Pulmonology is the study of respiratory diseases which, in turn, are diseases that affect the respiratory organs such as lungs, respiratory tract, trachea, bronchi and so on. A pulmonologist is a physician who specializes in respiratory diseases. Respiratory diseases are of various types, from mild ones such as the common cold, to severe and potentially life-threatening ones such as pneumonia and lung cancer. Some major forms of respiratory diseases include obstructive lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and upper and lower respiratory tract infections. A vast majority of the Indian population has developed habits with regard to some form of tobacco consumption and drug abuse, which has led to a spurt in respiratory diseases in the country. This situation needs to be urgently countered through better and more sophisticated medical treatment of respiratory diseases. Hide this