Pulmonary Medicine (Pulmonology)

Pulmonary medicine is the subspecialty of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and management of disorders of the respiratory system, including the lungs, upper airways, thoracic cavity, and chest wall.

During a pulmonary consultation, a pulmonologist will evaluate a patient’s respiratory and lung function. He does investigations by asking questions about hereditary diseases, exposure to toxins (asbestos, second-hand smoke), and exposure to infectious agents, or a possible predisposition to autoimmune diseases.

A pulmonologist uses procedures such as spirometry, blood tests, chest X-rays, CT scans, bronchoscopies, and sleep studies to diagnose chronic lung disease.

Most of the time pulmonologists do not perform surgeries. But they do perform biopsies. They can also handle injuries to the chest due to accidents.

Pulmonologists can help treat and diagnose respiratory disorders that are structural, inflammatory, neoplastic, infectious, or autoimmune.

Respirologists deal with the diseases of the lungs. Asthma, Emphysema, and pneumonia are some diseases treated by respirologists.

Shortness of breath, a chronic cough, unexplained weight loss, or consistent trouble in sleeping are some of the conditions that require you to go to a pulmonologist.

Pulmonologists diagnose and treat different conditions of the respiratory system. They can treat acute and chronic cough.

Acute or Severe – If your shortness of breath comes up suddenly, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Interferes with Life – If you face any difficulty in normal functioning due to shortness of breath, you need to go to a medical center,, for urgent care right away.

A person may have dyspnea even though the actual levels of oxygen are within a normal range.

• Chest X-ray. It can show the doctor signs of conditions such as pneumonia or other heart and lung problems.
• Oxygen test. Also called pulse oximetry, this helps your doctor measure how much oxygen is in your blood
• Electrocardiography (EKG)

• asthma
• heart failure
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• interstitial lung disease
• Pneumonia
• Psychogenic problems are usually linked to anxiety.

Some medications can cause respiratory impairment. They include ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs, anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, cholinergic, antihypertensives, antibiotics, antifungals, antimicrobials, antiretrovirals, digoxin, interferon, and chemotherapy agents.

• Beets and beet greens. The vibrantly colored root and greens of the beetroot plant contain compounds that optimize lung function
• Peppers
• Apples
• Pumpkin
• Turmeric
• Tomato and tomato products
• Blueberries
• Green tea

• Exposure to air pollution
• Breathing secondhand smoke
• Working with chemicals, dust, and fumes
• A genetic condition is called Alpha-1 deficiency
• A history of childhood respiratory infection

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities.
• Wheezing.
• Chest tightness.
• A chronic cough may produce mucus (sputum) that may be clear, white, yellow, or greenish.
• Frequent respiratory infections.
• Lack of energy.
• Unintended weight loss (in later stages)
• Swelling in ankles, feet, or legs.