If you’re concerned about the state of your lungs, your doctor might order pulmonary function testing to assess your health and determine whether you need any specific treatments. Birinder Kaur, MD, provides pulmonary function testing at Healing Touch Medical in Paramus, New Jersey. To begin your testing, schedule an appointment today by calling the office or booking a visit online.
Pulmonary function testing, also known as a lung function test, is a type of diagnostic exam that measures the efficiency of your lungs. The test focuses on your ability to breathe and how effectively your lungs are moving air in and out of your body.
Your doctor might recommend pulmonary function testing if you’re showing signs of lung problems, have been previously diagnosed with a chronic lung disease, or are regularly exposed to harmful substances in your home environment or workplace.
A pulmonary function test can diagnose and monitor the progress of several lung conditions, including:
Pulmonary function testing is also helpful in assessing whether your lungs are responding to a particular treatment. If you’re having surgery, your doctor might also order a test to make sure your lungs are healthy enough for your procedure.
Before your pulmonary function testing, you should avoid:
You might need to stop taking certain medications before your pulmonary function testing, too. Pain medications can affect the results of your test, as can medications that open your airways (like treatments for asthma or bronchitis). Speak to your doctor about your current medications to determine whether you need to reduce your intake before your test.
There are a few types of pulmonary function tests, including:
Spirometry measures the amount of air you breathe in and out of your lungs by having you breathe through a mouthpiece attached to a special machine. In some cases, you might be asked to breathe in and out as quickly or deeply as you can for a few seconds, and in other instances, you might be asked to breathe in a medication that opens your airways to see how it affects your lung function.
In a plethysmography test, you stand in a small booth and breathe into a mouthpiece. Your doctor then measures the pressure in the booth to determine the volume of gas in your lungs.
Schedule your pulmonary function testing with Healing Touch Medical today by calling the office or booking a visit online.
