Spec. Dr. Zarifa Achıkgoz

Specialist Dr. Zarife Achikgoz is an experienced and dedicated physician specializing in pulmonary diseases. She is committed to providing her patients with effective and up-to-date treatment methods.

Dr. Achikgoz began her medical journey on May 4, 1988, in Baku. She completed her basic medical education between 2005-2011 at Azerbaijan Medical University.

Subsequently, in 2014, she started her specialty training in Pulmonary Diseases at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine and completed her specialization in 2019.

Her areas of expertise include important respiratory diseases such as asthma, intensive care, respiratory failure, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), lung nodules, and lung ultrasound.

Dr. Achikgoz places great emphasis on prioritizing ethical values in her professional practices, avoiding unnecessary tests, and approaching her patients with empathy. Improving her patients’ quality of life and providing the best treatment service are her greatest sources of motivation.

Throughout her career, Dr. Achikgoz has attended many congresses and training programs, received various certificates, and conducted academic studies. She aims to use the knowledge gained during this process to benefit her patients.

In 2024, she successfully passed the Turkish Board of Pulmonary Diseases certification exam, officially validating her expertise at the national level. This achievement is a formal acknowledgment of her knowledge and competence in the field.

Dr. Achikgoz is a physician who continuously renews herself by closely following medical developments and aims to provide the best service to her patients in accordance with the latest guidelines.

Obstructive Lung Diseases
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Progressive diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema that obstruct airflow in the lungs and cause breathing difficulty.
Asthma: A chronic lung disease characterized by airway narrowing and inflammation, causing recurrent episodes of shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.
Bronchiectasis: A condition where the bronchi (airways) are permanently widened, leading to recurrent lung infections.

Restrictive Lung Diseases
Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD): A group of diseases affecting lung tissue and reducing lung elasticity (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis).

Lung Infections
Pneumonia: Infection of the lung parenchyma (tissue).
Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchi (airways).
Tuberculosis: A contagious lung disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria.
Cystic Fibrosis: A hereditary disease causing mucus buildup in the lungs and other organs.

Pulmonary Circulatory Diseases
Pulmonary Embolism: Blockage of a lung artery by a blood clot or other substance.
Pulmonary Hypertension: Elevated blood pressure in the lung vessels.

Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS): Repeated cessation or shallow breathing during sleep.
Other Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders.

Chest Wall and Pleural Diseases
Pleural Diseases: Inflammation of the membrane surrounding the lungs (pleuritis) or fluid accumulation in the pleural space (pleural effusion).
Chest Wall Deformities.

Lung Cancer
Malignant tumors originating from lung tissue.

Pulmonologists perform a series of diagnostic procedures to diagnose various diseases affecting the respiratory system. These procedures vary according to the patient's complaints, physical examination findings, and the physician's assessment.

Most commonly used diagnostic procedures by pulmonologists:

Patient History and Physical Examination
History Taking (Anamnesis): The doctor thoroughly questions the patient's complaints (cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, etc.), when these complaints started, what triggers or relieves them, accompanying symptoms, and the patient's medical history.
Physical Examination:
Inspection: Observing the shape, symmetry of the chest, respiratory movements, and other abnormalities.
Palpation: Examining the chest by hand to check for masses, tenderness, or abnormal sounds.
Percussion: Tapping on the chest to evaluate lung air content and presence of fluid in the pleural space by the sounds produced.
Auscultation: Listening to breath sounds from the lungs with a stethoscope; abnormal sounds such as wheezing or crackles are assessed.

Pulmonary Function Tests
Spirometry: The most frequently used test. Measures how much air the lungs can inhale and exhale and how fast. Important for diagnosis and follow-up of obstructive lung diseases like asthma and COPD.
Lung Volumes: Measurement of different lung capacities and volumes (e.g., vital capacity, residual volume).
Diffusing Capacity (DLCO): Measures oxygen transfer from lungs to blood. Important in interstitial lung diseases (ILD).
Bronchodilator Reversibility Test: Used to evaluate how much airway narrowing is reversible in asthma diagnosis.

Imaging Methods
Chest X-ray: The most commonly used method. Provides a general view of the lungs, heart, and other chest organs. Helps diagnose conditions such as pneumonia, pneumothorax, lung cancer.
Computed Tomography (CT): Used for detailed cross-sectional images of lungs and chest organs. Preferred in cases of lung nodules, ILD, lung cancer.
Pulmonary Angiography: Used to visualize lung vessels; important in suspected pulmonary embolism.

Endoscopic Methods
Bronchoscopy: A procedure to view the inner surface of the bronchi (airways), obtain mucus samples, or perform biopsy. Used in lung cancer, infections, foreign body aspiration.

Other Diagnostic Procedures
Pleural Fluid Aspiration and Analysis (Thoracentesis): Fluid removal and examination in cases of fluid accumulation between lung membranes (pleural effusion).
Lung Biopsy: Taking a small lung tissue sample for microscopic examination. May be necessary in lung cancer, ILD.
Sleep Study (Polysomnography): Records parameters such as breathing, heart rate, and brain waves during sleep to diagnose sleep-related breathing disorders like sleep apnea.
Sputum Examination: Investigates bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms in sputum; used to diagnose infections such as tuberculosis, bronchitis.
Allergy Tests: Used in diagnosis of allergic respiratory diseases like allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis.