Breathing Tests

Why do I Need a Pulmonary Function Test?

Allergists, as the asthma experts, use various breathing tests to provide asthma patients with customized care plans. One such test is a pulmonary function test, or a spirometry test. A pulmonary function test measures how well your lungs take in and release air. These breathing tests also indirectly determine how open or narrow airway tubes are.

Some pulmonary function tests involve breathing into a mouth piece, which measures the amount of air you take in and the rate at which you breath out. Pulmonary function tests are usually performed to diagnose lung diseases, including asthma, to assess the effectiveness of medications or determine the cause of shortness of breath. Other times, a breathing test may be used to measure the progress of a particular treatment.

A breathing test requires your cooperation, so it’s imperative that you speak with your doctor about what you can do to ensure that the results of your breathing test will be accurate.

World class allergy specialist Dr. Atul Shah has the latest equipment to perform pulmonary function tests. The Center for Asthma & Allergy in Shirley, Long Island, New York has proudly served Suffolk County for over a decade. Please contact Dr. Shah’s office at 631-395-5464 for a consultation to discuss whether or not a breathing test is right for you.