Clinical spirometer

During spirometry, the device records how much air leaves the lungs and how quickly it is exhaled. The pattern can suggest airflow narrowing, reduced lung volume, or a result within the expected range for the person being assessed. Readings are interpreted alongside age, height, symptoms, examination findings, and medical history. A spirometer does not by itself identify every lung condition, and a single result may be affected by effort, technique, recent illness, or smoking.

Follow the clinic’s instructions about inhalers, smoking, meals, and strenuous activity before the appointment. Wear comfortable clothing and tell the clinician about chest pain, recent surgery, infection, or breathing difficulty. You will usually sit upright, seal your lips around a mouthpiece, breathe in fully, then blow out hard and for as long as instructed. The manoeuvre may be repeated so the team can check consistency. A bronchodilator may be used before another set of readings.

Arrange assessment for ongoing cough, wheeze, breathlessness, or reduced exercise tolerance rather than relying on a home device. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness at rest, blue lips, chest pain, fainting, or sudden worsening. Tell the testing team immediately if the manoeuvre causes marked dizziness, chest discomfort, or distress so they can stop and assess you.

Ask what the test is looking for, whether any inhaler should be paused, and how your result compares with the expected range for you. Ask whether repeat spirometry, other lung tests, or a treatment trial is needed and when results will be reviewed.