A pulmonologist is a medical professional who specializes in the treatment of diseases related to the lungs. While this term is commonly used to describe this type of medical professional, there are a number of other synonyms that can be used to describe them. For example, lung doctor, respiratory specialist, and chest physician are all commonly used terms for a pulmonologist. Additionally, they may also be referred to as a pulmonary physician, a respirologist, or a thoracic medicine specialist. No matter what term is used to describe them, however, a pulmonologist plays a critical role in helping patients manage lung-related illnesses and improve their overall respiratory health.