Pulmonary Function Tests
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are used to check how well your lungs work. The tests determine how much air your lungs can hold, how quickly you can move air in and out of your lungs, and how well your lungs put oxygen into and remove carbon dioxide from your blood. The tests can be used to diagnose lung disease, measure the severity of lung problems, and to assess how well treatment for a lung disease is working (WebMD, 2011).
Pulmonary function tests are important when a person has a history or symptom that is suggestive of lung disease. It is also important in assessing for the presence of lung disease in people with risk factors such as cigarette smoking. Pulmonary testing is indicated for evaluation of respiratory symptoms (cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest pain), bronchodilator therapy, effect of workplace exposure to dust or chemicals and disability. It is also used to assess severity and progression of lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease and various restrictive diseases (Enright, 2012).
In addition to sleep medicine the Sleep Institute of New England offers Pulmonary Function Testing and Allergy Testing. Dr. Lynch is triple board certified in Internal, Pulmonary and Sleep medicine. For an appointment call 603-347-8810 or 877-550-7463. We look forward to hearing from you. Also look at our website at www.sleepne.com
References
Enright, P. L. (2012). Overview of pulmonary function testing in adults. Retrieved October 8, 2012 from www.uptodate.com
WebMD (2011). Lung Function Tests. Retrieved February 22, 2013 from www.webmd.com
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