Learn pulmonology basics, lung health concepts, and respiratory condition definitions.

Breathing Life into Every Moment

Breathing is the rhythm of life. We do it 22,000 times a day, mostly without thinking. But for millions of people, that rhythm is broken. A chronic cough, a tightness in the chest, or the inability to climb a flight of stairs can turn this unconscious act into a daily struggle.

At Liv Hospital, we see Pulmonology (Chest Diseases) as more than just treating the lungs; it is about restoring your capacity to live. We have transformed the traditional “chest clinic” into a comprehensive “Breath Center.” Here, we do not just prescribe inhalers and send you home. We utilize the world’s most advanced Interventional Pulmonology techniques to diagnose lung cancer without open surgery, treat severe COPD with microscopic valves instead of scalpels, and manage severe asthma with heat energy (Thermoplasty).

Whether you are an international patient seeking a definitive diagnosis for a suspicious shadow on an X-ray, or someone struggling with sleep apnea that is ruining your rest, our department offers a multidisciplinary sanctuary where technology meets fresh air.

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Overview and Definition

What Is Pulmonology?

Many patients assume a pulmonologist only treats “smoker’s cough.” In reality, Pulmonology is a complex internal medicine subspecialty that manages the entire respiratory system:

  • The Airways: The tubes (trachea, bronchi) that carry air.
  • The Lungs: The sponge-like organs where oxygen enters the blood.
  • The Muscles: The diaphragm and rib cage muscles that pump the air.
  • The Control Center: The brain signals that regulate breathing during sleep.

At Liv Hospital, our specialists work in a “closed-loop” system. This means a patient with lung cancer is seen simultaneously by a Pulmonologist, a Thoracic Surgeon, and a Medical Oncologist. A patient with asthma is evaluated by both an Immunologist and a Chest Physician. This eliminates the “fragmented care” that often delays diagnosis.

Interventional Pulmonology

The biggest revolution in chest medicine is Interventional Pulmonology. In the past, diagnosing a lymph node deep in the chest required a major operation. Today, we use robotic-like precision to reach deep into the lungs through the natural airway (the mouth), leaving no external scars.

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EBUS (Endobronchial Ultrasound)

PULMONOLOGY

EBUS is known as the “GPS of the Lungs.” It is the gold standard for staging lung cancer and diagnosing diseases like Sarcoidosis.

  • How it works: We use a special bronchoscope fitted with a tiny ultrasound probe at the tip. It allows the doctor to see through the airway wall to the lymph nodes and structures behind it.
  • The Procedure: Under light sedation (you are asleep and feel nothing), we pass the scope down the throat. A microscopic needle is guided by the ultrasound to take a sample (biopsy) from the lymph node.
  • The Benefit: High diagnostic accuracy, no surgical incision, and you go home the same day.
Icon 1 LIV Hospital

Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction

PULMONOLOGY

For patients with severe Emphysema (COPD), air gets trapped in the damaged parts of the lung, causing the chest to over-inflate like a balloon that can’t be emptied. This leaves no room for healthy lung tissue to work.

  • The Innovation: Instead of surgically removing the damaged lung, we place tiny Endobronchial Valves or Coils into the airways using a bronchoscope.
  • The Mechanism: These one-way valves let trapped air out of the diseased lung section but stop new air from getting in. The damaged lobe shrinks, creating space for the healthy lung to expand and breathe.
  • The Result: Significant improvement in exercise capacity and quality of life for patients who were previously told “there is nothing more we can do.”

Bronchial Thermoplasty

For severe, uncontrolled asthma that does not respond to inhalers.

  • The Tech: We use a catheter to deliver controlled radiofrequency (heat) energy to the airway walls.
  • The Goal: To reduce the thickness of the smooth muscle that constricts the airways during an asthma attack. Less muscle means less constriction.

Lung Cancer Treatments

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer, but it is curable if caught early. Our center focuses on Early Detection and Rapid Staging.

  • Low-Dose CT Screening: We offer a dedicated screening program for high-risk individuals (smokers over 50). Using low-radiation CT scans, we can detect nodules as small as 2mm—years before they cause symptoms.
  • Navigation Bronchoscopy: If a nodule is found deep in the periphery of the lung (where standard scopes can’t reach), we use “Virtual Navigation” technology to guide a catheter to the exact spot for biopsy, like a car GPS.
  • The Tumor Council: Every lung cancer case at Liv Hospital is discussed by a board of 10+ experts. We determine the best sequence: Surgery first? Chemo first? Or Immunotherapy? This ensures you receive the global gold standard of care.

Integrated Asthma Care

Asthma is often an allergic disease. Treating the lungs without treating the allergy is like mopping the floor while the faucet is still running.

  • Allergy Testing: We perform Skin Prick Tests and specific IgE blood tests to identify triggers (dust mites, pollen, pets).
  • Biologic Therapies: For “Eosinophilic Asthma” (a severe type driven by white blood cells), we use the latest injectable biologic drugs (monoclonal antibodies) that target the inflammation at its source, allowing many patients to stop using oral steroids.

Sleep Medicine Center

Sleep Apnea (stopping breathing during sleep) is a silent epidemic that ruins hearts and brains.

  • The Advanced Sleep Lab: Our sleep rooms look like 5-star hotel suites, not hospital labs. We use “Polysomnography” to monitor your brain waves, oxygen levels, and breathing patterns all night.
  • Treatment Spectrum: We don’t just hand you a CPAP mask. We offer a full range of solutions:
    • CPAP/BiPAP Titration: Finding the perfect pressure setting for you.
    • Oral Appliances: Custom dental devices for mild apnea.
    • Surgery: Collaborating with ENT surgeons for airway expansion if anatomical blockages exist.

Key Conditions We Treat

  • COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis.
  • Asthma: Allergic and Non-Allergic.
  • Lung Nodules & Cancer: Diagnosis and Staging.
  • Pneumonia & Infections: Including complex viral pneumonias and Tuberculosis.
  • Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD): Pulmonary Fibrosis and Sarcoidosis.
  • Pulmonary Embolism: Blood clots in the lung arteries.
  • Pleural Effusion: Fluid buildup around the lungs (treated with drainage or indwelling catheters).

Why Choose Liv Hospital for Pulmonary Care?

  1. “Pain-Free” Bronchoscopy: We perform almost all endoscopic procedures under Deep Sedation (TIVA) administered by an anesthesiologist. You sleep comfortably and wake up with no memory of the procedure.
  2. Thoracic Surgery Partnership: Our Pulmonologists work door-to-door with world-class Thoracic Surgeons. If an interventional procedure (like a valve) isn’t right for you, a surgical option (like VATS) can be arranged immediately.
  3. Pulmonary Rehabilitation: We don’t just treat the organ; we retrain the body. Our specialized physiotherapists teach you how to breathe more efficiently and rebuild the muscles needed for activity.
  4. International Patient Support: From “Fit to Fly” oxygen assessments to translating complex pathology reports, our team handles the logistics so you can focus on healing.

30
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With patients from across the globe, we bring over three decades of medical expertise and hospitality to every individual who walks through our doors.  

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Table of Contents

Environmental Impact

The lungs are the only internal organs directly exposed to the external environment. Air quality, pollution, and occupational exposures play a massive role in lung health.

The specialty involves identifying and mitigating environmental risks. This includes assessing workplace hazards like silica dust or asbestos.

Climate change and increasing allergens also impact respiratory health. Physicians must stay aware of these changing environmental factors to advise patients effectively.

  • Assessment of air quality risks
  • Management of occupational lung disease
  • Impact of climate on respiratory health
  • Allergen avoidance strategies
  • advocacy for clean air standards
PULMONOLOGY scaled LIV Hospital

Your Journey Toward Healing

PULMONOLOGY

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a key part of recovery. It is a supervised program that combines exercise and education to help you breathe better and build up your strength. This program can help you become more active, reduce breathlessness, and improve your independence and quality of life.

30
Years of
Excellence

Trusted Worldwide

With patients from across the globe, we bring over three decades of medical expertise and hospitality to every individual who walks through our doors.  

We're Here to Help.
Get in Touch.

Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.

Doctors

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What organs are treated in this specialty?

The primary organs treated include the lungs, trachea (windpipe), bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli, as well as the diaphragm and the chest wall muscles involved in breathing.

Generally, they do not perform major surgery like removing a lung lobe; thoracic surgeons do that, but they do perform minimally invasive procedures like bronchoscopy.

The right lung has three lobes and is slightly larger to accommodate the liver underneath it, while the left lung has only two lobes to make room for the heart in the chest cavity.

The upper tract includes the nose, sinuses, and throat, while the lower tract includes the windpipe and the lungs themselves; infections and conditions are often categorized by which tract they affect.

It is both: the autonomic nervous system controls breathing while you sleep or are not thinking about it, but you can also voluntarily control your breathing to speak, sing, or hold your breath.

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