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One of the primary tests for assessing lung disorders is the use of spirometry. A spirometer measures the speed and volume of air inspired and expired by the pulmonary system. It plays a critical role in evaluating conditions like cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. A spirogram will tell the diagnostician whether a patient has one of two categories of abnormal lung function, obstructive or restrictive.
In persons suffering from restrictive lung disease (RLD), the expansion of the lungs is impaired when breathing in. This causes a decrease in lung volume, making it more difficult for the person to breathe, impairing both oxygenation and ventilation. One type of condition underlying RLD is pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is associated with scarring of the lungs, resulting in a honeycomb-like appearance. While rare, the disease is poorly understood and is frequently fatal.
Other diseases that fall under the definition of RLD include scoliosis, neuromuscular conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy (MD), obesity and sarcoidosis. The common symptom that alerts people to the need to see a doctor is always shortness of breath. Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune condition in which the lungs become peppered with inflamed tissue referred to as granulomas. These mostly involve the lungs or the skin. Individuals may develop symptoms spontaneously and recover after a few months, maybe years. Other people never notice the condition and learn about it only after investigations for another condition.
The main features of obstructive lung disorders are obstructed and reddened airways. Airflow is obstructed, resulting in difficulty breathing out and, inevitably, numerous visits to the hospital. A diagnostic feature of OLD is the inability to expire 70% of breath in one second. Examples of OLD include COPD, bronchitis and asthma.
Asthma, caused by inflammation of the airways, is a common respiratory condition most often characterized by coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Less common symptoms include sighing, fatigue and rapid breathing. Asthma is occasionally life-threatening.
The most serious symptom of CF is impaired breathing. Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs, pancreas, liver and intestine. Twenty-first century improvements in treatment and diagnosis have resulted in a much better prognosis than 50 or 60 years ago. In 1959, the median age of survival was only six months. As of 2008 in the United States, this had risen to 37.5 years; in Canada, it improved from 24 years in 1982 to 47.7 years in 2007. In Russia, the cost of medical treatment is often prohibitive and lung transplants do not take place. Here, the median age of survival is only 25 years.
COPD encompasses diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In the case of emphysema, the inner surface of the lungs becomes permanently damaged, usually from exposure to cigarette smoke. Although there is no cure, removal of the trigger, cigarette smoking, results in an improved ability to exhale.
Spirometers are essential devices for diagnosing both restrictive and obstructive lung conditions. Obstructive lung diseases include COPD, bronchitis and asthma. Restrictive lung disorders refer to sarcoidosis, muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis and obesity hyperventilation syndrome.
In persons suffering from restrictive lung disease (RLD), the expansion of the lungs is impaired when breathing in. This causes a decrease in lung volume, making it more difficult for the person to breathe, impairing both oxygenation and ventilation. One type of condition underlying RLD is pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is associated with scarring of the lungs, resulting in a honeycomb-like appearance. While rare, the disease is poorly understood and is frequently fatal.
Other diseases that fall under the definition of RLD include scoliosis, neuromuscular conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy (MD), obesity and sarcoidosis. The common symptom that alerts people to the need to see a doctor is always shortness of breath. Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune condition in which the lungs become peppered with inflamed tissue referred to as granulomas. These mostly involve the lungs or the skin. Individuals may develop symptoms spontaneously and recover after a few months, maybe years. Other people never notice the condition and learn about it only after investigations for another condition.
The main features of obstructive lung disorders are obstructed and reddened airways. Airflow is obstructed, resulting in difficulty breathing out and, inevitably, numerous visits to the hospital. A diagnostic feature of OLD is the inability to expire 70% of breath in one second. Examples of OLD include COPD, bronchitis and asthma.
Asthma, caused by inflammation of the airways, is a common respiratory condition most often characterized by coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Less common symptoms include sighing, fatigue and rapid breathing. Asthma is occasionally life-threatening.
The most serious symptom of CF is impaired breathing. Cystic fibrosis affects the lungs, pancreas, liver and intestine. Twenty-first century improvements in treatment and diagnosis have resulted in a much better prognosis than 50 or 60 years ago. In 1959, the median age of survival was only six months. As of 2008 in the United States, this had risen to 37.5 years; in Canada, it improved from 24 years in 1982 to 47.7 years in 2007. In Russia, the cost of medical treatment is often prohibitive and lung transplants do not take place. Here, the median age of survival is only 25 years.
COPD encompasses diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In the case of emphysema, the inner surface of the lungs becomes permanently damaged, usually from exposure to cigarette smoke. Although there is no cure, removal of the trigger, cigarette smoking, results in an improved ability to exhale.
Spirometers are essential devices for diagnosing both restrictive and obstructive lung conditions. Obstructive lung diseases include COPD, bronchitis and asthma. Restrictive lung disorders refer to sarcoidosis, muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis and obesity hyperventilation syndrome.
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