Did you know you cannot live without the lungs? The lungs take oxygen from the air you breathe to produce the energy the body needs for survival. It’s necessary to support your lung health, by avoiding smoking, eating healthy, and living an active life. Various health conditions may interfere with your lung health, but with proper medical management, they may not pose any threats to your breathing. Bridgewater pulmonary function test specialists at Respacare evaluate your breathing problems o help improve your health. This piece will give more information about the pulmonary function test.
What is a pulmonary function test?
It is a tool that evaluates your lung’s function. A pulmonary function test determines the following.
Lung volume
It assesses the amount of air you breathe in and out during your normal breathing. A pulmonary function test also evaluates the amount of air left in your lungs after breathing out.
Lung capacity
It involves the amount of air your lungs can carry.
Gas exchange
It measures how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood.
Rate of airflow
It determines how quickly you inhale and exhale. The rate of airflow evaluates your rate of flow during breathing while breathing in and exhaling as fast as you can.
Reasons for a pulmonary function test
Usually, your provider will let you know when and why you need a pulmonary function test. A pulmonary function test helps diagnose the following breathing problems.
- Bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Shortness of breath
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Respiratory infections
- Restrictive airway problems
- Trouble breathing from injury in the chest or surgery
You may also need a pulmonary function test to evaluate your lung health after COVID infections.
A pulmonary function test also allows your provider to check out your breathing disorder treatment.
What to expect during a pulmonary function test?
Usually, your provider at Respacare will explain everything you need to know about pulmonary function tests before the procedure. The test takes place at the office.
The test happens as you sit in a relaxing chair. Your provider places a soft clip on your nose to allow you to breathe with your mouth only. Then you insert a tight mouthpiece over your mouth, attaching it to a spirometer, a tool that measures airflow.
Your provider will ask you to inhale and exhale repeatedly and differently, as they observe. They may give you a bronchodilator to open your lung airways and ask you to repeat the test.
After the pulmonary function test, you may feel tired, more so if you have a breathing health problem.
Your provider will analyze your pulmonary function test results and design a customized treatment plan.
A pulmonary function test is safe and occurs as a quick in-office procedure. However, as with most procedures, you may experience some risks, including the following.
- Coughing
- Dizziness during the tests
- Asthma attack
- Shortness of breath
A pulmonary function test is not safe for everyone, especially if you have the following.
- Recent chest or belly surgery
- A bulging blood vessel in the chest, brain, or belly
- Chest pain
- Recent heart attack
- Recent eye surgery
- Active tuberculosis
A pulmonary function test may help analyze and promote your lung health. Your provider uses the findings to diagnose and treat your breathing disorder. Call Respacare today to schedule your consultation.
