Spirometry: what is it, how is the procedure performed, which shows

Today, there are a huge number of different diseases that are associated specifically with the respiratory system. In order to examine these organs, a huge number of diagnostics are used, and among them there is spirometry. What it is, already knows quite a lot of people, especially those who suffer from allergies. Let us consider in detail what this diagnosis is and how it is carried out. It must be remembered that this particular diagnostic method is able to prevent many serious diseases that are associated with the respiratory system, so you should not be skeptical about it.

What is spirometry?

The word "spirometry" is translated from the Greek language as "breathing", therefore, the method of this diagnosis itself is directly related to human breathing. Its essence is that it is possible to determine the speed and volume of breathing with the help of a special device. Doctors can determine it at rest, as well as when breathing is intensified, and even measure lung capacity to the maximum.

During the diagnosis, a large number of different indicators associated with the respiratory system are recorded, which only a specialist can decipher. As a rule, all results are displayed on a monitor in the form of a graph.

In what cases is this diagnosis prescribed?

Many people wonder what kind of procedure this is - spirometry, but we can definitely say that only a doctor can recommend this diagnosis. It is prescribed when there are problems with the respiratory system, namely:

1. Various colds that affect the respiratory system.
2. If there is a violation of the volume of gases in the body and you need to find the reasons for this.
3. When the course of treatment of the patient is adjusted.
4. To make a diagnosis of the entire human body.
5. When it is necessary to examine the lungs.

The pulmonologist carries out the entire procedure, so the specialist knows exactly how to properly diagnose, and the patient should only follow simple commands.

Indications for spirometry

The doctor may prescribe a diagnosis if the patient has such symptoms:

1. Constant cough and severe shortness of breath are observed.
2. In the lungs, you can listen to wheezing or even whistling.
3. If the patient has bronchial asthma.
4. If there is a serious suspicion of pathology in the lungs.
5. A spirometry test is prescribed if it is necessary to undergo preparation for the operation.
6. Obstructive pulmonary disease.

Spirometry can be performed frequently. It does not harm human health at all.

This is especially recommended for people who work in difficult conditions, which can be harmful to the body, as well as those who smoke for a long time or suffer from allergies.

Contraindications to the procedure

Spirometry is not allowed if there are contraindications for this. Do not carry out this procedure in such cases:

1. If there is frequent bleeding from the respiratory system.
2. If a person is sick with tuberculosis.
3. If pneumothorax is present.

You can not conduct this diagnostic method and people who have recently suffered a heart attack or stroke.

Also, spirometry does not apply to people who suffer from mental disorders, since a person is not able to follow the doctor’s commands.

Which doctor performs spirometry?

Naturally, initially the patient seeks help from a therapist, and only after that, according to the results of all analyzes, he directs the patient to a narrower specialist. Which doctor performs spirometry? This question is quite relevant, therefore it is worth remembering that there is a specialist who is called a pulmonologist, he is involved in lung diseases. But sometimes spirometry is used in cardiology to determine cardiac and pulmonary dyspnea. Diagnostics can also be used by an allergist.

What is the essence of spirometry?

The procedure itself does not require much preparation, but it is carried out in several stages.

1. A special nozzle is put on the device, which is used only once.
2. The nurse may ask the patient to sit down.
3. Then the patient needs to inhale the air as deep as possible.
4. As soon as the nozzle is brought to the mouth, air is exhaled.
5. To make the results more accurate, the doctor conducts such a diagnosis several times.
6. The device can automatically issue data that is later decrypted by a doctor.
7. The main results are those that are most successful.

Determination of lung volume by spirometry is considered the most accurate diagnosis and allows you to identify many serious diseases even in the early stages.

What preparation is needed for spirometry?

As mentioned above, no special preparation is required for spirometry. But there are some recommendations that are still worth following:

1. A patient who will do spirometry should not smoke about 4 hours before the procedure itself.
2. To get the most accurate results, it is worth excluding physical activity at least a day.
3. Do not eat two hours before the procedure.
4. You can not take drugs that contribute to the expansion of the bronchi.
5. It is not recommended to consume coffee and drinks that may contain caffeine.

For the sake of completeness of obtaining all the results, experts recommend carrying out the procedure on an empty stomach, you can drink only natural juice. It is also advisable to be in loose clothing that will not hamper the patient's movements and his breathing. Preparation for spirometry does not require any supernatural efforts, so everything is done quickly and painlessly. Before this, the doctor can carefully examine the diagnosed person to find out if there are any contraindications for the procedure. The patient must perform all breathing maneuvers under the strict guidance of a specialist. During the procedure, the test person should not experience any discomfort.

Sometimes the doctor suggests using an additional bronchodilator, in which case the patient will be able to experience a rapid heartbeat and slight tremor in the muscles of the hands, but all sensations disappear within five minutes.

How are the diagnostic results deciphered?

Having examined in more detail what spirometry is, what it is and how it is performed, it is necessary to dwell on the decoding of the results. The data that the doctor receives after the procedure are compared by average. This is done taking into account the fact that each patient can have individual characteristics, for example, weight, gender and age. When the doctor receives the data, he concludes that they deviate from the average or speaks about the norm. If there are deviations, then a deep examination is prescribed using special drugs. When spirometry is performed, the interpretation of the results includes an analysis of such quantities:

1. The amount of air entering all respiratory organs when inhaling is taken into account.
2. The pulmonologist carefully studies the volume of gases that are inhaled.
3. Exhaled air volume is measured.
4. All results are correlated, the air during inhalation and exhalation should normally be correlated, as 7 to 10.
5. Air displacement per second is taken into account.
6. The rate of expiration and inhalation is calculated.

The doctor receives all the results in the form of a graph, which he then decrypts.

How should the procedure be carried out correctly?

Consider how spirometry is performed. The procedure cannot take place without the use of a special device, which is called a spirometer. This device has a special sensor that detects the flow of air inhaled by the patient. All data that is received is digitized and automatically displayed on the monitor. The patient must sit, and a special clothespin is put on his nose, this is necessary so that the subject does not breathe through the nose.

The main task of the patient is to clearly follow all the commands that the doctor gives throughout the diagnosis. After inhaling, the patient should exhale as much as possible, while spending only six seconds on all this time.

If the method of spirometry is violated, the interpretation of the results may be inaccurate, but this happens in rare cases, for example, when a patient begins to experience a coughing fit, or air leak occurs during blockage of the lips. It is possible that during the study a malfunction may occur in the spirometer itself.

The doctor will be able to decrypt the results within ten minutes after the study was conducted. If during the diagnosis deviations were noticed by the doctor, then the specialist can prescribe a special program for treatment.

Why is spirometry performed for bronchial asthma?

People who suffer from various diseases of the respiratory system often resort to this type of diagnosis, as spirometry. To find a medicine that will alleviate the condition of a sick person, it is necessary to conduct spirometry to determine the sensitivity of the respiratory system. For example, during the procedure, the doctor may offer the patient:

1. Perform a series of exercises with a certain physical load in order to restore the tone of the respiratory system.
2. Salt vapor is inhaled.

Asthmatics are often recommended to undergo such examinations in medical institutions, since it is not always possible to determine the disease by external signs. Patients should visit a doctor at least twice a year, and as soon as the indicators return to normal, the course of treatment may stop. Now, having carefully studied what spirometry shows, we can say with confidence that medicine cannot do without this type of diagnosis.

What is the patient experiencing?

Spirometry is very easily tolerated by patients, so you should definitely not be afraid of this type of diagnosis. A person does not experience any pain and does not even feel any discomfort. A doctor may in some cases offer a special medicine, but it is also absolutely safe for the patient.

Sometimes it happens that the patient begins to cough badly, but such cases are rather rare, in which case the specialist can stop the examination and provide the patient with qualified medical help.

Finally

Having examined in detail what it is - spirometry, we can confidently say that this is one of the most informative methods that is used to diagnose serious diseases in the field of respiratory organs. Using this diagnosis, the doctor has the opportunity to assess the nature of the disorders in the respiratory system and prescribe effective therapy.

To date, special devices for spirometry are used in almost every medical institution, which employs a pulmonologist. In no case should you treat this method of diagnosis with caution, because it is not capable of causing any harm to the life and health of the patient. The procedure itself does not represent any complexity and takes no more than half an hour in time. What is noteworthy, at this time the decoding of the results by the doctor also enters.

Now you know what it is - spirometry. If you feel any discomfort in the lung area, remember that everyone has the right to consult a physician and conduct this diagnosis to make sure that he has no problems with the respiratory system. Diagnostics such as spirometry can be carried out an unlimited number of times a year, since this method is absolutely safe and quite informative. Be healthy and happy!