Respiratory Care

There are two types of disorders that cause problems with air moving in and out of the lungs:

• Obstructive: air has trouble flowing out of the lungs due to airway resistance. This causes a decreased flow of air.
• Restrictive: the lung tissue and/or chest muscles cannot expand enough. This creates problems with airflow, mostly due to lower lung volumes.

Pulmonary Function Tests can be done with two methods. These methods may be used together and perform different tests, depending on the information that your healthcare provider is looking for:

• Spirometry: a simple test to measure how much (volume) and how fast (flow) you can move air in and out of your lungs.
• Plethysmography: this test is used to measure how much air you can hold in your lungs. You will sit inside an air-tight box that looks like a short, square telephone booth to do the tests.

There are many different reasons why Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) may be done.

• They are sometimes done in healthy people as part of a routine physical
• They are routinely done in certain types of work environments to ensure employee health (such as graphite factories and coal mines)
• PFTs may be used to check lung function before surgery or other procedures in patients who have lung or heart problems, who are smokers, or who have other health conditions
• To assess treatment for Asthma, Emphysema and other chronic lung problems

A healthcare provider may order Pulmonary Function Tests to help diagnose health problems such as:

• Chronic lung conditions such as asthma, bronchiectasis, emphysema or chronic bronchitis
• Restrictive airway problems from scoliosis, tumors, or inflammation or scarring of the lungs
• Trouble breathing from injury to the chest or a recent surgery
• Asbestosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers
• Respiratory infections or allergies

Because Pulmonary Function Testing is a noninvasive procedure, it is safe and quick for most people. The person must be able to follow clear, simple directions.

All procedures have some risks. The risks of this procedure may include:

• Dizziness during the test
• Feeling short of breath
• Coughing
• Asthma attack brought on by deep inhalation

In some cases, a person should not have PFTs. Reasons for this include:

• Recent eye surgery, because of increased pressure inside the eyes during the procedure
• Recent belly or chest surgery
• Chest pain, recent heart attack or an unstable heart condition
• A bulging blood vessel (aneurysm) in the chest, belly or brain
• Active Tuberculosis (TB) or respiratory infection such as a cold or the flu

Your risks may vary depending on your general health. Ask your healthcare provider which risks apply most to you. Talk with him/her about any concerns you may have.

At Windom Area Health, we utilize the MedGraphics Diagnostics Platinum Elite System for testing. We achieve accurate and validated test results that meet ATS (American Thoracic Society) and ERS (European Respiratory Society) standards.