What is the full form of PFT?

What is PFT?

PFT stands for Pulmonary Function Test. This test is conducted to know the health of the lungs and to also check whether the lungs are suffering from any disease. Doctors may advise you for the preparation of the test. You may have to stop certain medications if you are suffering from asthma.

Things to be Avoided Before the Test

• A large meal should not be eaten

• No drinks should be consumed that contain caffeine

• Smoking should be stopped

• Do not perform any heavy exercise

Results of PFT

Some results will be available right away if the doctor is available. In other cases, a pulmonologist has to check the results to know about the health of the lungs. The report is then submitted to your doctor. It may take around 48 to 72 hours to deliver the result to your doctor.

Risks related to PFT

PFT is a safe process but some people may face the following problems −

• Dizziness when the test is going on

• The problem of shortness of breath

• Coughing

• Asthma attack

Following people are not allowed to go for the PFT test −

• People having a heart attack recently

• People having an eye, chest, or abdominal surgery recently

• People having a severe respiratory infection

• People having unstable heart disease

Types of PFT

PFT is of different types and we will discuss them here.

Spirometry

Spirometry is a test in which the amount of air you can inhale or exhale is checked. It also provides information about the amount of air available in your lungs.

Lung Volumes or Body Plethysmography

This is a test in which different amounts of air available in your lungs after inhalation and exhalation at different times are measured.

Gas Diffusion Study

This is a test in which the amount of oxygen and other gases that are transferred from the lungs to your blood is measured.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test

This is a test in which the working of the heart, lungs, and muscles is tested when you exercise.

When do doctors ask for PFT?

Doctors may ask for PFT if you face the following symptoms

• Chest pain

• Wheezing

• Coughing

• Shortness of breath

• Difficulty in breathing

How does PFT work?

PFT is a simple test in which the components used are an airtight box, soft nose clips, a small electronic machine, and a mouthpiece. The small electronic machine is known as a spirometer which is used for the measurement of airflow.

What is measured in PFT?

The aspects that are measured in the Pulmonary Function Test are discussed here.

Tidal Volume

Tidal volume is the amount of air that a person inhales or exhales while he is breathing normally

Minute Volume

Minute volume refers to the amount of air that is exhaled per minute.

Vital Capacity

Vital capacity refers to the air which is exhaled after inhalation is done to the maximum.

Function Residual Capacity

In normal breathing, functional residual capacity refers to the amount of air that is left in the lungs after exhaling.

Residual Volume

Residual volume refers to the amount of air that is left in the lungs after maximum exhalation.

Total Lung Capacity

Total lung capacity refers to the volume of lungs when they are filled with the maximum amount of air.

Forced Vital Capacity

This refers to the amount of air exhaled forcefully after inhaling the maximum amount of air.

Forced Expiratory Volume

Forced expiratory volume refers to the amount of air expired in the first second, and third seconds during the Forced Vital Capacity test.

Forced Expiratory Flow

Forced expiratory flow refers to the average amount of air during the middle of the Forced Vital Capacity Test.

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate

This refers to the fastest rate at which you can exhale air from your lungs.

Why is PFT required?

There are many reasons due to which doctors may ask their patients to go for a Pulmonary Function Test. Doctors may also ask healthy people to go for the test. People working in graphite factories, coal mines, etc. should also go for the test. PFT is also conducted if a patient suffers from the following −

• Allergies

• Trouble in breathing

• Infection in the respiratory system

• Asthma

• Emphysema

• Chronic bronchitis

PFT is also conducted for the people who smoke or have heart problems

What is the procedure of PFT?

The procedure of the PFT is as follows −

• Loosen your tight clothes and jewelry along with other such things that can lead to problem

• Keep wearing your dentures if you do so

• Go for urination before the test

• You will be asked to sit on a chair with a clip on your nose so that you can breathe through your mouth

• A mouthpiece attached to a spirometer will be given to you and you will have to form a tight seal

• The healthcare provider will ask you to inhale and exhale air in different ways so that dizziness, breathing trouble, and other problems can be observed

• A bronchodilator will be given after certain tests and after it becomes effective, the tests will be repeated

Advantages of PFT

PFT has many advantages and some of them are mentioned below −

• Lung diseases and disorders can be easily diagnosed

• The effect of chronic lung diseases can be measured

• Determine the effect of the test if a patient has asthma

• Have a record of the health of your lungs

Conclusion

PFT can be expanded as a Pulmonary Function Test. The test is conducted in healthy people to know the status of working of their lungs. People suffering from asthma or other respiratory diseases should also go for the test if prescribed by a doctor.

FAQs

FAQ 1: Why PFT is required?

Ans − PFT is required for healthy people to know the condition of their lungs. People suffering from respiratory diseases should also go for the test.

FAQ 2: Is PFT risky

Ans − No! PFT is not risky but people may face problems like coughing, shortness of breath, etc. during the test.

FAQ 3: Can people having a heart attack recently go for the test?

Ans − No! They are not allowed to go for the test.

FAQ 4: Can I wear dentures during the test?

Ans − Yes! You can wear dentures during the test

FAQ 5: Which PFT is common?

Ans − Spirometry is the common PFT though there are many others also available.