Sofia Alvez 
How does a spirometry test work?
A spirometry test is a commonly used examination to assess lung function. It is performed at your doctor’s or pulmonologist’s office, or at a clinic near you, and is quick and painless. In fact, the complete test takes less than 10 minutes. However, it is sometimes repeated after a dose of inhaled medication.
The test is carried out using a professional spirometer, like those in the MIR range on our platform.
How should patients prepare for the spirometry test?
- He must not smoke in the hour preceding the test
- Must not drink alcohol in the four hours preceding the test
- He must not eat a heavy meal in the two hours preceding the test.
- No strenuous exercise in the 30 minutes preceding the test
- We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothing
How does it work?
The doctor will explain the procedure to the patient for measuring lung capacity:
- The doctor asks the patient to put on a nose clip.
- The patient, seated or standing, takes a deep breath and holds it for a short time.
- He then exhales as quickly and completely as possible into a mouthpiece connected to the spirometry device. The patient should exhale as hard as possible. Until those lungs are completely empty. This step is repeated several times to obtain accurate measurements.
In some cases, the doctor can measure the patient’s maximum respiratory flow. To do this, the patient must blow as hard and fast as possible into the mouthpiece.
Depending on the patient’s specific needs, other tests may be carried out, such as bronchial provocation tests to assess airway reactivity.
The doctor may also administer inhalation medication. He then repeats the test to check whether the patient’s lungs have reacted to the drug.
Interpreting the spirometry test
Once the test is complete, the results are usually interpreted by a qualified health professional, such as a pulmonologist. These results can provide valuable information on the patient’s lung function, including vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and other important parameters.
What equipment should I use for a spirometry test?
A spirometer is a medical device that measures the volume of air inhaled and exhaled by the lungs. It also records the speed at which air is exhaled during a forced exhalation.
The spirometers in the MIR range are electronic and equipped with a display to show measurements in real time. They are connected to a computer which records the data and enables precise analysis of the results. For more details on the different types of spirometers, see our article on this blog.
