Pulmonology: What Is It?
Pulmonology (from the Greek Pneumon, breath, and Logos, study) is the branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of diseases of the respiratory system.
The specialist in pulmonology is the pulmonologist, a medical doctor specialized in respiratory system diseases.
The specialist in pulmonology is the pulmonologist, a medical doctor specialized in respiratory system diseases.
The Respiratory System: How It Works
The respiratory system is the complex of tissues and organs responsible for introducing atmospheric oxygen into the body and expelling carbon dioxide produced by cellular metabolism, through the process known as respiration.
The main components of the respiratory system are:
• larynx
• pharynx
• nose and nasal cavities
• mouth
• nasopharynx
• trachea
• lungs
• bronchi
• bronchioles
• respiratory muscles: diaphragm and intercostal muscles
The main components of the respiratory system are:
• larynx
• pharynx
• nose and nasal cavities
• mouth
• nasopharynx
• trachea
• lungs
• bronchi
• bronchioles
• respiratory muscles: diaphragm and intercostal muscles
What Are the Conditions Affecting the Respiratory System?
The primary diseases that can affect the respiratory system include:
• vascular diseases or conditions – including pulmonary edema, pulmonary hypertension, and others
• obstructive diseases or conditions – including pulmonary emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, and others
• restrictive diseases or conditions – including pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, pleural effusion, and others
• infectious/environmental diseases or conditions – including tuberculosis, pneumonia, tracheitis, and others
• vascular diseases or conditions – including pulmonary edema, pulmonary hypertension, and others
• obstructive diseases or conditions – including pulmonary emphysema, bronchitis, asthma, and others
• restrictive diseases or conditions – including pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, pleural effusion, and others
• infectious/environmental diseases or conditions – including tuberculosis, pneumonia, tracheitis, and others
The Pulmonology Consultation: How It Works
A pulmonology consultation is conducted by a medical specialist in pulmonology.
Typically, the primary care physician refers the patient for a specialist consultation when symptoms occur, such as resting dyspnea, breathing difficulties, sleep apnea, chest pain or tightness, persistent cough, and prolonged and/or blood-tinged expectoration.
The purpose of the pulmonology examination is to rule out or diagnose diseases of the respiratory system and, if identified, determine the most appropriate therapeutic plan.
Following a thorough medical history assessment, the physician performs lung auscultation with a stethoscope. Based on the findings, further diagnostic tests may be prescribed, including:
• chest X-rays
• spirometry
• sputum culture test
• arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis
Typically, the primary care physician refers the patient for a specialist consultation when symptoms occur, such as resting dyspnea, breathing difficulties, sleep apnea, chest pain or tightness, persistent cough, and prolonged and/or blood-tinged expectoration.
The purpose of the pulmonology examination is to rule out or diagnose diseases of the respiratory system and, if identified, determine the most appropriate therapeutic plan.
Following a thorough medical history assessment, the physician performs lung auscultation with a stethoscope. Based on the findings, further diagnostic tests may be prescribed, including:
• chest X-rays
• spirometry
• sputum culture test
• arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis
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