Spirometry is a diagnostic tool that allows to evaluate the respiratory volumes, is the amount of air that enters and sells to the lungs, as well as the flow and time, considering it as the most important to evaluate the functioning of the lung.
Therefore, this test is requested by the family doctor or pneumonologist to assist in the diagnosis of various respiratory problems, mainly COPD and asthma. In addition to spirometry, consult other tests to diagnose asthma.
- However.
- Your doctor may also order spirometry.
- Only to evaluate the best lung disease after starting treatment.
Your doctor often requests spirometry to help diagnose breathing problems, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and pulmonary fibrosis, for example.
In addition, the pneumonologist may also recommend spirometry as a follow-up for the patient with respiratory disease, so that you can check if you respond well to treatment and otherwise indicate another form of treatment.
In the case of high-level athletes, such as marathoners and triathletes, for example, the doctor may indicate the realization of spirometry to evaluate the respiratory capacity of the athlete and, in some cases, provide information to improve the performance of the athlete.
Spirometry is a quick and simple exam that lasts about 15 minutes, and is done in your doctor’s office to begin the exam, your doctor places a gum bar on the nose and foot of the patient breathing through your mouth. device to the person and index finger so that they can add air as strongly as possible.
After this first step, the doctor may ask the patient to use a medicine that dilates the bronchi and facilitates breathing, known as a bronchodilator, and again to improve the device, so that it can be checked for an increase in cantitude inspired by the use of the drug.
Throughout this process, a computer records all the data obtained through the exam so that the doctor can evaluate it.
Preparation for the spirometry test is very simple and includes
This preparation prevents lung capacity from being affected by other factors, which may not be sick, so if there is no adequate preparation modified results may be obtained and spirometry may need to be repeated.
[gra 2
The values of spirometry vary depending on the age, gender and height of the person, so they should always be interpreted by the doctor; However, usually the result of the spirometry test, the doctor has some interpretations of the results and informs the patient if there are any problems.
Spirometry results that indicate breathing problems are usually
Forced volume (FEV1 or FEV1): represents the area of air that can be exhaled quickly in 1 second and for so long, when under normal stress, may indicate the presence of asthma COPD;
Forced life capacity (CVF or CVF): The total amount of air that can be exhaled as soon as possible and when below normal may indicate the presence of lung diseases that hinder lung expansion, such as cystic fibrosis, for example.
Generally, in situations where the patient has modified spirometry results, it is recommended that the pneumonologist request a new spirometry test to evaluate breathing volumes, for example, after using an asthma inhaler to evaluate the degree of breathing and initiate the most appropriate treatment.