Spirometry

Spirometry is a test used to measure how well your lungs are functioning by measuring airflow into and out of your lungs. In a spirometry test, you sit and breathe into a small machine called a spirometer. The spirometer device records the amount of air you breathe in and out and the speed of your breathing. The spirometry testing service is found only in main centers in Sri Lanka.

Spirometry tests are used to diagnose some of the following conditions:

• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Bronchial Asthma
• Restrictive lung disease (such as interstitial pulmonary fibrosis)
• other disorders affecting lung function. It also allow your doctor to monitor your current treatment for chronic lung conditions to check if it is improving your breathing.

• Avoid Alcohol
• Don’t smoke one hour before a spirometry test.
• It’s better if you avoid large meals & tight clothes as it can affect your breathing.
• Ask you doctor if you should avoid any medications prior to your test

A spirometry test usually takes about 15 minutes. Here is what happens:

• You’ll be seated in a chair in an exam room. Your doctor or a nurse places a clip on your nose to keep both nostrils closed. They also place a cup-like breathing mask around your mouth
• Your doctor or nurse next instructs you to take a deep breath in, hold your breath fora few seconds, and then exhale as hard as you can into the breathing mask
• You’ll repeat this test at least three times or maybe more to make sure that your results are consistent. They’ll take the highest value from three close test readings and use it as your final result
• If you have evidence of a breathing disorder, your doctor might then give you an inhaled medication known as a broncho-dilator to open up your lungs after the first round of tests. They’ll then ask you to wait 15 minutes before doing another set of measurements. Afterward, your doctor will compare the results of the two measurements to see whether the broncho-dilator helped increase your airflow.