Pulmonary Function Testing
Pulmonary function tests are performed to assess lung function and determine the degree of damage to the lungs. Doctors often order these tests for patients with asthma symptoms to help differentiate asthma from other chronic lung disorders, assess the severity, and/or to see if specific treatments are working.
The most common of all pulmonary function tests is the spirometry test performed with a hand-held device. This convenient, non invasive procedure can be performed in our office. The patient expels all air, inhales deeply, and then rapidly exhales into a special mouthpiece so that all the air is exhausted from the lungs. This is normally repeated several times to ensure the results are consistent. Our allergists use these results to plan and refine treatment or to diagnose lung dysfunction.