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Pulmonology (Lung Diseases) Worldwide: Best Hospitals, Doctors, Options, & Cost

Medicine knows a lot of respiratory system diseases, ranging from bronchitis and asthma to fatal ones – lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. Some are chronic, some are deadly, and some are successfully treated.

Many diseases are widespread, especially in the cold winter, while others are rare and poorly understood. Therefore, pulmonology is one of the most relevant areas of modern medicine. Treatment in pulmonology hospitals abroad today demonstrates excellent results. Patients with lung oncology, emphysema, bronchitis, alveolitis, fibrosis, and rare syndromes can breathe deeply without waiting for attacks of suffocation.

Did you know that the third death was caused worldwide, annually claiming the lives of 3.23 mln. people, is COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Update: Dec 19, 2024

Best lung clinics

How can I locate a suitable lung hospital?

Several factors should be considered when choosing a pulmonology hospital or clinic. The medical center should focus on lung diseases, ensuring up-to-date, comprehensive care. Close ties with university clinics and specialized research institutions indicate active use of the latest, most effective treatment methods.

Clinics with international certificates such as ISO or JCI represent top-quality healthcare compliant with global standards. State-of-the-art equipment, highly qualified and academically active pulmonologists, and the ability to cater to specific patient groups like older adults or children are also essential factors.

Lastly, a comfortable and supportive environment, including easily accessible communication facilities, price policy, and language services, is also a wise consideration. Together, these factors ensure an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment plan and significantly enhance the overall patient experience at the pulmonology clinic.

Best lung specialists

Excellent
AiroScore
9.90
Excellent
AiroScore
9.80
M1 Private Clinic Munich
children pulmonology and sleep medicine (somnology), pediatric and adolescent medicine
Excellent
AiroScore
9.70
Academic Hospital Martha-Maria Munich
internal medicine, pulmonology, lung oncology, and allergology, intensive care
Excellent
AiroScore
9.20
Academic Hospital Bundeswehr Berlin
internal medicine, gastroenterology, emergency care, coloproctology, and oncology
Excellent
AiroScore
9.80
Park Clinic Weissensee Berlin
internal medicine, gastroenterology, diabetology, proctology, drug therapy of tumors
Excellent
AiroScore
9.90
University Hospital Frankfurt am Main
pneumology, infectious diseases, sleep medicine, and allergology
Excellent
AiroScore
9.80
University Hospital Ludwig-Maximilians Munich
internal medicine, pulmonology, pulmonary fibrosis
Excellent
AiroScore
9.80
Rehabilitation Clinic Jagerwinkel Bad Wiessee
internal medicine, therapeutic and cancer rehabilitation, cardiology
Excellent
AiroScore
9.70
MEOCLINIC Berlin
internal medicine, pulmonary and bronchial medicine

Looking for the best lung doctor

Choosing the right pulmonologist is paramount for managing respiratory conditions effectively. Your ideal lung professional should possess vast experience, a recognized standing in the medical community, and specialized skills in advanced diagnostic procedures and critical care medicine.

Confirm that they hold certificates and board recognition from reputable organizations like the European Respiratory Society (ERS), reflecting their adherence to international standards. Additionally, they should demonstrate a strong patient-centric approach emphasizing compassionate care. Treatment cost, practice location, and reviews about particular doctors can also play an important role.

Stay informed about the latest innovations in treatments and have a successful track record in treating a range of lung diseases and disorders like obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. An ideal pulmonologist combines medical proficiency with excellent interpersonal skills to ensure you receive the best possible care.

High diagnostic standards in lung diseases

Diagnosis of pulmonology diseases includes dozens of techniques. Pulmonologists abroad pay great attention to the risk factors. They carefully collect patients' complaints and conduct a detailed general examination. After that, the attending physician draws up a survey plan:

Conventional tests

Lab tests
That includes biochemical blood tests and a study of its gas state. In addition, sputum and pleural fluid are analyzed. Tests identify causative agents and assess their sensitivity to antibiotics.
Low-dose and high-resolution CT
The technique is more effective than a regular X-ray and informative for detecting cancer, tuberculosis, and inflammations in the respiratory organs. In addition, doctors often advise having a high-resolution CT scan to see changes that are still not visible on conventional scans.
Spirometry
It shows the air passing through the respiratory tract after the maximum inhalation and the maximum possible exhalation, which helps the doctor assess the lungs' total volume and vital capacity.
Pulse oximetry
Shows the oxygen level in the blood. A low level indicates a malfunction in the body. With a particular device, doctors detect respiratory disorders accompanied by oxygen starvation.
Allergic tests
It helps detect allergic reactions to certain substances. Tests and consultation with an allergist are carried out in cases of suspected bronchial asthma.

Modern tools help pulmonologists find and confirm lung diseases quickly. That leads to proper and instant treatment. Top healthcare providers are always up-to-date with the latest methods. Therefore, having an appropriate doctor and pulmonology center is what you should look for. Explore more tools used when standard tests are limited.

Latest diagnostic tools

Bronchoscopy
An endoscopic examination with the thinnest bronchoscope in the bronchi to study their structure. Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is a technique that combines electromagnetic technology and a 3D lung map from a recent chest CT scan, acting like a GPS for the lungs.
Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy
Robotic bronchoscopy employs a smaller, more flexible scope, controlled like a video game, to navigate all airways. Under anesthesia, the physician can reach specific targets from a CT scan and accurately obtain biopsies.
Endobronchial ultrasound
A miniature ultrasound sensor is attached to the tip of the bronchoscope. The doctor can see the respiratory systems and examine the tissue surrounding them.
Radioisotope methods
The ventilation state (ventilation scintigraphy) and pulmonary capillary blood flow (perfusion scintigraphy) are examined. This method diagnoses pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and obstructive diseases.
Biopsy
A sampling of biomaterial (sputum, mucosa, fragments of neoplasms) for histological or cytological analysis.

Diagnosing pulmonology involves conventional techniques and advanced tools, such as high-resolution CT scans and robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. Accurate diagnosis is the basis of effective treatment, and the wide use of advanced diagnostic tools improves outcomes. AiroMedical platform simplifies finding the suitable pulmonology center, ensuring quick and precise diagnosis and treatment.

Advanced treatment solutions in pulmonology

Conservative treatment involves drug therapy, endoscopic techniques, physiotherapy, climatotherapy, and inhalations. In addition, pulmonologists abroad restore normal breathing with the help of the newest techniques:

New treatment approaches

Medications
One short course in acute conditions and a long time in chronic diseases is used. In top hospitals abroad, only modern, highly effective drugs are used. For example, in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), Nintedanib (Ofev) and pirfenidone (Esbriet) are approved as anti-fibrotic agents. These drugs can decrease the progression of fibrosis or lung scarring and are sanctioned for usage in patients with mild, moderate, and severe forms.
Hemocorrection
During the procedure, various toxins and viruses are removed from the blood, and the number of blood clots and substances that increase blood viscosity is reduced. In addition, the treatment preserves all the valuable substances and improves blood flow.
CPAP & BiPAP lung ventilation
Doctors use CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) and BiPAP (biphasic positive airway pressure) methods. It is carried out when the patient can breathe, but it is difficult for him to maintain the lungs straightened. Air enters the respiratory tract through nasal cannulas (two small tubes in each nostril) or face masks.
Halotherapy
It is a method of lung cleaning, improving the breathing function in artificially created salt caves with a unique microclimate.
Hydrogen inhalation therapy
Molecular hydrogen inhalation therapy has significant antioxidative and anti-inflammatory benefits. The treatment is increasingly recommended in pulmonology clinics for treating COVID-19 pneumonia to protect the lungs and other organs. It is a potential treatment approach for other respiratory conditions such as COPD, asthma, pneumonia, and lung cancer in a hospital setting.
Stem cell therapy
Stem cellsfrom the fat tissue and blood are the primary repairing material. They can transform into any other cells, including lung tissue. The patient's stem cell samples are placed in a nutrient medium and injected after reproduction. With the blood flow, they enter the lungs and repair the tissue, e.g., damaged by lung fibrosis.
Specialized pulmonary rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are personalized and can encompass medication management, breathing and stretching exercises for lung function improvement and flexibility, and weight training for muscle strength. The program also imparts disease education, smoking cessation help, stress management, emotional support, and nutritional counseling. Guidance is provided for home respiratory equipment like oxygen and nebulizers.

Numerous approaches to lung disease are limited but are highly effective in certain patients. Checking advanced options for your case might be life-saving. Therefore, AiroMedical makes a great effort to list more and more advancements available in the best pulmonary clinics. Moreover, many conditions already have solutions to treat or significantly relieve the symptoms.

More specific therapies

Endobronchial valves
An umbrella-shaped device is placed in the patient's airway during a short bronchoscopic procedure. The valve redirects air from the affected parts of the lungs to healthier ones. It allows them to expand and function more efficiently, making breathing easier for patients suffering from emphysema.
Biological glue
With localized emphysema, doctors use an endoscopic technique of overlapping the affected bronchus with a biological glue based on blood proteins to relieve symptoms. The procedure is also performed for patients awaiting lung transplantation.
Bronchial thermoplasty
A miniature catheter is inserted into the lumen of the bronchi, which gradually increases their temperature. As a result, the walls of the respiratory tract slowly heat up, muscle fibers relax, and the lumen expands. It is most suitable for patients with frequent asthma attacks, allowing them to abandon hormone therapy.
Interventional pulmonology
Interventional pulmonology (IP) uses simple techniques to find and treat severe lung conditions like lung cancer and pleural diseases. It uses the latest technologies to make procedures less invasive than traditional lung surgery. The IP doctor works with a team of experts in areas like lung medicine, lung surgery, ear-nose-throat medicine, oncology, radiation cancer treatment, lung imaging, and anesthesiology.

Pulmonology treatments have greatly advanced, including new drugs, blood treatments, ventilation techniques, and innovative therapies like stem cell treatment. At AiroMedical, we stay updated on these advancements, listing the advanced treatments from top clinics worldwide. We help patients access these advanced treatments and connect them to the best clinics for their needs, making booking appointments smooth and fast. We're committed to helping patients with lung diseases obtain the best and latest care options.

Lung diseases treatment cost

Advantages of medical travel

Many pulmonology diseases are challenging, leading to severe health deterioration and reduced quality of life. That's why respiratory disorders don't have time for mediocre treatment. Top doctors abroad have extensive experience in the fight against lung illnesses. Their practice synthesizes centuries-old traditions and innovative technologies, resulting in successful and effective results. Their activities are designed to support the respiratory system and fully restore its functionality, meaning patients' everyday lives.

One of AiroMedical's features is the variety of cooperation forms with the patient - from booking treatment and "all-inclusive" service to ending with one-time individual services for the treatment organization.

Reasons to check medical tourism for pulmonology treatment

Treatment programs
After receiving your request, this program will be compiled by our consulting doctors and the doctors of the selected hospital. The program will include a list of diagnostic and therapeutic measures, doctors' names and regalia, and prices for the entire package of medical services.
Best pulmonology doctors
You can choose famous professors and heads of departments of large hospitals. These people are the vanguard of medical science and create methods that are successfully used worldwide.
No queues
With a compactly compiled treatment schedule, you will get to a world-renowned doctor in the shortest possible time without wasting precious time.
Price comparison
The opportunity to get acquainted with the prices of several clinics and independently choose the best one. That is not only when you are limited with a budget.
Access to medical centers specialized in lung diseases
These pulmonology centers, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and expert healthcare professionals, often offer advanced and unique treatments unavailable locally. It increases your chances of receiving the most effective and personalized care. Furthermore, being treated by specialists familiar with the latest research and treatment protocols ensures you get the best possible outcomes for your health.

We build our work in such a way that it provides maximum comfort, preserving your strength during this challenging period of your life. You can ask questions about pulmonology treatment abroad through the contact form.

We open treatment without borders, not limited to one country or clinic. Thanks to an extensive network of contacts and strong ties with the leading hospitals, we allow you to choose the best. We do not impose our preferences on customers, but we can give recommendations if necessary. So you choose – we organize!

How AiroMedical can help you

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