When Do I Need to See a Pulmonologist?
A pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in the respiratory system and lung conditions. They can also be called a lung doctor, lung specialist, or chest doctor. They diagnose and treat diseases of your airways, air sacs in your lungs, and blood vessels.
Consider seeing a pulmonologist if you have symptoms that affect your lungs or respiratory system. This includes:
- A cough that is severe or lasts more than 3 weeks
- Chest pain or tightness
- Wheezing
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Trouble breathing, especially during exercise
- Fatigue
- Asthma that is hard to control or has unknown triggers
- Bronchitis or a cold that keeps coming back
Common conditions that pulmonologists treat include:
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Emphysema (a lung disease with damage to their air sacs)
- Bronchiectasis (a condition where the airway is damaged)
- Cystic fibrosis (causes mucus to build up in your organs, causing damage)
- Interstitial lung disease (a group of conditions that cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs)
- Lung cancer
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs)
A pulmonologist uses specific procedures to diagnose and manage lung diseases. These can include:
- Lung function testing (such as spirometry)
- Bloodwork
- Chest X-rays
- CT scans of the lungs
- Bronchoscopies (a procedure that looks inside the lungs and airways)
- Sleep studies
John M. James, MD, is a board-certified allergist. He is also President of Food Allergy Consulting and Education Services, LLC. He has worked as a medical specialist in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology for over 30 years. Dr. James received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. He is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
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