Dr. Owen Daniel Lyons

As a Respirologist, Dr. Owen Daniel Lyons diagnoses and manages a wide array of conditions affecting the lungs and respiratory system, including but not limited to:

Pleural Diseases

• Pleurisy (Pleuritis): Identifying the underlying cause, such as viral infection or autoimmune disease, and managing pain and inflammation.
• Pleural Effusion: Diagnosing the cause and managing the buildup of excess fluid in the space between the lungs and the chest wall (pleural space).
• Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung - Follow-up Care): Monitoring patients after initial treatment (e.g., chest tube) for a collapsed lung.

Lung Infections

• Bronchitis (Acute): Treating acute inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often caused by viral infections, leading to cough and mucus.
• Pneumonia: Addressing acute lung infections to ensure proper recovery and prevent complications.
• Tuberculosis (Pulmonary): Respiratory assessment and follow-up for patients undergoing treatment for tuberculosis.

Airway Diseases

• Asthma: Comprehensive care for reversible airway obstruction characterized by wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Helping patients manage symptoms of chronic cough, sputum production, and dyspnea associated with COPD.
• Bronchiectasis: Focusing on airway clearance techniques, antibiotic therapy for exacerbations, and preventing further lung damage.

Interstitial Lung Diseases Ild

• Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: Identifying and eliminating exposure to the offending antigen, and managing airway inflammation with medication if needed.
• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): Specialized care for a complex form of interstitial lung disease leading to irreversible lung damage.

This list provides examples of conditions commonly managed. A comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan are always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Lyons, typically following referral. If your specific concern isn't listed, please discuss with your referring physician or contact the clinic for more information.

• Bronchiectasis Management: Diagnosis and long-term management of bronchiectasis, focusing on airway clearance techniques, infection control, and symptom management.
• Inhaler Technique and Respiratory Device Training: Ensuring patients can effectively self-administer their prescribed respiratory medications for optimal therapeutic benefit.
• Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) Interpretation: Expert interpretation of a full range of pulmonary function tests (spirometry, lung volumes, diffusing capacity, bronchoprovocation) to assess lung health and diagnose conditions like asthma and COPD.
• Pleural Effusion Management: Diagnosing the cause of pleural effusions (fluid around the lungs) and managing them, which may include therapeutic thoracentesis (fluid drainage) in an outpatient setting if appropriate.
• Comprehensive Respiratory Evaluation: In-depth consultation to diagnose lung conditions, assess breathing difficulties, and formulate a personalized management plan.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Lyons. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any test or treatment depends on individual assessment and referral. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific medical needs, please schedule a consultation or speak with your referring physician.

All services by Dr. Owen Daniel Lyons adhere to the scope of practice for Respirologists in ON and the standards of The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

At HHS Hamilton General Hospital, the primary aim is to work collaboratively with you to manage your respiratory condition effectively, improve your breathing, and enhance your overall quality of life. Dr. Lyons frequently helps patients work towards outcomes such as:

• A key objective when treating pain in their chest, especially when they take a deep breath or cough at Dr. Lyons's welcoming clinic is achieving reduced anxiety related to their breathing difficulties. This directly supports a comfortable, confident, and lasting return to important activities like performing daily household chores like cleaning or grocery shopping without significant difficulty.
• Many people seek Dr. Lyons's professional help and expertise when dealing with unexplained weight loss combined with a persistent cough. The mutually agreed upon, collaborative goal is consistently being able to travel or engage in hobbies that were previously limited by breathlessness, allowing a confident and satisfying return to valued life activities like being able to playing with their children or grandchildren with more ease.
• Overcoming or effectively managing trouble catching their breath after a recent illness like COVID-19 is a common journey for patients under Dr. Lyons's care. The treatment philosophy centers on enabling a clear diagnosis and a better understanding of their specific lung condition, so that daily routines and pleasures like climbing a small hill or incline with improved endurance become more manageable again.
• For individuals troubled by worrying about the effects of long-term smoking on their lungs, Dr. Lyons's approach is focused on delivering successful and comfortable use of their CPAP therapy for sleep apnea. This often makes it possible for them to resume important activities like feeling less anxious about sudden shortness of breath with better lung health.

Your personalized treatment plan, developed in consultation with Dr. Lyons, will be tailored to address your specific respiratory needs and health goals. Dr. Lyons is dedicated to providing expert care and empowering patients with the knowledge and tools to achieve their best possible respiratory health.

Dr. Lyons practices at HHS Hamilton General Hospital, located in the University of Toronto, Harbord neighborhood of Toronto. The clinic is conveniently located near the Financial District Core and is accessible via TTC (Subway, Streetcar, Bus). Please inquire about parking when you schedule your visit.

Are services provided by a Respirologist like Dr. Lyons covered by provincial health insurance (e.g., Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP))?

Most physician consultations and medically necessary assessments by a registered specialist Respirologist like Dr. Lyons are typically covered by provincial health plans such as the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON, provided the patient has a valid health card and an appropriate referral. Diagnostic tests like PFTs and bronchoscopies ordered by a specialist are also usually covered. However, some specific treatments, devices (e.g., CPAP machines, some specialized inhalers), or medications may not be fully covered or may have co-payments depending on provincial formularies and private insurance. It’s always best for patients to inquire with HHS Hamilton General Hospital about any potential out-of-pocket costs and to check with their private insurance, if any.

How is a Respirologist different from a Thoracic Surgeon or an Allergist?

While all three may deal with conditions affecting breathing, their approaches differ. Thoracic Surgeons are surgical specialists who perform operations on organs in the chest, including the lungs (e.g., lung cancer surgery, lung biopsies). Allergists (Allergist & Clinical Immunologists) are medical specialists who diagnose and treat allergic conditions, which can include allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis, often using immunotherapy and medication. Respirologists like Dr. Lyons are medical specialists focused on the non-surgical diagnosis and medical management of a broad range of lung and respiratory diseases, using medications, inhaler therapies, diagnostic procedures like bronchoscopy, and management of conditions like COPD and sleep apnea. They often coordinate long-term care for chronic respiratory illnesses.

What can I expect at my first appointment with Dr. Lyons at HHS Hamilton General Hospital?

The first visit with Dr. Lyons will typically involve a comprehensive respiratory assessment. This includes a detailed discussion of the patient’s medical history, the nature and timeline of their current respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, wheezing), how these symptoms impact their daily activities, smoking history, environmental exposures, and any previous treatments. Dr. Lyons will then perform a thorough physical examination, focusing on the respiratory system (listening to the lungs, observing breathing patterns). Any prior imaging (Chest X-rays, CT scans) or test results (like PFTs) will be reviewed. Based on this evaluation, Dr. Lyons will discuss their diagnostic impressions, may recommend further investigations (like PFTs, sleep study, or bronchoscopy if needed), and will outline potential treatment options, working with the patient to establish health goals.

Do I typically need a referral to see a Respirologist (Pulmonologist) like Dr. Lyons?

Yes, in ON, a referral from a family doctor (GP) or another specialist is generally required to see a Respirologist like Dr. Lyons for consultations and treatments covered by provincial health plans like Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). This referral helps ensure the consultation is appropriate and that Dr. Lyons has the necessary background medical information. Speak with your primary care physician or referring doctor if you believe you need a respiratory assessment.

What does a Respirologist / Pulmonologist like Dr. Lyons do?

A Respirologist (often called a Pulmonologist) like Dr. Lyons is a medical doctor (physician) who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing diseases and conditions of the lungs and respiratory system. This includes conditions like asthma, COPD (emphysema, chronic bronchitis), pneumonia, lung cancer, sleep apnea, interstitial lung diseases, and pleural diseases. Their goal is to improve respiratory health, alleviate symptoms like shortness of breath and cough, and enhance the quality of life for people with breathing problems. They use various diagnostic tools like pulmonary function tests and bronchoscopy, and treatments including medications, inhalers, oxygen therapy, and management of devices like CPAP machines.

Can Dr. Lyons help manage chronic conditions like asthma or COPD?

Yes, Respirologists like Dr. Lyons are experts in the long-term management of chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis). After a thorough assessment, Dr. Lyons develops a personalized management plan. This may include prescribing appropriate inhaler medications (relievers and controllers), educating patients on correct inhaler technique, developing action plans for flare-ups, advising on trigger avoidance, recommending smoking cessation programs, and coordinating pulmonary rehabilitation if beneficial. The goal is to optimize symptom control, reduce exacerbations, improve lung function, and enhance overall quality of life.

What are Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), and why might Dr. Lyons recommend them?

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are a group of non-invasive breathing tests that measure how well the lungs are working. They assess lung volume (how much air the lungs can hold), airflow rates (how quickly air can be moved in and out), and gas exchange (how well oxygen moves from the lungs into the blood). Dr. Lyons might recommend PFTs to help diagnose conditions like asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or to assess the severity of a known lung disease, monitor its progression, or evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Common PFTs include spirometry, lung volume measurement, and diffusing capacity tests.

HHS Hamilton General Hospital
76 Grenville Street, Department of Emergency Medicine
Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2

Phone: (416) 323-6137

Dr. Owen Daniel Lyons is a licensed Respirologist in ON, regulated by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 & Medicine Act, 1991 (Ontario).

License Number: 99569

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Lyons-Owen-Daniel/0279092-99569

A referral from a family physician or another specialist is typically required to see Dr. Lyons. Dr. Lyons and the team are dedicated to providing comprehensive respiratory care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or severe difficulty breathing, please proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911.