Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
This test measures how well your lungs work. This includes how well you’re able to breathe and the effectiveness of your lungs to bring oxygen to the rest of your body. This test can normally be performed on kids ages 5 and up.
Often, we will perform the test twice; once before the administration of a medication called albuterol, and then again afterwards to determine lung function improvement. This test can help us diagnose asthma or other types of lung disorders.
Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Testing (FeNO)
This test allows us to determine how much nitric oxide is in your breath. This can help us determine if there is inflammation which can be a sign of asthma.
Because FeNO testing is a newer technology it may not be covered by some insurances. Fortunately, the cost is low and if felt necessary by your provider we will discuss testing further with you.
Your treatment plan will depend on the results of the test.
We at Arizona Allergy Associates provide quick diagnostics to our services and provide an effective treatment plan.
AZ Allergy Associates Breathing (Lung Function) Test
Lung function tests are a group of tests that check to see if your lungs are working right. We conduct this test to look for:
- The capacity of air your lungs can hold
- How well you move air in and out of your lungs
- How well the lungs move oxygen into your bloodstream. Your blood cells need oxygen to grow and stay healthy.
These are the types of lung tests we provide.
- Spirometry – the most common type of lung function test. It measures how much and how quickly you can move air in and out of your lungs.
- Lung Volume Test – also known as body plethysmography. This test measures the amount of air you can hold in your lungs and the amount of air that remains after you exhale (breathe out) as much as you can.
- Gas Diffusion Test – This test measures how oxygen and other gases move from the lungs to the bloodstream.
- Exercise Stress Test – This test looks at how exercise affects lung function.
These tests may be used together or by themselves, depending on your specific symptoms or condition.
What to expect from our service?
These tests are not painful. They are performed by our certified technician, who will require you to use maximal effort to blow out and breathe in air. The tests are repeated several times to make sure the results are accurate.
Keep the following in mind when performing the test:
- You may need to stop taking certain medicines before the test. These include antihistamines and antidepressants. We will let you know which medicines to avoid before your test and how long to avoid them.
- Do not smoke for at least six hours prior to testing.
- If you are using a short-acting inhaler that is used only as needed, do not use for six to eight hours prior to testing, if possible.
- We will give you other instructions regarding medications.
Your treatment plan will depend on the results of the test.
We at Arizona Allergy Associates provide quick diagnostics to our services and provide an effective treatment plan.