LISTED BELOW ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON CONDITIONS THAT PULMONOLOGISTS DIAGNOSE AND TREAT.
Asthma
A chronic condition characterized by periodic wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. Asthma attacks occur when inflammation of the airways causes them to narrow, restricting airflow in and out of the lungs. The attacks can last minutes or days, and can be dangerous if the airflow becomes severely restricted.
Bronchitis
Inflammation of the airways, usually caused by infection. It may be short-lived (acute) or chronic. Symptoms include a cough that produces mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and mild fever. Acute bronchitis often follows a viral respiratory infection, such as a cold or flu. A secondary bacterial infection is also common.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a group of lung diseases involving airway inflammation, lung tissue damage, and limited airflow. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the most common forms of COPD. In COPD, the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs are partly obstructed, making it difficult to breathe. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD, although long-term exposure to other lung irritants, such as dust, chemicals, and pollution, may also cause or contribute to COPD.
Emphysema
A form of COPD. Emphysema involves damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. The air sacs lose elasticity and are unable to completely deflate, which prevents them from filling with fresh air to adequately supply oxygen to the body.
Interstitial Lung Disease
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a broad term that includes a long list of chronic lung disorders. Though symptoms vary depending on the specific type of ILD, breathlessness and a dry cough are common to many of these disorders. ILD is usually a progressive condition that begins with inflammation of the deep lung tissues and eventually results in scarring of the alveoli (air sacs) and their supporting structures (the interstitium). This scarring, called fibrosis, causes the normally elastic tissues of the lungs to stiffen, which interferes with normal breathing and can make it difficult to perform routine activities without getting out of breath.
Occupational Lung Disease
An illness that is caused by exposure to irritating or toxic substances in the work environment. These substances may trigger acute or chronic respiratory problems with a severe single exposure or more commonly due to prolonged or repeated exposure.
Sleep Disorders
Many sleep-related issues are diagnosed and treated by pulmonologists. This includes sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing are treated through diagnostic and therapeutic services in sleep laboratories.
