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Dr. Mary Shannon Fracchia, MD is a pediatric pulmonologist in Newton, MA specializing in pediatric pulmonology. Dr. Mary Shannon Fracchia, MD is affiliated with Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL PHYSICIANS ORGANIZATION INC.
2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
275 Cambridge Street Suite 530
Boston, MA 02114
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease where the tissue and airways of the lungs become extremely sensitive to certain substances. When these substances are breathed in, the lungs become inflamed. The muscles around the airways tighten and squeeze the lungs, and passages within the lungs swell and tighten. The airways themselves produce mucus, which further clogs the tightened, swollen airways. A person having an asthma attack finds it very difficult to breathe, and a severe attack can even be fatal.
Asthma affects people of all ages, but people with asthma are most often diagnosed as children. Symptoms can include wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, and coughing. Some people have mild symptoms all the time, and some people have no symptoms at all, but everyone with asthma is susceptible to occasional severe attacks or flare-ups of symptoms when they are exposed to triggers. Triggers vary widely but can include:
Treatment for most asthma patients involves three steps. Patients learn what their asthma triggers are and avoid them. They take a daily control medication, usually an inhaled corticosteroid, to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Also, they have rescue medication with them at all times to take in case of a severe attack. These quick-acting inhaled medications relax the muscles around the airways and allow the lungs to open up for air.
There is no cure for asthma, but with treatment it should not interfere with daily life and activities.
Lung Issues
Every cell in the body requires oxygen to function and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In order to keep the body's tissues constantly supplied with fresh oxygen and to keep waste from building up, the lungs pump air in and out, even while sleeping or unaware. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders affecting the lungs are some of the most common medical problems afflicting people around the world. Some of the most common lung problems include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.
Asthma is a chronic disease where swollen, inflamed airways make it hard to breathe. It is often brought on by specific triggers. While asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people, it can also be serious and even fatal in severe cases. Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using inhaled corticosteroid medications.
COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name given to two illnesses that both cause difficulty breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, while with bronchitis they become clogged with mucus. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost always caused by breathing irritants into the lungs, such as smoking or heavy pollution.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in a week or two, but for some people pneumonia can be fatal. There are treatments available for pneumonia, but the best treatment is to prevent getting sick in the first place. People who are at risk should make sure they get a flu shot every year. There is also a vaccine available for the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia.
Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells inside the lung grow into a tumor, destroying healthy tissue. Because it is so difficult to detect lung cancer in early stages when it has few symptoms, it is the deadliest form of cancer, responsible for the most cancer deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide. Most lung cancer is caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, but between 10-15% of cases are not linked to smoking.
Some problems with the lungs are minor and are not cause for concern. However if symptoms have lasted for a month or more, even if they are minor, it is worth checking with a healthcare professional. A cough, shortness of breath, or excess mucus production that lingers for weeks are all worth getting looked at.
She is certified by the Pediatric Pulmonology, American Board of Pediatrics and has a state license in Massachusetts.
Board Certification: Pediatric Pulmonology, American Board of Pediatrics
Licensed In: Massachusetts
Dr. Mary Shannon Fracchia, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Mary Shannon Fracchia, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, MultiPlan, United Healthcare, Tufts Health Plan, Aetna, TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid, Humana, Coventry, Cigna, Blue California, Beech Street, WellPoint, Medicare ACO, WellSense, Senior Whole Health, Fallon Health, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare, Maine Community Health Options, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, MassHealth and WellSense NH.
According to our sources, Dr. Mary Shannon Fracchia, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Mary Shannon Fracchia, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.82 out of 5 stars based on 51 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Mary Shannon Fracchia, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Newton, MA.
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Mary Shannon Fracchia, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
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$522
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$88
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Dr. Mary Shannon Fracchia, MD has received 47 research payments totaling $182,436.
Dr. Mary Fracchia specializes in pediatric pulmonology and practices in Boston, MA. Her areas of clinical interest consist of cystic fibrosis (CF) and asthma. She appears to be in-network for Blue California, Coventry, Viant, and more. Dr. Fracchia's training includes a residency program at Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers. Dr. Fracchia is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital and Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
