Does spirometry treat asthma?

During spirometry, you breathe into a device through a mouthpiece. The equipment records how much air you move and how quickly you blow it out. A clinician may repeat measurements after an inhaled medicine to see whether airflow changes. The results are considered alongside symptoms, examination and your history, because one test does not explain every breathing pattern.

Asthma symptoms can vary over time, so your clinician may choose other checks or repeat testing. Learn more about asthma and spirometry through the linked pages.

Follow the testing centre's instructions about inhalers, meals and strenuous activity before the appointment. Wear clothing that lets you breathe comfortably and tell the clinician about chest symptoms, recent illness or medicines. Give a strong, steady effort while following the technician's directions. Use your prescribed preventer or reliever exactly as advised; do not change it because of a test result without speaking with your clinician.

Seek urgent help if breathing becomes severely difficult, you cannot speak comfortably because of breathlessness, your lips look blue or grey, or your reliever is not helping as your action plan says. Spirometry is not an emergency treatment. During or after testing, tell staff immediately if you feel faint, develop chest pain or become very breathless.

What will spirometry add to my assessment? Should I use my inhalers before the test? How will the result affect my asthma action plan?