What They Do
A pulmonologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and managing conditions affecting the lungs and respiratory system. Pulmonology is primarily a medical specialty, focused on diagnosis and medical management rather than surgery.
What They Treat
Pulmonologists manage conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, and other lung infections, as well as conditions affecting the airways and lung tissue more broadly. They also manage sleep-related breathing conditions in many cases, and are involved in the ongoing care of patients with chronic respiratory conditions that require long-term management.
Training Path
Becoming a pulmonologist requires completing a medical degree, followed by residency training in internal medicine, and then additional specialized fellowship training specifically in pulmonology, covering the detailed function of the respiratory system and the conditions that can affect it. Many pulmonologists also train in critical care medicine alongside pulmonology, given how closely respiratory conditions and critical illness are often linked.
When to See One
People are commonly referred to a pulmonologist for persistent respiratory symptoms, such as chronic cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing, particularly when these symptoms don't resolve with initial treatment from a general physician. Pulmonologists are also involved in interpreting specialized lung function tests and in managing chronic respiratory conditions over the long term.
Background
Pulmonology developed as a distinct medical specialty over the course of the 20th century, growing alongside advances in understanding lung physiology and the development of diagnostic tools such as pulmonary function testing and bronchoscopy, which allowed direct examination of the airways. The field has continued to evolve alongside ongoing research into both infectious and chronic respiratory conditions.