FAQs
ALL ABOUT PULMONOLOGY
A Pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the lungs and respiratory tract.
Pulmonologists commonly treat allergy & asthma, lung or airway inflammation, COVID- 19, lung cancer, interstitial and occupational lung diseases, blocked lung airways, Tuberculosis chronic obstructive lung disease(COPD), genetic diseases of the lung, and the diseases that occur due to inhalation of dust chemical or smoking.
You need to visit a pulmonologist if you have symptoms such as a severe cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks, blood or mucus in cough, chest pain, breathing difficulties, wheezing, or sudden weight loss due to unknown reasons. Also consult pulmonologist I your are suspected or diagnosed with COVID 19
A pulmonologist will perform different check-ups depending upon your problem. These may include tests that measure lung size and airflow such as spirometry and lung volume tests, CT scan, chest X-ray, chest ultrasound, pleural biopsy, pulse oximetry test, bronchoscopy, etc.
A pulmonologist will diagnose and treat conditions that affect the lungs and respiratory tract whereas a chest surgeon specializes in surgical procedures of the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other chest organs.
A pulmonologist may conduct pulmonary function tests to measure lung size and airflow. They also help to check how well you breathe and how effectively your lungs can bring oxygen to the rest of your body. He or she may also test for lung disorders by measuring the lungs’ capacity to hold and move air and to absorb oxygen.
During your first visit to a pulmonologist, carry a summary of your medical history, list of medications, and past test results. After looking at your medical history, the pulmonologist will perform a physical examination. Tests such as Bronchoscopy, CT-scan, and Chest X-ray may be requested for an accurate diagnosis.
Yes, you can visit a pulmonologist to quit smoking as he or she will prescribe you some medication that will help you to quit. Nicotine patch, nicotine gum, and lozenges may be advised.
Yes, Pulmonologist evaluate it by sleep study .
Yes, Allergy testing like skin prick allergy test are done in a pulmonologist clinic.
ASTHMA FAQS
Infections like colds and flu
Allergies – such as to pollen, dust mites, animal fur or feathers Smoke, fumes and pollution
Medicines – particularly anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin Stress
Weather – such as sudden changes in temperature, cold climate, heat and humidity.
Vigorous exercise
Shortness of breath
Wheeze (a whistling sound when you breathe)
Cough
Chest tightness or pain
An asthma attack can last from several hours to days if not treated.
Mild flare-ups may only last a few minutes, while severe attacks can last for days. Quick-relief medications are bronchodilators that work to expand the airways of the lungs (the bronchi), which improves your breathing.
Get medical treatment immediately if shortness of breath does not improve or worsens.
Not all people with asthma feel worse when they are upset or worried. Those who do may be easily stressed, or may cry or breathe too fast (hyperventilate) easily.
Unfortunately, deaths still occur in acute, severe asthma. But this is unusual and can be prevented.
Most asthma deaths occur in people who have not received enough treatment, perhaps because they did not realize or did not want to admit how serious their asthma was, or because they had not received adequate guidance from their doctors and nurses.
If you are using regular inhaled corticosteroid treatment, you should not stop using this at any time unless you have discussed this with your doctor first.
Yes, that risk cannot be disregarded. Poorly treated asthma gets worse with age, and the lungs of people with untreated asthma function less well than those of non-asthmatic individuals. Modern asthma treatments have not been available for long enough for us to be certain whether or not lung function will still deteriorate more rapidly in patients with treated asthma as they grow older. However, most asthma doctors think that regular, preventive asthma treatment can prevent your asthma from getting worse and help to preserve your lung function.
Asthma is a long-term (chronic) disease, and the tendency to develop asthma symptoms is probably life-long. In some children, symptoms only appear intermittently. Also, some children with mild asthma will have no symptoms by the time they reach their mid-teens.
Acupuncture releases the bodys own cortisone, among other things, and this can help in some cases. One or two studies have shown a short temporary effect of acupuncture on asthma, but there are no long-term studies showing any lasting effects.
Severe breathlessness or wheezing, especially at night or in the early morning
The inability to speak more than short phrases due to shortness of breath
Low peak flow readings when you use a peak flow meter
No improvement after using a quick-acting (rescue) inhaler
Avoid asthma triggers
Use effective asthma control medications including quick-relief medicines for immediate relief, and long-term control medicines.
Allergy shots (immunotherapy) may also help.
See your pulmonologist (asthma specialist) for the treatment.
Long-term control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids are the most important medications used to keep asthma under control.
Quick-relief inhalers contain a fast-acting medication such as albuterol used for quick relief from asthma problems.