Frequently Asked Questions About Pulmonology

Pulmonology is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving the respiratory system, including the lungs, airways and breathing muscles. Doctors who specialize in this field of medicine, called pulmonologists, complete medical school, a residency in internal medicine, and extra training focused specifically on the lungs and respiratory system.

A pulmonologist manages various acute and chronic breathing conditions, including:

• Asthma
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Emphysema
• Lung Cancer
• Pneumonia
• Tuberculosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Chronic Bronchitis
• Interstitial & Occupational Lung Diseases
• Pleural Effusion
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Sleep Apnea

You should see a pulmonary specialist when you experience persistent, worsening or unexplained breathing problems that do not improve with basic care from your primary care doctor. Common signs and symptoms that trigger a referral to a pulmonologist include the following:

• Chronic cough or a cough that produces blood
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest pain or tightness when breathing.
• Uncontrolled COPD or asthma
• Sleep issues
• Abnormal imaging of the lungs

Pulmonologists perform a variety of pulmonary function tests, imaging studies, and diagnostic procedures to evaluate how well your lungs and airways work. Tests may include the following:

• Blood tests
• Chest X-rays or CT scans
• Bronchoscopy
• Arterial blood gas test
• Pulse oximetry
• Spirometry
• Plethysmography
• Lung diffusion testing
• Cardiopulmonary exercise test
• Methacholine challenge test
• Sleep studies

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts or becomes very shallow during sleep. The most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the airway. Common symptoms include loud snoring or gasping for air during sleep and waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, as well as morning headaches ad excessive daytime sleepiness or extreme fatigue.

Annual lung cancer screening is recommended for adults aged 50 to 80 who have a heavy smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Other risk factors for lung cancer include exposure to secondhand smoke, radon or asbestos, a family history of lung cancer, and chronic lung diseases.

The screening test, known as a low-dose CT scan or LDCT, is relatively simple and takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. The experience is very similar to a standard CT scan, but there is no contrast (dye) given, and no fasting is required.