Dr. Ryan Nantel-Smith

As a Pneumologue (Respirologue), Dr. Ryan Nantel-Smith diagnoses and manages a wide array of conditions affecting the lungs and respiratory system, including but not limited to:

Airway Diseases

• Bronchiectasis: Managing this chronic condition where damage to the airways causes them to widen and become scarred, leading to recurrent infections and mucus buildup.
• Asthma: Diagnosing and managing all forms of asthma, including allergic, non-allergic, exercise-induced, and occupational asthma, in adults and children.
• Emphysema: A major component of COPD, characterized by destruction of lung tissue and impaired gas exchange.

Lung Infections

• Bronchitis (Acute): Differentiating from chronic bronchitis and providing symptomatic relief for short-term airway inflammation.
• Pneumonia: Management of community-acquired, hospital-acquired, and aspiration pneumonia.
• Tuberculosis (Pulmonary): Managing the lung-related aspects of this infectious bacterial disease.

Pleural Diseases

• Pleurisy (Pleuritis): Treating inflammation of the pleura (the tissues lining the lungs and chest cavity), which causes sharp chest pain, especially during breathing.
• 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.

Interstitial Lung Diseases Ild

• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): Specialized care for a complex form of interstitial lung disease leading to irreversible lung damage.
• Other Interstitial Lung Diseases: Evaluating and managing a wide range of less common ILDs, including those associated with connective tissue diseases, drug-induced ILD, and unclassifiable ILDs.

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

• Chest Imaging Interpretation: Analyzing radiological images to detect signs of infection, inflammation, tumors, or structural lung changes.
• Comprehensive Respiratory Evaluation: Expert evaluation for various respiratory symptoms such as chronic cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest discomfort.
• Asthma Management and Education: Ongoing management and support for individuals living with asthma of all severities.
• Inhaler Technique and Respiratory Device Training: Providing detailed instruction and education on the correct use of various inhalers, nebulizers, and other respiratory devices.
• Diagnostic Bronchoscopy: Performing flexible bronchoscopy to directly visualize the airways, obtain biopsies, and collect samples for diagnosing lung infections, inflammation, or cancer.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Nantel-Smith. 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. Ryan Nantel-Smith adhere to the scope of practice for Pneumologue (Respirologue)s in QC and the standards of The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ).

At Hôpital du Lakeshore, 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. Nantel-Smith frequently helps patients work towards outcomes such as:

• Dr. Nantel-Smith often consults with patients whose getting frequent lung infections like bronchitis or pneumonia significantly limits their enjoyment of traveling by car or plane with greater comfort or impacts their well-being. The clear goal of care is to achieve effective relief from symptoms related to pleural effusions and thereby restore their active and healthy lifestyle.
• For those individuals challenged by the daily effects of needing to manage their oxygen therapy effectively at home, Dr. Nantel-Smith offers tailored strategies and effective treatments to reach achieving better control of their asthma or COPD symptoms, with fewer flare-ups. This positive change can mean rediscovering the simple joy of enjoying a leisurely walk in the park or around their neighborhood.
• The primary focus for patients seeking help for unexplained weight loss combined with a persistent cough at Dr. Nantel-Smith's practice is consistently achieving an effective and personalized management plan for their chronic respiratory illness. This facilitates a confident and meaningful return to valued daily activities such as sleeping soundly through the night and waking up feeling refreshed.
• If needing help to quit smoking and improve their lung health is preventing you from fully enjoying feeling less anxious about sudden shortness of breath or causing significant discomfort, Dr. Nantel-Smith offers expert respiratory solutions. The primary aim is to achieve successful navigation of the diagnostic process for a complex lung issue through comprehensive and personalized care.

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

Dr. Nantel-Smith's practice, Hôpital du Lakeshore, is situated in a central location within the Pointe-Claire neighborhood of Pointe-Claire. The clinic is conveniently located near local healthcare facilities and community services and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Patient parking is typically available nearby or on-site.

Are services provided by a Respirologist like Dr. Nantel-Smith covered by provincial health insurance (e.g., Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ))?

Most physician consultations and medically necessary assessments by a registered specialist Respirologist like Dr. Nantel-Smith are typically covered by provincial health plans such as Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) in QC, provided the patient has a valid health card and 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 Hôpital du Lakeshore about any potential out-of-pocket costs and to check with their private insurance, if any.

Can Dr. Nantel-Smith help manage chronic conditions like asthma or COPD?

Yes, Respirologists like Dr. Nantel-Smith 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. Nantel-Smith 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 does a Respirologist / Pulmonologist like Dr. Nantel-Smith do?

A Respirologist (often called a Pulmonologist) like Dr. Nantel-Smith 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.

What are Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), and why might Dr. Nantel-Smith 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. Nantel-Smith 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.

What can I expect at my first appointment with Dr. Nantel-Smith at Hôpital du Lakeshore?

The first visit with Dr. Nantel-Smith 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. Nantel-Smith 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. Nantel-Smith 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.

Hôpital du Lakeshore
160 av Stillview
Pointe-Claire, QC, H9R 2Y2

Phone: (514) 630-2225

Dr. Ryan Nantel-Smith is a licensed Pneumologue (Respirologue) in QC, regulated by The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) under the Code des professions & Loi médicale (Québec).

License Number: 15719

Verify registration with The Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ): https://www.cmq.org/en/directory/physicians?number=15719

A referral from a family physician or another specialist is typically required to see Dr. Nantel-Smith. Dr. Nantel-Smith 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.