One of the most effective ways to detect violations of the functionality of breathing is a test with a bronchodilator. It allows you to quite accurately determine, and sometimes prevent the development of pathology.
Definitions
Spirometry (spirography) is a procedure for testing lung parameters that performs several very important functions in medicine: teaching, evaluation, diagnostic. Such a study is carried out in order to identify a variety of pathological processes, as well as to monitor the patient's condition during therapy, to assess the effectiveness of the therapeutic effect.
What is a bronchodilator test? Spirometry is the most effective diagnostic technique that allows you to identify a dangerous pathology at the initial stages of its development, prevent its transition to a chronic form, and start therapy in a timely manner, whichlead to the recovery of the patient.
Indications
Broncholytic tests are indicated if the patient has the following symptoms:
- Feeling of lack of oxygen.
- Whistling, wheezing when inhaling, exhaling.
- Shortness of breath, shortness of breath when lying down, while walking, with an increase in psychological stress.
- Chronic forms of pathologies of the lungs, bronchi.
- Prolonged cough of unknown origin.
- The need to control the effectiveness of prescribed therapy for pathologies of the respiratory organs.
- Allergic reactions.
- Restriction search.
- Determination of the level of respiratory disorders in bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, fibrosing idiopathic alveolitis, silicosis, pneumonia.
- Preparation for examinations, surgical interventions.
- Frequent respiratory illnesses.
- Determination of the presence of obstructive changes in the airways in smokers, if there are no symptoms or obstructive signs are mild.
Contraindications
It is contraindicated to perform spirometry (a test with a bronchodilator) and spirography in the presence of acute forms of infectious pathologies, severe forms of angina pectoris, in acute periods of myocardial infarction, with elevated blood pressure, congestive heart failure, mental pathologies that make it difficult for patients to correctly follow the instructions of the diagnostician. There is a possibility of incorrectfollowing the instructions, therefore the procedure is not performed on children under 4 years old.
The principle of action of bronchodilator drugs
Broncholytics are certain substances that have a bronchodilatory effect. Special aerosols and sprays produced by pharmacological manufacturers have similar properties. Against the background of the use of such drugs, the bronchi expand and the respiratory functions improve.
However, a similar effect from their use can not always be observed. In this regard, the bronchodilator susceptibility test is an indispensable and effective method for determining respiratory disorders.
Broncholytics include:
- Anspasmodics that have a myotropic effect, for example "Eufillin".
- M-anticholinergics - ipratropium bromide, atropine sulfate.
- Substances that are characterized by beta-2-adrenomimetic activity: adrenaline hydrochloride, Fenoterol, Salbutamol.
Research for susceptibility to bronchodilator drugs, the subsequent interpretation of the results obtained is used by doctors to most accurately determine the diagnosis, the subsequent choice of a therapeutic regimen. The meaning of such a test is to compare the readings that are obtained before and after the use of bronchodilators.
Test times may vary depending on which medicationused. If Salbutamol is included in the main component of the study, then the interval between repeated measurements does not exceed a quarter of an hour. In the case when the primary component is ipratropium bromide, time intervals reach an average of half an hour. The run-up in time is due to the speed of development of the effect from the use of a certain medication. In other words, the effect of "Salbutamol" is observed 15 minutes after its use, and ipratropium bromide - after half an hour.
Special preparation for the study is not required. The first measurement is carried out when the patient is in a calm state, and there is no load on the respiratory system. Then, a finely dispersed solution of a bronchodilator is injected into the patient's body using a nebulizer or other aerosol-creating device. After the allotted time has elapsed, the respiratory activity is measured again.
The results obtained during the test with a bronchodilator are compared and systematized using a computer. In many situations, it is very difficult to identify deviations of the respiratory system by external manifestations. To accurately distinguish and identify differences, a special computer is used to compare the two airflows before and after using a bronchodilator medication.
A positive bronchodilator test - good or bad? Let's figure it out.
Transcription of test results
Results are expressed as percentages that allow the most accuratedisplay the difference between the quality of the air flow before and after the introduction of bronchodilator drugs into the body. When the dynamics is positive, the reaction is considered positive. Otherwise, if there are no changes, and respiratory activity remains at the initial level, the test with a bronchodilator is considered negative, that is, the use of the medication gave a negative result.
Positive reaction
The correct interpretation of the data obtained during the test is very important, because thanks to it, the specialist determines the nature and level of the negative component of the pathology. Simply put, a positive reaction to the use of a bronchodilator implies the effectiveness of the use of the drug. In other words, it can be used to prevent or treat pathology.
Negative reaction
So, the test with a bronchodilator is negative - what does this mean? A negative test result suggests that traditional bronchodilator medications do not have any effect. In other words, their further use is inappropriate. In addition to determining the effectiveness of medications, a positive spirography reaction indicates the degree of development of the pathology.
Usually, the initial stages of the development of pathology are reflected in the test and give a positive result. In severe forms and severe lesions of the respiratory system, a negative test result is most often detected.
Thus, spirometry and spirography witha test with a bronchodilator is an extremely important study to determine the nature and degree of damage to the respiratory system.
It is possible to determine the scale of pathology development by its indicators. This is very important for the appointment of an appropriate therapeutic course, the formation of preventive recommendations. Using such studies, the specialist forms a general characteristic of the patient's respiratory system, gets an idea about the scheme of subsequent therapy.
Conclusions
Positive results imply simpler forms of pathological changes, which means simplified therapy or adherence to preventive recommendations. Negative results are usually a prerequisite for long-term and complex treatment, as they indicate rather serious pathologies of the respiratory system.
