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How a Pulmonary Function Test Can Help You Breathe Easier

Do you often feel breathless, wheezy, or tired with minimal effort? It might not just be a sign of aging or lack of fitness. These symptoms could be your lungs asking for help. A Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) is a simple yet powerful diagnostic tool that can reveal how well your lungs are working—and help you breathe easier with the right care.

At O2XY Clinics, we use advanced PFT techniques to diagnose and monitor a wide range of respiratory conditions, from asthma to chronic lung disease.

What is a Pulmonary Function Test?

A Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) is a non-invasive set of tests that measure:

• How much air your lungs can hold
• How quickly you can move air in and out
• How efficiently your lungs transfer oxygen into the blood

These tests are essential for diagnosing airway disorders, chronic lung diseases, and sleep-related breathing issues.

Why You Might Need a PFT

You may be recommended a PFT if you experience:

• Persistent cough or wheezing
• Difficulty breathing during physical activity
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Asthma or COPD symptoms
• Sleep disturbances (like snoring or daytime fatigue)
• Unexplained fatigue or chest tightness

It’s also useful before surgery or to monitor treatment progress in lung conditions like bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, or interstitial lung disease.

What Does the Test Involve?

PFTs are safe and painless. Common procedures include:

• Spirometry – Measures how much air you can breathe in and out, and how fast
• Lung Volume Test – Evaluates the total capacity of your lungs
• Diffusion Test – Assesses how well oxygen moves from your lungs to your blood
• Oximetry – Measures oxygen levels using a small fingertip device

The entire process usually takes 30 to 60 minutes and doesn’t require any needles or invasive procedures.

How PFT Results Help

With your results, your pulmonologist can:

• Diagnose conditions like asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, or restrictive lung disease
• Track disease progression and adjust treatment plans
• Monitor how medications or therapies are improving lung function
• Guide oxygen therapy and other supportive care