Spirometry can be performed during Asthma/COPD check-ups or at the request of the GP. This measures the maximum amount of air you can exhale after a quiet deep breath and how much air you can blow out in 1 second. This provides information about the capacity and the narrowing of your lungs.
Are you scheduled for a lung function test? If so, it is important that you stop using your bronchodilator (puffers/inhalers) the evening before.
At present, this cannot yet be performed at our practice, so we request this through the hospital.
When performing a spirometry, a clip will be placed on your nose. You will close your teeth and lips around a mouthpiece through which you can breathe. The practice nurse will ask you to breathe in deeply and then exhale as forcefully as possible. The measurement is performed several times to ensure a reliable result.
After the measurement, you may be given a medication (bronchodilator) to inhale; this must take effect for 15 minutes, after which the measurement is performed again. This measures the effect of this medication on your lungs.
The results of the spirometry will be discussed with the GP.
