Thirteenth-century anatomist and physiologist Ibn Al-Nafis accurately theorized that there was no 'direct' passage between the two sides (ventricles) of the heart.

[7] When the specialty did begin to evolve, several discoveries were being made linking the respiratory system and the measurement of arterial blood gases, attracting more and more physicians and researchers to the developing field.

Pulmonology is closely related to critical care medicine[11] when dealing with patients who require mechanical ventilation.

Medication is the most important treatment of most diseases of pulmonology, either by inhalation (bronchodilators and steroids) or in oral form (antibiotics, leukotriene antagonists).

A common example being the usage of inhalers in the treatment of inflammatory lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Interventions can include exercise, education, emotional support, oxygen, noninvasive mechanical ventilation, optimization of airway secretion clearance, promoting compliance with medical care to reduce numbers of exacerbations and hospitalizations, and returning to work and/or a more active and emotionally satisfying life.

In the United States, pediatric pulmonologists[34] are physicians who, after receiving a medical degree (MD, DO, MBBS, MBBCh, etc.

Pediatric pulmonologists treat diseases of the airways, lungs, respiratory mechanics and aerodigestive system.