Pulmonary medicine

Pulmonary medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the respiratory system. This includes the lungs, airways, and blood vessels that are involved in breathing.

Common conditions

Some common conditions that pulmonologists, doctors who specialize in pulmonary medicine, treat include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and pneumonia. They may also treat sleep-related disorders, such as sleep apnea, and conditions that affect the chest, such as pleural effusions and pneumothorax.

Tests

Diagnostic tests used in pulmonary medicine include chest x-rays, CT scans, bronchoscopies, and pulmonary function tests. These tests help doctors determine the cause of respiratory symptoms and plan appropriate treatment.

Treatments

Treatment options for respiratory conditions may include medications, such as inhalers and bronchodilators, and procedures, such as oxygen therapy and lung surgery. In some cases, pulmonologists may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking or improving indoor air quality, to help manage respiratory conditions.

Summary

Overall, pulmonary medicine plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory conditions and helps people with these conditions breathe easier and live healthier lives.

Also see

• Critical Care Medicine

Branches of Medicine and Surgery
General Medicine	Surgery	Pediatrics	Psychiatry	Obstetrics and Gynecology	Other Specialties
Internal Medicine	General Surgery	Pediatric Medicine	Psychiatry	Obstetrics	Dermatology
Cardiology	Orthopedic Surgery	Neonatology	Child and Adolescent Psychiatry	Gynecology	Ophthalmology
Endocrinology	Neurosurgery	Pediatric Surgery	Geriatric Psychiatry	Reproductive Medicine	Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
Gastroenterology	Cardiothoracic Surgery	Pediatric Cardiology	Addiction Psychiatry	Maternal-Fetal Medicine	Pathology
Nephrology	Plastic Surgery	Pediatric Neurology	Forensic Psychiatry	Urogynecology	Radiology
Pulmonology	Vascular Surgery	Pediatric Endocrinology	Sleep Medicine	Menopausal Medicine	Anesthesiology
Rheumatology	Colorectal Surgery	Pediatric Oncology	Psychosomatic Medicine		Emergency Medicine
Infectious Disease	Trauma Surgery	Pediatric Gastroenterology			Nuclear Medicine
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Critical Care Medicine	Bariatric Surgery	Pediatric Endocrinology			Hyperbaric Medicine
Pain Medicine	Robotic Surgery	Pediatric Nephrology			Hospital Medicine
Sleep Medicine	Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery	Pediatric Hematology			Military Medicine

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