Pulmonology

A pulmonologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats diseases of the respiratory system -- the lungs and other organs that help you breathe.

For some relatively short-lasting illnesses that affect your lungs, like the flu or pneumonia, you might be able to get all the care you need from your regular doctor. But if your cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms don’t get better, you might need to see a pulmonologist.

What is pulmonology?

Internal medicine is the type of medical care that deals with adult health, and pulmonology is one of its many fields. Pulmonologists focus on the respiratory system and diseases that affect it. The respiratory system includes your:

• Mouth and nose
• Sinuses
• Throat (pharynx)
• Voice box (larynx)
• Windpipe (trachea)
• Bronchial tubes
• Lungs and things inside them like bronchioles and alveoli
• Diaphragm