Breathing Test Specialist
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West Houston Allergy & Asthma
Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology located in Katy, Richmond, & Houston, TX
If you or your child is experiencing wheezing or shortness of breath, you may need a breathing test. Board-certified immunologist Dr. Pradeep Rihal at West Houston Allergy & Asthma offers breathing tests to diagnose asthma for all ages and backgrounds. The practice has three convenient locations in Katy, Richmond, and Houston, Texas. Call the office or use the online booking tool to schedule your breathing test.
Breathing Test Q & A
What is a breathing test?
Breathing tests check how well your lungs are functioning. The basic breathing test measures the amount of air your lungs can hold and how forcefully you can empty all the air from your lungs. There are different types of breathing tests, including:
- Spirometry test: The most basic lung function test to check lung function
- Long volume test: More in-depth test to measure the air left after a normal breath
- Diffusing capacity test: Covers how easily oxygen enters the bloodstream
- Exercise testing: Determines the cause of shortness of breath.
Your immunologist works with you to determine the type of breathing test you need, based on your medical history and symptoms.
Why is a breathing test done?
Since breathing tests check the lung capacity, it’s common to have one to screen for diseases that affect the lungs and airways. Breathing tests commonly check for diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Asthma is a lung disease that constricts breathing. It can start in childhood, develop as you age, or be triggered by environmental factors.
COPD affects millions of people and includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. According to the American Lung Association, it’s the third-highest cause of disease-related death in the United States. The good news is that a breathing test helps evaluate and treat COPD.
What can you expect during a breathing test?
At West Houston Allergy & Asthma, your breathing test is a necessary evaluation that helps determine treatment. For a basic breathing test, you take a deep breath and quickly exhale into a tube attached to a spirometer. As you blow, it measures the volume of air you exhale and the rate of respiration.
Your doctor evaluates the measurements and may ask you for a further test. If there’s an asthma concern, you inhale a small amount of asthma medication. If the test results improve, it may indicate you have asthma.
Is a breathing test painful?
Usually, a basic breathing test isn’t painful. The test requires you to use maximum exhalation to remove all the air in your lungs. You may have to perform the analysis a few times to determine lung capacity.
Breathing naturally without restriction increases the quality of your life. West Houston Allergy & Asthma in Katy, Richmond, and Houston specializes in helping men, women, and children with allergies or asthma concerns. Call the office today to schedule a check of your lung capacity or make an appointment online.
