4 Questions to Ask Your Pulmonary Specialist

Pulmonary specialists can effectively diagnose and treat a large gamut of issues affecting the respiratory system. This includes:
 
• Asbestosis.
• Aspergillosis
• Asthma.
• Black lung disease.
• Bronchiectasis.
• Bronchitis.
• Chronic beryllium disease.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• COVID-19.
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Emphysema.
• Interstitial lung disease.
• Lung cancer.
• Pulmonary hypertension.
• Sarcoidosis.

Conditions such as the ones listed above can be caused by inflammation, tissue overgrowth, and infections, and may also be caused by an underlying medical condition. Professional, specialized care is required to diagnose and treat them; many conditions will require a long-term treatment plan to be effectively managed.
 
Your pulmonary specialist will work with your primary care doctor, and any other relevant specialists, to develop and implement a comprehensive treatment plan.

Pulmonary disease encompasses a wide range of conditions, so symptoms often vary depending on the type and severity of the issue. The most common symptoms of pulmonary disease are:
 
• A chronic cough.
• A cough that produces clear, yellow, green, or white mucus.
• Chest tightness.
• Frequent respiratory infections.
• Lack of energy and fatigue.
• Shortness of breath.
• Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, and/or other extremities.
• Unintended weight loss.
• Wheezing.

While your family doctor can help you to manage mild or short-term respiratory conditions, such as those caused by a cold, they won’t be able to provide the high level of care needed to treat and manage more complex pulmonary illnesses. If you’re experiencing symptoms that your primary care physician isn’t able to help with, they may refer you to a pulmonary specialist for a higher level of care.
 
A pulmonologist works with patients that are facing severe or chronic respiratory problems that often require long-term care and treatment. You may be referred to a pulmonary doctor if you’re experiencing:
 
• A cough that doesn’t improve over time.
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
• Chest pain or tightness.
• Wheezing.
• Sleep apnea symptoms.
• Dizziness.
• Frequent or reoccurring respiratory infections.

For the sake of clarity, it’s important to note that the terms ‘respiratory doctor’ and ‘pulmonary doctor’ refer to the same type of medical professional.
 
A pulmonologist, which is a certified doctor that treats and diagnoses issues affecting the respiratory system, may also be referred to as a respiratory doctor, or a pulmonary doctor. They are also sometimes called chest doctors, lung doctors, or pulmonary specialists – but at the end of the day, they’re simply different terms to describe the same type of practitioner.

Pulmonologists, or pulmonary doctors, specialize in treating serious, complicated, and often long-term respiratory diseases such as lung diseases, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, asthma, emphysema, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. They can be found in a variety of medical settings, from hospitals to private practices and even sleep labs. They have extensive medical and educational experience and have been board certified to treat these types of severe respiratory conditions.
 
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with a respiratory issue, or are looking for more insight into the pulmonary symptoms you’re experiencing, connect with us at Dr. Luis J. Mesa, MD. Our team of highly trained and experienced pulmonary specialists would be happy to provide the care and treatment you’re looking for so that you can get back to feeling your best. Contact us today for more information or book online at your earliest convenience. We serve patients from Hallandale Beach FL, Aventura FL, Hollywood FL, Golden Glades FL, Miramar FL, Hialeah FL, Fort Lauderdale FL, and BEYOND.