How do you perform a spirometry test?

During the test, you will be sitting upright. A clip is placed on your nose and you will be given a plastic mouthpiece connected to the spirometry machine. You will place your lips tightly around the mouthpiece and be asked to take in as big and deep a breath as possible and then blow out as hard and fast as you can.

What is a spirometer investigation?

Spirometry is a simple test used to help diagnose and monitor certain lung conditions by measuring how much air you can breathe out in one forced breath. It’s carried out using a device called a spirometer, which is a small machine attached by a cable to a mouthpiece.

How does a spirometer work and what does it measure?

The tube connects to a machine called a spirometer. It records how much air you breathe out from your lungs and the speed at which you exhale. All this information helps the doctor figure out what’s causing your breathing problems.

How does a spirometer measure volume?

The patient breathes out to FRC or RV, whichever is being measured, and is connected to a spirometer of known volume containing helium (He) at known concentration. The patient breathes normally for an appropriate length of time and the dilution of the He by the RV or FRC in his lungs is measured.

What is a normal spirometry test result?

Your result is considered “normal” if your score is 80 percent or more of the predicted value. Spirometry measures two key factors: expiratory forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Your doctor also looks at these as a combined number known as the FEV1/FVC ratio.

Are spirometry tests accurate?

Conclusions: Most spirometers tested were not accurate. The magnitude of the errors resulted in significant changes in the categorization of patients with obstruction. Acceptable-quality tests were produced for only 60% of patients.

What does simple spirometry measure?

Spirometry is a simple test to measure how much (volume) and how fast (flow) you can move air into and out of your lungs.

How do you measure lung capacity?

How do you measure your lung capacity? A common method is using a Peak Flow Meter, a handheld device that measures the strength of your breath. You simply breathe into one end and the meter instantly shows a reading on a scale, typically in liters per minute (lpm).

What are the uses of spirometry?

Spirometry is used to diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other conditions that affect breathing. Spirometry may also be used periodically to monitor your lung condition and check whether a treatment for a chronic lung condition is helping you breathe better.