Pulmonologists mainly focus on the respiratory system and suggest treatments for respiratory-related illnesses like tuberculosis and asthma. A pulmonologist in Mumbai is an expert in diagnosing disorders that are inflammatory, neoplastic (linked to tumours), infectious, autoimmune and at times, cardiovascular.
The sub-divisions and specialisations under pulmonology are categorised as interstitial lung disease, paediatric pulmonology, neuromuscular disease, sleep-disordered breathing, lung transplantation, and obstructive lung disease.
A pulmonologist in Mumbai either visits intensive care units or consults independently. These specialists are also part of multidisciplinary group activities from time to time. The number of patients with acute and chronic respiratory diseases is widespread in India, as per Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data.
A specialist in pulmonology diagnoses and treats disorders connected to the respiratory tract or lungs, particularly pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer and/or related infections, bronchitis, lung fibrosis, autoimmune disorders, emphysema, and sleep apnoea. For instance, a pulmonologist can be contacted for occupational lung ailments, persistent cough, or lung transplant.
A top pulmonologist in Mumbai would suggest bronchoscopies, chest X-rays, spirometry bloodwork, and CT scans for the analysis of chronic lung diseases. Subsequently, the specialist will recommend a treatment plan combining medication, therapies, and rehabilitation based on the tests’ outcome. Mentioned below are some disorders for which the best pulmonologist doctor in Mumbai can provide treatments.
Asthma: In this condition, inflammation occurs in the bronchial tubes due to a stimulus. Symptoms include chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cough.
Recurring cough: A respiratory tract infection, such as tuberculosis, can be the reason for chronic cough. Patients with this condition must consult a pulmonologist in Mumbai at the earliest.
Breathing issues: The doctor detects the primary cause of uncomfortable and abnormal breathing practises and early commencement of treatment can be helpful.
Lung cancer: The rise in these cases can be primarily due to smoking habits and growing air pollution. Early diagnosis and treatment can limit the spread to other organs.
COPD: Chronic bronchitis and emphysema can cause COPD. The latter slowly impacts the air sacs in your lungs which then impede outward airflow. In case of chronic bronchitis, the bronchial tubes become inflated and narrow and lead to a build-up of mucus.
If you have unusual symptoms, such as persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, and breathing issues while exercising, it is advisable to visit a general practitioner who could assess your overall medical condition and, as per need, refer you to the best pulmonologist in Navi Mumbai or another locality in Mumbai.
Some practices adopted by pulmonologists for lung-related ailments are:
Chest fluoroscopy, an X-ray for examining lung functionality
Chest ultrasound to observe organs and other chest structures
CT scan for detailed images of muscles, fat organs, bones, and blood vessels in the chest
Pulmonary function, a breathing test to monitor the working of the lungs
Pleural biopsy of a small tissue sample from the pleura, a membrane surrounding the lungs
Pulse oximetry test to perceive oxygen saturation level in the blood
Thoracentesis to extract sample fluid from the area around the lungs
Chest tube to eliminate air or fluid around the lungs
Sleep study to help diagnose sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea
Bronchoscopy to inspect the airway and verify if there are any issues in the trachea, lower airways, throat, or larynx
In bronchoscopy, the specialist, such as the pulmonologist, examines air passages and lungs. The procedure entails the passing of a thin flexible tube (bronchoscope) through the patient’s nose or mouth, down the throat, and into the lungs. However, a firmer bronchoscope might be needed when there is significant bleeding in the lungs, or when a large object is trapped in the airway.
A pulmonologist in Mumbai will commonly advise a bronchoscopy to assess unusual findings in a chest X-ray or another tests, or if you have chronic cough or infection. The test might be used for offering treatment for lung ailments, eliminating foreign bodies or other blockages from the airways, or just for extracting mucus or tissue samples.
A family doctor or paediatrician assesses a child’s general lung and respiratory health, and also treats minor respiratory infections. A paediatric pulmonologist is involved in the medical care of children, infants, and adolescents with lung-related diseases and conditions. If the general physician observes a more complex disease or condition in the lungs and respiratory tract, then he/she may refer the child to a paediatric pulmonologist; for example, for asthma, complicated respiratory infections (such as frequent bouts of pneumonia) or cystic fibrosis. Early diagnosis and treatment by an expert not only reduces the risk of disability, permanent lung damage, and other complications, but also offers preventive care.
Mumbai is a metropolitan region and there are thousands of vehicles plying on the roads at all times of the day. Hence, the city has drastic air pollution problems. Also, chemical factories and various other processing industries are being given permits for operating within the city’s limits. Consequently, many residents have been facing severe respiratory ailments for years. This necessitates regular consultation with a specialist doctor.
If you are looking for the best pulmonologist in Mumbai or want to consult with a pulmonologist in Navi Mumbai, then the best way to go about it is to use the Bajaj Finserv Health App. The smart doctor search feature enables you to filter doctors based on proximity, charges, experience, and other factors. Moreover, the app helps you schedule online appointments easily and consult doctors via video. You can view the best pulmonologists in Mumba here. For healthcare at your fingertips, download the app for free from Google Play or Apple App Store.