Lung conditions are one of the most common and serious medical conditions all over the world, caused by various factors such as genetics, pollutants, chemical exposure, smoking and lifestyle habits. These conditions affect our ability to breathe as well as our quality of life. This informative text aims to provide you with all you need to know regarding when to See a Pulmonary Specialist.
What is a pulmonologist?
Pulmonologists are trained medical doctors that specialise in dealing with different diseases that affect the respiratory system.
Pulmonologists may also have subspecialties such as Asthma Specialist, Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Specialist, Lung Cancer Specialist, Allergy and Immunology Specialist, etc.
What Does a Pulmonary Specialist Do?
Diagnosis: Pulmonologists have extensive knowledge and experience in performing and interpreting various diagnostic tests related to respiratory health so that accurate and prompt diagnoses can be made.
Respiratory Treatment: A pulmonary specialist deals with managing, treating and monitoring lung conditions. They optimize the treatment plan so as to give the best outcome to patients with lung conditions. They are also involved in the management of comorbidities and complications that may arise due to the lung condition.
Critical Care: A pulmonary specialist is trained due deal with acute and severe lung conditions which come under critical care. This includes use of oxygen masks, nasal cannulas, ventilators, etc
Signs & Symptoms That Require a Pulmonary Consultation
The following points will give you the indications for when to See a Pulmonary Specialist. If you have any of the below-mentioned signs and symptoms, it is imperative that you go for a pulmonary consultation:
- Chronic cough lasting more than 3 weeks
- Shortness of breath or breathlessness
- Asthmatic episodes
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness or chest pain
- Breathing difficulty that causes dizziness
- Excessive fatigue, even with light activities
- Bloody or frothy sputum
- Repeated respiratory infections
Common Lung Conditions Treated by Pulmonologists –
A pulmonologist deals with various conditions which include diseases and disorders of the lungs, bronchial tubes, and other parts of the respiratory tract. Here is a description of some common lung conditions:
- Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways, causing them to become inflamed and narrowed.
- Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition in which the airways of the lungs become damaged, enlarged, and lose their elasticity.
- Bronchitis is the inflammation of the airways (bronchi) in the lungs, and it can often be caused by viral or bacterial infections.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing difficulties.
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder which leads to the production of thick, sticky mucus in various parts of the body, especially the lungs.
- COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It occurs when the virus infects the lungs.
- Emphysema involves the progressive damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs
- Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs, typically in the cells lining the air passage.
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep.
- Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation and can result in the alveoli filling with fluid or pus
- Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs
Tests & Procedures Performed by Pulmonary Specialists
- Lung biopsy: A pulmonologist will take a small fraction of the lung during this procedure. After that, a pathologist receives this sample in order to make a diagnosis.
- Sputum cultures: In order to look for infections and causative organisms, a sputum sample is taken and examined for biochemical and microbiological analysis.
- Bronchoscopy and laryngoscopy: In order to check for any anomalies, pulmonologists will insert a tiny scope equipped with a camera into the throat, larynx, and bronchus.
- Tests of pulmonary function (also called PFT): This process examines the volume of air inhaled and exhaled to gauge how well the lungs are working.
- Blood gas analysis (also called ABG): This blood test evaluates blood oxygen, carbon dioxide, and blood pH levels
- Pleural fluid analysis: This procedure involves taking a sample of the fluid found between the lungs and chest wall.
- Chest X-ray: It is an imaging technique used to assess the structure of the lungs and the condition of the thoracic cavity.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan: This cross-sectional imaging method provides physicians with a more detailed picture than a standard X-ray.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: This scan uses radio frequencies and magnets to produce precise images of the lungs and chest cavity.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: This technique for detecting lung cancer uses a special tracer to help diagnose it.
- Sleep studies: These are investigations that involve monitoring the patients while they sleep to diagnose any oxygenation problems during sleep
When to Seek Urgent Care
Pulmonary emergencies are acute medical conditions that affect the respiratory system. These can potentially be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
You should seek urgent care if you experience sudden-onset chest pain, acute attack of asthma, rapid breathing, coughing up blood, body parts turning blue (cyanosis) or shortness of breath.
How to Prepare for a Pulmonary Consultation
- Avoid eating a heavy meal, smoking, caffeine or strenuous exercise prior to the pulmonary consultation
- Dress with loose fitted clothes that won’t restrict your breathing
- Note down all the signs and symptoms that you’ve been experiencing along with their onset, duration, trigger factors and any other relevant information
- Write down a list of all the medications that you are currently on, including the ones that are not related to your lung condition
- Check with your family members if there is a history of lung conditions in the family
Conclusion
A pulmonary specialist can help test and treat various lung conditions. There are many signs and symptoms to look out for, which may indicate when to See a Pulmonary Specialist and why to see a Pulmonologist.
For more information, contact us to book a consultation with Dr. Ankit Bansal, consultant pulmonologist, intensivist, and interventionist at Arpit Medi World in Jaipur.