Why Pulmonology?.
Pulmonology is a subspecialty of internal medicine or pediatrics specifically dedicated to studying the respiratory system and treating respiratory conditions.
A pulmonologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the respiratory system. This system includes all organs, airways, and muscles that bring oxygen into and expel carbon dioxide out of the body.
Specifically, the respiratory system includes:
- nasal cavity
- mouth
- throat, or pharynx
- voice box, or larynx
- trachea
- lungs
- bronchi
- bronchioles
- alveoli
Pulmonologists diagnose and treat respiratory conditions that result from:
- infections
- inflammations
- structural irregularities
- tumors
- autoimmune conditions
Certain respiratory conditions, including COPD and interstitial lung disease, can also affect the cardiovascular system. Symptoms such as chest pain and difficulty breathing occur in both cardiovascular and respiratory conditions.
For this reason, pulmonologists often work closely with cardiologists when diagnosing and treating certain conditions.
Pulmonologists also coordinate people’s treatment plans with interdisciplinary healthcare teams comprising specialists, nurses, pathologists, and respiratory therapists.
Pulmonologists can further specialize in their practice by only treating specific conditions or focusing on certain patient demographics.
Subspecialties within pulmonology include:
- critical care medicine
- sleep-disordered breathing
- interstitial lung disease
- obstructive lung disease
- interventional pulmonology
- neuromuscular disease
- lung transplantation