Our Lady of Lourdes Children's Health Pulmonology

An office test used to assess lung function. Spirometry is the most common lung function test done. This test focuses on the exhaled breath to be able to diagnose and manage obstructive lung diseases and identify other ventilatory issues.

Indications:

• Diagnosis and severity assessment of asthma in patients older than 5 years
• Follow-up of asthma control
• Evaluation of chronic cough
• Evaluation of shortness of breath and other chronic respiratory complaints
• Determination of response to bronchodilators
• Evaluation of baseline lung function in a patient with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction

Allows measurement of the different lung volumes. Some degree of coordination is required for which this test is better performed by older children and teenagers. The diffusion capacity of the lung can also be measured with this test.

Indications:

• Restrictive lung disease
• Obstructive lung disease
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained hypoxemia
• Follow the course of disease and response to therapy
• Monitor changes in lung function with certain therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy