7 Ways to Understand Pulmonary Medicine by Simplifying Complex Language

Pulmonary medicine can sound like a foreign language — packed with complicated words that leave many patients confused. The truth is, once you break these terms down, they become much easier to understand. 

Keep reading to learn seven ways to decode pulmonary medicine and feel more confident about your lung health.

1. Pulmonology

Pulmonology, the study of the lungs, is the branch of medicine focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the lungs and respiratory system. These include conditions affecting the airways, lung tissue, blood vessels, and chest wall.

2. Who Is a Pulmonologist?

A pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract. They treat conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and sleep-related breathing disorders.

3. Anatomy Basics: Alveoli Are the Workhorses

Alveoli are tiny balloon-like air sacs in the lungs where oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide is expelled. Each lung contains hundreds of millions of alveoli, creating an enormous surface area for gas exchange.

Pulmonologists focus on the health of these air sacs because when alveoli don’t work properly, breathing becomes harder and the body doesn’t get the oxygen it needs.

4. Breaking Down Complex Words

Medical terms often become much easier to understand once you break them into their basic parts. For example, “pulmonologist” comes from “pulmon/o,” meaning lung, and “-logist,” meaning specialist — so it refers to a doctor who specializes in lung disease. “Bronchoscopy” combines “bronch/o,” meaning airway, with “-scopy,” meaning to look, describing a procedure that allows doctors to visually examine the airways.

5. What Is a Bronchoscopy?

A bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a thin, flexible tube with a camera (called a bronchoscope) is inserted through the mouth or nose into the lungs to view the airways. It helps diagnose infections, tumors, blockages, or chronic lung diseases. In some cases, a small amount of fluid is introduced and then collected — a step known as bronchoalveolar lavage — to check for infections or inflammatory conditions. 

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider to determine whether a bronchoscopy is appropriate and to understand what your specific results mean.

6. Common Roots and Terms You May Hear Often

• “Dyspnea” = difficulty breathing.

• “Apnea” = temporary pause in breathing.

• “Tachypnea” = abnormally fast breathing.

7. Subspecialties Within Pulmonology

Pulmonology includes several subspecialties, each focusing on different types of lung problems. One area is interstitial lung disease (ILD), which refers to conditions like pulmonary fibrosis that cause scarring in the lungs and make it harder to breathe. Another is pulmonary hypertension, which means high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs, putting extra strain on the heart. 

Some pulmonologists work in sleep medicine, treating issues like sleep apnea — a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. There is also interventional pulmonology, a specialty that uses advanced tools, such as ultrasound-guided scopes and tiny biopsies, to look inside the lungs and diagnose diseases with less invasive procedures.

Glossary: Pulmonary Terms You Should Know

Spirometry: A common lung function test that measures how much air you inhale, how much you exhale, and how quickly you exhale.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): A group of progressive diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that cause airflow blockage and breathing problems.

Emphysema: A condition in which the alveoli (air sacs) are damaged, leading to shortness of breath.

Pulmonary Fibrosis: A lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred, making breathing difficult.

Pulmonary Embolism: A sudden blockage in a lung artery, usually caused by a blood clot traveling from the leg.

Asthma: A chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

Bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes, often causing cough and mucus production.

Hypoxemia: A condition where blood oxygen levels are lower than normal, which can lead to shortness of breath.

Sleep Apnea: A disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, increasing risk for heart disease and stroke.

Pulmonary Hypertension: A type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.

From advanced diagnostics to interventional procedures, sleep medicine, chronic disease management, and long-term respiratory support, our team at the Ferrer Pulmonary Institute is dedicated to helping every patient breathe easier with clarity, confidence, and compassionate guidance.

If you have questions about your lung health, need a specialist, or want to learn more about the services we provide, visit pulmonary-institute.com to schedule an appointment or explore our programs.

For tips on lung health, behind-the-scenes education, and updates from our care team, follow Ferrer Pulmonary Institute on Instagram @ferrerpulmonary — your path to better breathing begins with understanding, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.