Department of pulmonology

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Ø  Pulmonology is a medical specialty that deals with diseases involving the respiratory tract.

Ø  Pulmonology is known as chest medicine and respiratory medicine.

Ø  Pulmonologists are specially trained in diseases and conditions of the chest, particularly pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema, and complicated chest infections


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 DIAGNOSIS

Physical diagnostics are as important as in the other fields of medicine.

Ø  Inspection of the hands for signs of cyanosis or clubbing, chest wall, and respiratory rate.

Ø  Palpation of the cervical lymph nodes, trachea and chest wall movement. Percussion of the lung fields for dullness or hyper-resonance.

Ø  Auscultation (with a stethoscope) of the lung fields for diminished or unusual breath sounds.

Ø  As many heart diseases can give pulmonary signs, a thorough cardiac investigation is usually included.


TREATMENTS AND THERAPEUTICS

Ø  Medication is the most important treatment of most diseases of pulmonology, either by inhalation (bronchodilators and steroids) or in oral form (antibiotics, leukotriene antagonists).

Ø  A common example being the usage of inhalers in the treatment of inflammatory lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Ø  Oxygen therapy is often necessary in severe respiratory disease (emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis).

Ø  Pulmonary rehabilitation is intended to educate the patient, the family, and improve the overall quality of life and prognosis for the patient.

SURGICAL PROCEDURES

       Major surgical procedures on the heart and lungs are performed by a thoracic surgeon.

      Pulmonologists often perform specialized procedures to get samples from the inside of the chest or inside of the lung.

     They use radiographic techniques to view vasculature of the lungs and heart to assist with diagnosis.


MAJOR EQUIPMENTS

      BRONCHOSCOPE

                   A light and a small camera on the bronchoscope allow the provider to look inside the lung’s airways. Bronchoscopy is a procedure that lets doctors look at your lungs and air passages. It's usually performed by a doctor who specializes in lung disorders (a pulmonologist).



      PULSE OXIMETER

                  Pulse oximetry is a test used to measure the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) of the blood. It is an easy, painless measure of how well oxygen is being sent to parts of your body furthest from your heart, such as the arms and legs.



       SPIROMETER

                  A spirometer is a diagnostic device that measures the amount of air you're able to breathe in and out. It also tracks the time it takes you to exhale completely after you take a deep breath. A spirometry test requires you to breathe into a tube attached to a machine called a spirometer.



       NEBULIZER

                A nebulizer is a small machine that turns liquid medicine into a mist that can be easily inhaled. Patient sit with the machine and breathe in the medicine through a connected mouthpiece or facemask.



       VENTILATOR

               A ventilator is a machine that supports breathing and helps get oxygen into the lungs of the patient and removes carbon dioxide (a waste gas that can be toxic).

         It is used for life support, but does not treat disease or medical conditions.

       Many conditions, such as pneumonia, COPD, brain injuries, and strokes require the use of a ventilator.



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