What Does a Pulmonologist Do?

Your usual healthcare practitioner could advise seeing a pulmonologist or a respiratory system specialist if you have a persistent cough or breathing difficulties. This expert has years of experience in identifying and managing lung-related illnesses. It is crucial, especially if long-term treatment is required for the condition. Bronchoscopy procedures and Asthma management are taken care of by them.

What is a pulmonologist? 

A physician who focuses on diseases of the lungs is called a pulmonologist. These medical professionals may be called respiratory system specialists, lung specialists, or lung doctors. They do the pulmonary disease treatment from the very basics. Your respiratory system, in addition to your lungs, consists of your nose, throat, trachea, airways, muscles, and blood vessels. Pulmonary disease treatment by a respiratory system specialist also covers them.

How does a cardiologist differ from a pulmonologist?

The area of specialization is what makes a difference. The specialist in the heart is a cardiologist, while the specialist in the lungs is a pulmonologist. But because they are interconnected, your heart and lungs function best when they are both in good shape. As both the heart and the lungs are affected by diseases like pulmonary hypertension, you should see both types of medical professionals. Pulmonary disease treatment becomes easier when you consult them earlier. 

What is the training for a pulmonologist?

To become a pulmonologist, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree and then be accepted into a medical school by passing the Medical College Admissions Test. A medical degree typically takes four years to complete.

To become a pulmonologist, you must complete an entire three-year internal medicine residency programme and a two-year fellowship in pulmonary illness. A healthcare provider specialising in this field must be completely knowledgeable about the diseases they treat, the medical devices used to treat them, estimating the prognosis (outlook) of the disease, and end-of-life decisions.

What diseases are treated by pulmonologists?

Specifically, the lungs and pulmonologists address diseases of the respiratory system. Inflammation, tissue expansion, and infections are a few possible causes of these diseases. Many of these conditions would need a lifetime, or even protracted, treatment regimens. Your primary care physician, your pulmonologist, and possibly other experts will collaborate on your treatment options. COPD treatment, Sleep Apnea therapy, etc., are some of the processes pulmonologists prefer for patients. 

What is the role of a pulmonologist?

A pulmonologist is qualified to identify and manage respiratory illnesses. They may be experts in particular fields, such as critical care, asthma, or sleep medicine. They might also focus on treating elderly patients or youngsters (a paediatric pulmonologist, for example) (a senior pulmonologist). Bronchoscopy procedures can be followed by them, as per requirement. 

Why would you require a pulmonologist’s services?

Your normal doctor may recommend seeing a pulmonologist if you have symptoms they can’t treat or believe you might benefit from a specialist. These can be a few of the warning signs and symptoms:

• Cough that doesn’t get better with time (chronic cough).
• Breathing difficulty (dyspnea).
• Tightness or soreness in the chest.
• Wheezing.
• Symptoms of sleep apnea, such as loud snoring or excessive exhaustion.
• Dizziness.

If you already have a respiratory disease, you can keep going to your scheduled checkups to take care of yourself.

What to expect from an appointment with a pulmonologist?

When you visit a pulmonologist for the first time, you should be prepared to complete a medical history form and undergo a physical examination. Bring paper and a pen to take notes of any questions your healthcare practitioner wants to address and record information like how long your symptoms have been present. Accordingly, you might be asked to undergo processes like Asthma management, COPD treatment, or other Bronchoscopy procedures. 

Your healthcare physician could conduct a few tests to aid diagnosis and therapy. They could consist of the following:

• Blood testing
• Computed tomography (CT) scans or chest X-rays.
• Testing for pulmonary function
• Spirometry
• Bronchoscopy
• Sleep research

You’ll want to keep attending your visits on time and according to advice if you have a condition requiring long-term management. These tests might need to be repeated in the future so your doctor can assess how well your treatment is working. If problems persist, go for a pulmonary disease treatment that assures better results.