What is the Procedure for Performing Spirometry?
When undergoing a spirometry test, you will be seated comfortably. To ensure accurate results, a nose clip may be placed on your nose, allowing you to breathe exclusively through your mouth during the test. The procedure involves inhaling deeply and exhaling forcefully and rapidly for a few seconds into a tube connected to a spirometer. Afterward, you will inhale deeply once more before removing the tube from your mouth.
In some cases, your doctor may administer an inhaled medication to open up your airways and then repeat the spirometry test. This is done to evaluate whether the medication has improved your respiratory function. To ensure consistency, spirometry tests are typically performed three times. If there is a significant variation in your results, your doctor may decide to conduct the test again.
How Long Does Spirometry Take?
When it comes to spirometry, the process typically involves repeating the test three times, and it should not take more than 15 minutes to complete. In the event that your results show significant variation, the technician may request you to redo the test. Following your initial spirometry, your doctor might administer an inhaled bronchodilator to help open up your airways. However, you will need to wait for approximately 15 minutes to allow the medication to take effect before undergoing the test again. By comparing the results of both tests, your doctor will be able to evaluate whether the medication has improved your breathing capacity.