Asthma Support Group

Asthma is a disease of the human respiratory system where the airways narrow, often in response to a "trigger" such as exposure to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. This airway narrowing causes symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, which respond to bronchodilators.

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Lungs & Respiration
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PFT Test?

lchoppel
lchoppel
This is some kind of lung function test. My son will have to have one in order to pass a physical to enter the military. Can anyone tell me what this is please? Thanks in advance.
deleted_user
deleted_user
If it's the one I'm thinking of. You have a plastic clothespin type thing on your nose and You just breath into a tube several times they have a machine that figures out how your lungs are functioning from this.
deleted_user
deleted_user
She is correct. I take that test every 3-4 months. Start by breathing in and out with the nose clip to gage how much you can take in, and how much you can blow out. Then you get shut in the booth, and do three to 4 more tests, all of which tell the Dr. where your lung function is at. I am sorry if this is old but I just joined.
lchoppel
lchoppel
Thanks to you both for the explanation! I appreciate it.
grannie
grannie
Perhaps this is it:

Spirometry (meaning the measuring of breath) is the most common of the Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), measuring lung function, specifically the measurement of the amount (volume) and/or speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. Spirometry is an important tool used for generating pneumotachographs which are helpful in assessing conditions such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and COPD.