Respiratory System Tests - Types of Test, Costs, Symptoms, Procedure, Benefits and More..

The Spirometry test is used to measures how much of the air you could breathe out and how fast you have the ability to blow it out. Results of your test could also help the doctor in further diagnosing your COPD even before there are any symptoms. The Spirometry is considered to be the type of the lung function test that will measure how much of the air expired.

The tests here are able to measure your lung volume, the capacity, the rates of flow, and have any gas exchange. The information of the results would enable the healthcare professional diagnosis and then you could decide your treatment of the certain lung disorders.

The different diagnostic tests that are done for the detection of Respiratory ailments are as follows:

• Bronchoscopy
• CT Scan
• Echocardiogram (Echo)
• Chest Tube Procedure
• Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
• CT Scan-Guided Lung Biopsy
• Endobronchial Valve (EBV) Therapy
• Exhaled Nitric Oxide Test

The Normal findings of your Spirometry are as follows: The value of FEV1/FVC ratio being greater than the value of 0.70 and both your FEV1 and the FVC above the value of 80% of your predicted value. If your lung volumes tests are properly performed, the TLC value that is above 80% of your predictive value would be considered normal.  The Diffusion capacity is to be above the range of 75% of any predicted value and is considered normal.

It is important to understand that one should not smoke at least 8 hours prior to the test, avoid your caffeine intake for at least 12 hours and also avoid eating around 3 hours before your test. It is important to take medications as it has been instructed.

The Forced expiratory volume (FEV1): It is the amount of air that you have the capacity to exhale with a force in about 1 second. The FEV1 is seen to decline to about 1 to 2 percent per year after your age of the 25.

In case of having a concern of a lung infection, one could go for the CBC test without the differential part wherein any test with focus on the WBCs count. For instance, if you experience the different symptoms of pneumonia, the blood test will be used to confirm any infection that would be considered essential, along with your chest X-ray, the sputum test, and the pulse oximetry.