Pulmonary Function Test helps in measuring the functioning of your lungs. This health screening test is important to know if your lungs are getting enough oxygen and you can breathe properly. The following tests might be ordered for you:
- If you are showing any signs of lung problems.
- If you live in a place where you are in constant touch of toxic environment.
- This test is needed to monitor any chronic lung disease.
- To see how well your lungs are performing each day.
Why do you need this test?
The PFT is important to see and check if your lungs are healthy and they are functioning well. If you have any condition which might affect your lungs, your doctor may prescribe you to go for this health screening assessment. The result will highlight the actual development of your lungs or if you are having some treatment, this test will bring out the progressment.
PFTs are able to find out:
- allergies
- asthma
- respiratory infections
- lung fibrosis
- Bronchiectasis
- chronic bronchitis
- Asbestosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Scleroderma
- lung cancer
- pulmonary tumor
- weaknesses of the chest wall muscles
- COPD
Preparing for pulmonary function tests
You might be put on some medications that will open up your airways. Such treatment is also done for chronic bronchitis or asthma. However, before putting you on health screening test, you are supposed to stop all these medications. It’s always a good idea to ask your doctor if you really have to take pain medications at all. If you are already taking some medicines before the test, make sure you tell your doctor about everything.
Large meals before testing is strictly prohibited. The reason behind this is, if your stomach is full, you might have difficulties in breathing heavily. Avoid anything that contains caffeine. Caffeine can result in opening up your airways which will affect your test result. Indulging in any bad habits like smoking is also prohibited. You are also not supposed to do strenuous exercises at least an hour before the test.
Wear something that would be comfortable for you at time of testing. Tight clothes will obstruct the normal breathing. In case of any surgical process you had before, your doctor would delay the test to some other time until you get totally recovered from the previous operation. For some more information on PFT, see our health checks.
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