The<unk> st begins the diagnostic process with a general review focusing on: *hereditary diseases affecting the lungs (cystic fibrosis, alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency) * exposure to toxicants (tobacco smoke, asbestos, exhaust fumes, coal mining fumes, e-cigarette aerosol,) * exposure to infectious agents (certain types of birds, malt processing) * an autoimmune diathesis that might predispose to certain conditions (pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension) Physical diagnostics are as important as in other fields of medicine. *Inspection of the hands for signs of cyanosis or clubbing, chest wall, and respiratory rate. *Palpation of the cervical lymph nodes, trachea and chest wall movement. *Percussion of the lung fields for dullness or hyper-resonance. *Auscultation (with a stethoscope) of the lung fields for diminished or unusual breath sounds. *Rales or rhonchi heard over lung fields with a stethoscope. As many heart diseases can give pulmonary signs, a thorough cardiac investigation is usually included.
Pulmonology
Cardiology
Hematology
Neurocardiology
Neonatology
Endocrinology
Immunohaematology
Phthisiology