Learn about accurate diagnosis for lung conditions. We offer spirometry, imaging, and advanced testing for adults and children at LIV Hospital.
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Breathing problems can have many different causes. A cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, snoring, or repeated lung infection may seem simple at first, but these symptoms can be linked to different respiratory conditions. For this reason, the first step in pulmonology is not to rush into treatment, but to understand what is really causing the problem.
At Liv Hospital, the Pulmonology Department evaluates each patient with a structured and patient-friendly approach. The goal is to listen carefully, use the right diagnostic tools when needed, and create a clear path toward treatment. This helps patients understand their condition without feeling lost in complicated medical terms.
Many lung and airway diseases can look similar from the outside. Asthma, COPD, bronchitis, pneumonia, allergies, sleep apnea, pulmonary fibrosis, and other respiratory conditions may share symptoms such as cough, breathlessness, fatigue, or chest discomfort.
That is why an accurate diagnosis is important. It helps answer three key questions:
When the cause is understood clearly, treatment can be planned more effectively. This may also help prevent unnecessary medication use, repeated hospital visits, and delays in proper care.
A good pulmonology evaluation begins with a detailed conversation. The doctor asks when the symptoms started, how often they happen, what makes them worse, and whether they affect sleep, work, exercise, or daily activities.
Important questions may include:
These answers help the specialist understand the patient’s story. At Liv Hospital, this step is especially important because every patient’s breathing problem may have a different background.
After reviewing symptoms, the pulmonologist performs a physical examination. This may include listening to the lungs, checking breathing sounds, evaluating signs of infection, and measuring oxygen levels.
Oxygen level measurement is usually done with a small device placed on the finger. It is simple, quick, and painless. This test shows how well oxygen is moving through the blood. If the oxygen level is lower than expected, the doctor may recommend further testing.
Physical examination alone may not give the full answer, but it helps guide the next step.
Pulmonary function tests are commonly used to understand how well the lungs are working. These tests measure breathing capacity, airflow, and how easily air moves in and out of the lungs.
One of the most common tests is spirometry. During this test, the patient takes a deep breath and blows into a device. The result helps show whether the airways are narrowed or blocked.
Pulmonary function tests may be helpful for evaluating:
In some cases, the test may be repeated after using a medication that opens the airways. This helps the doctor see whether the breathing problem improves with treatment.
Imaging tests allow doctors to see the lungs and chest area more clearly. A chest X-ray may be used as an initial test, especially when infection, fluid, or visible lung changes are suspected.
For more detailed evaluation, a chest CT scan may be recommended. CT imaging can show smaller details inside the lungs and may help assess lung nodules, pneumonia, fibrosis, emphysema, pleural effusion, or other structural changes.
At Liv Hospital, imaging results are evaluated together with the patient’s symptoms and clinical findings. This is important because a scan alone does not always explain the full condition. The best evaluation comes from combining the patient’s story, examination, imaging, and test results.
In some cases, the pulmonologist may need to look directly inside the airways. Bronchoscopy is a procedure that uses a thin camera to examine the breathing passages.
Bronchoscopy may be recommended when there is:
For many patients, bronchoscopy may sound worrying. In simple terms, it is a controlled medical procedure performed by trained specialists. It is often done with sedation to support patient comfort.
At Liv Hospital, bronchoscopy can be part of advanced pulmonology evaluation when standard tests are not enough to understand the cause of symptoms.
EBUS, or Endobronchial Ultrasound, is an advanced bronchoscopy-based method used to examine structures near the airways, including lymph nodes in the chest. It allows the doctor to use ultrasound guidance during the procedure.
EBUS may be used in the evaluation of conditions such as lung cancer, sarcoidosis, enlarged lymph nodes, or unclear chest findings. It may help doctors take samples from areas that are difficult to reach with standard methods.
This type of evaluation can support more informed treatment planning, especially in complex respiratory cases.
Some breathing problems happen mostly at night. Loud snoring, pauses in breathing, waking up tired, morning headaches, dry mouth, and daytime sleepiness may be signs of sleep apnea.
A sleep study can help monitor breathing, oxygen levels, heart rhythm, and sleep quality during the night. This test helps doctors understand whether breathing is being interrupted during sleep.
At Liv Hospital, sleep-related breathing complaints can be evaluated as part of pulmonology care when needed. This is important because untreated sleep apnea may affect daily energy, concentration, and overall health.
Some respiratory conditions may involve more than one medical area. For example, shortness of breath may be related to the lungs, heart, sleep, allergy, or general health. Lung nodules may require evaluation by pulmonology, radiology, thoracic surgery, or oncology teams.
Liv Hospital’s multidisciplinary approach allows different specialists to be involved when needed. This can help patients receive a more complete evaluation, especially in complex or unclear cases.
The aim is to avoid fragmented care and guide the patient through a more coordinated process.
Diagnosis is not the final step. It is the beginning of the right treatment plan. Once the cause of symptoms is understood, the pulmonology team can explain the condition in simple language and recommend suitable treatment options.
Treatment may include medication, inhaler therapy, infection management, sleep apnea treatment, bronchoscopy-based procedures, pulmonary rehabilitation, lifestyle guidance, or follow-up care depending on the diagnosis.
To continue the care journey, patients can visit the Treatment and Management section to learn how respiratory conditions are managed at Liv Hospital.
If you have persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, snoring, or repeated lung infections, a pulmonology evaluation may help you understand the cause. You do not need to wait until symptoms become severe.
Contact Liv Hospital Pulmonology Department to discuss your symptoms, receive specialist guidance, and start a clear diagnostic process.
Liv Hospital Ulus
Op. MD. Yaman Khoraki
Thoracic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ulus
Prof. MD. Ferah Ece
Respirology
Liv Hospital Ulus
Spec. MD. Mehmet Aydoğan
Respirology
Liv Hospital Ulus
Spec. MD. Recep Dodurgalı
Respirology
Liv Hospital Vadistanbul
Assoc. Prof. MD. Ömer Ayten
Respirology
Liv Hospital Vadistanbul
Prof. MD. Cengiz Özdemir
Respirology
Liv Hospital Vadistanbul
Prof. MD. Levent Dalar
Respirology
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Assoc. Prof. MD. Akın Yıldızhan
Thoracic Surgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Asst. Prof. MD. Aysu Sinem Koç
Pulmonology
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Asst. Prof. MD. Zeynep Atam Taşdemir
Pulmonology
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Prof. MD. Adalet Demir
Thoracic Surgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Prof. MD. Adil Can Güngen
Respirology
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Prof. MD. Cemal Asım Kutlu
Thoracic Surgery
Liv Hospital Topkapı
Assoc. Prof. MD. Engin Aynacı
Respirology
Liv Hospital Topkapı
Op. MD. Semih Buluklu
Thoracic Surgery
Liv Hospital Topkapı
Spec. MD. Gudrat Badalov
Respirology
Liv Hospital Ankara
Prof. MD. Kudret Ekiz
Respirology
Liv Hospital Ankara
Spec. MD. Berna Botan Yıldırım
Respirology
Liv Hospital Ankara
Spec. MD. Burça Takar
Respirology
Liv Hospital Ankara
Spec. MD. Didem Katar
Respirology
Liv Hospital Ankara
Spec. MD. Mine Önal
Respirology
Liv Hospital Gaziantep
Prof. MD. İbrahim Can Kürkçüoğlu
Thoracic Surgery
Liv Hospital Gaziantep
Spec. MD. Yeliz Karakan
Pulmonology
Liv Hospital Gaziantep
Spec. MD. İsmail Doğan
Pulmonology
Liv Hospital Samsun
Spec. MD. Aziz Uluışık
Respirology
Liv Hospital Samsun
Spec. MD. Saliha Ercan Bütün
Pulmonology
Liv Bona Dea Hospital Bakü
Spec. MD. FİRUZ MEMMEDOV
Pulmonology
Liv Hospital Ulus + Liv Hospital Vadistanbul
Prof. MD. Adnan Sayar
Thoracic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ulus + Liv Hospital Vadistanbul + Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Prof. MD. Erkan Çakır
Pediatric Respirology
Liv Hospital Ulus + Liv Hospital Vadistanbul
Prof. MD. Songül Büyükkale
Thoracic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ulus + Liv Hospital Vadistanbul
Spec. MD. Çiğdem Obuz Topuz
Thoracic Surgery
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Common tests include pulmonary function tests, oxygen measurement, chest X-ray, CT scan, bronchoscopy, EBUS, and sleep studies. The doctor chooses the tests according to your symptoms and medical history.
Bronchoscopy is usually performed with medication to help the patient feel comfortable. Your doctor explains why it is needed and how the procedure is planned before the test.
No, not every patient needs a CT scan. It may be recommended when more detailed lung imaging is needed or when basic tests are not enough.
EBUS helps doctors examine lymph nodes and structures near the airways with ultrasound guidance. It may be used in the evaluation of lung cancer, sarcoidosis, or unclear chest findings.
You should consider seeing a pulmonologist if cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, snoring, or repeated infections continue or return often. Early evaluation may help guide the right treatment plan.
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