Preparing for a test – SPIROMETRY

ABOUT THE TEST:

Spirometry means measuring breathing. It is a very important test for diagnosing chronic respiratory diseases and is particularly often used to diagnose bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It allows the function of the airways to be assessed. The test involves breathing through a device called a spirometer, connected to a computer. Spirometry measurements provide diagnostic information about the amount and functional state of lung tissue.

TEST DESCRIPTION:

During spirometry, the patient breathes through a mouthpiece connected to the spirometer by a special tube. Before the actual spirometry measurements begin, the patient should take several deep breaths. They should then take a very deep breath, seal their lips tightly around the mouthpiece and blow all the air out of their lungs into the device as quickly as possible. During the measurements, the spirograph monitor displays the values of individual parameters such as vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and their percentage ratio (FVC). The test usually takes a few minutes.

PURPOSE OF THE TEST:

• Diagnosing lung diseases
• Assessing the occupational risk of exposure to harmful airborne substances

Spirometry is used to assess a person’s respiratory function. Its main purpose is to determine the volume of gases contained in the lungs and provide information about how effectively the respiratory system ventilates the lungs. Spirometry also aims to determine the rate and volume of gas exchange in the lungs.

WHEN THE TEST IS INDICATED:

• Respiratory diseases
• Surgery on lung tissue
• Monitoring treatment for lung diseases
• Recovery and rehabilitation following respiratory diseases
• Breathlessness accompanied by bouts of coughing or a chronic cough
• Smoking.

PREPARATION AND CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR THE TEST:

It is advisable not to eat or smoke for approximately 4 hours before the test. There are no contraindications to the test. Spirometry can be repeated many times in patients of any age, as well as in pregnant women, without the need for pharmacological or provocation tests.

WAITING TIME FOR RESULTS:

The result is provided on the day of the test as a written report giving numerical values for the parameters measured. The result report is issued in Polish.

WHERE AND HOW CAN YOU HAVE THE TEST?

Spirometry in Gdańsk is performed at Centralny Ośrodek Zdrowia ETER-MED (ETER-MED Central Health Centre), ul. Żabi Kruk 10