Spirometry accurately measures and records the amount of air breathed into and out of the lungs. The results show how narrow the airways in your lungs are. Spirometry also helps your doctor to decide what medications to prescribe for you or whether the dose of your current medication needs to be increased or decreased.

What will I have to do for a spirometry test?

Before the spirometry test, your doctor should explain what it involves. She/he may send you to a hospital laboratory for the test, in which case the person doing the test should explain what will happen.

During a spirometry test you will be asked to:

• stand or sit up as straight as possible and blow into a mouthpiece which is part of the spirometer.

• make sure you have your mouth correctly over the mouthpiece, and then blow as hard as you can for six seconds, if possible.

The test will be repeated three times, if possible, in order to get the best result. You may also be asked to take some puffs from a blue reliever puffer. This will show whether medication has an effect on your airways and will help your doctor to assess the correct dose of your medication if necessary.

Once the results of the spirometry test are ready, your doctor should explain these to you.

Most adults, and many children over 7 years of age, can perform spirometry and produce reliable results.

Spirometry is strongly recommended for people with asthma.*

* See your doctor regularly for review of your asthma.