Pulmonary Function Testing
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Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice
Pulmonologist located in Monaca, PA and servicing Beaver, PA
To quickly identify the cause of your shortness of breath or unexplained cough, Benjamin A. Laracuente, MD, and the pulmonary specialists at Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice offer the latest pulmonary function testing. At the office in Monaca, Pennsylvania, the experienced medical team provides in-house testing, like spirometry, to evaluate your lung and respiratory health. If you have a persistent cough or find it difficult to breathe, don’t delay a diagnosis. You can schedule an appointment at Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice by phone or online today.
Pulmonary Function Testing Q & A
What is pulmonary function testing?
Pulmonary function testing involves a series of noninvasive diagnostic tests that evaluate your lung health, specifically how well you can move air in and out of your lungs. The tests also assess how much oxygen is going into your circulatory system.
One of the most common pulmonary function tests the Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice team uses is the spirometry test, which measures how much air you’re moving in and out of your lungs, and how fast you can empty your lungs.
The team also offers other on-site pulmonary function tests like:
Peak expiratory flow
Peak expiratory flow (PEF) testing involves blowing into a small tube device to measure how much air you can blow out and how forcefully you can move the air out of your lungs.
Bronchial provocation
Bronchial provocation is a test that may follow spirometry and PEF tests to diagnose asthma and evaluate lung health when more diagnostic information is needed.
During these tests, you breathe into a measuring device and may need to also perform certain activities. Your Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice provider carefully supervises you throughout testing.
Why do I need pulmonary function testing?
You may need pulmonary function testing to confirm or rule out lung-related conditions or diseases, such as:
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
If you have an existing heart or lung condition and are planning to undergo surgery, you may need pulmonary function testing prior to your procedure to evaluate lung health and candidacy for surgery.
Your provider may recommend pulmonary function testing after you start treatment for a respiratory or lung disease to evaluate how well it’s working.
Prior to your test, you shouldn’t smoke, and to reduce your discomfort during testing, you should avoid eating a heavy meal. If you’re currently using medications for asthma or other lung condition, your Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice provider provides instruction for their use before your test.
What do the results of pulmonary function tests mean?
The results of your pulmonary function tests factor in your age, weight, height, and gender and your provider can discuss your results during your appointment.
If there are any abnormalities in your pulmonary function testing, your doctor outlines a treatment plan that addresses any existing symptoms you have as well as the long-term needs of your condition.
To learn more about the diagnostic benefits of pulmonary function testing, schedule a consultation online or call Tristate Pulmonary Medical Practice today.
