What is a pulmonologist?
A pulmonologist is an internal medicine doctor (a general practitioner) who has gone through additional years of training focused on the study of the respiratory system. Pulmonologists generally do far more than just treating the lungs. They have training in autoimmune diseases, critical illness, and often use all the general medical training they obtained prior to training in pulmonology. Because of this, you see pulmonologists in many settings - from outpatient doctors’ offices to in the intensive care unit, taking care of the sickest patients in the hospital.
Why would you see a pulmonologist?
Most people see pulmonologists for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are some rarer lung conditions, such as fungal infections, autoimmune diseases, and problems with the structure of the lungs that pulmonologists also treat.
Not everyone with these medical conditions will see a pulmonologist. There are many basic treatments for these conditions that can be started and monitored by nearly any doctor. If these treatments fail, they will likely refer you to a pulmonologist for specialty treatment.
Pulmonologists also perform specialized tests to assist primary care doctors in diagnosing and managing diseases. These are pulmonary function tests and bronchoscopy. A pulmonary function test records how air flows in and out of your lungs and can help to diagnose conditions such as asthma and monitor their severity. A bronchoscopy is the process of inserting a camera into the lungs through the trachea (windpipe). This allows samples of the mucus and cells in the lungs to be taken, helping to diagnose rare infections, diseases, and any abnormal structures within the lungs.
What can I expect at a pulmonologist visit?
A pulmonologist visit is very similar to a visit with a primary care doctor. They will take a detailed history and perform a basic physical examination. They may review previous X-rays or obtain new X-rays of the lungs in their office. They will often also order a CT scan of the chest, which is a form of X-ray that is far more detailed and allows them to see specific areas in the lungs that may be causing your symptoms.
If you are being referred to a pulmonologist for pulmonary function tests or a bronchoscopy, they will likely perform the procedure in their office. Sometimes this requires half a day of basic preparation. Avoiding certain medications and food/water are the most common steps needed to prepare for these tests.
How do I prepare for a pulmonologist visit?
The most important thing you can do before a pulmonologist visit is write down a short timeline of your lung-related symptoms, treatments ordered by other doctors, other medical conditions, and other medications you take. This will allow you to quickly and accurately share your medical history, allowing the pulmonologist to determine the best treatment for you.
If you have been prescribed a procedure, such as a pulmonary function test or bronchoscopy, there will be specific instructions that you will be given based on the procedure being done and your specific medical history.
What should I tell my pulmonologist?
Tell your pulmonologist about any difficulty breathing, chest pain, shortness of breath, worsening shortness of breath with changes in position, or symptoms of infections such as fever, chills, shakes, or night sweats.
Do not be afraid to tell your pulmonologist anything that you feel may be related to your symptoms. The lungs are a major part of the body and any disease that affects the lungs can cause strange and seemingly unrelated symptoms in all areas of the body.
How long is a pulmonology function test?
A pulmonary function test (PFT) generally takes about 30 minutes to complete. It consists of several breaths into and out of a tube which allows the machine to measure the capacity of your lungs and how much pressure they can generate. The reason this test takes 30 minutes is that you will be asked to breathe in and out with several variations in how deep you breathe beforehand and if you suck or blow air out of the mouth.
