Pulmonary Function Tests
Effective treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. REX Pulmonary Specialists is proud to offer comprehensive pulmonary function tests. These tests measure how well you inhale and exhale—a test known as spirometry—as well as your lungs’ ability to process gas, such as oxygen, and circulate it into the bloodstream, which is a measurement of what’s called “diffusion capacity.” Using results from these tests, our team of experts will work to give you a definitive diagnosis and map out a treatment plan to suit your individual needs.
Standard Tests
Pulmonary Function Tests are used for the following reasons:
- Screening for the presence of obstructive and restrictive diseases
- Evaluating the patient prior to surgery
- Evaluating the patient's condition for weaning from a ventilator
- Screening how well medicine is working for patients who take medicine to help with breathing
Methacholine Challenge Test
For some patients, standard asthma tests may be uncertain. You might have the symptoms of asthma, but normal results on a standard pulmonary test. In these cases, your doctor may perform a methacholine challenge test.
During the test, you will breathe in doses of methacholine, a drug that can cause your airways to narrow, similar to the symptoms of asthma. This test is very safe, additionally, you will be monitored by a provider during the whole test. By measuring the results, your doctor will be able to determine if you do not have asthma.
A Comprehensive Team
Because chronic lung disease can be complex, REX Pulmonary Specialists often collaborates directly with REX Thoracic Specialists, as well as medical and radiation oncologists from the UNC REX Cancer Center, to help diagnose a multitude of lung ailments and lung cancer.
It can be difficult to learn your lungs aren’t functioning properly. But we’re here to help you get relief.
