Oksana Senyk, MD, PhD, PLLC

Dr. Oksana Senyk is an experienced pulmonologist serving patients throughout Jefferson and Shelby County from her office in Birmingham, AL. She is passionate about helping patients achieve clear breathing and maintain a healthy respiratory system. Dr. Senyk provides comprehensive diagnoses and treatments for the full range of pulmonary conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), lung cancer, tuberculosis, and bronchitis. She also offers cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and counseling to quit smoking. Dr. Senyk has been practicing pulmonary and critical care medicine for more than 25 years. Thanks to her expertise in this field of internal medicine, she can help a diverse range of patients, including seniors and children.

Many parents and teachers assume that children naturally tire easily. Furthermore, young boys often ignore shortness of breath. As a result, exercise-induced asthma is frequently under-diagnosed, especially among young patients. You may be suffering from exercise-induced asthma if you experience difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing, or tightness or pain in the chest during strenuous activities. If we diagnose you with exercise-induced asthma, we will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the nature and severity of your symptoms. Typically, Dr. Senyk will treat the condition with different types of medications that are administered in pill form or through an inhaler. Long-term medications are designed to address the underlying causes of lung inflammation and help reduce your risk for an asthma attack. Dr. Senyk will also prescribe medication that is taken before beginning exercise. During the course of treatment, it is important to keep exercising.

Asthma is most commonly treated with medications. In many cases, a patient will take long-term medications to address the underlying causes of the condition as well as quick-relief medications to address immediate symptoms. However, some asthma medications are not safe for use during pregnancy. When working with pregnant patients, Dr. Senyk coordinates closely with their obstetricians to develop comprehensive treatment plans so that they can effectively manage asthma. Depending on your unique characteristics, you may need to stop taking certain medications after a short time. Others may be taken for the full duration of your pregnancy. If you develop a respiratory issue or infection while pregnant, we will prescribe medications to safely treat the condition. You will undergo routine appointments with Dr. Senyk throughout the course of childbearing so that she can monitor your progress.

Dr. Senyk uses a counseling- and motivation-based approach to help patients stop smoking. Although she does prescribe medications in some cases, Dr. Senyk first seeks to help patients quit through lifestyle changes. Like many patients, you may not be fully aware of how smoking fits into your everyday life. Dr. Senyk will work to identify the triggers that lead you to smoke and then use this information to help you overcome cravings. In addition to helping you quit the habit, Dr. Senyk will work to improve pulmonary health and prevent further damage to your lungs. She offers cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and a number of other treatments. Some medications can also improve your lung function. After you have stopped smoking, Dr. Senyk will see you for follow-up appointments so that she can monitor your pulmonary health and provide additional assistance if you are still fighting the urge to smoke.