Pulmonary and respiratory medicine is a medical speciality focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases affecting the lungs and respiratory system. This includes the airways, lungs, and structures involved in breathing. Pulmonologists address both acute and chronic respiratory conditions to improve lung function, reduce symptoms, and enhance overall quality of life.

Common conditions treated include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, bronchitis, sleep apnea, pulmonary fibrosis, lung infections, and lung cancer. Pulmonologists use diagnostic tools such as chest X-rays, CT scans, pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopy, and blood gas analysis to evaluate respiratory health accurately. Treatments may include medications, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, minimally invasive procedures, and advanced interventions like mechanical ventilation in critical cases.

Pulmonary medicine emphasizes prevention, early detection, and management of risk factors such as smoking, environmental exposure, and occupational hazards. By maintaining lung health and managing respiratory diseases, this speciality helps patients breathe easier, improve physical endurance, and prevent serious complications.