Understanding the Role of Lung Doctors Here

Pulmonology is a medical science that focuses on treating health problems in the respiratory system, such as the lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. A specialist who studies pulmonology is known as a pulmonologist (pulmonologist)..

To become a pulmonary specialist, a doctor must undergo a residency period of approximately 7 semesters. After completing the residency period, a pulmonary doctor can work independently by opening a private practice or becoming part of a team of doctors at a hospital.

Lung Doctor's Field of Work

Basically, the main task of a pulmonologist is to determine the diagnosis of various types of diseases and the right type of treatment for various problems related to the respiratory system, especially the lower respiratory tract including the trachea, bronchi, and lungs. In order to facilitate the process of handling patients, the field of pulmonology is divided into several divisions, namely:

• Interventional pulmonology and respiratory emergency department

  Is a pulmonology division that specializes in diagnosing and providing non-surgical medical procedures to treat problems in the respiratory tract, such as pleural effusion, coughing up blood, respiratory arrest, obstruction of the lower respiratory tract due to foreign bodies, tumors, and pneumothorax.

• Asthma and COPD Division

  In this division, pulmonary specialists focus on treating patients with narrowed airways. Diseases that usually cause narrowing of the airways are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Division of pulmonary and environmental work

  This lung specialist works specifically in dealing with lung diseases caused by being exposed to harmful particles too often when working outdoors. For example, asbestos fibers and silica dust, which cause asbestosis and silicosis.

• Lung transplant division

  A pulmonology division that specifically evaluates the condition of patients before or after lung transplantation. This is to anticipate organ rejection reactions that can occur after lung transplantation.

• infection division

  This division is more focused on treating lower respiratory tract disorders caused by viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections. Diseases that can be caused by this infection include pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

• Division of thoracic oncology

  The division of thoracic oncology is more specialized in treating patients with tumors and cancers in the lower respiratory tract. Usually, this division will provide treatment using surgical methods or surgery and chemotherapy. In performing surgery, the thoracic oncology division does not work alone but is part of a team of doctors at the hospital.

In addition to the pulmonology division above, there are also other divisions that can assist the patient's recovery, one of which is the clinical immunology and pulmonary function division. This division focuses more on treating lower respiratory tract problems including the lungs, which are caused by autoimmune disorders. While the pulmonary function division plays a role in evaluating lung function, and providing therapeutic directions to improve impaired lung function.

Abilities That a Lung Doctor Must Have

The medical skills that a pulmonologist must master include:

• Perform a medical interview and general physical examination, especially chest inspection, chest palpation, chest percussion, and chest auscultation.
• Perform additional checks. such as measuring the rate of exhalation of air (spirometry) and collection of pleural fluid in the lungs (pleural puncture)).
• Interpreting the results of investigations such as laboratory tests, and lung scan tests including chest X-rays, CT scans, and MRI of the chest cavity.
• Perform bronchial provocation test procedures, pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopy, oximetry tests, thoracocentesis, sleep study related respiratory tract disorders, biopsies, lobectomy, airway management and tracheostomy.
• Provide medical treatment and action in the airways, in the form of needle decompression, facilitation of artificial respiration, insertion Water Seal Drainage (WSD), inhalation and nebulization therapy, and oxygen therapy.

List of Diseases That Can Be Treated by Lung Doctors

Diseases and conditions that can be treated by a pulmonologist include:

• Asthma.
• Lung infections, including pneumonia, bronchitis, and lung abscesses.
• Bronchiectasis.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Pulmonary embolism.
• Pulmonary tuberculosis with or without complications.
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
• Aspiration pneumonia.
• Pleural effusion.
• Atelectasis.
• Pneumothorax.
• Pulmonary edema.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Sleep apnea.
• Pulmonary emphysema.
• Interstitial lung disease.
• Lung cancer.
• Respiratory failure.

If you experience symptoms such as a severe cough that does not go away, shortness of breath, pain in the chest especially when inhaling or exhaling, coughing up blood, and weight loss for no apparent reason, consult a pulmonologist immediately. The pulmonologist will perform a series of physical examinations and additional support to determine the cause of these symptoms and determine the diagnosis of the disease.

Things to Prepare Before Meeting a Lung Doctor

Before meeting with a pulmonologist, it's a good idea to pay attention to and prepare for the following things, to make it easier for a pulmonologist to diagnose and determine the appropriate treatment for your needs:

• Bring all the results of medical examinations that you have had.
• Express the various complaints and symptoms that you feel specifically to the pulmonary doctor, including when the complaints have been felt and what are the aggravating factors or triggers for the emergence of complaints.
• Tell your doctor about your medical history, medications you are taking, and any allergies you have.
• Ask family or friends to accompany you when you see a pulmonologist.

In addition to the things above, if you have insurance, prepare the necessary files or letters before meeting with a pulmonologist, so that the cost of consultation and examination can be covered by insurance, according to the type of protection.