In this episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija welcomes pulmonologist Dr. Vijay Balasubramanian for an in-depth discussion about respiratory health, environmental exposures, and the everyday habits that shape our lung function over a lifetime. We often focus on improving our heart health, lowering cholesterol, managing blood sugar, or losing weight, but healthy lungs are just as essential to living well. Every breath fuels our body with oxygen, making lung health a cornerstone of overall wellness. Dr. Vijay shares his expertise on how the lungs work, why they naturally change as we age, and how conditions like obesity, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease can all influence the way we breathe. He also explains why shortness of breath is never a symptom to ignore and why finding its underlying cause is so important. The conversation takes a deep dive into the modern threats to lung health, including air pollution, wildfire smoke, vaping, marijuana use, and occupational exposures. Dr. Vijay discusses how these factors can contribute to inflammation, chronic lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, and permanent lung damage, while offering practical strategies to reduce your risk. From avoiding smoking and vaping to staying physically active and minimizing harmful exposures, small choices today can have a lasting impact on your respiratory health for years to come. If you're looking to better understand your lung health, protect your breathing as you age, or learn how everyday exposures affect your body, be sure to check out this episode. Dr. Vijay Balasubramanian is the Founder/ Medical Director of Valley Advanced Lung Diseases Institute (VALDI) in Fresno. He is Board Certified in Pulmonary Medicine and specializes in Advanced lung diseases such as Interstitial Lung disease and Pulmonary vascular disease. VALDI is the first of its kind in the central valley of California. Its goal is to provide Access to care for Advanced Lung diseases - Diagnosis & management. Through its collaboration with Stanford Lung Transplant Program, patients are also able to be seen locally for consideration of Lung Transplantation if needed. He earned his medical degree at Stanley Medical College and completed postgraduate fellowship training in the United Kingdom (MRCP UK) and the Medical College of Wisconsin. He recently completed his Academic tenure as Professor of Medicine at UCSF Fresno. At UCSF Fresno, he established a nationally renowned Pulmonary Hypertension Program. He is nationally recognized in the field of Pulmonary Hypertension with extensive academic accomplishments including Research and publications. He is the recipient of multiple Teaching awards. He has shown strong commitment in organizing and supporting his patient support group for over 15 years. Download the Free Guide 'Your Health on GLP-1' Here: https://dr-chhaya.myflodesk.com/glp1 Follow Dr. Chhaya Makhija here: https://www.instagram.com/chhayamakhijamd/ https://www.facebook.com/unifiedendocrine https://unifiedendocrinecare.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@chhayamakhijamd https://www.linkedin.com/in/chhayamakhijamd/ Email: connect@unifiedendocrinecare.com Follow Dr. Vijay Balasubramanian here: https://www.valdiinc.com/aboutvijaybalasubramanian https://www.linkedin.com/company/valdiinc/ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon!
