Pulmonology: pulmonologists and the department of pulmonology

What does the pulmonologist do?

A pulmonologist is a specialist in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the respiratory system. The respiratory system:

• Respiratory tract (upper - nose, pharynx and lower - larynx, trachea, bronchi);
• Lungs;
• Pleura;
• The respiratory center of the medulla oblongata (responsible for the regulation of inspiration and exhalation).

At the initial examination, a pulmonologist will ask you to describe the symptoms, recall your chronic diseases and the nature of their course, conduct a physical examination, auscultation (listening), percussion (rattling) of the respiratory organs.

If it is necessary, a comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition, as well as for making or clarifying the diagnosis, the doctor can prescribe urine, blood, feces (general, biochemical, microbiological, serological), spirometry, pulsometry, bronchoscopy, x-ray studies, lung angiography.

When clarifying the diagnosis (in case of  chronic cough), additional studies may be prescribed - ECG, gastroscopy, etc.

Depending on the diagnosis, the specialist prescribes therapy, which may include antibiotics, glucocorticosteroids, NSAIDs, bronchodilators, cytostatics, anti-TB drugs, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Further, on the basis of the diagnosis, the pulmonologist prescribes treatment on an outpatient basis or gives an appointment to a hospital.

What does a pulmonologist treat?

A pulmonologist performs diagnostics, treatment and dynamic monitoring of patients with respiratory pathologies.

The main diseases that a pulmonologist treats are:

• Bronchial asthma;
• Pneumonia;
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);
• Sarcoidosis;
• Bronchiectasis;
• Fibrosing alveolitis;
• Pleurisy of various origins;
• Interstitial lung disease.

When coughing of unknown origin, additional diagnostics are carried out for the timely detection of oncopathy of the respiratory system and tuberculosis.

Diagnosis of diseases

The respiratory system is vital for a person. Any of its pathologies bring inconvenience to the daily life of the patient, and sometimes they are life-threatening conditions. Therefore, it is extremely important to diagnose the problem and prescribe the necessary treatment at the first symptoms of the disease.

The clinics in Belarus, there is all the necessary equipment for the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary diseases, as well as experienced pulmonologists work. They examine:

• X-ray of the chest;
• CT scan;
• Ultrasound examination of the pleural cavity;
• Study of the function of external respiration;
• Fibrobronchoscopy;
• Computed tomography with contrast.

Diagnostic center, pulmonology clinic

Diagnostic centers provide consultations, diagnosis services, and outpatient care.

At the initial consultation, the doctor interviews the patient, finds out complaints, the nature of the course of the disease, examination of the skin, oral cavity, palpation of the peripheral lymph nodes and thyroid gland, measures blood pressure, pulse, listens to the heart and lungs.

After the examination, the doctor prescribes treatment and gives advice on preventive measures. If it is necessary, he prescribes to clarify the diagnosis.

At the second appointment in the pulmonology clinics, the doctor inquires about the patient’s well-being, gives directions for laboratory monitoring of the results, supplements or adjusts the treatment regimen, and, if it is necessary, gives an opinion on the hospitalization of the patient.

Department of Pulmonology in hospitals

In Belarus, a large number of hospitals have pulmonology departments and offices.

They treat patients with moderate to severe pneumonia, pleurisy, COPD, asthma, bronchitis, sarcoidosis, etc.

Patients are accommodated in wards on average for 4 people, as well as single and double rooms of superior comfort. Modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment allows high-quality manipulation.

Hospitals that provide pulmonology services:

• 5th city clinical hospital

Address: Minsk, st. Filatova, d.9;

• Republican Clinical Medical Center

Address: Minsk region, Zhdanovichsky, 81/5, ag. Zhdanovichi;

• 2nd city clinical hospital

Address: Minsk, st. Engels, 25;

• Scientific and Practical Center of Surgery, Transplantology and Hematology

Address: Minsk, st. Semashko, 8;

• 6th city clinical hospital

Address: Minsk, st. Ural, 5;

• 3rd city hospital named after E. V. Klumova

Address: Minsk, st. Lenin, 30;

• RSPC Pulmonology and Phthisiology

Address: Minsk, Dolginovsky tract, 157;

• City Clinical Emergency Hospital

Address: Minsk, st. Lieutenant Kizhevatova, 58;

• Minsk Regional Clinical Hospital

Address: Minsk region, ag. Lesnoy, 1.

Pediatric pulmonology

Pediatric pulmonology is actively developing in Belarus. Doctors provide specialized planned diagnostic assistance to little patients. They actively participate in international seminars, conferences, congresses on the issues of pediatric pulmonology and allergology.

Centers and hospitals also offer asthma schools, in which children and parents are trained in the rules of self-monitoring and prevention of exacerbations of bronchial asthma.

What does a pediatric pulmonologist treat?

Belarusian pediatric pulmonologists treat diseases of the entire spectrum of pathologies in this area.

The main diseases that are treated by pediatric pulmonologists:

• Bronchial asthma;
• Allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis;
• Acute and chronic urticaria;
• Toxic-allergic dermatitis;
• Atopic dermatitis;
• Acute and chronic bronchitis;
• Pneumonia;
• Cystic fibrosis;
• Congenital and hereditary lung diseases.

Pediatric pulmonologist

In the Republic of Belarus, there are both private and state polyclinics and hospitals providing pediatric pulmonology services.

You can get specialist advice, carry out diagnostic tests, and also receive treatment recommendations. The type of treatment is determined by the doctor, he may also recommend putting your child in a hospital in case severe forms of pathology.

Pulmonologist's appointment

A doctor’s appointment begins with the first consultation, and the specialist conducts the following:

• patient survey,
• clarifies complaints, the nature of the course of the disease,
• examines the skin, oral cavity,
• palpation of the peripheral lymph nodes and thyroid gland, measures blood pressure,
• heart rate,
• listens to the heart and lungs.

After the examination, the doctor can immediately prescribe treatment and give recommendations on preventive measures. But if the primary data is not enough, then he prescribes additional studies to clarify the diagnosis.

At the second appointment, the pulmonologist evaluates the effectiveness of the prescribed therapy, if it is necessary, adjusts the treatment regimen, gives directions for laboratory monitoring of the results. If treatment is unsuccessful on an outpatient basis, the patient is referred to the hospital.

How to make an appointment with a pulmonologist?

In Belarus, there are private medical centers and hospitals where you can get help in the field of pulmonology. You can make an appointment with a pulmonologist in Minsk by making a preliminary call to the center you are interested in, or by visiting him directly.

Pulmonologist consultation

You can consult with a pulmonologist at a public health institution or private medical center. A list of the best medical centers, hospitals and doctors in the field of pulmonology can be found here.

Pulmonology for foreign citizens

In Belarus, medical services are in great demand among foreigners in view of the relatively low prices and a high level of quality. The field of pulmonology is no exception.

Services in this area are provided to both citizens of the Republic of Belarus and foreigners. In state institutions, residents of the republic are provided with services according to special price lists. In private medical centers, treatment is paid for everyone and at the same rates.

The best pulmonologists in Belarus

In order to save your time on our website you can find a list of the best pulmonologists in Belarus.

Photo: pocketair.com.tw, medicalcareercollege.net.