Pulmonary Function Test
A pulmonary function test (PFT) is a group of tests that measure how well your lungs work. These tests can help to diagnose and monitor lung conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung fibrosis.
There are several different types of PFTs, including:
Spirometry:This is the most common type of PFT. It measures how much air you can inhale and exhale and how fast you can exhale. Spirometry can help to diagnose and monitor asthma, COPD, and other conditions that affect your ability to breathe.
This test measures the amount of air in your lungs at different points in the breathing cycle. It can help to diagnose conditions such as emphysema and lung fibrosis.
Diffusion capacity:This test measures how well oxygen can pass from the air in your lungs into your bloodstream. It can help to diagnose conditions such as interstitial lung disease and sarcoidosis.
Gas analysis:This test measures the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood. It can help to diagnose conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
