A spirometer is a basic type of medical testing equipment that is used to measure and analyze lung functions. The simple plastic device measures how much air the lungs can hold and how well the patient can move air in and out of them. People who are suspected of having pulmonary disease are typically tested using a spirometer, and their results are compared against other healthy results.
Who Needs Spirometry
Spirometry is the measurement of air that is moved in and out of the lungs. Spirometers are used to diagnose a variety of lung diseases, including emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and asthma. Is it also used to monitor the effectiveness of medications prescribed for patients with pulmonary disease.
Spirometry Tests
Spirometry is performed by breathing into a flexible tube that is attached to a spirometer. The patient uses a nose clip to occlude air going in and out of the nose. While some tests depend on the rapid inhalation and exhalation of air during a certain amount of time, others measure normal breathing capacities. If the tests are conducted to measure the efficacy of medications, the tests are often repeated–once off of medication and once on medication.
Spirometry Results
The two most commonly conducted spirometry tests are forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume for one second. FVC tests measure the maximum volume of air (in liters) a patient can forcefully exhale. FEV1 tests measure the maximum amount of air the patient can expel during the first second of expiration. Patients with mild obstructions exhale between 65 to 79 percent of their predicted value, relative to other healthy people.
