About SPIROMETRY

It's a safe, painless, and non-invasive procedure that can help diagnose lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis.

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Spirometer machine

How Spirometry Works

During a spirometry test, you'll be seated in a comfortable position and asked to wear a nose clip to prevent air from escaping through your nose. You'll then be given a mouthpiece connected to a spirometer, a machine that measures the volume and speed of your exhaled air.

The technician will guide you through a series of breathing maneuvers, which may include:

• Taking a deep breath in and then blowing out as hard and fast as you can for at least six seconds (forced vital capacity or FVC)
• Taking a series of rapid, shallow breaths in and out (forced expiratory volume in one second or FEV1)

The spirometer will record the results of your breathing maneuvers and generate a printout or display them on a computer screen. The technician will then compare your results to normal values for your age, height, sex, and race.

What Spirometry Measures

Spirometry measures several different lung functions, including:

• Forced vital capacity (FVC): The total amount of air you can forcefully exhale after taking a deep breath.
• Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1): The amount of air you can forcefully exhale in one second.
• FEV1/FVC ratio: This ratio is obtained by dividing your FEV1 by your FVC. It reflects how quickly you can exhale air from your lungs.

Uses of Spirometry

Spirometry is used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Diagnosing lung diseases: Spirometry can help diagnose lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis. It can also help identify other lung conditions, such as emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis.
• Monitoring lung disease: Spirometry can be used to monitor the progression of lung disease and the effectiveness of treatment.
• Assessing lung function before surgery: Spirometry may be used to assess your lung function before surgery to ensure that you can tolerate the procedure.
• Screening for lung disease: Spirometry may be used to screen for lung disease in people who are at high risk, such as smokers.

Benefits of Spirometry

Spirometry is a simple, safe, and painless test that can provide valuable information about your lung function. It is a key tool for diagnosing and managing lung diseases.