Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are a group of breathing tests.
They can show how well your lungs are working. PFTs may measure:
- How much air you can blow out - How much air your lungs can
hold at different times - How hard you are blowing air out
Reasons for Test PFTs may be used to diagnose lung conditions or
diseases, such as: These tests may also be done to: - Measure
how much a lung problem is affecting you - Evaluate symptoms
such as coughing, wheezing, and trouble breathing - Evaluate
your lung function before a surgery - Determine how well a
treatment is working What to Expect Prior to Test - Review your
medicines with your doctor. You may need to stop taking some
before testing. - Do not eat, smoke, or exercise 4-8 hours
before testing. - Wear loose-fitting clothing. Description of
Test Most tests will require you to breathe into a mouthpiece.
The mouthpiece may be attached to a simple handheld device or be
part of a larger machine. Examples of devices are a spirometer
or peak flow meter. You may b