What Is Spirometry?
Spirometry is a breathing test that simply measures the amount of air you can breathe out in one blow after taking the deepest breath in that you can. This test can be very effective in helping to diagnose conditions such as COPD and asthma, and is also used to track progressions of both the disease itself over time, as well as the management therapies used to treat them.
The results of a spirometry test tell us what is happening in your lungs through the interpretation of two very important factors: FVC or Forced Vital Capacity and FEV1 or Forced Expiratory Volume. Spirometry uses these two factors as a ratio to measure how much air is moving through the lungs at any one point in time.
FVC is measured during spirometry to see exactly how much air you can blow out of your lungs with force. This tells us how well your lungs are working, by expanding and contracting them, as well as whether your airways have any obstruction. The FEV1 measurement does the same thing but is only measured for the first second of exhalation. The normal rate is considered to be around 80%, so if there is a decrease, we will know that there is some kind of obstruction or closing off present in the airways.
Who Should Have A Spirometry Test?
Our doctors will most likely perform tests using spirometry if a patient comes to us with any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Nagging or “morning” cough
- Mucus in the lungs
- Smoker or exposed to smoke
- Exposed to chemical or dust
- Family history of bronchitis or emphysema
- Wheezing or whistling sound with every breath
Prognosis
The results of a spirometry test in combination with other tests such as listening to your lungs through a stethoscope and arterial blood gases tests will help us determine exactly what is going on with your lungs. Among the conditions that can be determined using this kind of pulmonary function test are:
- COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Lung disease
Treatment for COPD
Treatment for these conditions will depend upon the severity of the symptoms and could range from daily use of inhalers and medicine regimens to breathing treatments using nebulizers at home or oxygen therapy at the hospital on a regular basis.
Prevention of COPD
The first step to preventing recurrent COPD symptoms is to remove whatever the trigger or irritation that causes outbreaks from the home environment. Dust, mold, mildew, pet dander, smoke, and certain chemicals can all be triggers for a breathing complication. Removing them from the home environment can be done by installing allergen filters into the heat/AC system, placing hypoallergenic mattress covers in the bedroom, removing carpets and limiting exposure to the family pet can help quite a bit, depending on what the trigger is.
If you or someone you love is experiencing breathing problems, we at Trinity Medical Center are ready to help. Call or come in today for the best care possible.
What Is Spirometry?
Spirometry is a breathing test that simply measures the amount of air you can breathe out in one blow after taking the deepest breath in that you can. This test can be very effective in helping to diagnose conditions such as COPD and asthma, and is also used to track progressions of both the disease itself over time, as well as the management therapies used to treat them.
The results of a spirometry test tell us what is happening in your lungs through the interpretation of two very important factors: FVC or Forced Vital Capacity and FEV1 or Forced Expiratory Volume. Spirometry uses these two factors as a ratio to measure how much air is moving through the lungs at any one point in time.
FVC is measured during spirometry to see exactly how much air you can blow out of your lungs with force. This tells us how well your lungs are working, by expanding and contracting them, as well as whether your airways have any obstruction. The FEV1 measurement does the same thing but is only measured for the first second of exhalation. The normal rate is considered to be around 80%, so if there is a decrease, we will know that there is some kind of obstruction or closing off present in the airways.
Who Should Have A Spirometry Test?
Our doctors will most likely perform tests using spirometry if a patient comes to us with any of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Nagging or “morning” cough
- Mucus in the lungs
- Smoker or exposed to smoke
- Exposed to chemical or dust
- Family history of bronchitis or emphysema
- Wheezing or whistling sound with every breath
Prognosis
The results of a spirometry test in combination with other tests such as listening to your lungs through a stethoscope and arterial blood gases tests will help us determine exactly what is going on with your lungs. Among the conditions that can be determined using this kind of pulmonary function test are:
- COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Lung disease
Treatment for COPD
Treatment for these conditions will depend upon the severity of the symptoms and could range from daily use of inhalers and medicine regimens to breathing treatments using nebulizers at home or oxygen therapy at the hospital on a regular basis.
Prevention of COPD
The first step to preventing recurrent COPD symptoms is to remove whatever the trigger or irritation that causes outbreaks from the home environment. Dust, mold, mildew, pet dander, smoke, and certain chemicals can all be triggers for a breathing complication. Removing them from the home environment can be done by installing allergen filters into the heat/AC system, placing hypoallergenic mattress covers in the bedroom, removing carpets and limiting exposure to the family pet can help quite a bit, depending on what the trigger is.
If you or someone you love is experiencing breathing problems, we at Trinity Medical Center are ready to help. Call or come in today for the best care possible.