From the Guidelines
Pulmonary refers to anything related to the lungs or the respiratory system, encompassing the lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pulmonary blood vessels, and associated structures involved in breathing and gas exchange, as defined by the most recent and highest quality study 1. The term comes from the Latin word "pulmo" meaning lung.
Key Components of Pulmonary System
- The lungs
- Bronchi
- Bronchioles
- Alveoli
- Pulmonary blood vessels
- Associated structures involved in breathing and gas exchange This system is responsible for taking in oxygen from the air and releasing carbon dioxide from the body through the process of respiration.
Importance of Pulmonary Function
Pulmonary medicine is the medical specialty that deals with diseases affecting the respiratory tract, including conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, tuberculosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer. The pulmonary circulation is also a specific part of the cardiovascular system that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and returns oxygenated blood back to the heart. Understanding pulmonary function is essential for diagnosing and treating respiratory conditions that affect millions of people worldwide, as highlighted in a recent clinical practice guideline 1.
Recent Guidelines and Recommendations
According to the latest clinical practice guideline on pulmonary rehabilitation for adults with chronic respiratory disease, published in 2023 1, pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive intervention that includes exercise training, education, and behavior change, designed to improve the physical and psychological condition of people with chronic respiratory disease. The guideline recommends pulmonary rehabilitation as an essential component of the integrated care of people with chronic respiratory disease, with benefits including reduced dyspnea, increased exercise capacity, and improved health-related quality of life 1.
From the Research
Definition of Pulmonary
Pulmonary refers to anything related to the lungs. This term is often used in medical contexts to describe diseases, conditions, or functions associated with the lungs.
Pulmonary Diseases
Some common pulmonary diseases include:
- Asthma: a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath 2
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe, often caused by long-term exposure to lung irritants such as smoke 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Lung cancer: a type of cancer that originates in the lungs, often associated with COPD 3, 4
Characteristics of Pulmonary Diseases
Pulmonary diseases often share common characteristics, such as:
- Chronic inflammation and increased mucus production 2
- Obstructive symptoms, including wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath 2, 5, 6
- Increased risk of exacerbations and mortality 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Treatment and Management
Treatment and management of pulmonary diseases often involve: