Spirometry is the most common type of test for examining lung function. It measures the volume and speed of air breathed in and out by the lungs. The spirometer is an essential tool in assessing conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis. A spirogram can differentiate between two types of abnormal breathing patterns, restrictive and obstructive.
In persons suffering from restrictive lung disease (RLD), the expansion of the lungs is impaired when breathing in. This causes a decrease in lung volume, making it more difficult for the person to breathe, impairing both oxygenation and ventilation. One type of condition underlying RLD is pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is associated with scarring of the lungs, resulting in a honeycomb-like appearance. While rare, the disease is poorly understood and is frequently fatal.
Other disorders that fall under the umbrella of RLD include the autoimmune condition, sarcoidosis; myscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and obesity. Most patients present initially with difficulty breathing. Sarcoidosis is recognized by red, swollen lesions known as granulomas, mostly affecting the lungs and the skin. Some patients may suddenly develop symptoms that disappear spontaneously. Other people may never know they have sarcoidosis until they have an x-ray for another condition.
Obstructive lung disorders (OLD) are diagnosed by the presence of obstructed and inflamed airways. Airflow is obstructed and the patient experiences difficulty breathing out. OLDs are are responsible for frequent trips to the hospital. Diseases which fall into the category of obstructive lung disorders include asthma, COPD and bronchitis. One thing these individuals have in common is inability to expire 70% of breath within a one-second time interval.
One of the most common respiratory ailments, asthma most often features wheezing, coughing and breathlessness. Less commonly, patients experience fatigue, rapid breathing and appear to sigh frequently. Occasionally, asthma may be life-threatening.
Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs, liver, intestine and pancreas. Shortness of breath is the most serious symptom of cystic fibrosis. Improvements in diagnosis and treatment have extended the life span for people with CF. In 1959, the median survival age was 6 months. In the United States, it had increased to 37.5 years by 2008. In Canada, the median age at survival grew from 24 to 47.7 between 1982 and 2007. Patients are not so lucky in Russia, where lung transplants are not available and basic medical treatment is expensive. Here, the median age of survival is only 25 years.
The term COPD covers conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the delicate tissues lining the lungs become irreversibly damaged, most commonly from exposure to cigarette smoke. This limits the person's ability to exhale. While there is no cure for emphysema, smoking cessation will reduce disease progression.
Spirometry is an essential screening tool for distinguishing between obstructive and restrictive lung diseases. Obstructive conditions include asthma, COPD and bronchitis. Both chronic bronchitis and emphysema contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Restrictive lung diseases include pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, obesity hyperventilation syndrome, sarcoidosis, muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
In persons suffering from restrictive lung disease (RLD), the expansion of the lungs is impaired when breathing in. This causes a decrease in lung volume, making it more difficult for the person to breathe, impairing both oxygenation and ventilation. One type of condition underlying RLD is pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is associated with scarring of the lungs, resulting in a honeycomb-like appearance. While rare, the disease is poorly understood and is frequently fatal.
Other disorders that fall under the umbrella of RLD include the autoimmune condition, sarcoidosis; myscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and obesity. Most patients present initially with difficulty breathing. Sarcoidosis is recognized by red, swollen lesions known as granulomas, mostly affecting the lungs and the skin. Some patients may suddenly develop symptoms that disappear spontaneously. Other people may never know they have sarcoidosis until they have an x-ray for another condition.
Obstructive lung disorders (OLD) are diagnosed by the presence of obstructed and inflamed airways. Airflow is obstructed and the patient experiences difficulty breathing out. OLDs are are responsible for frequent trips to the hospital. Diseases which fall into the category of obstructive lung disorders include asthma, COPD and bronchitis. One thing these individuals have in common is inability to expire 70% of breath within a one-second time interval.
One of the most common respiratory ailments, asthma most often features wheezing, coughing and breathlessness. Less commonly, patients experience fatigue, rapid breathing and appear to sigh frequently. Occasionally, asthma may be life-threatening.
Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs, liver, intestine and pancreas. Shortness of breath is the most serious symptom of cystic fibrosis. Improvements in diagnosis and treatment have extended the life span for people with CF. In 1959, the median survival age was 6 months. In the United States, it had increased to 37.5 years by 2008. In Canada, the median age at survival grew from 24 to 47.7 between 1982 and 2007. Patients are not so lucky in Russia, where lung transplants are not available and basic medical treatment is expensive. Here, the median age of survival is only 25 years.
The term COPD covers conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the delicate tissues lining the lungs become irreversibly damaged, most commonly from exposure to cigarette smoke. This limits the person's ability to exhale. While there is no cure for emphysema, smoking cessation will reduce disease progression.
Spirometry is an essential screening tool for distinguishing between obstructive and restrictive lung diseases. Obstructive conditions include asthma, COPD and bronchitis. Both chronic bronchitis and emphysema contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Restrictive lung diseases include pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, obesity hyperventilation syndrome, sarcoidosis, muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
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