According to the Ministry of Health, in 2022, pneumonia was responsible for about 20% of all deaths in Singapore. On top of the said condition, other ailments such as bronchitis, flu, and blastomycosis, among others, may negatively impact one’s quality of life.
This is where a lung infection specialist, a.k.a pulmonologist comes in. He or she is heralded as a guardian of respiratory health. His or her expertise with regard to diagnosis, treatment, and management is indispensable to the nation’s modern healthcare sector.
Read on to find out more about the said healthcare professionals and the important role that they play.
What is the Role of a Lung Infection Specialists
In simple terms, a pulmonologist is a medical professional who handles patients who develop acute or chronic breathing issues. A pulmonologist is different from a general physician in a sense that the former is only trained to manage mild or short-term ailments, while the latter is extensively trained to diagnose, treat, and handle more complex respiratory conditions.
Putting the said factors into consideration, individuals who are struggling with respiratory ailments should visit a lung infection specialist for an accurate diagnosis. He or she utilises diagnostic procedures like chest X-rays, spirometry, CT scans, bronchoscopies, and sleep studies, among others. Afterward, he or she may request to perform the said procedures another time, even if they have already been performed, in an effort to ensure the veracity of results.
As soon as the diagnostic procedures are performed and the results are obtained, the said specialist is going to create a treatment plan. If surgery is necessary, it will be performed by a surgeon who specialises in the lungs as well as the heart. Beyond that, a pulmonologist will prescribe therapies, medications, and rehabilitation to allow patients to regain their healthy state.
When to Visit a lung infection specialist?
The signs as well as symptoms that are elaborated below should prompt certain individuals to visit their lung doctor as soon as possible:
- Strong and Persistent Cough
In certain cases, a persistent cough is an obvious sign of respiratory infection, which may be bacterial, viral, or fungal. In worse-case scenarios, it can even be a telltale sign of lung cancer. Therefore, it is best to get treated for cough as soon as possible so as to ensure that one’s overall health and well-being is not compromised. By doing visits to a lung cancer specialist in Singapore may be avoided.
- Breathing Difficulties Even with Ambiguous Activities
Individuals who find themselves losing breath more easily than they usually do should immediately visit a specialist since this may be an indication of a lung ailment. It may be a symptom of low oxygen levels, pneumonia, arrhythmia, bronchitis, asthma, or congestive heart failure.
To fix the said issue a pulmonary specialist is going to review the existing symptoms together with health history. Afterward, a patient is going to be given recommendations, possibly prescription drugs to regain normal breathing patterns. Imaging scans may also be performed beforehand to check the state of one’s lungs.
- Existing Asthma
Asthma develops when the airways are obstructed, which makes it difficult for affected individuals to breath normally. While patients cough, wheeze, or experience chest tightness – especially for patients – who engage in strenuous physical activities.
In line with this, asthmatic individuals who notice worsening symptoms should immediately visit a pulmonologist if they want to alleviate them and regain their tip-top form.
- Breathing Difficulties That are Accompanied by Foot or Leg Swelling
Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath that is accompanied by ankle, leg, or foot swelling is something that should not be taken for granted. The aforementioned symptoms may be related to pulmonary edema or fluid accumulation in the lungs. In certain cases, it may be a sign of pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure in the lung arteries.
What to Consider When Finding a Lung Infection Specialist
When signing up for the services of a lung specialist, there are a myriad of factors that need to be taken into account: qualifications, licence, experience, level of expertise, patient reviews, and others. On top of this, it is best to opt for one who communicates properly and listens to the concerns of patients.
Remember, when it comes to pulmonary treatment, open communication can go a long way. In one way or another, it delivers a sense of complacency and a feelling of guarantee that everything will work out fine.
Summing up
A lung infection specialist plays a key role, not only in maintaining respiratory health, but also overall health and well-being. Simply put, his or her level of expertise when it comes to diagnosing, treating, managing, and preventing lung infections can go a long way with regard to ensuring that patients receive the most effective and efficient treatment for their pulmonary health.
Consequently, it should be noted that early diagnosis is essential in pulmonary treatment. Therefore, it is best to visit the said specialist at the first sign of respiratory symptoms.
