We run the lung function test as part of our evaluation of someone who has coughing for a long time <link>.
Please book an appointment with us by calling us in advance.
Why it is performed
Your doctor might run the lung function test in order to:
- Find the cause of symptoms such as a long-term cough, wheezing (noisy breathing) and breathing difficulty
- Check if a known lung condition is mild or severe, or changes over time
- Check how well your inhaler medicines are working
- Check whether your lungs are working well before surgery
What to expect
Spirometry is done to measure lung function.
- Measures how much air you can breathe in and out of your lungs, and how fast you can breathe the air out of your lungs
- Involves breathing in deeply, and breathing out hard and fast (the doctor will give you specific instructions) into a tube, which is attached to a machine called a spirometer
- May cause some people to cough, feel dizzy, or feel a feeling of pressure in the chest, stomach or head
- Medicine in the form of an inhaler might be given to open up your airways
What to prepare
- Do not eat a large meal within 2 hours of taking the test
- Refrain from smoking one hour before the test
- Wear loose clothing