Spirometers are a very useful tool for a doctor to diagnose breathing conditions such as chronic obstructive disease (COPD) and lung capacity in general for those who present symptoms of concern. They are a great diagnostic tool for those who are currently under treatment for lung conditions to see if the treatment is effective. It measures the flow of air going in and out of the lungs and how fast it is moving.
If a doctor suspects symptoms are caused by such conditions as pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD, or asthma, a test may be ordered. For those who have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, this test can be used to see how effective medication is working and to make sure symptoms are under control.
Prior to taking the test one will need to avoid using inhaled or other medications. Loose clothing should be worn that will not constrict the ability to take a deep breath and one should avoid eating a large meal before testing so that breathing will be easier.
A soft nose clip is worn to prevent air from escaping the nostrils and a filter will be placed over the mouthpiece of the instrument for sanitation purposes. The patient will be asked to take a deep breath and then exhale as hard as possible for a few seconds into the mouthpiece of the spirometer. This can cause shortness of breath or dizziness that will pass in a few moments. The test will be repeated a couple of times and the readings will be compared to make sure they are accurate and consistent.
If inhaled medications are administered after the initial test to keep the lungs open, one should wait at least 15 minutes before taking another test. Comparison can then be made between the two tests to see if the medication improved airflow. Each test takes less than 15 minutes to do. The measurements include the largest amount of air that can be exhaled, called forced vital capacity (FVC), and another reading shows how much air can be exhaled in one second, known as forced expiratory volume (FEV-1).
A spirometer test is used to diagnose and provide asthma management, detect respiratory disease for those who show symptoms of breathlessness, and to distinguish between respiratory conditions and cardiac disease. It can measure bronchial responsiveness or differentiate between an obstructive and a restrictive lung disease. It is used to assess the impairment from occupational asthma or identify risk from pulmonary barotrauma while scuba diving. It is also used for risk assessment before the administration of anesthesia or prior to cardiothoracic surgery. This test can measure the treatment of conditions that it detects and diagnose the dysfunction of vocal cords.
In order to get accurate results from this test the patient needs to fully cooperate with the instructions given. Children aged 6 years and over can take the test as long as they can follow the instructions. It will not work for those who are unconscious, are unable to understand the instructions, are heavily sedated, or have limited respiratory function.
Spirometers can be a part of bronchial challenge testing, to check hyper-responsiveness to either inhalation of dry or cold air, during rigorous exercise, or the use of a medication such as a histamine or a methacholine agent. Other lung function testing can include a nitrogen washout or a plethysmography.
If a doctor suspects symptoms are caused by such conditions as pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD, or asthma, a test may be ordered. For those who have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, this test can be used to see how effective medication is working and to make sure symptoms are under control.
Prior to taking the test one will need to avoid using inhaled or other medications. Loose clothing should be worn that will not constrict the ability to take a deep breath and one should avoid eating a large meal before testing so that breathing will be easier.
A soft nose clip is worn to prevent air from escaping the nostrils and a filter will be placed over the mouthpiece of the instrument for sanitation purposes. The patient will be asked to take a deep breath and then exhale as hard as possible for a few seconds into the mouthpiece of the spirometer. This can cause shortness of breath or dizziness that will pass in a few moments. The test will be repeated a couple of times and the readings will be compared to make sure they are accurate and consistent.
If inhaled medications are administered after the initial test to keep the lungs open, one should wait at least 15 minutes before taking another test. Comparison can then be made between the two tests to see if the medication improved airflow. Each test takes less than 15 minutes to do. The measurements include the largest amount of air that can be exhaled, called forced vital capacity (FVC), and another reading shows how much air can be exhaled in one second, known as forced expiratory volume (FEV-1).
A spirometer test is used to diagnose and provide asthma management, detect respiratory disease for those who show symptoms of breathlessness, and to distinguish between respiratory conditions and cardiac disease. It can measure bronchial responsiveness or differentiate between an obstructive and a restrictive lung disease. It is used to assess the impairment from occupational asthma or identify risk from pulmonary barotrauma while scuba diving. It is also used for risk assessment before the administration of anesthesia or prior to cardiothoracic surgery. This test can measure the treatment of conditions that it detects and diagnose the dysfunction of vocal cords.
In order to get accurate results from this test the patient needs to fully cooperate with the instructions given. Children aged 6 years and over can take the test as long as they can follow the instructions. It will not work for those who are unconscious, are unable to understand the instructions, are heavily sedated, or have limited respiratory function.
Spirometers can be a part of bronchial challenge testing, to check hyper-responsiveness to either inhalation of dry or cold air, during rigorous exercise, or the use of a medication such as a histamine or a methacholine agent. Other lung function testing can include a nitrogen washout or a plethysmography.
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