Lung function testing is an important tool for assessing, monitoring, and diagnosing respiratory conditions. While you perform these tests, you will sit comfortably on a chair with the technician close by. You will perform several breathing tests while breathing through a mouthpiece with a nose peg on your nose. After each test you will have a rest before you repeat or continue to another breathing test. The technician will explain each test in detail to you and will guide you each step of the test. The tests will generally take 30 to 45 minutes with a lot of resting in between tests.
- Spirometry:
Spirometry is a common test that measures the volume of air you can inhale and exhale, as well as the speed of these breaths. It helps diagnose conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other obstructive and restrictive lung disorders. - Lung Volume Measurement:
Lung volume tests assess the total volume of air your lungs can hold, including residual volume (the air left in your lungs after exhalation) and functional residual capacity. Techniques such as body plethysmography or gas dilution are used for this purpose and help diagnose restrictive lung diseases. - Diffusion Capacity Testing:
This test measures how efficiently gases, such as oxygen, are transferred from your lungs into your blood. It is useful for evaluating conditions that affect the lung’s ability to exchange gases, such as pulmonary fibrosis or emphysema.
Measuring how your lungs are functioning gives a crucial insight into the severity of lung conditions and will help Dr Chan to manage your treatment options to improve your respiratory health and overall quality of life.
