Lung Function Testing

What is lung function testing?

Lung function testing evaluates how well your lungs work. These painless tests are an important part of your physical exam because they can help your doctors diagnose conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 

Lung function testing can also help your doctors determine the effectiveness of your current treatments or the likelihood that certain kinds of treatments will help you. For example, exhaled nitric oxide testing can help predict whether steroids can ease asthma symptoms. 

How does lung function testing work?

Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, LTD, uses two main lung function tests. 

Spirometry

During a spirometry test, you’ll follow your care provider’s directions to breathe into a small tube that’s connected to a spirometer machine.  Spirometry measures the amount of air you can inhale and exhale. This test also calculates how fast you exhale.

Exhaled nitric oxide testing

During an exhaled nitric oxide test, you’ll breathe using a measured and steady pace, exhaling into a tube connected to the test machine. Exhaled nitric oxide testing measures the level of nitric oxide gas inside your lungs. 

You may have one or both tests, based on your condition or suspected condition. You may also need other lung function tests or other types of testing, like patch testing for allergies in some cases. 

How do I prepare for lung function testing?

There’s typically no special preparation needed, and it’s usually fine to eat and drink before your lung function testing. 

Bronchodilators — medications that expand your airways — can alter the results of your test, so your allergist might ask you to avoid using that medication immediately before your testing. 

If you have any physical condition that affects your breathing, for example, if you’re pregnant and can’t breathe as deeply as usual, let your doctor know ahead of your testing. 

What do the results of my lung function testing mean?

Your Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, LTD, doctor calculates your results by comparing them to others in your age, height, and gender group. If you have any abnormal values, your doctor explains what they mean and how they help direct your treatment planning. 

Learn how lung function testing can help with your diagnosis and treatment by calling the Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, LTD, office nearest you, or schedule an appointment online today.

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