Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)

Pulmonary function tests are different medical options that physicians use to determine how well the lungs are working. These tests are not only for breathing air in and out, but also for moving oxygen in from the atmosphere and releasing it into the circulation of the body. Spirometry is responsible for measuring airflow, and it evaluates a variety of different diseases of the lung by measuring the quantity and speed of exhalation. 

The primary reason why physicians recommend pulmonary function tests is because they are simple, non-invasive tests that can reveal a lot about the patient's lung function. Lung volume measurement, diffusion capacity and airflow tests are just some of the ways that doctors can use pulmonary function testing to determine how well the lungs are working. When they can determine how well the lungs are functioning, then a proper diagnosis can occur. 

Pulmonary function testing is most often used to diagnose specific types of lung diseases or disorders such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma. This type of testing also works well to find the underlying cause behind shortness of breath. Physicians may also use it to measure the progress of disease treatment, to assess whether or not a medication is working, to check the lung function prior to having surgery or to measure whether lung function is being affected by exposure to a chemical or environmental factor.