What Is Pulmonary Medicine?

Pulmonary medicine is the study, diagnosis and treatment of any illness or condition affecting the lungs. Pulmonary medicine is sometimes referred to as pulmonology because it is the study of the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the lungs.

Pulmonologists

• A scientist who works in this field is often referred to as a pulmonologist and a doctor is often referred to as a pulmonary specialist.

Expert in Lung Diseases

• A doctor of pulmonary medicine is an expert in all respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, pulmonary hypertension, lung infections, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, influenza, pneumonia and chronic respiratory failure.

Asthma and Sleep Disorders

• A doctor of pulmonary medicine would also diagnose and treat asthma in adults and children. She would be able to treat sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.

Developments

• Scientists in the field of pulmonary medicine research the lungs and every disease and condition that are involved. They come up with new diagnostic and therapeutic devices to treat the lungs as well as new treatments and drugs to cure conditions of the lungs.

Smoking

• Pulmonologists have done extensive research on smoking and how it affects the lungs. They make recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control about the dangers of smoking. Pulmonary medicine also sets the standards for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) used to save lives.

Flu Vaccinations

• Pulmonary medicine also studies and tracks the influenza virus and makes predictions on upcoming influenza viruses to formulate the flu vaccinations for the next year.