What is Pulmonology 

Pulmonology is a medical specialty that focuses on the study, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that affect the respiratory system. It deals with the health and function of the lungs, which play a vital role in the respiratory process. In this article, we will explore the science of pulmonology, its history, and its importance in modern healthcare. We will also discuss common pulmonary conditions, diagnosis, and treatment options. 

History of Pulmonology 

The history of pulmonology dates back to ancient times, where the study of breathing and the lungs was already a subject of great interest. The Greeks and Romans were the first to describe lung function and disease, with Hippocrates being credited as the first to use the term "pneumonia." The medieval Arab physicians also made significant contributions to the field, describing the symptoms and treatment of respiratory illnesses. 

The modern era of pulmonology began in the 19th century when the stethoscope was invented by Rene Laennec, enabling physicians to auscultate the lungs and diagnose respiratory diseases. In the early 20th century, the discovery of tuberculosis bacteria by Robert Koch led to the development of effective treatments for the disease. Since then, pulmonology has continued to advance, with new technologies and treatments emerging to improve the diagnosis and management of pulmonary diseases. 

Anatomy and Function of the Lungs 

The lungs are a pair of organs located in the chest cavity, protected by the rib cage. They are responsible for breathing, which is the process of taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. The lungs are made up of smaller airways called bronchioles, which branch out from the trachea and lead to tiny air sacs called alveoli. The alveoli are where gas exchange occurs, with oxygen passing from the lungs into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide moving from the bloodstream into the lungs to be exhaled. 

Common Pulmonary Conditions 

Pulmonology deals with a wide range of conditions that affect the respiratory system, including: 

Asthma 

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. It affects people of all ages and can be triggered by various factors, including allergens, exercise, and stress. 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 

COPD is a group of lung diseases that cause difficulty breathing and decreased airflow, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is most commonly caused by smoking but can also be caused by environmental factors such as air pollution. 

Pulmonary Fibrosis 

Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition that causes scarring of the lung tissue, leading to decreased lung function and difficulty breathing. It can be caused by various factors, including exposure to toxins, infections, and autoimmune diseases. 

Pulmonary Embolism 

Pulmonary embolism is a blockage of the pulmonary artery, which carries blood from the heart to the lungs. It is most commonly caused by blood clots that originate in the legs and travel to the lungs, leading to chest pain, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, death. 

Diagnosis and Treatment 

Diagnosing pulmonary conditions typically involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and various tests, including: 

• Chest X-rays 
• CT scans 
• Pulmonary function tests 
• Bronchoscopy 
• Biopsies 

Treatment options for pulmonary conditions depend on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. They may include: 

• Medications, such as bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and antibiotics 
• Oxygen therapy 
• Pulmonary rehabilitation 

Top Pulmonologist In Kansas City, MO 

1. Dr. Michael J. Hanrahan, Pulmonologist, St. Joseph's Hospital, 3057 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44109 
2. Dr. John W. Anderson, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
3. Dr. William F. Leverett, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
4. Dr. Thomas C. Baumann, Pulmonologist, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 
5. Dr. Steven J. Kuehn, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
6. Dr. Richard C. Chudzynski, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
7. Dr. David G. Stern, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
8. Dr. William J. Kellett, Pulmonologist, Hillcrest Hospital, 6780 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 
9. Dr. Robert M. Lavin, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, 13207 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024 
10. Dr. Robert K. Chang, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
11. Dr. John D. Kraemer, Pulmonologist, Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 
12. Dr. Jeffrey S. Gell, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
13. Dr. Edward C. Glazier, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
14. Dr. Robert J. Krakora, Pulmonologist, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, 2351 East 22nd Street, Cleveland, OH 44115 
15. Dr. Robert L. Schubert, Pulmonologist, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 
16. Dr. Stephen R. Gallagher, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
17. Dr. Jonathan S. Goyal, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
18. Dr. Charles E. Spann, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
19. Dr. Robert L. Siegel, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
20. Dr. Scott M. Franks, Pulmonologist, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 
21. Dr. Kenneth R. Morris, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
22. Dr. Thomas J. Papadimos, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
23. Dr. Kevin J. McManus, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
24. Dr. William M. Glazer, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
25. Dr. David J. Goldsmith, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
26. Dr. Robert E. Lee, Pulmonologist, Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 
27. Dr. Donald H. Reiter, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
28. Dr. Edward J. Hannon, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
29. Dr. Robert J. Gordon, Pulmonologist, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, 2351 East 22nd Street, Cleveland, OH 44115 
30. Dr. Mark S. Lefferts, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
31. Dr. John P. Tompkins, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
32. Dr. Richard G. Lappen, Pulmonologist, Hillcrest Hospital, 6780 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 
33. Dr. Gregory T. Riegle, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
34. Dr. John W. Stapleton, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
35. Dr. Mark S. Skalny, Pulmonologist, Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 
36. Dr. Michael J. Doherty, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, 13207 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024 
37. Dr. Richard A. O'Brien, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
38. Dr. John W. Barton, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
39. Dr. Kenneth R. Trenchard, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
40. Dr. Barry B. Einhorn, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
41. Dr. Thomas E. Lipps, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, 13207 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024 
42. Dr. David M. Chisholm, Pulmonologist, Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 
43. Dr. William L. Baker, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
44. Dr. Thomas E. Nelson, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
45. Dr. Robert P. Heffernan, Pulmonologist, Hillcrest Hospital, 6780 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 
46. Dr. Stephen J. Krasner, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
47. Dr. David J. Foust, Pulmonologist, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 
48. Dr. Glenn A. Rothermel, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
49. Dr. Robert B. Skilken, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
50. Dr. John B. Williams, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, 13207 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024 
51. Dr. Jeffrey S. Segal, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
52. Dr. Thomas M. Thompson, Pulmonologist, Hillcrest Hospital, 6780 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 
53. Dr. Michael J. Stec, Pulmonologist, Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 
54. Dr. Kenneth R. Pomerantz, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
55. Dr. Richard B. McKusick, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
56. Dr. John M. Kalb, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
57. Dr. James A. Kremidas, Pulmonologist, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 
58. Dr. Robert S. Koman, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
59. Dr. Richard W. Fosdick, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
60. Dr. Thomas W. Kornacker, Pulmonologist, Hillcrest Hospital, 6780 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 
61. Dr. John J. Kight, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
62. Dr. Robert L. Goldfarb, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
63. Dr. David J. Greer, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
64. Dr. Richard M. Kravitz, Pulmonologist, Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 
65. Dr. Alan M. Krakauer, Pulmonologist, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 
66. Dr. Joseph T. Krentz, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, 13207 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024 
67. Dr. Robert A. Kay, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
68. Dr. Robert J. Kaczmarczyk, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
69. Dr. Robert M. Kucera, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
70. Dr. Stephen P. Kasper, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
71. Dr. Michael G. Kocher, Pulmonologist, Hillcrest Hospital, 6780 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 
72. Dr. David L. Klein, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
73. Dr. Robert E. Karp, Pulmonologist, Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 
74. Dr. Thomas M. Knapp, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, 13207 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024 
75. Dr. Thomas M. Kitts, Pulmonologist, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 
76. Dr. Richard P. Koppelman, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
77. Dr. Jeffrey S. Krasna, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
78. Dr. Michael J. Krouse, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
79. Dr. John P. Klimkiewicz, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
80. Dr. Daniel J. Kline, Pulmonologist, Hillcrest Hospital, 6780 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 
81. Dr. David J. Koehler, Pulmonologist, Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 
82. Dr. John F. Kranz, Pulmonologist, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 
83. Dr. Richard S. Kowal, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, 13207 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024 
84. Dr. Kenneth J. Knopp, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
85. Dr. Thomas C. Kocher, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
86. Dr. Douglas M. Kramer, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
87. Dr. Richard J. Kline, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
88. Dr. John A. Kaczmarczyk, Pulmonologist, Hillcrest Hospital, 6780 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 
89. Dr. Stephen E. Koppel, Pulmonologist, Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 
90. Dr. Thomas J. Krakowiak, Pulmonologist, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 
91. Dr. Stephen E. Kowalski, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, 13207 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024 
92. Dr. Robert A. Krupinski, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195 
93. Dr. Kenneth P. Kline, Pulmonologist, UH Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
94. Dr. David B. Kornbluth, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 
95. Dr. Robert L. Kostelnik, Pulmonologist, Summa Health System, 525 East Market Street, Akron, OH 44304 
96. Dr. Michael J. Kelly, Pulmonologist, Hillcrest Hospital, 6780 Mayfield Road, Mayfield Heights, OH 44124 
97. Dr. Stephen J. Korman, Pulmonologist, Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 
98. Dr. John S. Knight, Pulmonologist, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109 
99. Dr. Joseph S. Koeppel, Pulmonologist, University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, 13207 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024 
100. Dr. Robert E. Kotsch, Pulmonologist, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195