Respiratory diseases are very common nowadays. Allergies, stressful situations, bad habits, labor activity at individual enterprises - all these factors negatively affect the bronchi and lungs. In order to timely identify the pathological processes occurring in the respiratory system, it is recommended to periodically undergo a spirometric study. This article will highlight the nuances of its implementation.
What is this procedure
Spirometry is a medical test that examines the state of the respiratory system. This diagnostic method helps to detect functional changes in the lungs. Spirometry allows you to evaluate the pathological processes occurring in the respiratory tract, but it is not enough to make a final diagnosis.
Currently, a large number of medical centers put into operation spirographs - special devices for conducting this study. With their help, it is possible to diagnose the functions of the respiratory organs in patients of various age categories in a matter of minutes.
Devices forspirometry can be open (during their use, patients breathe atmospheric air) and closed. The principle of operation of closed devices is not based on interaction with the atmosphere. Modern models record the functional state of the human respiratory system and analyze it using computer technology.
Purposes of use
Spirometry is the simplest and most popular diagnostic method in medicine. It is administered to patients for the following purposes:
- Detection of the origin of some signs of disease: prolonged cough, breath sounds in the lungs, shortness of breath, etc.
- Study of the respiratory organs of heavy smokers.
- Detection of violations in the level of gas exchange.
- Evaluation of the consequences of surgical intervention.
- Determination of the degree of respiratory disease.
- Detection of an occupational disease.
Contraindications
Spirometry is a graphical diagnostic method that has a small number of contraindications It is not recommended to resort to this study in specific cases:
- With a heart attack, stroke.
- Pregnant women with severe toxicosis.
- When the patient's blood pressure is too high.
- For pulmonary hemoptysis of unknown origin.
- If you have or suspect tuberculosis or pneumonia.
- Following recent abdominal or chest surgery.
- Aftersurgical procedure performed on the eyes.
Helpful tips
This study does not require a special preparatory process. But if you follow certain tips, you can improve the accuracy and reliability of spirometry results.
- The procedure is performed in the morning and on an empty stomach. An hour before it is not advised to drink coffee and smoke. The day before this study, you must stop taking medications that can affect the activity of the muscles of the bronchi.
- Clothes during testing should be loose and not restrict the chest.
- Removable dentures are recommended to be removed during this diagnostic study. Measurements are made on the basis of the mouth air flow, a special clip is used to avoid air leakage from the nose.
- During spirometry, the patient stands or sits. The patient cannot tilt his head forward or backward, tilt his body forward when exhaling.
Stages of implementation
Spirometry is a method of determining the useful volume of the respiratory system by a special analysis of the patient's inhalations and exhalations. It consists of the following steps:
- The patient's nasal passages are clamped with a special device, a mouthpiece is inserted into his mouth in order to prevent air leakage.
- The specialist turns on the spirograph, the examined person breathes for 10 seconds, and then proceeds to certain maneuvers in hisbreath.
- He takes a deep breath and then slowly exhales. In this way, the vital capacity of the lungs is measured.
- The patient takes a deep breath, holds the breath for a couple of seconds and exhales sharply. The spirograph measures a fixed indicator of respiratory vital capacity.
- When measuring the highest level of ventilation in the lungs, the patient inhales and exhales very quickly.
Study statistics
These indicators are measured during the period of calm breathing of the patient. It is customary to refer to them:
- The volume of air that passes through the patient's lungs. With spirometry, its norm varies from 500 to 800 ml. The alveolar proportion of the average volume involved in gas exchange is usually two thirds of this indicator.
- Inspiratory reserve volume. In the time interval of its measurement, the patient exhales very deeply after a calm exhalation.
- Inspiratory capacity displays the amount of air that enters the respiratory system after a strong breath. The normal spirometry is calculated from the sum of the average and the reserve volume.
- The vital capacity of the respiratory organs is the volume of inhalation after a deep exhalation. For men, the norm is 3.5-4 liters, for women - 2.5-3 liters.
In conclusion, the indicator of the volume of air passing through the respiratory organs in one minute is recorded. Normal spirometry usually shows 50-180 l. A decrease in this indicator usually indicates certain disorders in the functioning of the respiratory system.
Speed indicators
Experts, while analyzing the curve produced by the spirograph, measure several speed indicators of spirometry.
- The volume of air exhaled by the patient during the most rapid exhalation. In patients without he alth problems, the norm is at least 70% of forced lung capacity.
- Tiffno's index is the ratio of fixed expiratory volume to vital capacity, which is multiplied by 100%. The level of this indicator is usually at least 70-75%.
Spirometric examination helps to identify symptoms of impaired patency of the bronchial tree. Normal spirometry parameters are correlated with the age category, height, weight of the patient and many other factors. In order to correctly assess the state of pulmonary ventilation, experts compare the results of these studies with the main indicators of each patient. Deviations from the main values by more than 15-20% in most cases indicate the presence of pathological processes.
It can be said that spirometry is a method of informational diagnostics. It allows you to detect the type and degree of pathologies of the respiratory system. Thanks to this test, you can check the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment and adjust it for the better.
