Spirometry

Spirometry is a diagnostic test used to measure the amount of air you can breathe in and out and the rate of air flow in and out of your lungs. This test can help diagnose various respiratory diseases, such as asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), pulmonary fibrosis, and others.

During spirometry, you sit in front of a machine that measures your lung function. The doctor will give you a piece of the device that you need to put in your mouth and close your lips around it, then take a deep breath. After that, you should quickly and forcefully exhale all the air from your lungs while the device is on. The procedure can be repeated several times to obtain more accurate results. The entire procedure usually takes 10 to 15 minutes, but this can vary depending on the individual condition and needs of the patient.

Spirometry can detect lung problems, including reduced lung function, which may indicate asthma or COPD. It can also help in monitoring the progress of the disease and in evaluating the effect of therapy.

Spirometry is a safe procedure with no risk of serious side effects. However, it can be a bit uncomfortable, especially if you have breathing problems. If you have any breathing problems or are concerned about this test, please contact your doctor.

Proper posture of the patient during spirometry:

• The patient should sit upright, because there is a difference in the amount of air that the patient can exhale from a sitting position, compared to a standing position. In that case, it is important that the patient sits upright, and if this is not possible, then the standing position is better to choose than the lying one;
• The patient’s feet should stand flat on the floor, with the legs not crossed, thus providing a condition in which the use of muscles is not required for the position of the legs;
• It is best if patients wear loose clothing;
• If patients have braces or dentures in their mouths, such structures are not removed, unless they are very loose and could pose a danger.
• Physicians should use a chair with armrests and back rests, as some patients may feel dizzy when exhaling maximally, causing them to sway or pass out;
• In a hospital environment, when treating some diseases of the patient, it can be difficult to achieve this examination while the patient is in a sitting position, and it is usually a matter of lying down. Such inspection position should be documented for all future testing.