Pulmonology

In the presence of persistent airway symptoms that do not resolve with common short-term treatments: a chronic cough lasting more than three or four weeks, shortness of breath (dyspnoea) on exertion or at rest, wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing, chest pain or marked chest tightness, persistent phlegm or traces of blood in the sputum. The visit is also recommended as periodic preventive screening for smokers and former smokers, or for those who work in contact with dust, paints and toxic fumes.

It is the reference diagnostic test for assessing lung function: painless and non-invasive, it is performed by breathing into a sterile mouthpiece connected to a spirometer, which measures the volume of air in the lungs and the speed at which it is expelled during a forced exhalation. It is carried out in real time during the visit and is essential for the early diagnosis of obstructive diseases (such as asthma and COPD) or restrictive diseases.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes a temporary, reversible narrowing of the bronchi, with episodes of breathlessness, dry cough and wheezing. Diagnosis is based on a careful history of the symptoms and confirmed by spirometry, often combined with a reversibility test (repeating the examination after inhaling a bronchodilator). Treatment involves personalised therapy plans with latest-generation inhaled medications.

Although the symptoms are similar, they are distinct conditions. Asthma can start at any age, is often linked to allergies, and the bronchial obstruction is reversible. COPD generally affects adults over 40-50, is primarily caused by smoking or prolonged occupational exposure to irritants, and involves a progressive, not fully reversible airway obstruction. Both require rigorous specialist follow-up.

It is a transient narrowing of the airways that typically occurs during or immediately after intense physical exercise, especially in cold or dry environments. It presents with dry cough, a feeling of chest tightness and a sudden drop in athletic performance. Targeted spirometry screening of athletes can identify the condition and guide treatment protocols that allow safe training and competition.

Chronic snoring and pauses in breathing during the night are the main symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS), which reduces blood oxygenation and increases cardiovascular risk. Diagnosis requires a pulmonology visit combined with a sleep study (overnight cardiorespiratory monitoring), a non-invasive test that can also be performed at home, after which effective treatment can be started (e.g. CPAP ventilation therapy).