Book the best Pulmonologists for your needs

What is a pulmonologist?

Pulmonology is a subspecialty within internal medicine. Pulmonologists are medical doctors specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the respiratory system. These include the lungs, airways, and other structures that help you breathe.

What is a lung doctor called? Is there a difference between a lung doctor and a pulmonologist? 

The terms "lung doctor," "pulmonary doctor," and "pulmonologist" refer to the same medical specialist and are entirely interchangeable.

When should you see a pulmonologist?

If you’re having unusual respiratory symptoms, you should see your primary care physician first. They will perform an initial exam and assess your overall health. They may then refer you to a pulmonologist for specialized care if you experience issues such as:

• A chronic cough that lasts for more than three weeks
• Shortness of breath
• Asthma that isn't well-controlled or has unidentified triggers
• Wheezing
• Sleep apnea symptoms, like daytime tiredness or snoring
• Fatigue
• Recurring or chronic bronchitis or colds
• Chest pain or tightness
• Coughing up blood
• Abnormal findings on a chest X-RAY or CT scan
• Suspected sleep apnea, which often involves breathing disruptions during sleep

You can easily find and book an appointment with a top-rated pulmonologist near you using Zocdoc.

What conditions do pulmonologists treat?

Pulmonologists treat a broad range of lung-related and respiratory disorders:

• Asthma: An inflammatory disease that affects the airways to the lungs, making breathing difficult.
• Asbestosis: Happens due to dust and fibers, causing fibrosis (scarring) in the lungs, making breathing hard.
• Aspergillosis: A group of illnesses caused by Aspergillus fungi that generally affects people with weakened immune systems or existing lung conditions.
• Acute and chronic bronchitis: Occurs when you have inflamed lower airways.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Occurs when the alveoli in your lungs are damaged.
• Beryllium disease: Occurs when beryllium fumes or dust are inhaled by people with an allergy or immune response to it.
• Black lung disease (coal workers’ pneumoconiosis): Refers to inflammation and scarring common among coal miners. Some may have no symptoms, while others may have difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and coughing up black mucus.
• Interstitial lung disease: Is marked by persistent inflammation and scarring.
• Occupational lung disease: Occurs due to inhaling dusts, chemicals, or proteins.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: Causes breathing to slow or stop entirely when sleeping.
• Tuberculosis: An infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs.
• Emphysema: Results from damaged alveoli walls, causing air trapping that can lead to a barrel-chested appearance and reduced oxygen transfer to the bloodstream.
• Sarcoidosis: Causes the formation of lumps or nodules (granulomas) in the lungs, lymph nodes, skin, eyes, and other parts of the body.
• Silicosis: Develops from breathing in silica dust (around mining and construction sites).
• Others: Pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, long COVID, and lung cancer.

What does a pulmonologist do?

A pulmonologist’s role involves conducting initial patient evaluations, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests, and creating personalized treatment plans. They manage both acute illnesses and provide long-term care for chronic conditions. Additionally, they are trained in critical care and hospital work and collaborate with other specialists to optimize lung health and improve a patient's overall quality of life.

What types of procedures do lung specialists perform?

Pulmonologists usually perform the following diagnostic and therapeutic procedures:

• Bronchoscopy: Involves passing a bronchoscope (thin tube with a camera) through the nose/mouth into the lungs to visualize airways, collect tissue samples (biopsy), or remove foreign objects.
• Pulmonary function tests: A group of non-invasive breathing tests that assess how well the lungs exchange air.
• Thoracentesis: Drains excess fluid or air from the pleural space (the area between the lung and chest wall).
• Tracheal or bronchial stent placement: It helps open areas like the windpipe or bronchi.
• Sleep studies (polysomnography): Overnight tests that monitor breathing, brain activity, and oxygen levels to diagnose sleep disorders.
• Pulmonary hygiene: Clears fluid and mucus from the lungs.
• Airway ablation: Opens blocked air passages and eases difficult breathing.
• Biopsy: Includes taking tissue samples to diagnose disease.

How do you choose the best pulmonologist?

When choosing a pulmonologist, prioritize a specialist whose experience aligns with your specific condition. Verify if they accept your insurance plan while checking factors like their office location, hospital affiliations, and appointment availability. Do not forget to go through patient reviews. If this seems challenging, you can use Zocdoc to simplify your search. It helps find the best pulmonologist based on your preferences and book an appointment directly with one who meets all your needs.

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.