What Is Spirometry?

testing is painless

 

  • The Asthma Foundation recommends that everyone over the age of 35 who smokes (or is an ex-smoker) should have spirometry testing.
  • Many affiliated Asthma Societies provide spirometry, and because this is a core service, they are particularly experienced in this area. Click here for the contact details of your local society, or ask your doctor for a referral for spirometry in your local area.

Lung function testing

Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) cause problems by narrowing the bronchial tubes (or airways), resulting in shortness of breath. Narrowed airways are difficult to breathe through. The greater the narrowing, the more difficult breathing becomes.

Spirometry is a test which is of great value for measuring exactly how much bronchial tubes have narrowed. The spirometer measures the speed your lungs can be filled and emptied of air, giving an indication of how well your lungs are performing. This enables your doctor to make decisions about your lung condition and to plan the best treatment for you.

Further spirometry tests later on can help decide whether treatments should be continued, changed, or are no longer needed.

What happens?

Having a spirometry test is straightforward. It may occasionally be tiring and make you feel a bit puffed, but usually is not uncomfortable.

The test involves taking a full breath in and blowing out with your best effort into a tube attached to the spirometer machine. Various measurements are made which indicate how your lungs are working. The test is performed whilst seated, and usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. It is sometimes carried out before and after inhaling a reliever drug such as Ventolin or Bricanyl to measure the effect of these drugs. In this case, your doctor may ask you not to take your usual reliever medication for a few hours prior to the test.

You will be asked to do the following to try to ensure the test is done accurately:

  1. Breathe in as deeply as you can
  2. Seal your lips around the mouthpiece
  3. Blow out as hard and fast as you can, for as long as you can, and keep going as long as possible
  4. Let the Technician know if you feel any distress during the procedure.

This test will be repeated three times.

Talk to your doctor or Asthma Educator if you have any questions.

©Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand (Inc.) 3/2001  Photocopy permission granted