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Pulmonary Medicine
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What's a Pulmonologist?
A pulmonologist is an internal medicine doctor with specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the respiratory system. Pulmonologists treat conditions in the lungs, upper airways, thoracic cavity, and chest wall. It is not uncommon for pulmonologists to also specialize in sleep medicine and/or critical care.
When to See a Pulmonologist
Your primary care doctor can diagnose and treat most common respiratory and pulmonary conditions. See a health care provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Chronic cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Asthma symptoms, including shortness of breath, wheezing, or tightness in your chest
If you have severe symptoms you will be referred to a pulmonologist.
Conditions Treated
See the full list of conditions we treat, and select a condition to find providers and locations near you.
- Airway obstruction
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (lung)
- Asthma
- Asthmatic bronchitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Bronchioloitis
- Bronchitis
- COPD
- Cough (chronic)
- Croup
- Cystic fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Epiglottitis
- Lung cancer
- Lung deformities
- Lung disease
- Lung infections
- Lung nodule
- Mediastinal lymph node enlargement
- Pleural diseases
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumonia
- Pneumonitis
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary aspiration
- Pulmonary disease
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pulmonary heart disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Pulmonary sarcoidosis
- Pulmonary vascular disease
- Respiratory diseases
- Tuberculosis
- Upper respiratory infection
Pulmonary Medicine Services
Take advantage of exceptional care and treatment for your lung and breathing conditions, including:
- Diagnostic tests and minimally invasive procedures
- Lung cancer screening for current and former smokers who meet certain criteria
- Pulmonary rehabilitation to improve your physical condition and reduce symptoms of lung disease
Adult Asthma Care
If you have chronic asthma, we will perform a comprehensive evaluation to help you fully understand your condition. We will recommend treatment options and work with you to create an individualized plan to improve your breathing.
Your care plan may include:
- Strategies to identify and control environmental triggers
- Medications
- Metered dose or dry powder inhaler
- Bronchial thermoplasty (BT)
Thoracic Surgery
If your condition requires surgery on your heart, lungs, esophagus, or other organs in your chest, your pulmonologist will refer you to a cardiothoracic surgeon at Essentia Health.
Breathe and Sleep Better
Explore sleep medicine services at Essentia. Count on us for diagnosis of a wide range of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea. Our specialists can deliver breathing care and treatment to keep your airway open while you sleep—so you can get a better night’s sleep.
Specialty Care for Kids
Explore pediatric respiratory and pulmonary services at Essentia Health to learn about specialty care for children.
Current Clinical Research Studies
Talk to your doctor to see if you may be eligible to participate in a research study through the Essentia Institute of Rural Health. By participating in a clinical study, you may have access to treatments, medications and medical devices that are not widely available.
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Diagnostic Tests Procedures
Look to Essentia Health for advanced image-guided diagnostic tests and procedures for your lungs in Duluth, MN, Brainerd, MN, and Fargo, ND
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Lung Cancer Screening
Take advantage of lung cancer screening at Essentia Health to find lung cancer early when it’s easier to treat.
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Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Improve your quality of life with pulmonary rehabilitation at Essentia Health. You’ll appreciate our complete program to help you breathe better.