function test (PFT)?
- A pulmonary function test (PFT) is a non-invasive breathing test that measures how well your lungs are working. It involves breathing into a machine called a spirometer. Dr. Pammi uses this key diagnostic tool to help diagnose and monitor conditions like asthma and COPD.
- My partner snores loudly and often seems to stop breathing in their sleep. Should we be concerned?
- Yes, these are classic signs of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. It's crucial to get this evaluated. Dr. Pammi can arrange a sleep study to diagnose the issue, and effective treatments, like CPAP therapy, are available.
- Should I get the pneumonia vaccine?
- Absolutely. Pneumonia can be a very serious, even life-threatening, illness for older adults. The pneumonia vaccines (like PCV20 or PCV15 and PPSV23) are highly effective at preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and complications. Please discuss your specific vaccination status with your primary care doctor or Dr. Pammi.
- How is asthma different in older adults?
- Asthma can develop at any age and sometimes presents in older adults as simply shortness of breath, which may be overlooked. Managing asthma in seniors requires careful consideration of their other health conditions and medications. Dr. Pammi specializes in creating safe and effective asthma action plans for seniors.
- What is pulmonary fibrosis?
- Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition that causes scarring and stiffening of the lungs over time, making breathing more difficult. While there's no cure for the scarring, Dr. Pammi can provide treatments like medications and oxygen therapy to help manage symptoms, slow the disease's progression, and maintain the best possible quality of life.
13340 Metro Pkwy Ste 400
Fort Myers FL 33966
Phone: (239) 343-1105
Dr. Sunil Pammi, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1053378240
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Pulmonology like Dr. Sunil Pammi are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.
