Whether it’s pneumology or pulmonology—this subspecialty of internal medicine deals with the lungs, bronchi, and respiration. “Pulmo” is the Latin word for lung, while the Greek term “pneu” means wind, air, and breath.
In fact, both terms are in common use—so there are both pneumologists and pulmonologists. In any case, these specialists treat diseases of the lungs, the bronchi, and the pleura. The scope of care ranges from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and follow-up care for conditions such as asthma, chronic or chronic obstructive bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, and pneumonia. This also includes pulmonary emphysema—the technical term—and pulmonary hypertension, which is when blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries is elevated.
Other conditions that require a pulmonologist include pleurisy, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary embolism, and cystic fibrosis. Anyone who complains of nighttime breathing pauses—that is, who suffers from sleep apnea—is also in the right hands with this specialized internist. Incidentally, in hospitals and clinics, the pulmonology departments also evaluate other X-ray findings, because infectious or immunological changes in the lungs are often symptoms of other diseases.
Qualifications and Scope of Practice of Pulmonologists
Lung diseases continue to be on the rise. The large number of smokers in Germany during the 1970s and 1980s, in particular, is causing the number of patients with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), bronchial asthma, and lung cancer to rise rapidly.
But even old familiar diseases, such as pulmonary tuberculosis, are making a comeback. Pulmonologists are the best professionals to consult in all these cases.
What is pulmonology?
Pneumology, also known as pulmonology, is a subspecialty of internal medicine that focuses primarily on the lungs, the airways, and their diseases. In German-speaking countries, pneumology is better known as “Lungenheilkunde” (lung medicine).
Thoracic surgery is closely linked to pneumology. It encompasses all surgical procedures—such as those for lung cancer—including radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
What lung diseases do pulmonologists treat?
Pulmonologists regularly treat patients with
COPD,
- pulmonary emphysema,
- bronchial asthma,
- pulmonary hypertension,
- pneumonia,
- lung cancer, and
- pulmonary fibrosis and
- tuberculosis.
COPD is a currently incurable lung disease in which the airways become inflamed and narrowed @ Andrey Popov /AdobeStock
What diagnostic procedures do pulmonology specialists use?
The diagnostic methods used in pulmonology can sometimes seem a bit intimidating to patients. Nevertheless, modern equipment makes it possible to perform painless examinations.
Bronchoscopy is one of the tools used by pulmonologists. This procedure involves using a tube and a probe to look directly into the airways and lungs. When patients have breathing problems, pulmonologists routinely perform a lung function test. In addition, you’ll find the following more specialized diagnostic methods at a pulmonology clinic:
- Spirometry
- Spiroergometry
- Lung scintigraphy
- Pleural puncture
- Thoracoscopy
Bronchoscopy allows the larynx and airways to be examined using a bronchoscope @ pikovit /AdobeStock
What does the range of services provided by pulmonologists look like?
What many people don’t know: Snoring and sleep disorders—including sleep apnea—are also sometimes treated by pulmonologists. In addition to acute lung diseases, they also specialize in sleep medicine and can refer patients to sleep labs when necessary.
Furthermore, respiratory support—for example, for comatose patients—falls within the scope of pulmonology. As a rule, however, pulmonologists offer the following therapies, which go beyond simply prescribing medication:
- allergen avoidance,
- antibiotics,
- asthma medications,
- breathing exercises,
- ventilation,
- cortisone (spray or tablets),
- Immunotherapy,
- smoking cessation,
- Long-term oxygen therapy,
- Thoracic drainage
What qualifications do pulmonology specialists have?
The training of physicians to become board-certified specialists in pulmonology is strictly regulated. Candidates must complete a 6-year training program and, at the end of this period, are evaluated through both oral and practical examinations.
The goal is to obtain the specialty certification in “Internal Medicine and Pulmonology” after completing the required training periods and curriculum, including the content of the basic residency.
The training program for pulmonology specialists includes, among other things:
- Training in counseling for smoking cessation (The consequences of smoking have now become one of the main areas of treatment in pulmonology. This is alarming, as the incidence of smoking-related lung diseases continues to rise.),
- diseases caused by air pollution (so-called environmental pollutants),
- sleep-related breathing disorders (e.g., snoring or apnea),
- drug therapy for tumors,
- hereditary lung diseases (e.g., cystic fibrosis),
- infectious diseases of the respiratory system (e.g., bronchitis, tuberculosis),
- allergies and allergic asthma,
- knowledge of surgical, radiation therapy, and radiological treatment procedures,
- intensive care medicine and respiratory care,
- Ultrasound diagnostics of the heart, lungs, and airways,
- bronchoscopy,
- and much more
