Pulmonology at UMC — Lisbon
In-person consultations in Lisbon · online consultations · patients aged 18 and over · with or without health insurance
The UMC Pulmonology department in Lisbon covers the full range — from routine evaluation of cough and breathlessness to complex cases: interstitial lung disease, incidental findings on chest CT, and conditions requiring interventional diagnostics.
Lung Function Testing
A range of lung function tests is available at the appointment: spirometry (assessing airway patency), the DLCO diffusion test (assessing gas exchange), and exhaled nitric oxide measurement (FeNO) — a marker of allergic airway inflammation that's important for diagnosing and monitoring asthma.
Asthma and COPD — Management and Treatment
Diagnosis, selection, and adjustment of maintenance therapy for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), using lung function tests (spirometry, FeNO) to monitor treatment effectiveness.
Chronic Cough — Diagnosis
A cough that lasts for weeks or months calls for a systematic approach: assessing lung function and ruling out asthma, chronic bronchitis, post-infectious causes, reflux, and other conditions — with a tailored diagnostic and treatment plan.
Smoking Cessation Counselling
Smoking cessation consultations include an assessment of your current lung health and recommendations tailored to your respiratory function.
Common Reasons Patients See a Pulmonologist
- Shortness of breath — on exertion or at rest
- Chronic or productive cough
- Coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- Chest pain, including pain related to pleural disease
- Allergic respiratory symptoms — asthma attacks, chronic nasal congestion
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Fatigue related to breathing problems
- Low oxygen levels, bluish skin discolouration
- Sleep-related breathing problems — snoring, daytime sleepiness, suspected sleep apnoea — initial assessment and referral for polysomnography when indicated
- Unexplained weight loss combined with respiratory symptoms
- Incidental findings on chest CT — nodules, masses, enlarged lymph nodes
- Occupational and environmental exposures — smoking, air pollution, dust, asbestos, mould, birds — common triggers for interstitial lung disease
- Chronic conditions — asthma, chronic respiratory failure, including patients on oxygen therapy or non-invasive ventilation
- Follow-up after pneumonia, tuberculosis, or COVID-19 — persistent respiratory symptoms
- Second opinions on pulmonology diagnoses and proposed treatment
What Happens During the Visit
- History taking and clinical examination — assessment of breathing, lung auscultation
- Lung function testing — spirometry, body plethysmography, DLCO, FeNO
- Arterial blood gas analysis — when assessment of respiratory failure is needed
- Diagnosis — based on examination, function tests, and medical history
- Further diagnostic workup — laboratory tests, chest CT, polysomnography when indicated
- Treatment selection and adjustment — asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease
- Referral for bronchoscopy/EBUS and pleural procedures — at a partner clinic, with the case managed at every stage
- Smoking cessation counselling
- Follow-up over time — repeat function tests, monitoring treatment effectiveness
