Pulmonologist specialists diagnose andfurther treat conditions that are on the verge of affecting the respiratory system in men and women. Pulmonologists help in the treatment of different respiratory disorders:
- Inflammatory
- Infectious
- Structural
- neoplastic, which means problem related to tumour
In some cases, it extends till the cardio vascular system. Certain pulmonary vascular disease can affect the respiratory system as well as other organs of the body.
What is pulmonology?
Pulmonology is a field of medicine that primarily concentrateson diagnosing and treating problems and diseases related to the respiratory system.
Subspecialties of pulmonology-
- Interstitial lung disease is marked by persistent inflammation and scarring in the lungs.
- Sleep-disordered breathing
- Lung transplantation
- Interventional pulmonology is related tomultidisciplinary care to treat lung cancer, airway disorders, and pleural diseases.
- Neuromuscular disease refers to conditions that occur due to respiratory muscle failure.
- Obstructive lung disease involves narrowing of airways or obstruction.
Conditions pulmonologists treat–
- Bronchiectasis occurs when your lungs can’t clear mucus
- Bronchitis happens when you have inflamed mucous membranes
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes an airflow blockage
- Emphysema happens when the alveoli of the lungs are damaged
- Interstitial lung diseases affect the space and tissue around the alveoli
- Occupational lung diseases occur due to the inhalation of chemicals or proteinsor dusts
- Obstructive sleep apnea causes your breathing to stop entirely or too slow when you’re sleeping
Procedures pulmonologists perform-
- CT scan to get detailed images of the muscles, fat organs, bones and blood vessels in your chest
- Chest fluoroscopy to see the functioning of your lungs
- Pulmonary function test to see how well your lungs are working
- Transplantation to remove the diseased lung and replace it with a healthy lung
- Chest ultrasound to examine the chest structures and other organs
- Lobectomy to remove one of the lobes of your lungs
- Pleural biopsy to remove a small tissue sample from the pleura, which is the membrane that surrounds your lungs
- Pulse oximetry test to determine the oxygen saturation level in your blood
- Thoracentesis to remove air or fluid from around your lungs
- Sleep study to help them diagnose sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea
- Bronchoscopy to examine your airway and determine if you have any issues in your trachea, lower airways, throat, or larynx