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.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are emphysema, broncho-esophagology, pneumonia, lung disorders, cystic fibrosis, asthma, bronchitis, and pectus excavatum.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Alabama has 181 practicing pulmonary doctors / pulmonologists. Broken out by city, pulmonology doctor density in Alabaster is 4, in Albertville is 1, in Alexander City is 1, in Anniston is 4, in Ardmore is 1, in Athens is 2, in Bay Minette is 1, in Bessemer is 4, in Birmingham is 72, in Boaz is 1, in Clanton is 1, in Cullman is 1, in Decatur is 3, in Dothan is 6, in Fairhope is 6, in Florence is 3, in Foley is 5, in Fort Payne is 1, in Gadsden is 4, in Girby is 1, in Greenville is 1, in Grove Hill is 2, in Gulf Shores is 3, in Harvest is 1, in Huntsville is 12, in Jasper is 1, in Lafayette is 1, in Madison is 1, in Mobile is 29, in Montgomery is 11, in Oneonta is 2, in Opelika is 3, in Orange Beach is 1, in Pell City is 1, in Rainbow City is 1, in Russellville is 1, in Samson is 1, in Selma is 1, in Sheffield is 4, and in Tuscaloosa is 8.

Montgomery is the capital city of this southern state, though Birmingham is its largest city. Population in 2005 was 4,557,808. Alabama is the birthplace of historical figures Hank Aaron, Helen Keller, and George Washington Carver. Take an airboat tour on the Mobile river delta, see the Alabama Civil Rights museum in Mantua, or tour the Jazz Hall of Fame in Birmingham. Visit the Shakespeare Festival Theater Complex in Montgomery, or play a round of golf at one of Alabama’s many acclaimed courses. From the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the state’s north to the Gulf coast beaches in the south, Alabama’s scenery includes a varied and diverse landscape.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Alabama has a population of 4,557,808. Of this population, 1,074,627 are under the age of 18 and 600,258 are at or above the age of 65.