Pulmonologist – specialist in lung diseases

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Respiratory diseases are one of the most common reasons for visiting a GP. However, symptoms such as prolonged coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath are grounds for going to a specialist who deals closely with the treatment of respiratory diseases – a pulmonologist. Who is a pulmonologist? What does a pulmonologist do? What diseases do pulmonologists treat?

A pulmonologist is a specialist doctor who deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases.

Here’s what the pulmonologist treats:

  1. bronchial asthma,
  2. tuberculosis,
  3. cystic fibrosis
  4. pulmonary emphysema,
  5. lung cancer
  6. pneumonia and bronchitis,
  7. obstructive sleep apnea (OBPS),
  8. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
  9. pneumoconiosis,
  10. bronchiectasis
  11. sarcoidosis,
  12. interstitial lung disease.

The pulmonologist makes a diagnosis and then implements the appropriate treatment. Apart from these two components, its competences include education and prevention of respiratory diseases.

In Poland, there are 3 doctors who deal with pulmonology (a field of medicine that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and, moreover, the prevention of respiratory diseases), of which only 174 are practicing their profession.

Also check: Chopin suffered from more than one chronic disease

Particular attention should be paid to the pediatric pulmonologist. It is a specialist dealing with medical care for patients up to 18 years of age. Young patients come to a pulmonologist when:

  1. a newborn has a genetic disorder or a birth defect affecting the respiratory system,
  2. a toddler is suspected of having an allergy,
  3. there is a foreign body in the child’s respiratory tract,
  4. the infant draws air through the mouth, not through the nose,
  5. the child has recurring infections and cough,
  6. the child has an allergy, manifested in the respiratory system.

The pulmonologist, after conducting a medical history, may refer the patient to a number of additional tests. They will form the basis for a further diagnosis. Here are some sample studies:

  1. skin tests,
  2. inhalation tests,
  3. spirometry,
  4. bronchoskopia,
  5. Chest X-ray,
  6. chest tomography,
  7. blood serum test to measure the level of specific antibodies,
  8. Abdominal ultrasound,
  9. blood count,
  10. urine test.

Also read: Spirometry is one of the most important studies

There are many symptoms that can prompt a patient to see a pulmonologist. These are mainly symptoms such as:

  1. wheezing, frequent coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest, especially felt in the morning and at night – these symptoms may be symptoms of bronchial asthma,
  2. quick fatigue of the body and trouble catching breath – even after doing a little activity,
  3. blood plucking,
  4. breathing disorders – fast or slow breathing, as well as shallow or deep breathing,
  5. recurrent pneumonia,
  6. lung injuries resulting from chest injuries,
  7. pleural fluid

In addition, people who smoke or stay among smokers should also visit a pulmonologist.

The course of treatment ordered by a pulmonologist is largely dependent on a specific diagnosis, which is made on the basis of the interpretation of the results of the tests ordered. If necessary, a specialist will refer the patient to a surgical procedure or perform a decompression procedure. In addition, it can remove foreign bodies from the lungs, bronchi or trachea and issue a referral to a sanatorium.

See: It all started, only he coughing innocent

Pulmonologist – medical visit

In order to get to a pulmonologist under the National Health Fund, a referral from a family doctor is required. If we want to use a private practice, then the visit will cost about 100 – 150 PLN. Unfortunately, you have to expect up to several months for an appointment under the National Health Fund.

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