What is Pulmonology?
Pulmonology is a branch of internal medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the respiratory organs – from the nasal cavity, through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs. A physician specialized in this field is called a pulmonologist, and their role in healthcare is significant given the crucial function of the lungs in supplying oxygen to the body, which involves:
- Diagnosing and treating a wide range of respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, lung cancer, as well as other conditions that affect breathing and lung function.
- Performing diagnostic procedures such as spirometry or bronchoscopy.
- Determining a treatment plan, which may include medications, inhalers, oxygen therapy, or surgery.
- Educating patients about their condition and how to effectively manage it.
Symptoms to Visit a Pulmonologist For
Symptoms of pulmonary diseases vary depending on the specific current condition of the patient, which can be acute (meaning the disease has suddenly occurred) or chronic (meaning a condition that persists), so the examination is done due to the sudden onset of illness, regular monitoring of the condition, or worsening of symptoms.
Some of the most common symptoms to visit a pulmonologist for are:
- Persistent cough that does not go away, whether it is dry or accompanied by expectoration of secretions.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Chest pain, especially sharp pain that worsens with inhalation.
- Sensation of wheezing or whistling in the chest, as well as tightness or pressure in the chest during breathing and coughing.
What to Expect During a Pulmonologist Visit
The examination with a pulmonologist lasts between 20 and 30 minutes, is completely painless, and begins with a discussion about the current condition, symptoms, medical history, lifestyle habits, and family history. This is followed by a physical examination, auscultation of the lungs with a stethoscope, and checking lung function. Depending on the current condition, the pulmonologist may request additional tests and diagnostic procedures. Blood laboratory tests can indicate the presence of infection.
Spirometry is a quick test used to assess lung function and is used in the detection and monitoring of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.
A chest X-ray is an image that shows the structure of the lungs and potential changes in them.
There are also other advanced diagnostic methods performed as needed such as CT scanning and bronchoscopy.
How to Prepare for a Visit to a Pulmonologist
To better prepare for an examination with a pulmonologist, write down a list of symptoms and how long you have had them, gather information about previous diagnoses and medications you are currently taking, and write down any questions you want to ask the pulmonologist. Be sure to also bring all previous medical documentation if you have it.
Conditions Treated by Pulmonologists
Pulmonologists deal with both mild and severe respiratory conditions and diseases of the respiratory organs. Among them, the most common are bronchitis or inflammation of the bronchi and pneumonia, which are relatively easily diagnosed and treated. There are also pneumonia cases that affect a large respiratory surface and can be life-threatening. There is also COVID-19 infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which can cause respiratory problems.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is also common, which obstructs airflow in the lungs, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema (damage to lung alveoli), as well as asthma, chronic inflammation of the airways causing difficulty breathing, wheezing, and chest tightness, often of allergic origin.
In addition to the above, a pulmonologist also deals with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes damage to the lungs and other organs, tumors including lung cancer, and a fairly common condition for which patients seek the help of a pulmonologist is tuberculosis, an infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mainly affects the lungs.
These are just some of the conditions treated by pulmonologists, and it is worth mentioning aspergillosis, an infection caused by the fungus Aspergillus, as well as bronchiectasis or bronchial dilation that can lead to chronic infections, as well as pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, and sarcoidosis, a condition that leads to the formation of granulomas in various organs, including the lungs.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment
Healthy lungs are vital for everyday normal functioning, so it is important to preserve them, which is not always easy in cases of increased air pollution, frequent viral infections, or allergies. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the appearance of any symptoms that may indicate the development of a potential problem.
If the disease is detected early, which means as early as possible, the chance of successful therapy and complete recovery is increased, which is extremely important in the case of a diagnosis of a malignant process.
Meet Our Pulmonologists
The team of pulmonologists at Puls Go center for fast diagnostics and care consists of highly qualified experts with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating respiratory diseases, led by Dr. Vladan Živković, a pulmonologist-pneumophthisiologist, who performs invasive lung diagnostics. Dr. Živković at the Clinic for Pulmonology at the Military Medical Academy works daily with the most demanding patients and has extensive experience in working with COVID patients after working in COVID hospitals – KBC Zemun and VB Karaburma.
If you feel unwell, suspect you have a problem with your lungs or other respiratory organs, or your chronic condition has suddenly worsened, call PulsGo, where you will receive fast diagnostics and innovative solutions for your condition from a top team of experts with extensive experience according to the highest international quality standards. Call us at 011 755 5000 or write to us at info@pulsgo.rs
