Spirometry is both a diagnostic tool and a treatment to build lung capacity. It evaluates lung function by determining the extent of your breathing issues. The test is simple and painless. All you have to do is take a deep breat &exhale into a spirometer. You need to exhale as fast as you can, with as much force as you can. The machine generates an analysis of your breathing &records the results. This test is a reliable way of diagnosing lung conditions, and breathing problems.
Contact an allergist & get a better idea of which treatment would work best for you, or at least which treatment should be tried first. Measuring the lung capacity will also show if current treatments are effective. You and your doctor can monitor progress during treatment by using a spirometer at specific intervals. Treatment options can be as simple as over-the-counter medications. Other treatment options include prescription medications, breathing exercises, controlling the irritants in your environment, or regular use of a bronchodilator. A bronchodilator is a breathing machine you can use in your home that helps expand and clear bronchial tubes.
As a treatment, a spirometer in your home can help build lung capacity and help you breath easier. The number of times it is used is determined by your allergist. Continuous use will build lung capacity through the deep inhaling and exhaling that is required for the machine to operate. Once you are set up with the machine and the frequency of use, your primary care doctor can play a role in your treatment. The information is recorded, so your primary care doctor can monitor your results between appointments with your allergist. That provides an integrated, cost-effective continuum of care for your respiratory needs.
Other diagnostic tests, besides Spirometry, include allergy blood test, a patch test, an exhaled nitric oxide test, and rhinolaryngoscopy. The exhaled nitric oxide test is used to determine if your airways are inflamed. For the test, you bite down on a mouthpiece, and exhale several times. The machine will compute a composite analysis. This is most beneficial for patients with asthma. Rhinolaryngoscopy is an in-office procedure that allows your allergist to visualize your nose, throat, and voice box. Consult an allergist if you are experiencing difficulty breathing so testing can be completed and treatment can begin.
