The pulmonary system has the important job of delivering oxygen to the body and removing carbon dioxide. When someone develops a respiratory problem, physicians may turn to pulmonary diagnostic testing to get an accurate picture of what is occurring within your lungs.
“In order to better understand what is causing your lung problems, your physician may order a chest X-ray or pulmonary function test. Bronchoscopies are also used for certain patients,” says Som Chalise, M.D., a pulmonologist and critical care specialist with Riverside Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists. “These tests give valuable assessments of the state of your pulmonary system and help us diagnose a condition, so that the right treatment can be prescribed.”
Most common pulmonary diagnostic tests
Certain pulmonary diagnostic tests are done to see how well the lungs are working. Other pulmonary tests check for disease and illness. The results of the diagnostic testing informs your physician, allowing your doctor to better diagnose and treat your condition.
Chest X-ray
A chest X-ray is a common diagnostic tool used for many reasons. For pulmonologists, it provides a quick snapshot of your pulmonary system, and can show if fluid is in or around your lungs. Taking a chest X-ray is often a physician’s first choice when a patient has a complaint related to breathing or chest issues. Chest X-rays can diagnose some conditions, such as broken ribs, a collapsed lung or pneumonia, but can also indicate when more testing is needed to rule out heart problems or cancer.
Pulmonary function test
A pulmonary function test, also called a PFT, is a noninvasive test that measures different aspects of lung health, such as how much air you breathe in or breathe out and how fast you fill and empty your lungs within various scenarios. This information helps your health care provider diagnose and determine treatment.
“Pulmonary function tests measure airway function, lung capacity, lung volume, gas exchange and flow rates,” says Dr. Chalise. “All these readings together give your physician an accurate overview of how well your lungs are functioning.”
PFTs are often used to diagnose and manage chronic lung problems. They can be used to monitor a patient’s progress over time to help find out if medications are working or if the treatment plan needs to be adjusted.
There are two ways to do pulmonary function testing. A spirometer is a mouthpiece you blow into that is hooked up to a small electronic machine. With plethysmography, you blow into a device while sitting or standing inside of an airtight booth. The amount of air you inhale and exhale with both of these tests is compared to the average for someone your height, sex, age and ethnicity.
Bronchoscopy
A bronchoscopy is a pulmonology procedure that looks inside the lungs through air passages. The test is done using a thin, flexible tube that has a light and a lens or small video camera known as a bronchoscope. The tube goes into the body via the nose or into the mouth and down the throat. From there, the tube is guided into the windpipe and inside the airways. Patients are asleep for the procedure.
Your doctor does the bronchoscopy to detect or diagnose a lung condition, take tissue and mucus samples, and place airway stents.
“Pulmonary diagnostic testing can be an important step in managing your lung health,” says Dr. Chalise. “Once your physician understands the current state of your lungs, he or she can better diagnose your condition and work with you to develop a treatment plan to help you breathe easier.”
If you have any questions about your diagnostic testing, talk to your physician or to the respiratory therapist working with you. If you are concerned about your respiratory health, talk to your primary care provider or pulmonologist.
If you don’t have a primary care provider, please call 757-534-5352 to make an appointment or ask how to be seen safely through a secure video visit.
To schedule an appointment with Riverside Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists, call the location nearest to you.
- Riverside Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists – Newport News: 757-534-5454
- Riverside Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists – Williamsburg: 757-645-3460
- Riverside Pulmonology Specialists – Onancock: 757-302-2700
