Spirometry, examination by a specialist doctor, pulmonology, lung treatment, sleep disorders

Spirometry is a clinical diagnostic test that plays a key role in evaluating lung function. This test measures the volume and speed of air that a person can inhale and exhale during breathing. Based on the obtained data, the doctor can assess the efficiency of the respiratory system and identify potential problems.

Spirometry is particularly useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, and emphysema. As part of this test, patients are encouraged to learn about their respiratory symptoms and how their condition changes over time. In this way, spirometry not only allows doctors to make accurate diagnoses, but also to monitor the progress of the disease and the effectiveness of therapy.

In addition, spirometry can help assess preoperative risk in patients with known lung diseases and identify individuals who may be susceptible to developing respiratory problems. Given the importance of lung function for general health, spirometry has become a standardized test in many medical practices around the world.

Spirometry is performed to assess lung function, i.e. a person's ability to inhale and exhale air. During this test, the patient sits or stands and breathes through a mouthpiece connected to a device called a spirometer. First, the patient breathes in as deeply as possible, and then the patient quickly and forcefully exhales all the air, as much as possible. Sometimes the test is repeated several times to get more accurate results.

The goal of spirometry is to provide doctors with data on how fast and how much air the patient can exhale, which helps in identifying respiratory disorders. The test is performed to diagnose diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis or emphysema, but also to monitor the course of these diseases and the effectiveness of treatment. Also, spirometry is used in people who feel symptoms such as chronic cough, difficulty breathing or fatigue, in order to determine whether there is a respiratory problem.

The duration of the spirometric examination is usually short, lasting between 15 and 30 minutes. The test itself takes a few minutes, but also includes the preparation of the patient, explanation of the procedure, as well as possibly repeating the tests to ensure accurate results. If additional measurements are needed or if the patient has a more complicated condition, the examination may take a little longer.