Don’t blow off breathing problems Get a pulmonary function test
If you’ve ever experienced shortness
of breath, you probably don’t need
to be told how frightening it can be.
The ability to breathe easily is one of
those things most people take for granted
… until it suddenly becomes more
difficult.
“Trouble catching your breath is not something to ignore,” says Manojpal Dahuja, M.D., a physician on staff at SSM St. Joseph who specializes in pulmonary diseases. “There could be a very serious underlying problem going on.” One such problem is emphysema, a disease in which the small air sacs in the lung become damaged, causing shortness of breath. In severe cases, emphysema can lead to respiratory or heart failure.
Dr. Dahuja says if you are having difficulty breathing, you will likely undergo one or more pulmonary function tests. These are tests performed to take measurements of how your lungs and airways function. Results from pulmonary function tests enable your physician to evaluate your breathing, make diagnosis, recommend treatment and follow your progress.
Spirometry is one of the most commonly ordered pulmonary function tests. “This test measures how much and how fast the air is moving in and out of the lungs,” says Dr. Dahuja. The test is done by having you take in a deep breath and blow hard into a tube connected to a machine.
Pulmonary function tests are pain-free and the risk is minimal for most people. Dr. Dahuja says the potential benefit of these tests is immeasurable. “Many kinds of lung problems can be successfully treated if detected early. You owe it to yourself to get checked out.”
