Every day and everywhere in the world, millions of individuals struggle with breathing issues. Asthma is an example of a short-term illness, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an example of a chronic illness. You may find it more difficult to enjoy daily activities if you have serious lung issues. Modern respiratory treatment equipment (Spirometer) and technological breakthroughs have contributed to making it possible to assist people with breathing issues.
What is a Spirometry test?
The term “Spirometry” refers to the fundamental tests for lung function that assess how much oxygen is inhaled and exhaled. Time, volume, and flow are the three fundamental parameters measured in this test. It can be done almost anywhere due to the widespread availability of portable spirometers, and anyone with the proper training can perform it. It is done to assess lung problems, evaluate pulmonary disease, keep track of the consequences of industrial and outdoor exposures, as well as finding out how drugs affect the body.
It is simple to use because of its general features. Cross-contamination is avoided because it doesn’t need to be calibrated or cleaned. The spirometer offers an easy-to-use user experience for medical practitioners and works with several kinds of distinct electronic medical record (EMR) programmes.
Uses
By using Spirometry, you may find out if your lung function is normal. It also aids in the diagnosis of disorders of the lungs and airways, such as:
- COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Cystic fibrosis
- Asthma
Additionally, Spirometry is used in the following circumstances:
- Determine the capacity of your lungs.
- Evaluate variations gradually brought on by chronic pulmonary conditions.
- Detect early alterations in the functioning of your lungs and, in certain instances, help with determining the best course of treatment.
- Determine the narrowing of your airways.
- Determine the chances that the symptoms you are experiencing will be relieved by inhalation drugs.
- Evaluate how the function of your lungs has changed as a result of exposure to specific chemicals.
- Before having surgery, calculate the possibility of respiratory problems.
If you show lung or airway disease signs, your doctor might recommend a Spirometry test. Symptoms include:
- Pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest.
- Coughing, especially a mucus-filled cough.
- Taking deep breaths is uneasy.
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath).
- Wheezing.
Preparation required for Spirometry test
You can do several things to ensure that you breathe easily throughout your Spirometry exam and get a good outcome.
Some common suggestions are as follows:
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Smokers are requested to refrain from smoking for a minimum of one hour before the Spirometry exam.
- For a minimum of four hours before the test, refrain from drinking alcohol.
- Two hours before the exam, refrain from drinking or eating anything.
- A minimum of thirty minutes before the exam, avoid doing vigorous physical activity.
- Before the Spirometry exam, discuss with a medical practitioner any drugs you want to avoid using, such as inhalers, as they could affect the test’s effectiveness.
What to expect during Spirometry test
Spirometry examinations typically last for fifteen minutes. and take place at a physician’s office or a patient’s home. In some circumstances, a laboratory may be used to conduct more in-depth examinations.
During a Spirometry test, the following steps occur:
- In the examination room at your physician’s office, you will be seated in a comfortable chair. A physician or nurse will attach a clip to your nose to ensure both nostrils are closed. A respiratory mask will also be placed over your mouth.
- The next step will be to take a long breath, hold it for a couple of seconds, and then expel as forcefully as you can through your respiratory mask, as directed by the nurse or physician.
- If there is a lot of fluctuation in your test findings, the doctor will repeat the procedure a minimum of three times to ensure that your findings are reliable. Your final score will be determined by using the greatest value among three closely separated test readings. It should take thirty to ninety minutes to complete the Spirometry exam.
After the initial tests, if you show signs of a breathing illness, your physician may prescribe an inhalation drug called a bronchodilator to widen your lungs. The next round of measurements will require you to wait for fifteen minutes. Your doctor will then compare the outcomes of the two tests to determine if the bronchodilator improved the flow of air. A Spirometry test is normally performed every one to two years to track fluctuations in breathing in individuals with adequately controlled asthma or COPD. It is recommended that people with more serious breathing issues or breathing problems that aren’t properly treated undergo more frequent Spirometry exams.
After Spirometry test
Any medications your doctor instructed you to stop using can be resumed following the Spirometry test. You can resume your regular activities, such as exercising. When you can expect your test findings will be specified by your healthcare practitioner. After a Spirometry test, your doctor in some circumstances can also check your diffusion capacity and lung volume. The tests evaluate both your lung volume capacity and your lungs’ capacity to deliver oxygen to the bloodstream. They support Spirometry testing by assisting your doctor in the diagnosis of particular lung or breathing disorders. The tests could be done often by your doctor to monitor whether your breathing is improving.
Side effects of Spirometry test
In most cases, a Spirometry test is completed without many issues. On the other hand, you should be mindful of the following side effects. According to the American Thoracic Society, you can feel a little lightheaded or experience some breathing difficulties soon after the test. If this happens you can inform the doctor immediately. The test in extremely rare circumstances can cause serious respiratory issues. The amount of pressure in your chest, head, eyes, and stomach will rise while you perform this test, and it will rise further as you exhale. Therefore, it is risky if you have cardiac conditions, high blood pressure, or if you’ve had surgery on your head, chest, abdominal region, and eyes.
Contraindications of Spirometry test
Spirometry is usually seen as extremely safe and rarely results in issues for individuals. Faintness, dizziness, nausea, and exhaustion are some of the symptoms that it may occasionally have on a few individuals. However, they are usually transient and go away shortly following the test.
Spirometry tests are contraindicated and sometimes can cause more negative effects than positive effects. This is typically caused by the effect of elevated pressure in specific parts of the body following a forced exhale of air. The chest, head, eyes, and stomach are particularly affected by the elevated pressure, and certain medical disorders in these regions can make the patient’s response to the Spirometry test negative.
For instance, a Spirometry test performed soon after a recent operation to the chest, head, eyes, and stomach areas may be negatively affected by the pressure and cause the wound to heal poorly. Spirometry examinations are also not advised in cases of uncontrolled hypertension, unstable angina, stroke, or recent myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Spirometry should not be performed if you have current tuberculosis, haemoptysis (coughing up blood without a known reason), or previous instances of fainting caused by forced expiration. Spirometry tests ought to be avoided by anyone having a history of pneumothoraxes or those who are at higher risk for developing one.
