Pulmonolog

What does a pulmonologist do?

A pulmonologist deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of respiratory diseases (such as tuberculosis, COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, bronchitis, pneumothorax, pneumoconiosis, sarcoidosis).

Indications for consultation with a pulmonologist

Although a pulmonologist is a specialist in respiratory diseases, there is no need to see him for a runny nose or cough resulting from mild respiratory infections. Such ailments are handled by primary care physicians.

A patient is referred to a pulmonologist in case of:

• suspected occupational disease, such as pneumoconiosis;
• lung injuries resulting from chest trauma;
• presence of fluid in the pleural cavity;
• recurrent pneumonia;
• symptoms such as snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, chronic fatigue, night or morning headache, frequent urination at night, shortness of breath on exertion (may indicate hypoventilation and hypoxemia during sleep).

Of course, an appointment to see a pulmonologist can also be made directly, without prior internal medicine consultation, if there are worrisome complaints (such as chronic cough, hemoptysis, wheezing).

Regular visits to the pulmonologist should be made by smokers, those exposed to dust inhalation or heavily polluted air.

Scope of the visit

During the consultation, the pulmonologist:

• conducts a history and physical examination;
• makes diagnoses;
• gives medical recommendations;
• prescribes medications;
• issues referrals for examinations, consultations, hospitalization; 
• issues sick leave.

The doctor may order, among other things:

• non-invasive functional tests that provide information about the functioning of the respiratory system, primarily the bronchi and lungs - such as spirometry to determine lung capacity, cardiopulmonary exercise test, 6-minute walk test;
• chest X-ray;
• provocation tests with either histamine or methacholine - a test to assess whether and how the respiratory system responds to various agents;
• sleep study (polysomnography);
• bronchoscopy;
• blood tests.

• A visit to a pulmonologist does not require special preparation. You should bring with you an identity document and the results of tests relevant to the doctor, if they have been performed.
• The consultation lasts 15 minutes.
• You should arrive no later than 15 minutes before the appointment.
• Implementation of the service is possible only at the medical facility indicated during the purchase.
• If you wish to find a specialist who speaks a foreign language, we recommend reading the profile of the doctor in question.

Pulmonologist - teleconsultation

A telemedicine consultation can be used by any patient, regardless of location and previous treatment history.

During a telephonic consultation, the doctor will complete any services that are remotely possible. However, during the course of the medical interview, it may turn out that an in-patient visit is necessary, without which a correct diagnosis and treatment selection cannot be made. 

The specialist will attempt to connect with the patient three times.

Important information: Your doctor will only see the results of tests and consultations performed at Damian Medical Center. You can send a scan of your medical records from other facilities, e.g. test results, to: wynikibadan@damian.pl at least 24 hours before the scheduled appointment. It will then be attached to your medical record and the doctor will see it at the appointment. When you book an appointment identified as a Teleportation, you are purchasing a telephone consultation, not an in-person visit to a facility. The facility addresses displayed in the schedule only indicate where the doctor works. When purchasing a consultation, we strongly urge you to use a telephone number registered in Poland - telemedicine consultation is only possible from a Polish telephone number.