Spirometry and Other Tools Used in Lung Disease Diagnosis

Diagnosis of COPD is a complicated process, as the underlying lung disease or diseases must also be identified. A COPD diagnosis will include a physical exam, spirometry tests to gauge breathing capacity, chest x-rays, and possibly blood gas readings.

Initially, your doctor will want to give you a physical exam and ask for your personal medical history, including any history of smoking. Symptoms such as chronic coughing or difficulty breathing will be noted.

During the physical exam, the doctor will listen to your breathing with a stethoscope to check for signs of lung disease. If the physical exam detects wheezing noises, chronic bronchitis may be the root of the symptoms. Signs of emphysema during a physical exam include low levels of lung noise while breathing.

If the physical exam suggests the need for further testing, a spirometry test will be ordered. Spirometry measures a person's breathing capacity and lung function. The results of a spirometry allow doctors to determine lung capacity, and how fast air is expelled while breathing. Different types of lung disease produce different spirometry results.

A spirometry is a simple procedure. You breathe into a tube that is connected to a spirometry machine. The machine gathers information while you are breathing into the tube.

A PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate) test is similar to a spirometry test. During a PEFR test you breathe into a hand-held meter, expelling air from the lungs as quickly as possible. The test results indicate if airways are obstructed, and how difficult breathing is. A PEFR test is often given before and after medication, allowing the doctor to gauge how the medication affects breathing.

If symptoms are severe, blood gas readings may be ordered. Blood gas readings measure the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. If oxygen levels are abnormally low, breathing through an oxygen mask may be part of your COPD treatment.

Chest x-rays may be ordered as part of a physical exam. An x-ray may indicate other forms of lung disease, such as pneumonia or lung cancer.

 

 

Beers, M. H. & Berkow, R. (ed). Chronic obstructive airway disorders [electronic version]. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th Edition. Merck Research Laboratories, NJ, 1999. Retrieved November 17, 2003, from
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Cleveland Clinic Health System. (reviewed 2001). Understanding COPD. Retrieved November 17, 2003, from
www.cchs.net/health/health-info/docs/2400/2416.asp?index=8709.