For patients with asthma, bronchitis, and other conditions affecting the respiratory system, specialized care can help minimize symptoms and return them to full health. This specialty is the field of pulmonology. The guide below explains this medical concentration in more depth.

What Is Pulmonology?

Pulmonology is the study of the mouth and nose, the lungs, and the muscles which drive the respiratory system. Pulmonologists diagnose and treat conditions affecting these areas, including inflammation, structural problems, infections, and diseases like cancer and autoimmune conditions.

What Procedures Do They Offer?

Depending on your symptoms, your pulmonologist may order several different tests and procedures, which can take the form of CT scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, visual inspections, biopsies, and monitoring your breathing and oxygen saturation levels. They may even prescribe a sleep study if your symptoms occur at night. For those with air or fluid collecting around the lungs, a pulmonologist can remove it, and they also prescribe antibiotics, steroids, and inhalers as needed.

When Should You Visit a Pulmonologist?

Most of the symptoms which would bring you to a pulmonologist are obvious ones like difficulty breathing or a cough which persists longer than three or four weeks. Coughing up mucus or blood should also prompt you to make an appointment. One more unusual symptom which is sometimes overlooked is unexplained weight loss. While there are many potential causes, one possibility is pulmonary fibrosis, a respiratory condition.

If you are experiencing any of these conditions, contact Santiam Hospital in Stayton, OR. Serving the Mid-Willamette Valley area for 65 years, they offer a full range of general, emergency, and preventive care services, including pulmonology. Their state-of-the-art technology and recent expansions allow them to provide the highest standard of care. To schedule an appointment, call (503) 769-2175 or go online to learn more about their doctors.