Pulmonary Function Test

The respiratory function test, which is used to objectively measure the capacity and functional status of the lungs, is performed in our hospital under the supervision of a specialist physician. Pulmonary function tests are performed with devices called spirometers. In other words, this test measures the volume of air that the lungs can take in and the airflow rate generated by the vigorous respiratory activity during the inhalation and exhalation of this air into the lungs. These two parameters provide extremely important clues in the diagnosis of many diseases. For example, in patients with asthma or COPD (chronic bronchitis, emphysema), it is determined that there is a decrease in flow rates measured during a very strong and rapid exhalation after filling the lungs completely with air compared to normal healthy individuals, and according to this decrease rate, the disease can be diagnosed and the severity of the disease can be determined. In addition, pulmonary function tests performed during the follow-up of the treatment of these patients can be used to monitor the success of the treatment and the course of the disease over the years. On the other hand, in the presence of space-occupying lesions in the lung tissue or in the presence of diseases characterized by destruction of lung tissue, in diseases that cause pulmonary edema, such as heart failure, the maximum volume of air that the lungs can take in decreases.

The patient is in a sitting position during the test. The nose is closed with a plastic clothespin to prevent nasal breathing. The patient breathes in and out through a disposable cardboard mouthpiece at the end of the device, which is used only by the patient. Depending on the nature of the test, the physician or technician performing the test asks the patient to inhale very deeply, exhale very quickly and to the end, or hold his/her breath for a short period of time to perform the test maneuvers. The result of the test is taken immediately after these maneuvers are completed and the results are interpreted by a pulmonologist.

1. In the presence of shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing,
2. To support a suspected diagnosis based on examination findings and chest radiography,
3. To investigate the effect of congenital or acquired deformities of the chest on respiration,
4. To monitor the course and effectiveness of treatment for diagnosed COPD, asthma, heart failure and diseases involving the respiratory muscles,
4. For the purpose of disability assessment for respiratory disease,
5. To screen individuals and groups at risk for lung disease (e.g. smokers, workers in mines, workers breathing harmful gases in their work environment),
6. To determine the risks of respiratory complications related to general anesthesia and surgery in advance and to ensure that necessary precautions are taken in the preoperative period in risky patients,
pulmonary function tests are performed.