Pulmonary function test assess the functioning of lungs. Spirometry tests, lung volume tests, exercise stress tests, and gas diffusion tests are all pulmonary function tests. These tests evaluate the amount of air the lungs can hold, breathing rate, the ability of the lungs to diffuse oxygen in the bloodstream, and in monitoring chronic lung diseases like asthma, emphysema and COPD, etc.
What are Pulmonary Function Tests?
Pulmonary function tests are tests to check the lungs’ functions. These are also called lung function tests. Spirometry tests, lung volume tests, exercise stress tests, and gas diffusion tests are all pulmonary Function Tests. These tests evaluate the amount of air your lungs can hold, breathing rate, the ability of the lungs to diffuse oxygen in the bloodstream, etc. Pulmonary function tests are also utilised in monitoring chronic lung diseases like asthma, emphysema and COPD.
What are the types of Pulmonary Function Tests?
Four types of pulmonary function tests are explained below.
- 5. Bronchial provocation test
A spirometry test measures the breathing rate of the patient. It is the most common lung function test recommended by doctors.
Gas diffusion tests analyse the ability of the lungs to diffuse oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream.
Lung volume test: With this test, doctors check the capacity of your lungs to hold air and the residual lung volume (air left in the lungs after you exhale normally). They also take into consideration the tidal volume of the lungs. The other name for this test is body plethysmography.
Exercise stress test: In order to check the lungs’ functions over heavy exercise, the doctors ask for an exercise stress test. The medical name for the exercise stress test is the cardiopulmonary exercise test.
Bronchial provocation test: Doctors recommend bronchial provocation test to check lungs’ sensitivity for the diagnosis of asthma patients.
Pulse oximetry test: This test measures the amount of oxygen saturated with red blood cells. Medically it is called the oxygen saturation level in blood.
Why might I need pulmonary function tests?
Pulmonary function tests or lung function tests are done to analyse the functioning status of kidneys. You would need this test in any of the following conditions:
- 1. Diagnosis: To check lung function for diagnosis of lung-related diseases like asthma and emphysema.
- 2. Before surgery: As part of the protocol, surgeons need to assess the functioning of the lungs before the surgery for heart or lung problems.
- 3. For smokers: To diagnose the health conditions related to smoke and dust particles.
- 4. Tracking infection: To monitor disease progression or extent of infection in the lungs.
- 5. Treatment success: In the case of chronic diseases, it is very important to check whether the treatment is successful or not or whether the infection is completely gone. Doctors advise frequent lung function tests to track the healing process of the lungs.
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What are the risks of pulmonary function tests?
Pulmonary function tests are safe, non-invasive and simple tests. For most patients, it does not pose any risk. However, some pressure on the lungs during exhalation and inhalation procedures might cause discomfort. You may start coughing or feel dizziness during or after the procedure. People, who are prone to asthma attacks, need to inform doctors before the pulmonary function test procedures. Some of the risk factors associated with pulmonary function tests are given below:
- 1. Cough: It is quite common for the patient to start coughing during the procedure.
- 2. Dizziness: You may start feeling dizziness during or after the procedure.
- 3. Breathlessness: Some lung function tests might cause temporary shortness of breath.
- 4. Asthma attack: It is quite rare but can happen in asthma-prone patients. On deep inhalation, during lung function test procedures, these patients might get asthma attacks.
- 5. Faint: Be prepared! Because some patients might faint during the procedure for lung function tests.
- 6. Problem due to previous surgeries: Hence, it is always advised to inform your doctor about recent surgeries you have undergone prior to the pulmonary function test. Patients face problems during or after the procedure if they have undergone the following surgeries recently;
- 10. Other conditions: recent heart attack, instability in heart functions, recent lung infections.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1. What are Pulmonary Function Tests?
Pulmonary function tests are tests to check the functioning of the lungs. These are also called lung function tests. Spirometry tests, lung volume tests, exercise stress tests, and gas diffusion tests are all pulmonary Function Tests. These tests evaluate the amount of air your lungs can hold, breathing rate, the ability of the lungs to diffuse oxygen in the bloodstream, etc. Pulmonary function tests are also utilised in monitoring chronic lung diseases like asthma, emphysema and COPD.
Q.2. What are the types of Pulmonary Function Tests?
Four types of pulmonary function tests are explained below.
- 1. A spirometry test measures the breathing rate of the patient. It is the most common lung function test recommended by doctors.
- 2. Gas diffusion tests analyse the ability of the lungs to diffuse oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream.
- 3. Lung volume test: With this test, doctors check the capacity of your lungs to hold air and the residual lung volume (air left in the lungs after you exhale normally). They also take into consideration the tidal volume of the lungs. The other name for this test is body plethysmography.
- 4. Exercise stress test: In order to check the lungs’ functions over heavy exercise, the doctors ask for an exercise stress test. The medical name for the exercise stress test is the cardiopulmonary exercise test.
-
Q.3. Why might I need pulmonary function tests?
Pulmonary function tests or lung function tests are done to analyse the functioning status of kidneys. You would need this test in any of the following conditions:
- 1. Diagnosis: To check lung function for diagnosis of lung-related diseases like asthma and emphysema.
- 2. Before surgery: As part of the protocol, surgeons need to assess the functioning of the lungs before the surgery for heart or lung problems.
- 3. For smokers: To diagnose the health conditions related to smoke and dust particles.
- 4. Tracking infection: To monitor disease progression or extent of infection in the lungs.
- 5. Treatment success: In the case of chronic diseases, it is very important to check whether the treatment is successful or not or whether the infection is completely gone. Doctors advise frequent lung function tests to track the healing process of the lungs.
-
Q.4. What are the risks of pulmonary function tests?
Pulmonary function tests are safe, non-invasive and simple tests. For most patients, it does not pose any risk. However, some pressure on the lungs during exhalation and inhalation procedures might cause discomfort. You may start coughing or feel dizziness during or after the procedure. People, who are prone to asthma attacks, need to inform doctors before the pulmonary function test procedures. Some of the risk factors associated with pulmonary function tests are given below:
- 1. Cough: It is quite common for the patient to start coughing during the procedure.
- 2. Dizziness: You may start feeling dizziness during or after the procedure.
- 3. Breathlessness: Some lung function tests might cause temporary shortness of breath.
- 4. Asthma attack: It is quite rare but can happen in asthma-prone patients. On deep inhalation, during lung function test procedures, these patients might get asthma attacks.
- 5. Faint: Be prepared! Because some patients might faint during the procedure for lung function tests.
- 6. Problem due to previous surgeries: Hence, it is always advised to inform your doctor about recent surgeries you have undergone prior to the pulmonary function test. Patients face problems during or after the procedure if they have undergone the following surgeries recently;
- 10. Other conditions: recent heart attack, instability in heart functions, recent lung infections.
-
Q.5. What is a spirometry test?
A spirometry test measures the breathing rate of the patient. It is the most common lung function test recommended by doctors.
Q.6. What is a gas diffusion test?
Gas diffusion tests analyse the ability of the lungs to diffuse oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream.
Q.7. What is the lung volume test?
Lung volume test checks the capacity of your lungs to hold air and the residual lung volume (air left in the lungs after you exhale normally). They also take into consideration the tidal volume of the lungs. The other name for this test is body plethysmography.
Q.8. What is an Exercise stress test?
Exercise stress tests measure the lungs’ functions over heavy exercise, the doctors ask for an exercise stress test. The medical name for the exercise stress test is the cardiopulmonary exercise test.
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