Spirometry Test

In addition to taking a detailed history and clinical examination, performing a lung function test (spirometry) is one of the diagnostic priorities in patients with lung problems, especially asthmatic people. Disease follow-up is also very valuable.

1- Assessment of lung dysfunction based on history and physical examination and paraclinical investigations

2- Assessing the severity of the disorder in lung patients

3- Examining the change in performance over time and during the treatments performed

4-Evaluating the effects of occupational or environmental exposures on lung function (cigarette smoke – mineral and industrial dusts)

The lung test is performed by a device called a spirometer, and its output graph is called a spirogram.

The nurse or technician will give you specific instructions on how to perform the test. Listen carefully and make sure you understand everything that is being said. Doing the test incorrectly will lead to incorrect results. A
clip is placed over the nose to close the nostrils.
He wants to breathe normally and put his hands on the sides of his face until the first stage of the test is completed.

In the second stage, the clip is placed on the nose again and you are asked to breathe normally and take a deep breath according to the technician’s instructions and for a few seconds, as much as you can, into the tube that is connected to a machine (spirometry). It is connected, blow it and release the air as much as you can. 

You may feel short of breath or dizzy for a moment after the test.

• You need to perform this test at least three times to ensure that the results are accurate and stable.  
And finally, among these three stages of testing, the best process is selected and a printout is presented to the patient.

Forced vital capacity (FVC) is the maximum amount of air you can exhale after taking a deep breath. If the figure shown is lower than normal in FVC, it indicates shortness of breath.
Forced expiratory volume (FEV-1) Forced expiratory volume is how much air you can blow out of your lungs in one second. Doing this test is a good way to measure the severity of breathing problems.

 A low FEV-1 value indicates significant obstruction