Algerian pulmonologists, like all pulmonologists around the world, diagnose and treat conditions affecting the respiratory system, including the nose, throat (pharynx), larynx, trachea, lungs and diaphragm.

This article presents useful information on the nature of the work of doctors Algerian pulmonologists, common procedures / interventions, sub-specialties and other roles that may be of interest to you.

Nature of the work of Algerian pulmonologists

Traditionally, respiratory medicine, or pneumology, is a hospital specialty. One third of all acute medical admissions to hospital are the result of respiratory problems, making it a very active and varied role.

Respirologists can work closely with colleagues in the hospital's intensive care unit, providing advice, as many acute conditions involve breathing problems.

They may also supervise and set up non-invasive ventilation for patients who have acute hypercapnic failure (which is a serious condition characterized by abnormally high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood). These patients can suffer from a wide range of medical conditions, including acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

There are two types of clinics: general respiratory clinics and specialty clinics. Patients with asthma and conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are treated in general clinics.

In these general clinics, pulmonologists also treat patients referred by general practitioners who have worrying symptoms such as hemoptysis (coughing up blood) and unexplained shortness of breath, or who have abnormal chest x-rays.

Respiratory physicians also run lung function laboratories in hospitals, which allows for the interpretation of complex lung function tests. Lung function tests are an important part of respiratory medicine or pulmonology because they can indicate how well a patient's lungs are working and aid in diagnosis.

Some respiratory units specialize in specific areas, such as lung transplantation, sleep-related medical problems, or cystic fibrosis.

Specialist respiratory clinics treat a whole host of problems, including:

• the cancer
• tuberculosis (a bacterial lung disease)
• cystic fibrosis (an inherited disease that causes a sticky section that can affect the airways, often resulting in infection)
• interstitial lung disease (scarring of lung tissue between the air sacs and supporting them)
• chronic cough
• sleep disorders related to breathing, for example obstructive sleep apnea
• pulmonary vascular disorders (affecting blood flow to the lungs)

Common procedures / interventions of Algerian pulmonologists

These include in particular:

• pleural (pulmonary) ultrasound
• bronchoscopy - examining the bronchi, the main airways of the lungs, using a thin tube with a light and a magnifying lens, called an endoscope, to view the lungs and possibly take a biopsy
• thoracoscopy - examining the chest cavity using an endoscope

The techniques used include:

• insertion of stents - a fine mesh tube is inserted to keep the airways open
• endobronchial ultrasound, which uses ultrasound and a bronchoscope to examine the walls of the airways and associated structures for disease
• thermoplasty - heat energy is applied to the wall of the airways to reduce the narrowing that occurs in asthma
• insertion of indwelling catheters - a soft, flexible tube is placed in the chest under local anesthesia, to drain fluid from the lungs

Sub-specialties of Algerian pulmonologists

In Algeria, there are no officially recognized sub-specialties, but pulmonology has a number of important areas of special interest, such as:

• cystic fibrosis in adults
• pulmonary hypertension
• lung transplant
• non-invasive home ventilation
• occupational and environmental lung diseases

Role of pulmonologists during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pulmonologists have been involved in the care of patients with COVID-19 in a variety of ways.

The pandemic has resulted in high morbidity and mortality among the elderly, especially those with underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and COPD.

Pulmonologists therefore play a very important role in the treatment of patients suffering from this virus which directly attacks the lungs and which can leave long-term consequences.

Sources

Source 1: healthcareers.nhs.uk [external].

Source 2: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [external].