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Pulmonology focuses on diagnosing and treating lung and airway conditions such as asthma, COPD, and pneumonia, as well as overall respiratory health.
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Pulmonology is the medical specialty focused on the respiratory system, including the lungs, airways, and chest muscles. It involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and others that affect breathing and lung function. This field is essential as the respiratory system is responsible for the vital process of breathing, which supplies oxygen to the body and removes carbon dioxide.
The respiratory system’s primary function is gas exchange. When you inhale, air travels down your windpipe (trachea) and into your lungs through the airways (bronchi). In the lungs, tiny air sacs called alveoli transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste product, moves from the blood into the alveoli for exhalation. Pulmonologists manage conditions that obstruct or damage any part of this pathway.
A pulmonologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract. After completing medical school, they undergo extensive training in internal medicine, followed by a pulmonary medicine fellowship. They manage both acute conditions, like severe pneumonia, and chronic diseases, such as asthma and emphysema.
Pulmonologists treat a wide spectrum of respiratory illnesses:
Respiratory symptoms are often a direct indication of a problem with the lungs or airways. Recognizing these signs and their underlying causes is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment.
You should consult a doctor if you experience any of the following persistent symptoms:
Many lung diseases are caused by long-term exposure to irritants. The most significant causes and risk factors include:
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
A precise respiratory diagnosis is built on a clinical exam and objective testing of lung function. The most fundamental tool is Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT), or spirometry, which measures how much air you can inhale and how quickly you can exhale. This data is essential for diagnosing and staging conditions like COPD (using the GOLD classification). Imaging, including chest X-rays and CT scans, provides a visual assessment of lung structure to identify tumors, pneumonia, or fibrosis. For a direct look, a bronchoscopy allows a doctor to view the airways and take tissue samples.
PFTs are a group of non-invasive tests that show how well the lungs are working. The most common test, spirometry, involves breathing into a mouthpiece. It measures:
A bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows a pulmonologist to examine the airways of the lungs. A thin, flexible tube with a camera (a bronchoscope) is passed through the nose or mouth, down the throat, and into the lungs. This procedure is used to:
Pulmonary treatment is focused on improving airflow, managing symptoms, and slowing disease progression. The cornerstone for many chronic conditions is lifestyle change, especially smoking cessation. Medical management relies heavily on inhaled medications (bronchodilators and steroids) to open airways and reduce inflammation. For low oxygen levels, supplemental oxygen therapy is prescribed. Pulmonary rehabilitation, a program of exercise and education, is highly effective for improving quality of life.
Medications are central to managing most lung conditions:
For more severe conditions, advanced treatments are available:
At Liv Hospital, our Pulmonology department provides comprehensive care for the full spectrum of respiratory diseases. Our multidisciplinary team, including pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, respiratory therapists, and specialized nurses, collaborates to create individualized treatment plans. We are equipped with advanced diagnostic technology, including a complete Pulmonary Function Lab, state-of-the-art bronchoscopy suites, and a dedicated Sleep Disorders Center. Our focus is on providing expert care, from early diagnosis of a chronic cough to managing complex lung conditions.
We operate on a “team” model for lung health. Pulmonologists work directly with thoracic surgeons to evaluate lung cancer cases, with oncologists to coordinate therapy, and with critical care specialists in the ICU. This integration ensures that patients receive a seamless, 360-degree care plan that addresses every aspect of their respiratory and overall health.
Our center is built on a foundation of technology. We offer:
We provide focused, long-term management through our specialized clinics. These include our Asthma & COPD Clinic, which emphasizes patient education and self-management, and our Smoking Cessation Program, which provides medical and behavioral support to help patients quit smoking for good.
Pulmonology focuses on diseases of the lungs and airways, including asthma, COPD, pneumonia, interstitial lung disease, sleep apnea, and lung cancer.
You should consult a pulmonologist if you have persistent symptoms such as chronic cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, or coughing up blood.
Diagnosis typically involves pulmonary function tests (spirometry), imaging studies like chest X-rays or CT scans, and sometimes bronchoscopy to examine the airways directly.
Treatment may include inhaled medications, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, antibiotics for infections, and advanced procedures such as interventional bronchoscopy or surgery.
Yes. With proper medical treatment, lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, and regular follow-up, many chronic respiratory conditions can be effectively managed and quality of life improved.
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