Lung function tests

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Lung function tests

Lung function tests (also called pulmonary function tests) are done to check how well your lungs are working. The test may be done to find the cause of breathing problems, diagnose lung diseases, or find out how well treatment for a lung problem is working.

There are many types of lung function tests.

Spirometry measures how much and how quickly you can move air out of your lungs. A spirometry test can measure:
- Forced expiratory volume (FEV), which is the amount of air you can exhale with force in one breath.
- Peak expiratory flow (PEF), which is how quickly you can exhale.
- Total lung capacity (TLC), which is the amount of air in your lungs after you inhale as deeply as possible.
Gas diffusion tests measure the amount of oxygen and other gases that cross the lungs' air sacs (alveoli) per minute. The results help determine how well gases are being absorbed into your blood from your lungs.
Inhalation challenge tests help identify substances (allergens) that may be causing severe respiratory allergies or asthma. These tests are also called provocation studies.

Credits

Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated	May 25, 2007

Last updated:	May 25, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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