Pulmonary Function Test (PFT):
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
A pulmonary function test (PFT) is a diagnostic test used to assess how well your lungs are functioning. At MyTexasAllergy.com, we offer comprehensive PFTs to help diagnose and monitor various respiratory conditions and lung diseases.
During a PFT, you will be asked to breathe into a specialized device called a spirometer, which measures several important lung function parameters, including:
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC): FVC measures the total amount of air you can exhale forcefully after taking a deep breath. It provides information about the strength and efficiency of your respiratory muscles and the size of your lungs.
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1): FEV1 measures the amount of air you can forcefully exhale in one second after taking a deep breath. It is a crucial indicator of airflow obstruction and can help diagnose conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF): PEF measures the maximum speed at which you can exhale air forcefully. It is often used to monitor asthma and assess the effectiveness of asthma treatment.
Forced Expiratory Flow 25-75% (FEF 25-75%): FEF 25-75% measures the average airflow rate during the middle portion of the forced exhalation. It can help detect abnormalities in the small airways and is useful for diagnosing conditions such as asthma and early-stage COPD.
Total Lung Capacity (TLC): TLC measures the total volume of air in your lungs after taking the deepest breath possible. It provides information about lung capacity and can help diagnose conditions such as restrictive lung diseases and pulmonary fibrosis.
In addition to spirometry, other tests may be performed as part of a comprehensive PFT, including lung volume measurements, diffusion capacity testing, and bronchial provocation tests.
PFTs are safe, non-invasive, and painless procedures that can provide valuable information about your lung function and help guide diagnosis and treatment decisions for respiratory conditions. If you are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, or chest pain, don't hesitate to contact us for expert evaluation and care.