Pulmonology is known as chest medicine and respiratory medicine as well. Pulmonology often involves managing patients with a variety of respiratory illnesses and symptoms including individuals who have shortness of breath, cough, sneezing, nasal symptoms, allergy symptoms, chest pain. Pulmonologists also manage patients who need life support and mechanical ventilation. Pulmonologists are specially trained in diseases and conditions of the chest, particularly pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema, and complicated chest infections along with a number of other complex illnesses.
A pulmonologist, or pulmonary disease specialist, is a physician who possesses specialized knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases. Pulmonology is classified as an internal medicine subspecialty. Because of the variety of clinical problems encountered, knowledge of internal medicine and other specialties is required in order to obtain certification.