Pulmonary Function Test

What is a Pulmonary Function Test?

Pulmonary function tests are diagnostic procedures that help your specialist diagnose lung problems that affect your breathing. Prime Pulmonary & Sleep Center offers a variety of lung function tests to find the root cause of breathing problems.

Why might I need Pulmonary Function Tests?

If you or your doctor suspect you have one of the following lung conditions, you may be a candidate for pulmonary function tests:

• Respiratory infections
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest discomfort
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Pneumonia 
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

After making a diagnosis, your specialist can treat your condition to help you breathe easier and reduce the risk of serious complications.

What are the different types of Pulmonary Function Tests?

Some of the many lung function tests available at Prime Pulmonary & Sleep Center include:

Spirometry tests

With spirometry, you breathe in and out of a mouthpiece that’s hooked up to an electronic machine.

Plethysmography testing

During plethysmography testing, you complete breathing tests while in a telephone booth-like air-tight room.

What do Pulmonary Function Tests measure?

Pulmonary function tests at Prime Pulmonary & Sleep Center can measure the following:

• Total lung capacity
• Air inhaled or exhaled
• Total air exhaled per minute
• Maximum air exhalation
• Air left in the lungs after exhalation
• Amount of air exhaled quickly and forcefully

Your specialist may ask you to breathe into a lung testing device before and after using an inhaler containing medicine that expands your airways. They can check for obstructive and restrictive breathing problems that reduce your airflow.

What happens during Pulmonary Function Tests?

When you arrive at Prime Pulmonary & Sleep Center for pulmonary function testing, you relax in a comfortable chair. Your specialist may place a soft clip on your nose to help you breathe through your mouth only.

You then place a sterile mouthpiece, attached to a spirometer, in your mouth. Follow your doctor’s instructions to inhale and exhale in various ways. You may use an inhaler to breathe into a bronchodilator at certain times during lung function tests.

After the procedure, there’s no downtime, so you can resume normal daily activities immediately. Your pulmonary specialist lets you know the results of your tests and develops a treatment plan (if needed) to help you breathe easier and experience a better quality of life.

If you struggle to get a full breath of air, call the nearest Prime Pulmonary & Sleep Center office or book an appointment online today.