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1. What is a Pulmonologist?
A doctor who is specialized in diagnosis and treatment of respiratory system diseases is called as pulmonologist. The respiratory system include the airway (all organs that carry air to lungs from body's outside environment), the lungs and the muscles for respiration.
2. What type of respiratory problems can a Pulmonologist treat?
Pulmonologists can treat lung or airway inflammation, blocked lung airways, damage to lung alveoli and lung diseases occurred due to inhalation of dust chemical or smoking, genetic diseases of the lung like cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis.
3. When do you need to visit a Pulmonologist?
You should visit a pulmonologist if you are facing breathing difficulties, having cough from a long time, have blood or mucus in cough, sudden weight loss due to unknown reasons and have severe breathing problem while doing daily activities or exercising.
4. What tests wil a Pulmonologist do for a check up?
Pulmonologists will perform different tests depending up on your problem. These may include CT scan, chest ultrasound, chest X-ray, pulse oximetry test, pleural biopsy, bronchoscopy (to examine airway), breathing test (pulmonary function test) to check functioning of lungs and sleep study to detect sleep disorder.
5. What is the difference between a Pulmonologist and chest surgeon?
Pulmonologists will diagnose and treat respiratory system related disorders but if you are having a serious lung disease then you will be referred to chest surgeon to remove affected lung part or for a lung transplant.
A Pulmonologist is a medical professional specialized in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the respiratory system that includes the upper airways, lungs, chest wall and thoracic cavity. Pulmonology is the medical specialty that deals with diseases of the respiratory system like respiratory failure, asthma, emphysema, pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleurisy, pulmonary abscess, lung cancer or pleural cancer etc.
A 5-year medical degree [MBBS] that is recognized by the General Medical Council and a 2-year foundation course of general training are the basic requirements for an individual to be a doctor. However, following are the specialties or extra qualifications required to be a Pulmonologist:
Some of the most common conditions that Pulmonologists treat are:
An individual can visit a Pulmonologist if they experience these symptoms:
A Pulmonologist is a medical professional specialized in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases related to the respiratory system that includes the upper airways, lungs, chest wall and thoracic cavity. Respiratory therapists, on the other hand, collaborate with physicians and assist in diagnosing lung or breathing disorders. They evaluate patients and perform diagnostic tests with equipment and devices to determine appropriate therapy and treatment options with physicians. They also educate patients on the management of lung diseases and other breathing conditions.
You can consult a Pulmonologist either online or offline. However, depending on the availability of the doctor and the convenience of the patient, pre-booking may be required for consultation.
It is recommended to visit a Pulmonologist once a year to check the medical condition of the respiratory system. However, if a person is suffering from respiratory system diseases or conditions, they must consult and follow up with a Pulmonologist as and when required.