Concept in Definition ABC

The Pneumology or pneumonology is the branch of medicine dedicated to the study, treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases that affect the lungs and the bronchial tree.

Pulmonologists, after obtaining their general practitioner degree, must undertake specialized studies in internal Medicine and later in pulmonology. Pulmonology covers the medical aspects of respiratory diseases, while the surgical part is left to the chest surgeons.

This specialty bases the routine examination of the patient with special studies such as the spirometry which measures lung function and bronchoscopy that allows to visualize the interior of the airway facilitating procedures such as taking samples of secretions, samples for biopsies or performing procedures such as stopping bleeding.

Main conditions in the pulmonology consultation

This specialty is responsible for the management of disorders such as chronic cough, respiratory distress, bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory infections, sleep apnea, and airway tumors respiratory

These diseases are mostly chronic conditions that warrant evaluation and continuous treatment, many of them are capable of affecting the quality of life of the patient since they can cause variable degrees of disability.

In the case of infectious diseases, these include conditions such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and bronchopneumonia. These are caused mainly by viruses and some types of bacteria.

Pulmonology and occupational health

A high number of cases of respiratory diseases in adults are of occupational origin, that is, they are health alterations that occur as a result of exposition to chemical substances or physical agents during the working day, either directly or indirectly. The particles of these substances reach the airway and activate defense medications causing changes in the lung tissue that affect the ability to oxygenate the blood.

One of the main occupational disorders are the so-called pneumoconiosis, diseases in which the lungs infiltrate by the dust of substances such as coal, iron, sandstone, aluminum, silica, as well as various plant substances such as pollen.

Smoking, one of the main causes of respiratory diseases

Many diseases of the respiratory system are caused by factors As the habit smoking cigarettes. This causes a large amount of toxic substances to be inhaled that are capable of causing chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and lung cancer.

Unfortunately, lhe people who do not smoke but who live with smokers can also develop these diseases, since they also inhale these toxins, becoming what is known as passive smoker.

Photos: Fotolia - denisismagilov / Africa Studio

Topics in Pulmonology