Pulmonology is a branch of internal medicine. It deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the lungs, bronchi and pleura. These include, for example:
- bronchial asthma
- @ Chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive bronchitis
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- pulmonary emphysema (distension of the lungs)
- severe pneumonia
- pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries)
- pleurisy (inflammation of the pleura)
- cystic fibrosis (mucoviscidosis)
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sleep apnea (nocturnal breathing pauses)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Interstitial lung disease (disease of the lung tissue)
In the pulmonology department of a hospital, examinations are also performed to clarify unclear X-ray and other findings. This is necessary when there is a suspicion of malignant, infectious or immunological lung changes.