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Spirometry measures lung function and is used in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of lung conditions. The test involves blowing into a spirometer to measure airflow, and results can indicate the presence of a problem that should be addressed. The process is quick and painless, and patients should follow directions to ensure accurate results.
Spirometry is a process that is used to measure lung function. It is one of a family of pulmonary function tests that can be used in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. Spirometry tests are often ordered for people who have conditions related to lung problems or to rule out lung blockages and other lung problems in a diagnosis. For people who are researching spirometry because they need to get tested, it can be helpful to know that the process is quick and totally painless.
The goal of a spirometry test is to measure the amount of air that can be exhaled from the lungs and inhaled into the lungs. Typically, the patient is asked to repeat a set of exercises three times, allowing the doctor to come up with an average. For people who have never taken a spirometry test before, the administrator can perform a practice run where the values are not recorded so that the patient can familiarize himself with the process.
This test involves the use of a spirometer, a device that measures airflow. There are several types of spirometers that can be used in spirometry. In all cases, the spirometer is connected to a tube that the patient will blow into during the test.
In a classic spirometry test, the patient is asked to stand. A sterile tube will be inserted to reduce the spread of disease, along with a new mouthpiece. The patient’s nose is often blocked so that air cannot escape from the nose during the test, and the patient may be asked to take several quiet breaths to relax before the test begins.
At the test administrator’s signal, the patient takes a deep breath, then exhales forcefully, holding the exhalation as long as possible. Then, the patient inhales sharply. The spirometer records the volume of air moved into and out of the lungs, as well as the duration of exhalation and inhalation. This data provides useful information about lung function, including peak flow, the highest point on the graph.
Lung conditions such as asthma and cystic fibrosis can be monitored with routine spirometry testing, and some patients use devices at home for intensive monitoring. Marked changes in spirometry results may indicate the presence of a problem that should be addressed before it gets worse. It is important for patients to cooperate with spirometry testing, as results can be skewed if the patient does not follow directions.
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