A former flight surgeon and chief of aerospace medicine for the United States Air Force, Dr. Daniel Skotte has served as a family physician since 1983. Dr. Daniel Skotte works at High Desert Family Medicine in Sunriver, Oregon, which contains an onsite laboratory for pulmonary function testing.
A pulmonary function test (PFT) can diagnose chronic lung disorders, such as asthma and COPD, or determine the cause of acute lung dysfunction, such as prolonged exposure to air pollutants. Patients with lung issues or heavy smoking habits may require a PFT before they undergo major surgery.
No matter why a PFT is needed, the procedure itself is relatively fast and painless. Each PFT can help doctors understand a different aspect of lung function.
Spirometry is a test that determines whether a patient’s lungs are inhaling and exhaling a healthy amount of air. A plethysmograph is an instrument that accurately measures each lung’s capacity. Other tests may be performed to determine if the lungs transfer enough oxygen to the bloodstream.
While patients may experience slight dizziness or fatigue during and after the tests, lasting effects are minimal. Doctors use the test results to develop a treatment plan or assess already prescribed medication.
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