Pulmonary Function Testing
A Pulmonary Function Test is "an assessment of the respiratory system that provides information about ventilation, airflow, lung volumes and capacity, and the diffusion of gas incorporating spirometry, peak flow meters, and the body plethysmograph." In everyday language, this means that a pulmonary function test measures how well the lungs are moving air in and out. It also measures how well the lungs are moving oxygen to the blood.
These tests are administered by a trained healthcare professional in our office. They are painless and take about 45 minutes to an hour to complete. The test is very simple, it is performed by blowing in a tube while you sit comfortably in a chair.
Pulmonary Function Tests are used to help diagnose COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) asthma, and other related lung disorders. It can also determine the cause of breathing problems, evaluate a person's lung function prior to a surgery, check the lung function of a person who is regularly exposed to substances auch as asbestos that can damage the lungs or to check the effectiveness of treatment for lung diseases.
If you are a smoker it may be helpful to undergo a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) to measure your lung health. Please let our providers know if you are having trouble breathing so that we may schedule you for a PFT at your convenience.
Useful Links:
Lung Disease & Respiratory Health Center on WebMD
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