Pulmonologist - who is it and what diseases are treated?

There is such a section in medicine - pulmonology, and he is engaged in the study of pathologies of the respiratory system. This young industry became separate relatively recently, in the second half of the 20th century. This was due to an increasing number of cases of bronchopulmonary diseases. In addition, the knowledge of physicians in this area has significantly expanded, and it became clear that the direction is very extensive and requires the involvement of more specialized specialists.

Moreover, many patients with diseases of the respiratory system have difficult diagnoses, in which complications and a significant deterioration in the state of health and quality of life are frequent. After all, as you know, breathing is the most important physiological process, without which you can live only a few minutes.

So a new specialty of the doctor appeared - a pulmonologist. Who is this, consider in more detail. In fact, this is a therapist who diagnoses, prevents and conserves respiratory diseases . If surgery is required, a thoracic surgeon is required.

What pathologies does a pulmonologist treat?

This is a very large list of diseases, among which there may be colds: rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, pneumonia. But basically these are more difficult diagnoses:

• bronchial asthma;
• protracted pneumonia;
• obstructive pulmonary disease;
• smoker's bronchitis ;
• pleurisy, including malignant;
• fibrosing alveolitis;
• fever of unknown origin;
• bronchiectatic disease ;
• chronic respiratory failure;
• emphysema;
• sarcoidosis;
• pulmonary fibrosis;
• pulmonary infarction;
• silicosis;
• hemothorax.

In which cases you need to contact this specialist

Pulmonologist - who is it?

A doctor to be consulted if the following signs of bronchopulmonary diseases are detected:

1. Cough, dry or moist, with general weakness, fever, chills, and sweating.
2. There is a lot of pus in the sputum.
3. A feeling of lack of air and a feeling of suffocation.
4. Dyspnea with difficulty breathing out.
5. Chest pain when breathing.
6. There are impurities of blood in the sputum.
7. Feeling of constant perspiration.

How is a diagnosis made?

A pulmonologist uses various examination methods for the diagnosis:

1. X-ray of the chest and ENT organs.
2. CT scan.
3. Endoscopic methods.
4. Laboratory research.
5. Assessment of the functional capabilities of the respiratory system using equipment: peak flowmetry, spirography, pneumotachometry, spirometry.

Treatment methods

Pulmonologist - who is it? A doctor who treats diseases of the trachea, lungs, bronchi, pleura. Now consider how this happens.

These are usually conservative methods. This includes drug treatment: antibacterial, expectorant, bronchodilator, antitussive drugs, as well as various inhalation drugs that can be delivered using inhalers and nebulizers. In addition, physiotherapy and breathing exercises are widely used.

Many respiratory diseases require ongoing treatment and prevention of exacerbations. A pulmonologist should conduct explanatory work, draw the patient's attention to possible risks. He has to constantly provide emergency assistance, for example, to stop attacks of suffocation.

Prevention

Pulmonologist - who is it, we found out. It remains to add that this doctor is also engaged in preventive work. The main tips of a pulmonologist:

1. Stop smoking.
2. Exercise and train the respiratory system.
3. Full rest.
4. Do fluorography regularly, even if nothing bothers you.
5. Try to avoid contact with allergens.