Spirometry and its Procedure

Spirometry is a standard test used by doctors to measure the functioning of your lungs. The test works by measuring the flow of air into and out of your lungs.

To take a spirometry test, you sit down and breathe in a small machine called a spirometer. This medical device records the amount of air you breathe in and out and the speed of your breathing.

Spirometry tests are used to diagnose these conditions:

• COPD
• asthma
• restrictive lung disease (such as interstitial pulmonary fibrosis)
• other disorders affecting lung function
• They also allow your doctor to monitor chronic lung conditions to verify that your current treatment is improving your breathing.

Spirometry is often done as part of a group of tests called pulmonary function tests.

How to prepare for a spirometry test
You should not smoke an hour before a spirometry test. You should also avoid alcohol on this day. Eating too much can also affect your ability to breathe.

Do not wear clothes that are too tight that could restrict your breathing. Your doctor may also ask you if you should avoid using inhalation respiratory medicines or other medicines before your test.

Spirometry procedure

A spirometry test usually takes around 15 minutes and usually takes place in your doctor’s office. Here is what happens during a spirometry procedure:

You will be seated in a chair in an examination room in your doctor’s office. Your doctor or nurse places forceps on your nose to keep both nostrils closed. They also place a cup-shaped breathing mask around your mouth.
Your doctor or nurse will then ask you to take a deep breath, hold your breath for a few seconds, and then breathe out as hard as you can in the breathing mask.
You will repeat this test at least three times to make sure your results are consistent. Your doctor or nurse may ask you to repeat the test several times if there is a lot of variation between your test results. They will take the highest value of three close test readings and use it as the final result.
If you have signs of a breathing disorder, your doctor may then give you an inhaled medicine called a bronchodilator to open your lungs after the first set of tests. They will then ask you to wait 15 minutes before performing another series of measurements. Then your doctor will compare the results of the two measurements to see if the bronchodilator helped increase your air flow.

When used to monitor respiratory problems, a spirometry test is usually done once a year to once every two years to monitor respiratory changes in people with COPD or well-controlled asthma. Those with more serious breathing problems or breathing problems that are not well controlled are asked to have more frequent spirometry tests.

Side effects of spirometry

Few complications can occur during or after a spirometry test. You may feel a little dizzy or short of breath immediately after taking the test. In very rare cases, the test can trigger serious breathing problems.