Dr Megan Cornere - Respiratory Physician

You may be required to undergo lung function tests to find out how much air moves in and out of the lungs as you breathe.

These include:

1. peak flow meters
2. spirometry
3. detailed lung function test
4. exercise tests
5. bronchial provocation tests.

Sometimes lung function tests are done before and after taking a medication known as a bronchodilator (reliever medication such as Ventolin) to open your airways.

1. Peak flow meter

This is a small hand-held tube that can measure what is happening in your breathing tubes.  People often have one at home and you can measure your peak flow by blowing into it as hard and fast as possible.  Comparisons in recordings are often used as part of an asthma management plan.

2. Spirometry

Spirometry is an inexpensive test which measures the speed at which your lungs can be filled and emptied with air.  This in turn can be used to diagnose your breathing problems and also to monitor the effectiveness of your treatment. 

I will perform this for you at your initial consultation.

3. Detailed lung function tests

These are performed by the lung function laboratory.  These include spirometric volumes, total lung volumes and the ability of oxygen to diffuse into the blood through the walls of the small air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs.  This can be low in patients with emphysema, lung fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension.

4. Exercise tests

These are also performed by the lung function laboratory.  Patients may be exercised on a bicycle or a treadmill and are performed when extra information is required.

5. Bronchial provocation tests

These are tests for asthma.  There are several different types used to help decide if a patient has asthma.