Pulmonology involves the study and treatment of respiratory diseases and disorders. A pulmonary physician, or pulmonologist, treats diseases of the lungs, airways, and all other respiratory organs. The pulmonologist diagnoses and treats pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other respiratory problems, and uses a variety of invasive and non-invasive diagnostic techniques to help patients.

An overnight sleep study, known as a polysomnogram, is necessary to diagnose many sleep disorders. This is a painless procedure in which a variety of physiological parameters are recorded (breathing patterns, air flow, oxygen levels, eye movements, brain waves, heart rate and rhythm, leg movements, snoring) from electrodes attached to different parts of the body.