Pulmonary Function Tests
Lung function tests can be used to:
- Pulmonary function tests aid in diagnosing various lung conditions such as asthma and COPD.
- Evaluate the severity and progression of lung diseases for treatment planning.
- Assess vital capacity, total lung capacity, and forced vital capacity to understand respiratory health.
- Identify restrictive or obstructive patterns in lung function.
- Evaluate how well a patient responds to treatment through these tests.
- Conduct pulmonary function tests before certain surgeries, especially those involving the chest or lungs.
To get the most accurate results from your breathing tests:
- Adhere to provided instructions, like refraining from smoking or specific medications, before the test.
- Employ correct inhalation and exhalation technique as directed by the healthcare provider.
- Communicate any discomfort or difficulties during the test with the testing technician.
- Inform healthcare providers of any health changes before the test, such as respiratory infections or worsening symptoms.
- Maintain a relaxed posture to reflect natural breathing patterns accurately.
- Strive for consistency in effort during repeated tests for reliable results.
- Clearly communicate any medications taken, as they can impact test outcomes.
What is spirometry?
Spirometry is a common pulmonary function test that measures the volume of air a person inhales or exhales and the rate at which this exchange occurs. It assesses lung function by recording various respiratory parameters, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and the ratio of FEV1 to FVC. Spirometry is a valuable diagnostic tool in evaluating respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other lung diseases.
What are diffusion studies?
Diffusion studies, including DLCO, measure how effectively the lungs transfer gases like carbon monoxide into the bloodstream. By assessing this gas exchange, these tests offer insights into lung efficiency and help diagnose conditions such as interstitial lung diseases. DLCO is a valuable component of pulmonary function testing, complementing assessments like spirometry. The results aid healthcare providers in understanding lung dynamics and formulating targeted treatment plans for respiratory conditions.
What is body plethysmography?
Body plethysmography is a pulmonary function test that measures lung volumes and resistance by placing the individual in a sealed chamber (plethysmograph). Changes in pressure during breathing allow calculation of total lung capacity (TLC) and residual volume (RV). This test provides detailed insights into lung function and is valuable for diagnosing conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and restrictive lung diseases. It complements other pulmonary function tests, contributing to a comprehensive assessment of respiratory health.
What are normal results for lung function tests?
Because everyone’s body and lungs are different sizes, normal results differ from person to person.
For instance, taller people and males tend to have larger lungs whereas shorter people and females have smaller lungs. It is normal for your lung function to fall slightly as you age.
These standards that your healthcare provider uses, are based on your height, age, and sex at birth. These numbers are called the “predicted values”. Your measured values will be compared to these predicted values.
