Pulmonary Function Test

The examination of the functioning of the lungs and detecting any pulmonary impairment is known as pulmonary function test. A non-invasive test, it entails the complete assessment of the respiratory system by measuring gas exchange, the capacity of the lungs, volume of the lung, rate of flow, conducting chest x-ray examinations, arterial blood gas analysis and along with the patient’s medical history.

Why go for a Pulmonary Function test?

Generally performed by a respiratory therapist, these tests play both diagnostic and therapeutic roles. As per our Holter specialists in Jaipur Heart and Multispeciality Centre, Pulmonary function test acts a preventive check-up against lung diseases besides helping physicians decide the ideal treatment for those with any lung impairment. Other than checking the effect of medications, effects of lungs’ exposure to chemicals, lung functions after a surgery or injury, there are a number of ailments that this test could help diagnose including –

• Infection of the respiratory system
• Allergies
• Bronchitis
• Sarcoidosis
• Pulmonary tumor
• Asthma
• Scleroderma
• Lung fibrosis
• Lung cancer
• Emphysema

What does the procedure include?

The Holter surgeons in Jaipur Heart and Multispeciality Centre use two methods – Spirometry and Plethysmography, to conduct a pulmonary function test.

Spirometry – Spirometry is in relation to the quantity of air that is inhaled or exhaled. This procedure begins with the attachment of a mouthpiece to the patient’s mouth which in turn remains attached to an instrument called the spirometer. The patient’s nose is clipped to prevent the exhaled air from escaping, and allowed into the machine.

Plethysmography test – A Plethysmography test quantifies the gas volume in the lungs. This test requires the patient to sit in a compact space like a booth and breathe in and out into a mouthpiece. Pressure changes within the booth help determine the volume of the lung.

The Holter doctors in Jaipur Heart and Multispeciality Centre advise the patients with regard to breathing during the procedure. The breathing requirements may differ from patient to patient and while some may just do with regular breathing, some may need to make it forceful. Nevertheless, the patients need to breathe in different gases to help clear the airways, along with the specialists noting and tracking the change in results through the duration of the procedure.