What is the difference between spirometry and pulmonary function test?

Pulmonary function testing measures how well you are breathing. There are different types of pulmonary function tests that can be done. Spirometry is one type of pulmonary function test. Spirometry is a simple test to measure how much (volume) and how fast (flow) you can move air into and out of your lungs.

What is PFT test for lungs?

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are noninvasive tests that show how well the lungs are working. The tests measure lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. This information can help your healthcare provider diagnose and decide the treatment of certain lung disorders.

Is spirometry a PFT?

Pulmonary function tests (PFT’s) are breathing tests to find out how well you move air in and out of your lungs and how well oxygen enters your blood stream. The most common PFT’s are spirometry (spy-RAH-me-tree), diffusion studies, and body plethysmography (ple-thiz-MA-gra-fee).

What does a spirometry test tell you?

Spirometry is the most common type of pulmonary function or breathing test. This test measures how much air you can breathe in and out of your lungs, as well as how easily and fast you can the blow the air out of your lungs. Your doctor may order spirometry if you have wheezing, shortness of breath, or a cough.

What does asthma look like on PFT?

When you have asthma and inhale methacholine, your airways spasm (contract as a reflex) and narrow. During this test, you inhale more methacholine mist before and after spirometry. If your lung function drops by at least 20%, you have asthma.

What to expect from a spirometry test?

Spirometry will give your doctor information about why you may have a cough, shortness of breath, or noisy breathing and help diagnose certain lung problems. After the test, you can return to your normal daily activities. Normal values are calculated based on age, height and gender.

How is a spirometry test performed?

How the Test is Performed. Spirometry measures airflow. By measuring how much air you exhale, and how quickly you exhale, spirometry can evaluate a broad range of lung diseases. In a spirometry test, while you are sitting, you breathe into a mouthpiece that is connected to an instrument called a spirometer.

What is the role of Spirometry in pulmonary function testing?

Pulmonary Function and Spirometry tests are used to evaluate worker respiratory health in medical surveillance programs and to screen workers for their ability to perform certain tasks. Spirometry results can play a central role in decisions about worker job assignments and personal protective equipment, and in the assessment of exposure-related health effects.

What do these spirometry test results mean?

Spirometry results show how your lung function compares to that of someone your age, height, and sex with normal, healthy lungs. Results include these measurements: FEV: Forced expiratory volume is the percentage of air you can exhale from your lungs in a forced breath. You get results for each of the three breaths you take on the test: FEV1, FEV2, and FEV3.