What conditions do pulmonologists treat?

Pulmonologists treat conditions of the respiratory system, especially of the lungs. These conditions can be caused by things like inflammation, tissue overgrowth and infections. Many of these illnesses may require long-term, even lifelong, treatment plans. Your pulmonologist will work with your primary care doctor, and possibly other specialists, on treatment plans.

Some illnesses treated or managed by pulmonologists include, but aren’t limited to:

• Aspergillosis
• Asthma.
• Bronchiectasis.
• Bronchitis.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• COVID-19.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Emphysema.
• Interstitial lung disease.
• Lung cancer.
• Pulmonary hypertension.
• Sarcoidosis.
• Sleep apnea.
• Tuberculosis.

A pulmonologist can also treat occupation-related lung diseases like:

• Asbestosis.
• Chronic beryllium disease (berylliosis)
• Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (black lung disease).
• Silicosis.

What can you expect during your visit to a pulmonologist?

If it’s your first appointment with a pulmonologist, you should be ready to fill out a medical history and have a physical examination. During this time, you can talk with your healthcare provider about the reasons you’re there and explain the details of your symptoms. You might find it helpful to come prepared with paper and pen to provide information like how long symptoms have lasted and to remember questions you want your healthcare provider to answer.

Your healthcare provider might order some tests to help with diagnosis and treatment. These might include:

• Blood analysis.
• Imaging tests like chest X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans.
• Pulmonary function tests.
• Spirometry.
• Bronchoscopy.
• Sleep studies.

If you do have an illness that needs long-term management, you’ll want to continue keeping your appointments as scheduled and to follow recommendations. You may have to repeat these tests later so your healthcare provider knows how well treatment is working.