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If you’re having trouble breathing, pulmonary function testing can provide insights on the health of your lungs and alert you to potentially serious underlying medical problems. At Kingwood Pulmonary, PA in Kingwood, Texas, expert pulmonologist, Akinyinka Ajelabi, MD, and the team proudly offer a full range of pulmonary function testing options. If you want to breathe easy, make your appointment today.
Pulmonary function testing refers to a group of screening measures that determine how well your lungs work. Some pulmonary function tests monitor how well you’re able to breathe while others determine how well your lungs bring oxygen to the rest of your body.
Your provider might recommend pulmonary function testing if you’re:
You might also benefit from pulmonary function testing if you’re preparing to undergo surgery.
At Kingwood Pulmonary, PA, the team uses pulmonary function testing to determine the health and overall capacity of your lungs. They also use pulmonary function testing to help diagnosis a variety of conditions, including:
If you’re already living with a condition that affects your lungs’ health, they might also recommend pulmonary function testing to see if your condition is progressing or if it’s responding to treatment.
At Kingwood Pulmonary, PA, the team offers three different types of pulmonary function testing:
Spirometry
Spirometry is a type of pulmonary function test that measures the amount of air you breathe in and out. During this type of test, your provider asks you to breathe in and out as quickly or as deeply as you can for several seconds. They might also ask you to perform the test after taking a bronchodilator, a medication that opens your airways.
Plethysmography test
A plethysmography test measures the amount of gas in your lungs, or lung volume. For this test, you stand in a small booth and breathe into a special mouthpiece. Your provider evaluates your individual measurements to learn more about your respiratory capacity.
Diffusion capacity test
A diffusion capacity test is a type of pulmonary function testing that measures how well your alveoli work. Ultimately, this test measures how well your lungs convert and transfer oxygen and carbon monoxide to and from your bloodstream.
To determine the type of pulmonary function testing you’ll most benefit from, your provider conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks about your symptoms. After gathering all of this information, they can recommend a type of pulmonary function test that will most benefit your needs.
If you’re interested in learning more about pulmonary function testing, make an appointment at Kingwood Pulmonary, PA by calling the office today.