Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition where the tissue deep in the lungs becomes scarred over time, making it thick and stiff. The lungs then lose their ability to move oxygen to the brain and other parts of the body. Learn more about pulmonary fibrosis, including symptoms, causes, and ways to manage the disease after a diagnosis.
Lung showing extensive fibrosis possibly from usual interstitial pneumonitis
Image by Drriad
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Lung showing extensive fibrosis possibly from usual interstitial pneumonitis
Image by Drriad
Lung showing extensive fibrosis possibly from usual interstitial pneumonitis
HRCT of lung showing extensive fibrosis possibly from usual interstitial pneumonitis. There is also a large emphysematous bullae.
Image by Drriad
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the tissue deep in your lungs becomes scarred over time. This tissue gets thick and stiff. That makes it hard for you to catch your breath, and your blood may not get enough oxygen.
Causes of pulmonary fibrosis include environmental pollutants, some medicines, some connective tissue diseases, and interstitial lung disease. Interstitial lung disease is the name for a large group of diseases that inflame or scar the lungs. In most cases, the cause cannot be found. This is called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Symptoms include
Shortness of breath
A dry, hacking cough that doesn't get better
Fatigue
Weight loss for no known reason
Aching muscles and joints
Clubbing, which is the widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes
Your doctor may use your medical history, imaging tests, a biopsy, and lung function tests to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis. There is no cure. Treatments can help with symptoms and improve your quality of life. They include medicines, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, or a lung transplant.
Source: NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Additional Materials (6)
What Is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Basic facts about pulmonary fibrosis, including its signs and symptoms, how it affects breathing, and ways to manage the disease after a diagnosis.
Document by NHLBI
Life with Pulmonary Fibrosis | Treatment Options for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Video by Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation/YouTube
Life With Pulmonary Fibrosis | What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Video by Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation/YouTube
Is Pulmonary Fibrosis the same as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Video by Demystifying Medicine/YouTube
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Video by The Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation/YouTube
What is IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis)?
Video by Boehringer Ingelheim/YouTube
What Is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
NHLBI
3:11
Life with Pulmonary Fibrosis | Treatment Options for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation/YouTube
5:17
Life With Pulmonary Fibrosis | What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation/YouTube
4:35
Is Pulmonary Fibrosis the same as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Demystifying Medicine/YouTube
5:37
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
The Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation/YouTube
5:26
What is IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis)?
Boehringer Ingelheim/YouTube
What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
pulmonary fibrosis
Image by A.Prof Frank Gaillard
pulmonary fibrosis
Honeycombing-in-pulmonary-fibrosis
Image by A.Prof Frank Gaillard
What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious chronic (long term) disease that affects the tissue surrounding the air sacs, or alveoli, in your lungs. This condition develops when that lung tissue becomes thick and stiff for unknown reasons. Over time, these changes can cause permanent scarring in the lungs, called fibrosis, that makes it progressively more difficult to breathe.
Your risk for IPF is higher if you smoke or have a family history of IPF, and the risk increases with age. The most common symptoms of IPF are shortness of breath and cough. Some people may not have symptoms at first, but symptoms can develop and get worse as the disease progresses.
The way that IPF progresses varies from person to person, and scarring may happen slowly or quickly. In some people, the disease stays the same for years. In other people, the condition quickly gets worse. Many people with IPF also experience what are known as acute exacerbations, where symptoms suddenly become much more serious. Other complications of IPF include pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure, which happen when the lungs cannot deliver enough oxygen into the bloodstream without support. This prevents the brain and other organs from getting the oxygen they need.
There is currently no cure for IPF. However, certain treatments may slow the progression of IPF and help your lungs work better. This may extend the lifespan and improve the quality of life of people who have the disease.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Additional Materials (2)
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - an Osmosis preview
Video by Osmosis/YouTube
What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Figure A shows the location of the lungs and airways in the body. The inset image shows a detailed view of the lung's airways and air sacs in cross-section.
Image by National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NIH)
1:04
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - an Osmosis preview
Osmosis/YouTube
What Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NIH)
Is It Common?
How Common Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has an estimated prevalence of 13 to 20 per 100,000 people worldwide. About 100,000 people are affected in the United States, and 30,000 to 40,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.
Familial pulmonary fibrosis is less common than the sporadic form of the disease. Only a small percentage of cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis appear to run in families.
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics
IPF Among Dental Personnel
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Among Dental Personnel
What You Need to Know
In 2016, approximately 730,000 people worked as dental personnel (i.e., dental assistants, dental technicians, dental hygienists, and dentists). This is according to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A study was conducted of 10 dentists and one dental technician treated for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) at a Virginia specialty clinic during 2000–2017. IPF is an ongoing, worsening lung disease of unknown cause and associated with a poor outcome. This is the first known cluster of IPF involving dental personnel. None of the employees worked in the same dental clinic. The number of dentists treated for IPF was 29 times higher than the number of dentists expected to be treated.
No clear cause for IPF was identified. It is possible work-related exposures in dental clinics or dental laboratories contributed. Dental personnel can be exposed to a variety of breathing hazards, including:
Bacteria
Viruses
Chemicals
Dust
Radiation
Other hazards
The cluster of IPF cases reinforces the need to better understand breathing exposures that occur while working in dental clinics and laboratories and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease without a known cause. Typical symptoms include difficulty breathing that slowly worsens and dry cough.
A careful health history and physical exam are required before diagnosing IPF. Additional tests are necessary to make the diagnosis. These tests might include:
Lung function tests (e.g., spirometry)
Chest x-ray
CT scan of the chest
Surgical lung biopsy
Additional diagnostic tests to exclude other lung diseases
Limited treatment options are available for IPF. Supportive treatment options include oxygen and pulmonary rehabilitation. Two drugs, nintedanib and pirfenidone, have recently been approved for the treatment of IPF. Patients with worsening lung health can be treated with lung transplantation.
Unfortunately, the prognosis for those diagnosed with IPF is poor. The average survival time from diagnosis is only 3 to 5 years. However, the rate of disease progression cannot be predicted for individual patients.
Dental personnel who have persistent or worsening cough or shortness of breath should see their doctor.
Epidemiology and Risk Factors
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is most often diagnosed in people aged 50-60 years. More men than women are diagnosed with IPF. The number of cases increase with age. IPF is rarely seen in people aged less than 50 years.
In the United States, an estimated 10 to 60 people per 100,000 are living with IPF. The number of people over 65 years living with IPF is much greater. One study estimated that 494 people over the age of 65 years per 100,000 are living with IPF.
Risk factors
Cigarette smoking
Environmental exposures (e.g., metal dusts, wood dust, farming, raising birds)
Working in certain industries (e.g., production of wood buildings and mobile home, metal mining)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Genetic factors
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Risk Factors
Family history
Image by Geralt
Family history
Family
Image by Geralt
What Are the Risk Factors for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
You may have an increased risk for IPF because of your age, family history and genetics, lifestyle habits, or your sex.
Age: The risk of developing IPF increases as you get older. IPF is diagnosed most often in people who are in their 60s or 70s.
Lifestyle habits: Smoking is a common risk factor among people who have IPF.
Sex: IPF is more common among men than women.
Family history and genetics: Your risk for IPF is higher if a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, has IPF. The specific genes you inherit may make you more likely to develop IPF, especially if those genes contain certain changes, or mutations. To date, mutations in more than 10 different genes have been linked to an increased risk for IPF.
Your genes can put you at risk for IPF in a few ways.
Scientists have found that mutations in certain genes are common among people who have IPF. Some of these genes help the body make surfactant and mucus, which are important for healthy lung function. One gene, called MUC5B, makes a mucus protein that helps clear harmful substances, such as Bacteria, from the lungs. Having a mutated MUC5B gene increases your risk for IPF more than other genes.
Mutations in the TERT and TERC genes are also common in people who have IPF. These genes help protect the DNA in our cells as they divide over our lifespans. The genes do this by producing an enzyme called telomerase. More research must be done to understand why these mutations contribute to the development of IPF.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Additional Materials (2)
Family
Family
Image by anlacreativephotos
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): Risk Factors and Diagnosis
Video by Demystifying Medicine/YouTube
Family
anlacreativephotos
5:55
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): Risk Factors and Diagnosis
Demystifying Medicine/YouTube
Causes
Lung Health Interstitial Lung Disease
Image by Anatomyclassproj1/Wikimedia
Lung Health Interstitial Lung Disease
Interstitial Lung Disease affects gas flow in the alveoli
Image by Anatomyclassproj1/Wikimedia
What Causes Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
IPF is a type of interstitial lung disease. It is caused by lung tissue becoming thick and stiff and eventually forming scar tissue within the lungs. The scarring, or fibrosis, seems to result from a cycle of damage and healing that occurs in the lungs. Over time, the healing process stops working correctly and scar tissue forms. What causes these changes in the first place is unknown.
To understand IPF it helps to understand How the Lungs Work. In IPF, the scarring makes it difficult to breathe and deliver oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. In healthy lungs, oxygen passes easily through the walls of the air sacs, called alveoli, into your capillaries and bloodstream. However, in IPF, the scarring makes the walls of the alveoli thicker. The thickened walls of the alveoli make it harder for oxygen to pass into the blood.
Figure A shows the location of the lungs and airways in the body. The inset image shows a detailed view of the lung's airways and air sacs in cross-section. Figure B shows fibrosis, or scarring, in the lungs. The inset image shows a detailed view of the fibrosis and how it changes the structure around the air sacs.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Additional Materials (2)
What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)?
Video by HealthSketch/YouTube
Sensitive content
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What Causes Childhood Interstitial Lung Disease and What are the Risk?
Researchers don't yet know all of the causes of childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD). Many times, these diseases have no clear cause.
Some conditions and factors that may cause or lead to chILD include:
Inherited conditions, such as surfactant disorders. Surfactant is a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs. It helps with breathing and may help protect the lungs from bacterial and viral infections.
Birth defects that cause problems with the structure or function of the lungs.
Aspiration (as-pih-RA-shun). This term refers to inhaling substances-such as food, liquid, or vomit-into the lungs. Inhaling these substances can injure the lungs. Aspiration may occur in children who have swallowing problems or gastroesophageal (GAS-tro-eh-so-fa-JE-al) reflux disease (GERD). GERD occurs if acid from the stomach backs up into the throat.
Immune system disorders. The immune system protects the body against bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Children who have immune system disorders aren't able to fight illness and disease as well as children who have healthy immune systems.
Exposure to substances in the environment that can irritate the lungs, such as molds and chemicals.
Some cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy.
Systemic or autoimmune diseases, such as collagen vascular disease or inflammatory bowel disease. Systemic diseases are diseases that involve many of the body's organs. Autoimmune diseases occur if the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissues and cells.
A bone marrow transplant or a lung transplant.
Childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD) is rare. Most children are not at risk for chILD. However, some factors increase the risk of developing chILD. These risk factors include:
Having a family history of interstitial lung disease or chILD.
Having an inherited surfactant disorder or a family history of this type of disorder. Surfactant is a liquid that coats the inside of the lungs. It helps with breathing and may help protect the lungs from bacterial and viral infections.
Having problems with aspiration. This term "aspiration" refers to inhaling substances-such as food, liquid, or vomit-into the lungs.
Having an immune system disorder. The immune system protects the body against bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Children who have immune system disorders aren't able to fight illness and disease as well as children who have healthy immune systems.
Being exposed to substances in the environment that can irritate the lungs, such as molds and chemicals.
Having a systemic or autoimmune disease, such as collagen vascular disease or inflammatory bowel disease. Systemic diseases are diseases that involve many of the body's organs. Autoimmune diseases occur if the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissues and cells.
Undergoing some cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy.
Having a bone marrow transplant or a lung transplant.
Certain types of chILD are more common in infants and young children, while others can occur in children of any age. For more information, go to "Types of Childhood Interstitial Lung Disease."
Image by Photograph by Ed Uthman, MD.
4:22
What is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)?
HealthSketch/YouTube
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
What Causes Childhood Interstitial Lung Disease and What are the Risk?
Photograph by Ed Uthman, MD.
Inheritance
DNA Inheritance and the Respiratory System
Image by TheVisualMD / TheDigitalArtist
DNA Inheritance and the Respiratory System
DNA Inheritance and the Respiratory System
Image by TheVisualMD / TheDigitalArtist
How Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Inherited?
Most cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are sporadic; they occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family.
Familial pulmonary fibrosis appears to have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Autosomal dominant inheritance means one copy of an altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. However, some people who inherit the altered gene never develop features of familial pulmonary fibrosis. (This situation is known as reduced penetrance.) It is unclear why some people with a mutated gene develop the disease and other people with the mutated gene do not.
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics
Symptoms
How Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Treated?
Image by IPFeditor
How Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Treated?
Clubbing of the fingers in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Image by IPFeditor
What Are the Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
The symptoms of IPF develop over time. Symptoms may be different between people and may develop slowly or quickly.
The most common symptoms are:
Shortness of breath that gets worse over time. At first, you may be short of breath only during exercise. Over time, you may feel breathless even at rest.
A dry cough that gets worse. You may have repeated bouts of coughing that you cannot control.
Other symptoms may include:
Aching muscles and joints
Clubbing, which is a widening and rounding of the tips of the fingers or toes
Extreme tiredness
Gradual, unintended weight loss
Generally feeling unwell
Rapid, shallow breathing
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Additional Materials (2)
The Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Video by National Jewish Health/YouTube
chest of a patient with IPF
High-resolution computed tomography scans of the chest of a patient with IPF. The main features are of a peripheral, predominantly basal pattern of coarse reticulation with honeycombing
Image by IPFeditor
1:12
The Symptoms of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
National Jewish Health/YouTube
chest of a patient with IPF
IPFeditor
Diagnosis
Living With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Image by Drriad
Living With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
No cure is available for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) yet. Your symptoms may get worse over time. As your symptoms worsen, you may not be able to do many of the things that you did before you had IPF.
However, lifestyle changes and ongoing care can help you manage the disease.
If you're still smoking, the most important thing you can do is quit. Talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit. Also, try to avoid secondhand smoke. Ask family members and friends not to smoke in front of you or in your home, car, or workplace.
Image by Drriad
How Will My Doctor Find Out If I Have Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Your doctor will diagnose IPF based on your symptoms, your medical and family history, your risk factors, and the results from tests and procedures. Idiopathic means that your doctors cannot determine a cause of your disease at the time of diagnosis. They will rule out other medical reasons or conditions that may be causing your symptoms before diagnosing you with IPF. This may be done by doing other tests and talking to specialists.
Medical history and physical exam
To help determine whether you have IPF and rule out other possible causes of lung problems, your doctor may ask about your medical history and possible risk factors.
Your doctor may look for signsof IPF during a physical exam, such as:
Blue hands and feet from not enough oxygen in the blood
Clubbing of the fingers or toes
High-pitched crackles when listening to your lungs
Diagnostic tests and procedures
To diagnose IPF, your doctor may order some of the following tests and procedures.
High resolution chest CT scan, or HRCT: This is used to take pictures of the inside of your lungs and look for scarring or inflammation. CT scans can also help distinguish between types of lung diseases. For IPF, doctors look for a pattern where the lungs look similar to a honeycomb.
Lung biopsies:This is used to see if your lung tissue shows signs of inflammation, scarring, or other changes. This procedure is sometimes used to verify the diagnosis of IPF. It usually is done by thoracoscopic surgery, in which small incisions are made and a small camera is used to direct surgical instruments.
Chest X-ray: This is used to take pictures of the lungs and look for evidence of inflammation or damage such as scarring. An X-ray does not provide as much detail as a high-resolution CT scan.
Tests for other medical conditions
Your doctor may perform some tests and procedures to help rule out other conditions that may cause lung disorders.
Blood tests, such as an antibodies test: This is used to look for signs of an autoimmune disease that can cause lung scarring.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL): This is used to look at the types of cells in your lung fluid. Sometimes it may be used when the types of cells can help distinguish between IPF and other lung diseases.
Lung function tests: This is used to see if you show signs of reduced breathing capacity or abnormal blood oxygen levels. These tests help assess the severity of your lung disease, and they can help monitor whether your condition is stable or worsening over time.
Genetic testing: This is used to see if you have mutations, or changes in your genes, that can raise your risk of IPF. You may need this test if you have a family history of interstitial lung disease or signs of early aging.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Additional Materials (2)
New Guideline for Diagnosing Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Video by American Thoracic Society/YouTube
Coccidioidomycosis
This anteroposterior (AP) chest x-ray revealed pulmonary changes indicative of pulmonary fibrosis in a case of coccidioidomycosis, caused by fungal organisms of the genus, Coccidioides. Because these changes also resemble those seen in other lung infections including tuberculosis, the findings uncovered with a chest x-ray needs to be coupled with serologic testing, as well as possible tissue biopsy. The degree of fibrotic changes, indicative of scarring found on x-ray, can be directly correlated to the severity of the fungal infection.
Image by CDC/ Dr. Lucille K. Georg
3:34
New Guideline for Diagnosing Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
American Thoracic Society/YouTube
Coccidioidomycosis
CDC/ Dr. Lucille K. Georg
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test
Also called: ABG, Arterial Blood Gas Analysis, Blood Gases, Blood Gas Analysis, Blood Oxygen Level
An arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acidity in a blood sample to see how well your lungs, heart and kidneys are working. Abnormal results can mean there's a problem with your lungs or kidneys.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test
Also called: ABG, Arterial Blood Gas Analysis, Blood Gases, Blood Gas Analysis, Blood Oxygen Level
An arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acidity in a blood sample to see how well your lungs, heart and kidneys are working. Abnormal results can mean there's a problem with your lungs or kidneys.
{"label":"SaO2 reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"VL","long":"Very low","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":50,"max":80},"text":"Arterial blood oxygen levels below 80 percent may compromise organ function, such as the brain and heart, and should be promptly addressed. Oxygen therapy may be used to assist in raising blood oxygen levels.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"L","long":"Low","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":80,"max":90},"text":"Arterial blood oxygen levels below 90 percent is called hypoxemia. A saturation level of 90% is usually considered the point where your oxygen saturation is dangerously low and you should get immediate medical attention. ","conditions":["Asthma","COPD","Interstitial lung disease","Pulmonary hypertension","Bronchiectasis","Emphysema","ARDS","Pneumonia","Obstruction of an artery in the lung","Pulmonary fibrosis","Excess fluid in the lungs"]},{"flag":"borderline","label":{"short":"D","long":"Decreased","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":90,"max":95},"text":"Normal arterial blood oxygen saturation levels in humans are 95-100%. Oxygen saturation can be increased with deep or rapid breathing.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"N","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":95,"max":100},"text":"Your oxygen saturation level is dependent upon a number of factors including your health condition, breathing rate and activity level. Normal arterial blood oxygen saturation levels in humans are 95-100%.","conditions":[]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"%","code":"%","name":"percent"}],"hideunits":false,"value":97.5}[{"abnormal":1},{"abnormal":0},{"borderline":0},{"normal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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%
80
90
95
Your result is Normal.
Your oxygen saturation level is dependent upon a number of factors including your health condition, breathing rate and activity level. Normal arterial blood oxygen saturation levels in humans are 95-100%.
Related conditions
{"label":"Partial pressure of oxygen reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Low","long":"Low","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":60,"max":80},"text":"A lower than normal result indicates decreased levels of oxygen in the inhaled air. Changes in environmental pressure may also cause a change in the available oxygen for diffusion into the body. ","conditions":["Anemia","Heart failure","Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease","Restrictive pulmonary disease","Hypoventilation"]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":80,"max":100},"text":"Normal results vary based on the laboratory and the method used.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"High","long":"High","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":100,"max":120},"text":"A higher than normal result indicates increased levels of oxygen in the inhaled air.","conditions":["Polycythemia"]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"mm\u00a0Hg","code":"mm[Hg]","name":"millimeter of mercury"}],"hideunits":false,"value":90}[{"abnormal":0},{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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mm Hg
80
100
Your result is Normal.
Normal results vary based on the laboratory and the method used.
Related conditions
{"label":"Partial pressure of carbon dioxide reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Hypocapnia","long":"Hypocapnia","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":10,"max":35},"text":"A pCO2 value below 35 mm Hg is called hypocapnia, or hypocarbia. When the levels are low, the body naturally tries to produce more CO2 by joining bicarbonate (HCO3-) and hydrogen ions to create more CO2 molecules. However, hydrogen ions determine blood pH; by using up hydrogen ions to create CO2, the pH of the blood increases and becomes basic.","conditions":["Addison disease","CNS tumors","Dyspnea","Heart failure","Hyperventilation","Fatigue","Infections","Intracranial pressure","Ketoacidosis","Kidney disorders","Medications (aspirin, progesterone)","Metabolic acidosis","Pulmonary edema","Pulmonary embolism","Respiratory alkalosis","Shock"]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":35,"max":45},"text":"A partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) normally is maintained between 35 and 45 mm Hg. Carbon dioxide is a waste product that your body gets rid of when you exhale. It helps regulate your breathing rate and the acid-base balance in your blood.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Hypercapnia","long":"Hypercapnia","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":45,"max":100},"text":"A pCO2 value above 45 mm Hg is called hypercapnia, or hypercarbia. This result may indicate that your body has an electrolyte imbalance, or that there is a problem removing carbon dioxide through your lungs.","conditions":["Adrenal glands disorders","Hormonal disorders","Hyperthyroidism","Hypoventilation","Fever","Kidney diseases","Lung diseases","Respiratory acidosis","Respiratory failure"]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"mm\u00a0Hg","code":"mm[Hg]","name":"millimeter of mercury"}],"hideunits":false,"value":40}[{"abnormal":0},{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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mm Hg
35
45
Your result is Normal.
A partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) normally is maintained between 35 and 45 mm Hg. Carbon dioxide is a waste product that your body gets rid of when you exhale. It helps regulate your breathing rate and the acid-base balance in your blood.
Related conditions
{"label":"Blood pH reference range","scale":"log","step":0.1,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Low (Acidic)","long":"Low (Acidic)","orientation":"vertical"},"values":{"min":0,"max":7.35},"text":"A blood pH below 7.35 is acidic. Blood acidosis can be a warning sign that a health condition isn\u2019t properly controlled.","conditions":["Acidosis","Diabetic ketoacidosis","Kidney failure","Asthma or an asthma attack","Sleep apnea","Bronchitis","Pneumonia","COPD","Diaphragm disorders"]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"vertical"},"values":{"min":7.35,"max":7.45},"text":"Your blood has a normal pH range of 7.35 to 7.45. This means that blood is naturally slightly alkaline or basic.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"High (Alkaline)","long":"High (Alkaline)","orientation":"vertical"},"values":{"min":7.45,"max":14},"text":"A blood pH higher than 7.45 is alkaline or basic. An illness can temporarily raise your blood pH. More serious health conditions can also lead to blood alkalosis.","conditions":["Alkalosis","Sweating","Vomiting","Diarrhea","Kidney problems"]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"pH","code":"[pH]","name":"pH"}],"hideunits":false,"value":7.4}[{"abnormal":0},{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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pH
7.35
7.45
Your result is Normal.
Your blood has a normal pH range of 7.35 to 7.45. This means that blood is naturally slightly alkaline or basic.
Related conditions
An arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. It also checks the acidity of your blood. This is called your acid-base balance or your pH level. The blood sample is taken from an artery, which is a blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from your lungs to your body.
In an ABG test, the blood oxygen measurement shows how well your lungs move oxygen from the air into your blood when you breath in. The carbon dioxide measurement shows and how well your lungs remove carbon dioxide from your blood when you breath out.
Carbon dioxide is an acidic waste product that your body makes. If your blood and tissues become even slightly too acidic or too basic (alkaline), it can seriously affect many of your organs and even become life-threatening.
Your lungs and your kidneys do much of the work to keep your acid-base balance normal. So, the acid-base measurement from an ABG test can help diagnose and monitor conditions that affect your lungs and kidneys as well as many other conditions that may upset your acid-base balance.
An ABG test is used to help:
Check your acid-base balance
Diagnose serious problems with your lungs and breathing
Diagnose kidney disorders
Find out whether treatment is working for breathing disorders, kidney disease, or other conditions that may affect your acid-base balance
There are many reasons why you may need this test. For example, you may need an ABG test if you:
Have symptoms of a problem with your acid-base balance, such as:
Uncontrolled rapid or deep breathing, which may be a sign that your lungs are trying to adjust acids or bases by changing the amount of oxygen or carbon dioxide in your blood
Nausea and vomiting
Arrhythmia (a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat)
Confusion
Fatigue
Muscle twitching and/or cramps
Are being treated for a lung disease or a condition that affects your breathing, such as:
Asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Cystic fibrosis
Myasthenia gravis
Have symptoms after you have had:
Carbon monoxide poisoning
An inhalation injury (breathing in smoke, hot air, and/or harmful chemicals)
A recent head or neck injury that could affect your breathing
Are receiving oxygen therapy in the hospital
Most blood tests take a sample from a vein. For this test, a health care provider will take a sample of blood from an artery. That's because blood from an artery has higher oxygen levels than blood from a vein.
The sample is usually taken from an artery on the inside of your wrist, but it may be taken from an artery in your arm or groin. For a newborn, the sample may be taken from the baby's heel or the umbilical cord shortly after birth.
If your blood sample is taken from your wrist, the provider will first test your blood circulation. The provider will hold your wrist and apply pressure to the arteries to cut off blood flow to your hand for several seconds. Then the provider will let go of your wrist to check how quickly blood flow returns to your hand. If your blood flow is normal, the provider will collect a blood sample.
A blood sample taken from an artery tends to be more uncomfortable than most blood tests, which use a vein. So, the provider may apply some numbing medicine to your skin first. The provider will insert a needle with a syringe into the artery to remove some blood.
When the syringe is full, the provider will bandage the puncture site. Pressure will be applied to the site for at least 5 minutes to stop the bleeding.
If you take blood thinners, including aspirin, ask your health care provider whether you should stop taking them before your test. And tell your provider about all other medicines and supplements you take. But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.
If you are on oxygen therapy, your oxygen may be turned off for about 20 minutes before the test. This will be done only if you can breathe without oxygen therapy.
There is very little risk to having a blood oxygen level test. You may have some bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the spot where the needle was put in. Very rarely, the needle may damage a nerve or the artery. You may be told to avoid lifting heavy objects for 24 hours after the test.
ABG test results involve many body systems that affect each other. And there are many health conditions that can cause abnormal results. For these reasons, it's best to have your provider explain what your results mean for your health.
Your ABG test results will list many measurements, including:
Oxygen saturation (O2Sat). This measures how much oxygen your red blood cells are carrying.
Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2). This measures the pressure of oxygen that's dissolved in your blood. It helps show how well oxygen moves from your lungs to your bloodstream.
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). This measures the amount of carbon dioxide in your blood. It also shows how easily carbon dioxide can move out of your body.
Acid-base balance (pH level). This measures the acidity of your blood. Too much acid is called acidosis. Too much base (alkaline) is called alkalosis. These conditions are symptoms of other problems that upset the acid-base balance in your body.
An ABG test alone usually can't provide a final diagnosis. So, if your results are not normal, your provider will likely order more tests to make a diagnosis. In general, abnormal results may mean you have a problem with your lungs or kidneys or a metabolic disorder. Metabolic disorders affect how your body uses food for energy. Certain medicines may also upset your acid-base balance and lead to abnormal ABG test results.
Another type of test, called pulse oximetry, can check your blood oxygen saturation levels. A small clip-like device, called a pulse oximeter, is usually attached to your finger. The device tells you the percentage of red blood cells that are full of oxygen. Pulse oximetry may be useful if blood oxygen levels are the only concern. Ask your provider if this test is right for you.
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Dec 26, 2023]
Blood gases: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [accessed on Sep 02, 2018]
ABG (Arterial Blood Gas) | Lab Tests | GLOWM [accessed on Dec 26, 2023]
Blood Gases - Testing.com. Dec 13, 2021 [accessed on Dec 26, 2023]
Additional Materials (8)
How to take an arterial blood gas (ABG) - OSCE guide
The cardiovascular system is vast network of arteries, veins and vessels that would extend 60,000 miles if stretched end-to-end. All but a tiny fraction of this vessel network is invisible to the naked eye. The smallest capillaries (from latin "hairlike") are so narrow that red blood cells must pass through in single file. Higher than normal blood iron levels have been linked to heart disease and the reason is believed to be the oxidative stress the excess iron places on the walls of the blood vessels. It is the biological counterpart of rust. There are 20-30 trillion red blood cells (RBCs) in an adult's body. The life span of RBCs, which are produced in bone marrow, is about 100 days, which means that 2 million die (and are replaced) each second, but in that short lifetime they can make 75,000 round trips between lungs, heart and tissues in the body.
Image by TheVisualMD
Bronchi and Bronchiole of Lung
3D visualization of an inferior view of a transverse section of the thorax, highlighting the lungs, reconstructed from scanned human data. The trachea, cardiac impression, and transverse sections of the thoracic aorta and esophagus are clearly illustrated. The bronchial tree is also visible. When air is inhaled into the lungs, it flows through large tubes called bronchi, branches into smaller tubes known as bronchioles, and ends up in the thousands of small pouches that are the alveoli. This is where the oxygen is transferred from the air into the bloodstream. Each alveolar sac, or air sac, is surrounded by a bed of capillaries, and the walls between the lung and the capillary are extremely thin. The walls are so delicate, in fact, that the inhaled oxygen can seep from the air sacs to bind to the hemoglobin in the blood, while the carbon dioxide and other waste gasses leave the blood and diffuse into the lungs where they can be exhaled.
Image by TheVisualMD
Male Thorax with Visible Trachea and Lung
3D visualization of an anterior oblique view of the trachea and the lungs, reconstructed from scanned human data. The bifurcation of the trachea and the extensive branching of the right and left bronchi are revealed. The respiratory system consists of branching tubes that work to bring oxygen from the air to the organs and tissues of the body, and to expel carbon dioxide wastes from the body to the air. The bronchial tree is a system of airways in which the \"trunk\" is the windpipe and the \"branches\" are the subdividing passages that permeate the lungs. While the rest of the system works as a kind of accordion pump, the structures of the bronchial network split and split again until they are so numerous and so thin at their membranous tips that gas molecules can cross over to the blood through a network of capillaries that, laid end to end, would measure more than 1,000 miles.
Image by TheVisualMD
Capillary in Alveolus
This is a magnified section of capillaries in an aveolus. Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body. The walls of the capillaries are the primary sites for gas and nutrition exchange.
Image by TheVisualMD
Alveolar Type II Cells Secreting Surfactant
The walls of the alveoli, the tiny air sacs within the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place, are lined with three major alveolar cells. These are: Type I (squamous alveolar) cells, Type II (great alveolar) cells, and the third type, magrophages. Type II cells secrete pulmonary surfactant, which lowers the surface tension of water and allows the membrane to separate, thereby increasing the capability to exchange gases and reducing fluid accumulation in the alveolus. Premature infants sometimes have a developmental insufficiency of surfactant production and structural immaturity in the lungs.This results in infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS).
Image by TheVisualMD
3:20
How to take an arterial blood gas (ABG) - OSCE guide
Geeky Medics/YouTube
9:55
Arterial Puncture for Blood Gas Analysis
SECEI ESCS/YouTube
Measurement Chamber
J3D3/Wikimedia
Red Blood Cell in Capillary
TheVisualMD
Bronchi and Bronchiole of Lung
TheVisualMD
Male Thorax with Visible Trachea and Lung
TheVisualMD
Capillary in Alveolus
TheVisualMD
Alveolar Type II Cells Secreting Surfactant
TheVisualMD
Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Also called: Bronchoscopy, Flexible Bronchoscopy, Bronchoalveolar Lavage, Bronchoalveolar Washing
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that uses a thin tube called a bronchoscope to look at the lungs. Bronchoalveolar lavage is a test that is sometimes done during a bronchoscopy. It is used to collect a fluid sample for testing.
Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage
Also called: Bronchoscopy, Flexible Bronchoscopy, Bronchoalveolar Lavage, Bronchoalveolar Washing
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that uses a thin tube called a bronchoscope to look at the lungs. Bronchoalveolar lavage is a test that is sometimes done during a bronchoscopy. It is used to collect a fluid sample for testing.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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Your result is Normal.
A normal result means that the large airway leading to the lungs and the breathing tubes in the lungs appear normal. No foreign substances or blockages are seen.
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A normal or negative result means that the biopsied tissue is normal.
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A bronchoscopy is a procedure that's used to check for the cause of a lung problem. It can also be used to treat some lung diseases.
The procedure uses a bronchoscope, which is a thin, lighted tube with a tiny camera. This allows your health care provider to view images of your airways. The tube is put through your mouth or nose, down your throat, and into your airways. The tube is usually flexible but can also be rigid:
A flexible bronchoscope may be used to keep your airway open, suck up secretions (mucus made in your airways), or take a tissue sample (biopsy).
A rigid bronchoscope may be used to treat a tumor or bleeding or to remove something large stuck in your airway. It may also be used to insert a stent, which is a tiny tube placed in your airway to help you breathe.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a procedure that is sometimes done during a bronchoscopy. It's done to collect a sample from your lungs. It is also called bronchoalveolar washing. During the procedure, a saline solution is put through the bronchoscope to wash your airways and capture a fluid sample. The cells or bacteria in the fluid sample may be tested for infections or certain lung conditions.
Other names: flexible bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar washing
Bronchoscopy may be used to:
Find and treat growths or other blockages in your airways
Remove lung tumors
Control bleeding in your airway
Help find the cause of certain lung symptoms such as a cough that doesn't go away
Help guide placement of a breathing tube
Place medicine in your lungs to treat certain conditions
Help determine how severe lung cancer is (if you have already been diagnosed with it)
Bronchoscopy with BAL is used to collect tissue for testing, to help diagnose certain lung diseases such as:
Bacterial infections such as tuberculosis and bacterial pneumonia
Fungal infections
Lung cancer
You may need one or both tests if you have symptoms of a lung disease, such as:
A cough that doesn’t go away
Trouble breathing
Coughing up blood
You may also have one or both tests if a chest x-ray or another imaging test shows a potential problem with your lungs.
If you have an immune system disorder, you may be more likely to get certain lung problems. For example, HIV or an organ transplant can put you at higher risk for some lung infections. If your provider thinks that you may have a lung infection or other lung problem, they can use bronchoscopy, often with a BAL, to make a diagnosis. Getting an early diagnosis helps you get the correct treatment as soon as possible.
Bronchoscopy and BAL are often done by a pulmonologist. A pulmonologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating lung diseases.
A bronchoscopy takes about 30 to 90 minutes and usually includes the following steps:
You may need to remove some or all of your clothing. If so, you will be given a hospital gown.
You may also need to remove dentures and any removable dental appliances.
You will lie on a bed or table with your head raised.
You may get medicine (sedative) to help you relax. The medicine will be injected into a vein or given through an IV (intravenous) line placed in your arm or hand.
Your provider will spray a numbing medicine in your mouth and throat so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.
Your provider will insert the bronchoscope down your throat and into your airways. The camera on the bronchoscope will take photos and connect to a video screen.
As the bronchoscope is moved down, your provider can look into your airways and lungs through the bronchoscope and on the video screen.
Your provider may perform other treatments at this time, such as removing a tumor or clearing a blockage.
At this point, you may also get a BAL.
During a BAL:
Your provider will put a small amount of saline through the bronchoscope.
After washing the airways, the saline is sucked up into the bronchoscope.
The saline solution will contain cells and other substances, such as bacteria, which will be taken to a lab for testing.
You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before your procedure. Your provider will let you know how long you need to avoid food and drink.
You may need to stop taking certain medicines before this test, so tell your provider about everything you take. But don’t stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.
Your mouth and throat may be numb for a few hours.
You will have to wait to eat or drink until the numbness is gone.
If you’ve been given a sedative, you may be drowsy for a few hours after your procedure and should arrange to have someone take you home.
You may have a sore throat, cough, or hoarseness for a day or more.
There is very little risk to having a bronchoscopy or a BAL. Serious complications are rare, but they may include bleeding in the airways, infection, or a pneumothorax (collapse of part of your lung).
If your bronchoscopy results were not normal, it may be a sign of lung disorder such as:
A blockage, growth, or tumor in the airways
Narrowing of part of the airways
Lung damage due to an immune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis
If you had BAL and your lung sample results were not normal, it may be a sign of lung cancer or a type of infection such as:
Tuberculosis
Bacterial pneumonia
Fungal infection
If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider. Your provider may consider your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other tests to understand the results of your procedure.
In addition to BAL, other procedures can be done during a bronchoscopy. These include:
Sputum culture. Sputum is a thick type of mucus made in your lungs. It is different than spit or saliva. A sputum culture checks for certain types of infections.
Laser therapy or radiation to treat tumors or cancer
Treatment to control bleeding in the lungs
If you had a tissue sample taken, you may also have a chest x-ray done to check for any issues.
Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL): MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Aug 29, 2024]
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/bronchoscopy [accessed on Mar 22, 2019]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003857.htm [accessed on Mar 22, 2019]
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/pulmonary/bronchoscopy_92,p07743 [accessed on Mar 22, 2019]
https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/lungs-breathing/bronchoscopy [accessed on Mar 22, 2019]
https://www.cdc.gov/tb/education/corecurr/pdf/chapter4.pdf#page12 [accessed on Sep 17, 2019]
Additional Materials (20)
Bronchoscopy
Video by Tan Tock Seng Hospital/YouTube
Bronchoscopy - examination of your airways (English version)
Video by Longkanker Nederland/YouTube
Intro to Bronchoscopy: Risks, indications, contraindications and obtaining consent -- BAVLS
Video by American Thoracic Society/YouTube
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
Bronchoscopy
Seen is a Caucasian male physician using a bronchoscope which is a flexible tube with a light inside and is inserted into the patient's trachea. Doctors can view inside the body through the tube allowing easier access to removal of tumors.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
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This media may include sensitive content
What To Expect Before, During and After a Bronchoscopy
Diagram showing a bronchoscopy.
Image by Cancer Research UK / Wikimedia Commons
Rigid bronchoscopy
Rigid bronchoscopy
Image by JBARRETO
Small Cell Lung Cancer
There is extensive growth of small cell lung carcinoma on the pleural surface of one lung simulating the appearance of mesothelioma.
Image by Yale Rosen from USA
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
What Does Bronchoscopy Show?
Lung cancer in the left. bronchus as seen with a bronchoscope.
Image by JHeuser
Diagnostic Bronchoscopy
Video by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi/YouTube
EBUS guide for patients: bronchoscopy technique for chest abnormalities
Video by astrazeneca/YouTube
Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy
Video by Gundersen Health System/YouTube
Robotic bronchoscopy - Mayo Clinic
Video by Mayo Clinic/YouTube
Bronchoscopy Procedure, South West Acute Hospital
Video by WesternTrust/YouTube
Using a Bronchial Scope for a Bronchoscopy at Christian Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri
Video by Christian Hospital/YouTube
Bronchoscopy & Lung Nodule Biopsy | Fox Chase Cancer Center
Video by Fox Chase Cancer Center/YouTube
All About Bronchoscopy
Video by Singapore General Hospital/YouTube
Bronchoscopic Foreign Body Removal -- BAVLS
Video by American Thoracic Society/YouTube
Sedation for Bronchoscopy (English version)
Video by Longkanker Nederland/YouTube
What happens during a bronchoscopy?
Video by Top Doctors UK/YouTube
Bronchoscopy Patient Journey at the Royal Berkshire Hospital
Video by Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust/YouTube
3:12
Bronchoscopy
Tan Tock Seng Hospital/YouTube
1:58
Bronchoscopy - examination of your airways (English version)
Longkanker Nederland/YouTube
7:31
Intro to Bronchoscopy: Risks, indications, contraindications and obtaining consent -- BAVLS
American Thoracic Society/YouTube
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
Bronchoscopy
National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
What To Expect Before, During and After a Bronchoscopy
Cancer Research UK / Wikimedia Commons
Rigid bronchoscopy
JBARRETO
Small Cell Lung Cancer
Yale Rosen from USA
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
What Does Bronchoscopy Show?
JHeuser
3:37
Diagnostic Bronchoscopy
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi/YouTube
7:32
EBUS guide for patients: bronchoscopy technique for chest abnormalities
astrazeneca/YouTube
2:09
Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy
Gundersen Health System/YouTube
4:43
Robotic bronchoscopy - Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic/YouTube
9:06
Bronchoscopy Procedure, South West Acute Hospital
WesternTrust/YouTube
5:31
Using a Bronchial Scope for a Bronchoscopy at Christian Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri
Christian Hospital/YouTube
4:25
Bronchoscopy & Lung Nodule Biopsy | Fox Chase Cancer Center
Fox Chase Cancer Center/YouTube
3:36
All About Bronchoscopy
Singapore General Hospital/YouTube
6:02
Bronchoscopic Foreign Body Removal -- BAVLS
American Thoracic Society/YouTube
2:51
Sedation for Bronchoscopy (English version)
Longkanker Nederland/YouTube
2:18
What happens during a bronchoscopy?
Top Doctors UK/YouTube
7:13
Bronchoscopy Patient Journey at the Royal Berkshire Hospital
A chest computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging test that takes detailed pictures of the lungs and the inside of the chest. Computers combine the pictures to create a 3-D model showing the size, shape, and position of the lungs and structures in the chest.
A chest computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging test that takes detailed pictures of the lungs and the inside of the chest. Computers combine the pictures to create a 3-D model showing the size, shape, and position of the lungs and structures in the chest.
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A chest CT scan provides detailed pictures of the size, shape, and position of your lungs and other structures in your chest. A normal chest CT means your chest appears normal.
Related conditions
A chest CT scan is a more detailed type of chest X-ray. This painless imaging test takes many detailed pictures, called slices, of your lungs and the inside of your chest. Computers can combine these pictures to create three-dimensional (3D) models to help show the size, shape, and position of your lungs and structures in your chest.
This imaging test is often done to follow up on abnormal findings from earlier chest x rays. A chest CT scan also can help determine the cause of lung symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain, or check to see if you have certain lung problems such as a tumor, excess fluid around the lungs that is known as pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism, emphysema, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.
A chest CT scan provides detailed pictures of the size, shape, and position of your lungs and other structures in your chest. Doctors use this test to:
Follow up on abnormal results from standard chest x rays.
Find the cause of lung symptoms, such as shortness of breath or chest pain.
Find out whether you have a lung problem, such as a tumor, excess fluid around the lungs, or a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs). The test also is used to check for other conditions, such as tuberculosis, emphysema, and pneumonia.
Your doctor may recommend a chest CT scan if you have symptoms of lung problems, such as chest pain or trouble breathing. The scan can help find the cause of the symptoms.
A chest CT scan looks for problems such as tumors, excess fluid around the lungs, and pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs). The scan also checks for other conditions, such as tuberculosis, emphysema, and pneumonia.
Your doctor may recommend a chest CT scan if a standard chest x ray doesn't help diagnose the problem. The chest CT scan can:
Provide more detailed pictures of your lungs and other chest structures than a standard chest x ray
Find the exact location of a tumor or other problem
Show something that isn't visible on a chest x ray
Your chest CT scan may be done in a medical imaging facility or hospital. The CT scanner is a large, tunnel-like machine that has a table. You will lie still on the table and the table will slide into the scanner. Talk to your doctor if you are uncomfortable in tight or closed spaces to see if you need medicine to relax you during the test. You will hear soft buzzing or clicking sounds when you are inside the scanner and the scanner is taking pictures. You will be able to hear from and talk to the technician performing the test while you are inside the scanner. For some diagnoses, a contrast dye, often iodine-based, may be injected into a vein in your arm before the imaging test. This contrast dye highlights areas inside your chest and creates clearer pictures. You may feel some discomfort from the needle or, after the contrast dye is injected, you may feel warm briefly or have a temporary metallic taste in your mouth.
Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing for the test. Sometimes the CT scan technician (a person specially trained to do CT scans) may ask you to wear a hospital gown. You also may want to avoid wearing jewelry and other metal objects. You'll be asked to take off any jewelry, eyeglasses, and metal objects that might interfere with the test. You may be asked to remove hearing aids and dentures as well. Let the technician know if you have any body piercing on your chest.
Tell your doctor whether you're pregnant or may be pregnant. If possible, you should avoid unnecessary radiation exposure during pregnancy. This is because of the concern that radiation may harm the fetus.
Chest CT scans have some risks. In rare instances, some people have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. There is a slight risk of cancer, particularly in growing children, because the test uses radiation. Although the amount of radiation from one test is usually less than the amount of radiation you are naturally exposed to over three years, patients should not receive more CT scans than the number that clinical guidelines recommend. Another risk is that chest CT scans may detect an incidental finding, which is something that doesn’t cause symptoms but now may require more tests after being found.
Talk to your doctor and the technicians performing the test about whether you are or could be pregnant. If the test is not urgent, they may have you wait to do the test until after your pregnancy. If it is urgent, the technicians will take extra steps to protect your baby during this test. Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding because contrast dye can pass into your breast milk. If you must have contrast dye injected, you may want to pump and save enough breast milk for one to two days after your test or you may bottle-feed your baby for that time.
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/chest-ct-scan [accessed on Aug 25, 2021]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003788.htm [accessed on Aug 25, 2021]
Additional Materials (50)
Pleural empyema
CT chest showing large right sided hydro-pneumothorax from pleural empyema. Arrows A: air, B: fluid
Image by Amit Banga, GC Khilnani, SK Sharma1, AB Dey, Naveet Wig and Namrata Banga
How Are Pleurisy and Other Pleural Disorders Diagnosed?
CT with the identification of underlying lung lesion: an apical bulla.
Image by Robertolyra
How Are Pleurisy and Other Pleural Disorders Treated?
Right-sided pneumothorax (right side of image) on CT scan of the chest with chest tube in place.
Image by en:User:Clinical Cases
Chest Radiograph
Chest X-Ray : Specialized test, like a computerized tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, may be needed to confirm the presence of an aneurysm.
Image by TheVisualMD
What To Expect During a Coronary Calcium Scan
3D reconstruction of the thin multislice CT, covering human heart and lungs
Image by Semnic
Incision for Open-Chest Bypass Surgery
Open-chest bypass surgery requires the surgeon to make an incision down the center of the chest, along the breastbone. The rib cage is spread open to expose the heart.
Image by TheVisualMD
A child's guide to hospital: CT Chest
Video by The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne/YouTube
What is it like to have a CT scan? | Cancer Research UK
Video by Cancer Research UK/YouTube
Coronary CT angiography of coronary arteries
Researchers have found that anti-inflammatory biologic therapies used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis can significantly reduce coronary inflammation in patients with the chronic skin condition. Scientists said the findings are particularly notable because of the use of a novel imaging biomarker, the perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI), that was able to measure the effect of the therapy in reducing the inflammation.
The study published online in JAMA Cardiology, has implications not just for people with psoriasis, but for those with other chronic inflammatory diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions are known to increase the risk for heart attacks and strokes. The study was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health.
In this image: Coronary CT angiography image of the coronary arteries depicting the perivascular fat attenuation index before and after biologic therapy at one-year follow-up for patients with excellent response to biologic therapy.
Image by Oxford Academic Cardiovascular CT Core Lab and Lab of Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases at NHLBI
Coronary CT
Coronary CT
Image by Bác sĩ Nguyễn Minh Đức
CT of the blood vessels and heart
CT of the blood vessels and heart
Image by Bác sĩ Nguyễn Minh Đức
Chest CT showing pulmonary sequestration
chest CT: diagnosis is pulmonary sequestration
Image by RadsWiki
Scimitar syndrome chest CT
Scimitar syndrome chest CT
Image by Matthew Cham, MD
/Wikimedia
Having a Cardiac CT Scan in Hospital
Video by Oxford AHSN/YouTube
What to Expect from a CT Exam with Contrast
Video by RAYUS Radiology™/YouTube
Protocoling chest CTs
Video by Thoracic Radiology/YouTube
Low Dose CT Scans to Look for Lung Cancer
Video by Lee Health/YouTube
Lung Cancer Screening (LCS)
Video by Cleveland Clinic/YouTube
CT Scan of the Chest Explained Clearly - High Resolution CT Scan (HRCT)
Video by MedCram - Medical Lectures Explained CLEARLY/YouTube
What to Expect: CT Scan | Cedars-Sinai
Video by Cedars-Sinai/YouTube
How I Read a Chest CT
Video by Thoracic Radiology/YouTube
Introduction to Computed Tomographic imaging of the Chest
Video by Yale Radiology and Biomedical Imaging/YouTube
Lung Cancer Screening: The Life-saving CT Scan
Video by RAYUS Radiology™/YouTube
How to prepare for a CT scan
Video by Sunnybrook Hospital/YouTube
Using CT Scans to Screen for Lung Cancer
Video by UConn Health/YouTube
Cardiac CT scan
Video by UHP_NHS/YouTube
Real look at Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis CT Scan from Start to Finish.
Video by Dumb Old Dad/YouTube
What is it like to get a CT Scan with Contrast?
Video by STRIDE Project/YouTube
Thorax with Healthy Heart
3D visualization based on scanned human data of a healthy heart in the thorax.
Image by TheVisualMD
Heart and Lungs
The heart and lungs are the primary contents of the thorax. They are interconnected with very large blood vessels. The heart sends oxygen-poor blood through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs, which oxygenate it and return it to the heart through the pulmonary veins. The pulmonary arteries arise from one large pulmonary trunk, and then begin branching exponentially once they enter the lungs in order to reach the functional respiratory units and pick up oxygen. The smallest pulmonary veins then take the oxygenated blood backwards through the lungs and empty into the back of the heart through four larger pulmonary veins. The oxygen-rich blood is then pumped by the heart out into the body through the aorta. Deoxygenated blood from body tissues returns to the heart through the superior and inferior vena cava and the cardiac cycle repeats continuously. The pulmonary veins and arteries are the only case where arteries carry deoxygenated blood and veins carry blood that has been oxygenated.
Image by TheVisualMD
Thorax with Muscle Involved in Respiration
3D visualization of an anterior view of the muscles involved in respiration. The primary job of the thorax is to promote movements necessary for breathing. Three muscles of the thorax assist in this function; the external intercostals, internal intercostals and diaphragm. The intercostals do the job of lifting the ribs up and pulling them outward, which in turn enlarges the lungs. As the lungs expand, the pressure inside them is reduced, and they suck in air. During extreme inhalation, the neck muscles also contract. During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and pushes downward; during exhalation, it relaxes and is pushed up into a dome shape by the lower digestive organs, compressing the lungs. As pressure rises in the chest cavity, exhale occurs, pressure is equalized and the cycle restarts.
Image by TheVisualMD
Thorax with Muscle Involved in Respiration
3D visualization of an inferior view of the muscles involved in respiration. The primary job of the thorax is to promote movements necessary for breathing. Three muscles of the thorax assist in this function; the external intercostals, internal intercostals and diaphragm. The intercostals do the job of lifting the ribs up and pulling them outward, which in turn enlarges the lungs. As the lungs expand, the pressure inside them is reduced, and they suck in air. During extreme inhalation, the neck muscles also contract. During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and pushes downward; during exhalation, it relaxes and is pushed up into a dome shape by the lower digestive organs, compressing the lungs. As pressure rises in the chest cavity, exhalation occurs, pressure is equalized and the cycle restarts.
Image by TheVisualMD
Thorax with visible Lung and Heart
3D visualization of a posterior view of the lungs and heart reconstructed from scanned human data. De-oxygenated red blood cells are sent by the right side of the heart through the pulmonary artery into the vessels of the lungs to be refilled with oxygen for their next circuit through the body. The blood is carried through the lung tissues, where it exchanges its carbon dioxide for oxygen in the alveoli. It is then returned through the pulmonary veins to the left side of the heart and sent out to the rest of the body. The pulmonary artery carries away the deoxygenated blood, which returns fully oxygenated through the pulmonary vein.
Image by TheVisualMD
Female Thorax Showing Breast
Visualization based on scanned human data of an anterior view of female breast.
Image by TheVisualMD
Male Thorax with Visible Heart
Visualization of male heart. The nerve supply of the heart is emphasized specifically the cardiac plexus. The plexus which rest around the base of the heart, mainly in the epicardium, is formed by cardiac branches from the vagus nerves and the sympathetic trunks and ganglia.
Image by TheVisualMD
Thorax with Heart and Lung
3D visualization of an anterior view of the lungs and heart reconstructed from scanned human data. The cone-shaped lungs occupy most of the thoracic cavity. Each lung is suspended in its own pleural cavity and connected to the mediastinum (which houses the heart) by its root which is made up of vascular and bronchial attachments. The anterior, lateral and posterior surfaces of the lung are in close contact with the ribs and form a continuously curving surface called the costal surface. De-oxygenated red blood cells are sent by the right side of the heart through the pulmonary artery into the vessels of the lungs to be refilled with oxygen for their next circuit through the body. The blood is carried through the lung tissues, where it exchanges its carbon dioxide for oxygen in the alveoli. It is then returned through the pulmonary veins to the left side of the heart and sent out to the rest of the body. The pulmonary artery carries away the deoxygenated blood, which returns fully oxygenated through the pulmonary vein.
Image by TheVisualMD
Cross Section of Human Thorax. Liver in bottom Left
Cross Section of Human Thorax. Liver in bottom Left
Image by TheVisualMD
Male Thorax Showing Trachea and Lung
3D visualization of an anterior view of the lungs and heart reconstructed from scanned human data. De-oxygenated red blood cells are sent by the right side of the heart through the pulmonary artery into the vessels of the lungs to be refilled with oxygen for their next circuit through the body. The blood is carried through the lung tissues, where it exchanges its carbon dioxide for oxygen in the alveoli. It is then returned through the pulmonary veins to the left side of the heart and sent out to the rest of the body. The pulmonary artery carries away the deoxygenated blood, which returns fully oxygenated through the pulmonary vein.
Image by TheVisualMD
Thoracic Aneurysm in the Aorta
Aneurysms that occur in the part of the aorta that is higher in the chest are called thoracic aortic aneurysms. Aortic aneurysms often grow slowly and usually without any symptoms therefore making them difficult to detect
Image by TheVisualMD
Ventilation/perfusion scan
subFusion processing applied to a SPECT lung ventilation-perfusion scan.
Image by KieranMaher at English Wikibooks
Bronchi and Bronchiole of Lung
3D visualization of an inferior view of a transverse section of the thorax, highlighting the lungs, reconstructed from scanned human data. The trachea, cardiac impression, and transverse sections of the thoracic aorta and esophagus are clearly illustrated. The bronchial tree is also visible. When air is inhaled into the lungs, it flows through large tubes called bronchi, branches into smaller tubes known as bronchioles, and ends up in the thousands of small pouches that are the alveoli. This is where the oxygen is transferred from the air into the bloodstream. Each alveolar sac, or air sac, is surrounded by a bed of capillaries, and the walls between the lung and the capillary are extremely thin. The walls are so delicate, in fact, that the inhaled oxygen can seep from the air sacs to bind to the hemoglobin in the blood, while the carbon dioxide and other waste gasses leave the blood and diffuse into the lungs where they can be exhaled.
Image by TheVisualMD
Chest Pain
Angina
Image by TheVisualMD
Chest Pain
Chest Pain
Image by TheVisualMD
Chest Pain or Tightness
Image by TheVisualMD
CT scanner
A view of the CT scanner in the new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital. The hospital, still under construction, is a 2005 Base Realignment and Closure project, and is scheduled to open later this year.
Image by Official Navy Page from United States of America MC2 Todd Frantom/U.S. Marine Corps
Illustration of 3 X-ray images and a patient entering a CT scanner
Radiation can be dangerous, but it can also save lives. When you’re faced with a medical test that uses radiation, don’t let fear get in your way. Learn about the risks and benefits, and know what questions to ask.
Image by NIH News in Health
Drawing of a computerized tomography scanner with a health care professional looking on a computer screen as a patient lies inside the scanner
CT scan.
Image by NIDDK Image Library
Advanced CT Scanning
An NIH Clinical Center study participant receives a scan in the Photon-Counting CT scanner.
Image by NIH Clinical Center
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
CAT Scan
A computer-assisted tomographic (CAT) scanner, with a Caucasian female technician working at a screen and behind a glass wall. A patient is on a table and being tested by the CAT scanner. The lighting is very subdued. This new technology revolutionized detection of brain tumors.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Linda Bartlett (Photographer)
Virtual Colonoscopy Slice of CT Data
Virtual colonoscopy is a new imaging technology that uses computed tomography (CT) images to look for polyps and cancer in the colon. A computed tomography scanner takes cross-sectional images of the patient's colon, after the colon has been inflated with gas. A three-dimensional model is created from the CT slices and evaluated by a radiologist for abnormalities.
Image by TheVisualMD
Pleural empyema
Amit Banga, GC Khilnani, SK Sharma1, AB Dey, Naveet Wig and Namrata Banga
How Are Pleurisy and Other Pleural Disorders Diagnosed?
Robertolyra
How Are Pleurisy and Other Pleural Disorders Treated?
en:User:Clinical Cases
Chest Radiograph
TheVisualMD
What To Expect During a Coronary Calcium Scan
Semnic
Incision for Open-Chest Bypass Surgery
TheVisualMD
4:22
A child's guide to hospital: CT Chest
The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne/YouTube
1:50
What is it like to have a CT scan? | Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK/YouTube
Coronary CT angiography of coronary arteries
Oxford Academic Cardiovascular CT Core Lab and Lab of Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases at NHLBI
Coronary CT
Bác sĩ Nguyễn Minh Đức
CT of the blood vessels and heart
Bác sĩ Nguyễn Minh Đức
Chest CT showing pulmonary sequestration
RadsWiki
Scimitar syndrome chest CT
Matthew Cham, MD
/Wikimedia
4:59
Having a Cardiac CT Scan in Hospital
Oxford AHSN/YouTube
2:33
What to Expect from a CT Exam with Contrast
RAYUS Radiology™/YouTube
7:48
Protocoling chest CTs
Thoracic Radiology/YouTube
1:44
Low Dose CT Scans to Look for Lung Cancer
Lee Health/YouTube
8:27
Lung Cancer Screening (LCS)
Cleveland Clinic/YouTube
5:10
CT Scan of the Chest Explained Clearly - High Resolution CT Scan (HRCT)
MedCram - Medical Lectures Explained CLEARLY/YouTube
3:29
What to Expect: CT Scan | Cedars-Sinai
Cedars-Sinai/YouTube
17:21
How I Read a Chest CT
Thoracic Radiology/YouTube
8:46
Introduction to Computed Tomographic imaging of the Chest
Yale Radiology and Biomedical Imaging/YouTube
3:09
Lung Cancer Screening: The Life-saving CT Scan
RAYUS Radiology™/YouTube
2:19
How to prepare for a CT scan
Sunnybrook Hospital/YouTube
2:07
Using CT Scans to Screen for Lung Cancer
UConn Health/YouTube
5:04
Cardiac CT scan
UHP_NHS/YouTube
6:28
Real look at Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis CT Scan from Start to Finish.
Dumb Old Dad/YouTube
2:52
What is it like to get a CT Scan with Contrast?
STRIDE Project/YouTube
Thorax with Healthy Heart
TheVisualMD
Heart and Lungs
TheVisualMD
Thorax with Muscle Involved in Respiration
TheVisualMD
Thorax with Muscle Involved in Respiration
TheVisualMD
Thorax with visible Lung and Heart
TheVisualMD
Female Thorax Showing Breast
TheVisualMD
Male Thorax with Visible Heart
TheVisualMD
Thorax with Heart and Lung
TheVisualMD
Cross Section of Human Thorax. Liver in bottom Left
TheVisualMD
Male Thorax Showing Trachea and Lung
TheVisualMD
Thoracic Aneurysm in the Aorta
TheVisualMD
Ventilation/perfusion scan
KieranMaher at English Wikibooks
Bronchi and Bronchiole of Lung
TheVisualMD
Chest Pain
TheVisualMD
Chest Pain
TheVisualMD
Chest Pain or Tightness
TheVisualMD
CT scanner
Official Navy Page from United States of America MC2 Todd Frantom/U.S. Marine Corps
Illustration of 3 X-ray images and a patient entering a CT scanner
NIH News in Health
Drawing of a computerized tomography scanner with a health care professional looking on a computer screen as a patient lies inside the scanner
NIDDK Image Library
Advanced CT Scanning
NIH Clinical Center
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
CAT Scan
National Cancer Institute / Linda Bartlett (Photographer)
Virtual Colonoscopy Slice of CT Data
TheVisualMD
Chest X-Ray Test
Chest X-Ray Test
Also called: CXR, Chest X Ray, Chest Radiograph, Chest Radiography, Chest Film
A chest X-ray is an imaging test that uses electromagnetic waves to create pictures of the structures in and around the chest. The test can help diagnose and monitor conditions of the heart, lungs, bones, and chest cavity.
Chest X-Ray Test
Also called: CXR, Chest X Ray, Chest Radiograph, Chest Radiography, Chest Film
A chest X-ray is an imaging test that uses electromagnetic waves to create pictures of the structures in and around the chest. The test can help diagnose and monitor conditions of the heart, lungs, bones, and chest cavity.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Normal.
X rays are electromagnetic waves. They use ionizing radiation to create pictures of the inside of your body. A chest x ray takes pictures of the inside of your chest. The different tissues in your chest absorb different amounts of radiation. Your ribs and spine are bony and absorb radiation well. They normally appear light on a chest x ray. Your lungs, which are filled with air, normally appear dark.
Related conditions
A chest x ray is a painless, noninvasive test that creates pictures of the structures inside your chest, such as your heart, lungs, and blood vessels. "Noninvasive" means that no surgery is done and no instruments are inserted into your body. This test is done to find the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic cough (a cough that lasts a long time), and fever.
Chest x rays help doctors diagnose conditions such as pneumonia (nu-MO-ne-ah), heart failure, lung cancer, lung tissue scarring, and sarcoidosis (sar-koy-DO-sis). Doctors also may use chest x rays to see how well treatments for certain conditions are working. Also, doctors often use chest x rays before surgery to look at the structures in the chest.
Chest x rays are the most common x-ray test used to diagnose health problems.
Doctors may recommend chest x rays for people who have symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic cough (a cough that lasts a long time), or fever. The test can help find the cause of these symptoms.
Chest x rays look for conditions such as pneumonia, heart failure, lung cancer, lung tissue scarring, or sarcoidosis. The test also is used to check how well treatments for certain conditions are working.
Chest x rays also are used to evaluate people who test positive for tuberculosis (tu-ber-kyu-LO-sis) exposure on skin tests.
Sometimes, doctors recommend more chest x rays within hours, days, or months of an earlier chest x ray. This allows them to follow up on a condition.
People who are having certain types of surgery also may need chest x rays. Doctors often use the test before surgery to look at the structures inside the chest.
Depending on your doctor's request, you'll stand, sit, or lie for the chest x ray. The technician will help position you correctly. He or she may cover you with a heavy lead apron to protect certain parts of your body from the radiation.
The x-ray equipment usually consists of two parts. One part, a box-like machine, holds the x-ray film or a special plate that records the picture digitally. You'll sit or stand next to this machine. The second part is the x-ray tube, which is located about 6 feet away.
Before the pictures are taken, the technician will walk behind a wall or into the next room to turn on the x-ray machine. This helps reduce his or her exposure to the radiation.
Usually, two views of the chest are taken. The first is a view from the back. The second is a view from the side.
For a view from the back, you'll sit or stand so that your chest rests against the image plate. The x-ray tube will be behind you. For the side view, you'll turn to your side and raise your arms above your head.
If you need to lie down for the test, you'll lie on a table that contains the x-ray film or plate. The x-ray tube will be over the table.
You'll need to hold very still while the pictures are taken. The technician may ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds. These steps help prevent a blurry picture.
Although the test is painless, you may feel some discomfort from the coolness of the exam room and the x-ray plate. If you have arthritis or injuries to the chest wall, shoulders, or arms, you may feel discomfort holding a position during the test. The technician may be able to help you find a more comfortable position.
When the test is done, you'll need to wait while the technician checks the quality of the x-ray pictures. He or she needs to make sure that the pictures are good enough for the doctor to use.
You don't have to do anything special to prepare for a chest x ray. However, you may want to wear a shirt that's easy to take off. Before the test, you'll be asked to undress from the waist up and wear a gown.
You also may want to avoid wearing jewelry and other metal objects. You'll be asked to take off any jewelry, eyeglasses, and metal objects that might interfere with the x-ray picture. Let the x-ray technician (a person specially trained to do x-ray tests) know if you have any body piercings on your chest.
Let your doctor know if you're pregnant or may be pregnant. In general, women should avoid all x-ray tests during pregnancy. Sometimes, though, having an x ray is important to the health of the mother and fetus. If an x ray is needed, the technician will take extra steps to protect the fetus from radiation.
Chest x rays have few risks. The amount of radiation used in a chest x ray is very small. A lead apron may be used to protect certain parts of your body from the radiation.
The test gives out a radiation dose similar to the amount of radiation you're naturally exposed to over 10 days.
Chest x rays show the structures in and around the chest. The test is used to look for and track conditions of the heart, lungs, bones, and chest cavity. For example, chest x-ray pictures may show signs of pneumonia, heart failure, lung cancer, lung tissue scarring, or sarcoidosis.
Chest x rays do have limits. They only show conditions that change the size of tissues in the chest or how the tissues absorb radiation. Also, chest x rays create two-dimensional pictures. This means that denser structures, like bone or the heart, may hide some signs of disease. Very small areas of cancer and blood clots in the lungs usually don't show up on chest x rays.
For these reasons, your doctor may recommend other tests to confirm a diagnosis.
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/chest-x-ray [accessed on Aug 25, 2021]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003804.htm [accessed on Aug 25, 2021]
https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/chestrad [accessed on Aug 25, 2021]
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/chest_x-ray/article_em.htm [accessed on Aug 25, 2021]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (50)
Chest X-Ray Basics in 5 min
Video by Nick Smith/YouTube
How X-rays see through your skin - Ge Wang
Video by TED-Ed/YouTube
What causes Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and who is at Risk?
Chest X-ray of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI syndrome) compared to chest X-ray of the same subject afterwards.
Image by Altaf Gauhar Haji, Shekhar Sharma, DK Vijaykumar and Jerry Paul
Tuberculosis X-ray
An anteroposterior X-ray of a patient diagnosed with advanced bilateral pulmonary tuberculosis. This AP X-ray of the chest reveals the presence of bilateral pulmonary infiltrate (white triangles), and caving forma.
Image by CDC / Der Lange
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
This highly-magnified, 1981 transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image, reveals some of the morphologic traits exhibited by a human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The virion is variable in shape, and size, with an average diameter between 120-300nm. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among infants and children, under 1-year of age.
Image by CDC/ E. L. Palmer
Q Fever Pneumonia X-ray
Combination of two x-rays (A) normal chest x-ray (B) x-ray documenting Q fever pneumonia.
Image by US Gov
Chest X Ray
A Lateral Chest X-Ray with the heart shadow outlined.
Image by US Army
Projectional radiography
Image relating focal spot size to geometric unsharpness in projectional radiography.
Image by Source images by Blausen Medical and LadyofHats (Mariana Ruiz Villarreal) Derivative by Mikael Haggstrom
Chest Radiograph
Chest X-Ray : Specialized test, like a computerized tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, may be needed to confirm the presence of an aneurysm.
Image by TheVisualMD
X-ray of Healthy Lung
This image shows an x-ray of healthy lungs.
Image by TheVisualMD
Cancer screening
Cancer Imaging: X-Rays : Chest X-rays can be used to show the presence of tumors, as for lung cancer, but they may also indicate problems associated with cancer. An X-ray may produce images suggestive of fluid accumulation, masses, or enlarged lymph nodes.
Image by TheVisualMD
Lung Cancer
Chest X-ray (Cancer): This is an x-ray image of a chest. Both sides of the lungs are visible with a growth on the left side of the lung, which could possibly be lung cancer.
Image by National Cancer Institute
Chest X Ray
Mediastinal structures on a chest radiograph.
Image by Mikael Haggstrom, from source images by ZooFari, Stillwaterising and Gray's Anatomy creators
CT Chest Scan of Pleura effusion
CT scan of chest showing loculated pleural effusion in left side. Some thickening of pleura is also noted. From my personal collection. Permission obtained from patient.
Image by Drriad
Chest X-ray (Cancer)
This is an x-ray image of a chest. Both sides of the lungs are visible with a growth on the left side of the lung, which could possibly be lung cancer.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
This browser does not support the video element.
CT Scans (VIDEO)
This video shows how modern science of scanning can expose the health condition of the patient. The video starts with a patient undergoing CT scanning, an x-ray procedure that combines many x-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views and, if needed, three-dimensional images of the internal organs and structures of the body. Visible are the heart, lungs, and arteries of a patient.
Video by TheVisualMD
Chest X-Ray
Air-filled trachea and lungs Diaphragmatic domes Mediastinal structures Vascular markings
Arrows indicate costophrenic angles
Image by US Army
Gallstones
Gallstones as seen on plain x-ray.
Image by James Heilman, MD
Hemoptysis x-ray
Hemoptysis can be discovered with the help of radiology.
Image by Aidan Jones from Oxford, U.K.
X-ray of Lung with Pulmonary Edema
Within the lungs, the main airways (bronchi) branch off into smaller passageways, the smallest of which are called bronchioles. At the end of the bronchioles are tiny air sacs (alveoli). Pulmonary edema is a condition caused when excess fluid collects in these air sacs, making it difficult to breathe. Fluid in the lungs can be caused by pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and other conditions, but in most cases, the cause of pulmonary edema is heart problems (when a damaged heart can't pump enough blood and fluid leaks into the lungs).
Image by TheVisualMD
What To Expect During and After Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Surgery
A normal chest X-ray after placement of an ICD, showing the ICD generator in the upper left chest and the ICD lead in the right ventricle of the heart. Note the 2 opaque coils along the ICD lead.
Image by Gregory Marcus, MD, MAS, FACC
This browser does not support the video element.
Chest X-ray: NCI B-roll [video]
NCI B-roll of a patient receiving a Chest X-ray. This video is silent.
Video by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
X-Ray of Aneurysm within Chest frontal view
Most aneurysms are detected in the course of an exam, such as a physical exam or a chest X-ray, being performed for a different reason.
Image by TheVisualMD
Pleural Effusion: Tests
Pleural effusion Chest x-ray of a pleural effusion. The arrow A shows fluid layering in the right pleural cavity. The B arrow shows the normal width of the lung in the cavity. A pleural effusion: as seen on chest X-ray. The A arrow indicates fluid layering in the right chest. The B arrow indicates the width of the right lung. The volume of the lung is reduced because of the collection of fluid around the lung.Pleural effusion Chest x-ray of a pleural effusion. The arrow A shows fluid layering in the right pleural cavity. The B arrow shows the normal width of the lung in the cavity. A pleural effusion: as seen on chest X-ray. The A arrow indicates fluid layering in the right chest. The B arrow indicates the width of the right lung. The volume of the lung is reduced because of the collection of fluid around the lung.
Image by CDC InvictaHOG
Coccidioidomycosis
This anteroposterior (AP) chest x-ray revealed pulmonary changes indicative of pulmonary fibrosis in a case of coccidioidomycosis, caused by fungal organisms of the genus, Coccidioides. Because these changes also resemble those seen in other lung infections including tuberculosis, the findings uncovered with a chest x-ray needs to be coupled with serologic testing, as well as possible tissue biopsy. The degree of fibrotic changes, indicative of scarring found on x-ray, can be directly correlated to the severity of the fungal infection.
Image by CDC/ Dr. Lucille K. Georg
How Is Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) Diagnosed?
Chest X-Ray: Acute respiratory distress syndrome on plain Xray
Image by James Heilman, MD
How Are Asbestos-Related Lung Diseases Diagnosed?
Early Asbestosis in a Retired Pipe Fitter : Chest X-ray in asbestosis shows plaques above diaphragm
Image by Clinical Cases
Aspergillosis
This was a photomicrograph of a lung tissue specimen, harvested from a caged, sulfur-crested cockatoo, that depicted some of the histopathologic changes that had been caused by the fungal organism, Aspergillus fumigatus, in a case of avian pulmonary aspergillosis. Here, you are able see how the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain, revealed A. fumigatus ultrastructural morphology including conidial heads and mycelium.
Image by CDC/ Dr. William Kaplan
Pleural Effusion - Defined
A large left sided pleural effusion as seen on an upright chest X-ray
Image by Drriad
Pleural Effusion: Tests
A large left sided pleural effusion as seen on an upright chest X-ray
Image by James Heilman MD
Breast implants
Chest X-ray showing breast implants
Image by James Heilman
Living With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
No cure is available for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) yet. Your symptoms may get worse over time. As your symptoms worsen, you may not be able to do many of the things that you did before you had IPF.
However, lifestyle changes and ongoing care can help you manage the disease.
If you're still smoking, the most important thing you can do is quit. Talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit. Also, try to avoid secondhand smoke. Ask family members and friends not to smoke in front of you or in your home, car, or workplace.
Image by Drriad
Symptoms and Spread of SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome)
A chest x-ray showing increased opacity in both lungs, indicative of pneumonia, in a patient with SARS.
Image by CDC
Chilaiditi syndrome
Chest X-ray showing obvious Chilaiditi's sign, or presence of gas in the right colic angle between the liver and right hemidiaphragm (left side of the image).
Piper's Sign: In days gone by the lateral chest x-ray (demonstrating greater opacity in the aortic arch and descending aorta than the thoracic spine) gave an indication to the degree of calcified plaque burden a patient had. This has been known as Piper's sign and can often be seen in elderly persons particularly those with concomitant osteoporosis.
Image by U4077905
Aspect of a bulky thymoma (red circle) on the chest x-ray.
Aspect of a bulky thymoma (red circle) on the chest x-ray.
Image by Stockholm
Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome-Chest X-ray showing a tumor in the left lung (right side of the image)
Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome-Chest X-ray showing a tumor in the left lung (right side of the image)
Image by Lange123 at German Wikipedia
Chest X-ray in influenza and Haemophilus influenza
Chest X-ray of a 76 year old woman, who developed cough and labored breathing. First testing showed influenza B virus, and later a nasopharyngeal swab detected Haemophilus influenzae. The H influenzae presumably developed as an opportunistic infection secondary to the flu. This X-ray was taken 2 weeks after cultures and start of antibiotics, showing delayed pneumonic infiltrates that were only vaguely visible on initial (not shown) X-rays.
Image by Mikael Häggström
Chest X-ray in influenza and Haemophilus influenzae, lateral
Chest X-ray of a 76 year old woman, who developed cough and labored breathing. First testing showed influenza B virus, and later a nasopharyngeal swab detected Haemophilus influenzae. The H influenzae presumably developed as an opportunistic infection secondary to the flu. This X-ray was taken 2 weeks after cultures and start of antibiotics, showing delayed pneumonic infiltrates that were only vaguely visible on initial (not shown) X-rays.
Image by Mikael Häggström
Fungal Parasites and Pathogens
(a) Ringworm presents as a red ring on skin; (b) Trichophyton violaceum, shown in this bright field light micrograph, causes superficial mycoses on the scalp; (c) Histoplasma capsulatum is an ascomycete that infects airways and causes symptoms similar to influenza. (credit a: modification of work by Dr. Lucille K. Georg, CDC; credit b: modification of work by Dr. Lucille K. Georg, CDC; credit c: modification of work by M. Renz, CDC; scale-bar data from Matt Russell)
Image by CNX Openstax
This anteroposterior (AP) chest x-ray revealed radiologic evidence of pulmonary pneumocystosis in the form of bilateral pulmonary interstitial infiltrates. This infection was due to the presence of an opportunistic fungal infection by the fungal organism Pneumocystis jirovecii, formerly known as Pneumocystis carinii. (This image was provided by Jonathan W.M. Gold. M.D., Assoc. Dir. Special Microbiology Lab, Assist. Attending Physician, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Assist. Prof. of Medicine, Cornell Univ. Med. College, New York.)
Pneumocystis jirovecii is the causative agent of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), one of the most frequent and severe opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Pneumocystis organisms represent a large group of species of atypical fungi with universal distribution and pulmonary tropism, and each species has a strong specificity for a given mammalian host species.
Image by CDC/ Jonathan W.M. Gold, MD
Chest X-ray PA inverted and enhanced
Chest X-ray PA inverted and enhanced
Image by Stillwaterising
Chest X-Ray of Canadian dollar coin in esophagus of child
PA view Chest X-Ray of Canadian dollar coin in esophagus of child. Released per permission of mother.
Image by Samir (talk)
Chest X Ray
Structures shown: Air-filled trachea and lungs Diaphragmatic domes Mediastinal structures Vascular markings. Arrows indicate costophrenic angles
Image by US Army
Thoracic diaphragm
X-ray of chest, showing top of diaphragm.
Image by OpenStax College
Chest X Ray
Roentgenogram or Medical X-ray image. May not be to scale.
Aspect of a bulky thymoma (red circle) on the chest x-ray.
Stockholm
Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome-Chest X-ray showing a tumor in the left lung (right side of the image)
Lange123 at German Wikipedia
Chest X-ray in influenza and Haemophilus influenza
Mikael Häggström
Chest X-ray in influenza and Haemophilus influenzae, lateral
Mikael Häggström
Fungal Parasites and Pathogens
CNX Openstax
This anteroposterior (AP) chest x-ray revealed radiologic evidence of pulmonary pneumocystosis in the form of bilateral pulmonary interstitial infiltrates. This infection was due to the presence of an opportunistic fungal infection by the fungal organism Pneumocystis jirovecii, formerly known as Pneumocystis carinii. (This image was provided by Jonathan W.M. Gold. M.D., Assoc. Dir. Special Microbiology Lab, Assist. Attending Physician, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Assist. Prof. of Medicine, Cornell Univ. Med. College, New York.)
CDC/ Jonathan W.M. Gold, MD
Chest X-ray PA inverted and enhanced
Stillwaterising
Chest X-Ray of Canadian dollar coin in esophagus of child
Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator; C. Carl Jaffe, MD, cardiologist.
7:02
Reading a chest X-ray
Osmosis/YouTube
Chest X-ray of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI syndrome) compared to chest X-ray of the same subject afterwards.
Altaf Gauhar Haji, Shekhar Sharma, DK Vijaykumar and Jerry Paul
Lung Function Tests
Lung Function Tests
Also called: Pulmonary Function Tests, PFTs, Respiratory Function Tests
Lung function tests are a group of tests that check to see if your lungs are working right. For most tests, you will breathe into a mouthpiece while a machine measures how well your lungs are working.
Lung Function Tests
Also called: Pulmonary Function Tests, PFTs, Respiratory Function Tests
Lung function tests are a group of tests that check to see if your lungs are working right. For most tests, you will breathe into a mouthpiece while a machine measures how well your lungs are working.
{"label":"Spirogram reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.25,"items":[{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":1},"text":"On a spirogram, the breath flow is usually shown on the X axis and expressed in liters per second, while the breath volume is shown on the Y axis and expressed in liters. A normal spirogram reveals a healthy curve that shows a jump right after the start of the expiration, then a steady and quick raise to a sharp peak, and finally a smooth and slow fall.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Abnormal","long":"Abnormal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":1,"max":2},"text":"On a spirogram, the breath flow is usually shown on the X axis and expressed in liters per second, while the breath volume is shown on the Y axis and expressed in liters. In people with respiratory problems, the spirogram may show curve abnormalities such as slow start or slow rises in the flow, an inconstant flow with several peaks, or even an abrupt interruption of the curve.","conditions":["Asthma","Bronchiolitis","COPD","Cystic fibrosis","Emphysema","Lung cancer","Lung disorders","Pulmonary fibrosis","Tuberculosis"]}],"hideunits":true,"value":0.5}[{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Normal.
On a spirogram, the breath flow is usually shown on the X axis and expressed in liters per second, while the breath volume is shown on the Y axis and expressed in liters. A normal spirogram reveals a healthy curve that shows a jump right after the start of the expiration, then a steady and quick raise to a sharp peak, and finally a smooth and slow fall.
Related conditions
{"label":"Lung diffusion capacity reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"S","long":"Severe","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":40},"text":"Low DLCO means your lungs aren\u2019t getting oxygen from the air to your blood efficiently. This might be because of issues in your heart or your lungs. For example, your heart might not be pumping well enough or your blood isn\u2019t able to effectively pick up oxygen.","conditions":["Airway blockage","Asthma","COPD with emphysema","Cystic fibrosis","Interstitial lung diseases","Lung tissue loss","Pulmonary embolism","Pulmonary fibrosis","Pulmonary hypertension","Sarcoidosis"]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"M","long":"Moderate","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":40,"max":60},"text":"Low DLCO means your lungs aren\u2019t getting oxygen from the air to your blood efficiently. This might be because of issues in your heart or your lungs. For example, your heart might not be pumping well enough or your blood isn\u2019t able to effectively pick up oxygen. ","conditions":["Airway blockage","Asthma","COPD with emphysema","Cystic fibrosis","Interstitial lung diseases","Lung tissue loss","Pulmonary embolism","Pulmonary fibrosis","Pulmonary hypertension","Sarcoidosis"]},{"flag":"borderline","label":{"short":"M","long":"Mild","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":60,"max":75},"text":"Low DLCO means your lungs aren\u2019t getting oxygen from the air to your blood efficiently. This might be because of issues in your heart or your lungs. For example, your heart might not be pumping well enough or your blood isn\u2019t able to effectively pick up oxygen. Smoking can also cause a decrease in DLCO.","conditions":["Anemia","Post-exercise","Smoking"]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"N","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":75,"max":140},"text":"A normal DLCO indicates a normal lung function. DLCO is a calculated, derived value that indirectly assesses the ability of the lungs to \"transfer\" oxygen to blood through the use of a test gas (namely, CO) that has a greater affinity for blood hemoglobin. A normal result does not completely rule out lung disease.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"H","long":"High","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":140,"max":200},"text":"Increased DLCO can be caused by exercise or pregnancy. High DLCO is seen in conditions like obesity, asthma, which are characterized by large lung volumes.","conditions":["Asthma","Atrial septal defect","Bleeding in the lungs","Cardiac shunt","Chronic bronchitis","Exercise","Heart failure","High altitude","Obesity","Polycythemia vera","Pregnancy"]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"%","code":"%","name":"percent"}],"hideunits":false,"value":107.5}[{"abnormal":1},{"abnormal":0},{"borderline":0},{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
%
40
60
75
140
Your result is Normal.
A normal DLCO indicates a normal lung function. DLCO is a calculated, derived value that indirectly assesses the ability of the lungs to "transfer" oxygen to blood through the use of a test gas (namely, CO) that has a greater affinity for blood hemoglobin. A normal result does not completely rule out lung disease.
Related conditions
{"label":"Six-minute walk reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Low","long":"Low","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":400},"text":"A low score correlates with lower lung function. If your score declines, compared to previous results, it may suggest that your condition is progressing.","conditions":["Alzheimer\u2019s disease","Heart diseases","Huntington disease","Lung diseases","Multiple sclerosis","Parkinson disease","Spinal cord injury","Stroke"]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":400,"max":700},"text":"The score range for healthy adults is 400\u2013700 m. However, factors such as age, sex, and underlying health conditions can alter this value. The higher your score, the better is your exercise tolerance. A substantial increase in your score, compared to previous results, may indicate that your treatment is effective.","conditions":[]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"m","code":"m","name":"meter"}],"hideunits":false,"value":550}[{"abnormal":0},{"normal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
m
400
Your result is Normal.
The score range for healthy adults is 400–700 m. However, factors such as age, sex, and underlying health conditions can alter this value. The higher your score, the better is your exercise tolerance. A substantial increase in your score, compared to previous results, may indicate that your treatment is effective.
Related conditions
Lung function tests are a group of tests that check how well your lungs are working. These tests are also called pulmonary function tests, or PFTs. They may be used with other tests and information to help diagnose and monitor certain lung diseases.
There are many types of lung function tests. Most of them involve breathing through a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is connected to a device that makes different types of measurements, such as:
How much air your lungs can hold
How well you move air in and out of your lungs when you breathe
How well your lungs absorb oxygen from the air you breathe and move it into your blood
Lung function tests also help check the health of your airways. Your airways are the parts of your body that carry air to your lungs, including your nose, throat, trachea (windpipe), and bronchial tubes that connect your windpipe to each lung.
Common lung function tests include:
Spirometry. This lung function test is used the most. A spirometry test measures how much air you breathe out and how fast you can blow air out of your lungs.
Lung volume test, also called as body plethysmography. This test is the most accurate way to measure the amount of air your lungs can hold. It also measures the amount of air that remains in your lungs after you exhale as much as you can.
Lung diffusion capacity test. This test measures how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood from the air you breathe.
Exercise tests. There are different types of tests that measure how well your lungs work when you are active, including:
Six minute walk test
Cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) exercise test (CPET)
Your health care provider may order one or more lung function tests, depending on the reason you need to be tested.
Other names: pulmonary function tests, PFTs
Lung function tests are often used to:
Help diagnose and monitor lung diseases, including:
Asthma
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Emphysema
Pulmonary fibrosis
Pulmonary hypertension
Guide decisions about treating certain lung diseases with medicine
Help diagnose and monitor certain diseases that can affect the lungs, such as scleroderma or sarcoidosis
Check lung function before surgery
Check for lung damage from exposure to chemicals or other substances at home or work
Lung function tests are done for many different reasons. You may need testing if you:
Have signs and/or symptoms of a breathing problem such as:
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Coughing
A tight feeling in your chest or trouble breathing deeply
An abnormal chest x-ray
Have a lung condition or another type of condition that could damage your lungs
Have been exposed to substances that can cause lung damage, such as asbestos, radiation, or certain medicines
Are going to have surgery
Your provider may also order a lung function test as part of your routine exam.
There are different ways to do each type of lung function test. But the basic steps are about the same.
For a spirometry test:
You'll sit on a chair with a soft clip on your nose. The clip makes sure you breathe only through your mouth.
You'll place your lips tightly around a mouthpiece that's connected to a device called a spirometer.
You'll be told to take a deep breath in and then blow it out into the mouthpiece as hard as you can. The spirometer will measure how much air you breathe out and how fast you blow it out.
You may be given medicine to inhale (breath in) that opens your airways. Then you'll blow into the tube again to see if the medicine helps you blow out more air faster.
For a lung volume (body plethysmography) test:
You'll sit in a small, airtight room with clear walls. It looks like a telephone booth.
You'll wear a soft clip on your nose to make sure you breathe only through your mouth.
You'll place your lips tightly around a mouthpiece.
You'll be told how to breathe in and out through the mouthpiece.
Air pressure changes inside the room will show how much air your lungs can hold and how much air stays in your lungs after you breath out.
A lung volume test may be done by breathing a special mixture of gases for a few minutes while wearing a clip on your nose. For this test, you do not need to sit in an airtight room.
For a gas diffusion test:
You'll sit on a chair with a soft clip on your nose. The clip makes sure you breathe only through your mouth.
You'll place your lips tightly around a mouthpiece that's connected to a spirometer.
You will be asked to breathe in a very small, safe amount of carbon monoxide gas. Then you'll hold your breath for about 10 seconds.
Next, you'll breathe out through the mouthpiece. The spirometer will measure the amount of carbon dioxide you exhale. This shows how much of the gas your lungs were able to absorb and move into your blood.
For exercise tests:
Six minute walk test:
Your blood pressure will be measured, and you'll be asked to rate any shortness of breath and fatigue that you feel.
You'll walk as far as possible in six minutes, usually in a hallway.
Your heart rate and the amount of oxygen in your blood will be checked as you walk.
After six minutes, your blood pressure will be measured again, and you'll rate your shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you normally use portable oxygen for a lung condition, you'll be able to use it during this test.
Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET):
You'll be attached to monitors and machines that will measure your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels while you exercise.
You'll breathe through a face mask or mouthpiece connected to a monitor. It measures how much oxygen you breath in and how much carbon dioxide you breath out.
You'll exercise on a stationary bicycle or treadmill for a total of 10 to 20 minutes:
You'll begin exercising with the bike or treadmill set to the easiest level.
You'll slowly increase your effort until you feel you can't continue. On a bicycle, the resistance will increase, so it's harder to pedal. On a treadmill, the speed will increase, and the platform may tilt so you feel like you're walking uphill.
As you exercise, you'll be asked to rate how you're feeling. If you have serious symptoms, the test will stop.
The bike or treadmill will return to the easiest level while you keep pedaling or walking to cool down.
Your provider will let you know how to prepare for your lung function test. To make sure your test results are accurate, follow the instructions you're give. In general:
Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Don't eat a large meal within at least two hours of the test.
You may need to avoid certain activities or foods and beverages before your test. Your provider will tell you for how long. These include:
Heavy exercise
Smoking
Drinking alcohol
Drinking or eating products with caffeine, such as coffee, colas, and chocolate
If you use inhaler medicines (bronchodilators), you may need to stop for a period of time before testing. Your provider will tell you when to stop. But never stop taking any medicine without talking with your provider first.
If you wear dentures, wear them for the test. They'll help you close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece.
There is very little risk to having a lung function test. Some people may feel lightheaded, dizzy, or tired from breathing hard. It's also common to cough. Some people may feel nervous being in a small space for a lung volume test. If you have concerns about your test, talk with your provider.
A normal lung function test result for you depends on the size of your lungs. Your lung size is based on your height, sex, and age. So, your provider will compare your test results to results from healthy people who are the same height, age, and sex as you.
If your results aren't normal, it may mean you have a lung condition. Lung function tests can't diagnose which specific lung disease you have. But your test results can tell which of the two main types you have:
Obstructive lung conditions cause your airways to become narrow, making it hard for air to flow out of your lungs. Examples of obstructive lung diseases include asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.
Restrictive lung conditions decrease the amount of air your lungs can hold. This may happen if your lungs or your chest muscles can't expand fully when you breath in. Examples of restrictive lung conditions include scleroderma, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and interstitial lung diseases.
If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.
If you need one or more lung function tests, your provider may also order a blood oxygen level test called an arterial blood gas (ABG) test. This blood test measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood.
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/lung-function-tests/ [accessed on May 31, 2019]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003853.htm [accessed on May 31, 2019]
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/pulmonary-function-tests [accessed on May 31, 2019]
Spirometry Test
Spirometry Test
Also called: Breathing Test, Lung Capacity, Pulmonary Function Testing
Spirometry is a pulmonary function test that is used to help diagnose and monitor chronic lung conditions such as asthma or COPD. During this test, you will make maximum breathing efforts several times, and a special machine called spirometer will be used to calculate and graph your results.
Spirometry Test
Also called: Breathing Test, Lung Capacity, Pulmonary Function Testing
Spirometry is a pulmonary function test that is used to help diagnose and monitor chronic lung conditions such as asthma or COPD. During this test, you will make maximum breathing efforts several times, and a special machine called spirometer will be used to calculate and graph your results.
{"label":"Spirogram reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.25,"items":[{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":1},"text":"On a spirogram, the breath flow is usually shown on the X axis and expressed in liters per second, while the breath volume is shown on the Y axis and expressed in liters. A normal spirogram reveals a healthy curve that shows a jump right after the start of the expiration, then a steady and quick raise to a sharp peak, and finally a smooth and slow fall.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Abnormal","long":"Abnormal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":1,"max":2},"text":"On a spirogram, the breath flow is usually shown on the X axis and expressed in liters per second, while the breath volume is shown on the Y axis and expressed in liters. In people with respiratory problems, the spirogram may show curve abnormalities such as slow start or slow rises in the flow, an inconstant flow with several peaks, or even an abrupt interruption of the curve.","conditions":["Asthma","Bronchiolitis","COPD","Cystic fibrosis","Emphysema","Lung cancer","Lung disorders","Pulmonary fibrosis","Tuberculosis"]}],"hideunits":true,"value":0.5}[{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Normal.
On a spirogram, the breath flow is usually shown on the X axis and expressed in liters per second, while the breath volume is shown on the Y axis and expressed in liters. A normal spirogram reveals a healthy curve that shows a jump right after the start of the expiration, then a steady and quick raise to a sharp peak, and finally a smooth and slow fall.
Related conditions
{"label":"FVC reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Low","long":"Low","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":80},"text":"A low FVC result could be due to restrictive or obstructive lung disease. Other spirometry measurements are required to determine the type of lung disease.\u00a0","conditions":["Asthma","COPD","Cystic fibrosis","Lung disorders","Obstructive lung disease","Pulmonary fibrosis","Restrictive lung disease"]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":80,"max":100},"text":"FEV values greater than 80% of the predicted average value are considered to be normal. Age and gender are the major factors that affect the average values of FEV in healthy individuals. Height, weight, and ethnicity are some of the other influencing factors.","conditions":[]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"% predicted","code":"%{predicted}","name":"percent predicted"}],"hideunits":false,"value":90}[{"abnormal":0},{"normal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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% predicted
80
Your result is Normal.
FEV values greater than 80% of the predicted average value are considered to be normal. Age and gender are the major factors that affect the average values of FEV in healthy individuals. Height, weight, and ethnicity are some of the other influencing factors.
Related conditions
{"label":"FEV1 reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"VSA","long":"Very severely abnormal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":35},"text":"A very severely abnormal FEV1 indicates a very severe airway obstruction, a lung condition that narrows your airways. This means that the air flows out of your lungs more slowly than it should (low FEV1) with less than 50% of the total amount in the first second. At this stage, quality of life is considerably impaired and disease exacerbations may be life-threatening.","conditions":["Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency","Asthma","Bronchiectasis","Bronchiolitis","COPD","Cystic fibrosis","Obstructive lung disease"]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"SA","long":"Severely abnormal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":35,"max":50},"text":"A severely abnormal FEV1 indicates a severe airway obstruction, a lung condition that narrows your airways. This means that the air flows out of your lungs more slowly than it should (low FEV1) with less than 50% of the total amount in the first second. At this stage, you may experience greater shortness of breath, reduced exercise capacity, and repeated exacerbations which have an impact on quality of life. ","conditions":["Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency","Asthma","Bronchiectasis","Bronchiolitis","COPD","Cystic fibrosis","Obstructive lung disease"]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"MTSA","long":"Moderate to severely abnormal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":50,"max":60},"text":"A moderate to severely abnormal FEV1 indicates a moderate to severe airway obstruction, a lung condition that narrows your airways. This means that the air flows out of your lungs more slowly than it should (low FEV1) with less than 60% of the total amount in the first second. At this stage, you may experience chronic respiratory symptoms or an exacerbation of the disease.","conditions":["Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency","Asthma","Bronchiectasis","Bronchiolitis","COPD","Cystic fibrosis","Obstructive lung disease"]},{"flag":"borderline","label":{"short":"MA","long":"Moderately abnormal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":60,"max":70},"text":"A moderately abnormal FEV1 indicates a moderate airway obstruction, a lung condition that narrows your airways. This means that the air flows out of your lungs more slowly than it should (low FEV1) with less than 70% of the total amount in the first second. At this stage, you may experience chronic respiratory symptoms or an exacerbation of the disease.","conditions":["Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency","Asthma","Bronchiectasis","Bronchiolitis","COPD","Cystic fibrosis","Obstructive lung disease"]},{"flag":"borderline","label":{"short":"MA","long":"Mildly abnormal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":70,"max":80},"text":"A mildly abnormal FEV1 indicates a mild airway obstruction, a lung condition that narrows your airways. This means that the air flows out of your lungs more slowly than it should (low FEV1) with less than 80% of the total amount in the first second. At this stage, you may not be aware that your lung function is abnormal. ","conditions":["Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency","Asthma","Bronchiectasis","Bronchiolitis","COPD","Cystic fibrosis","Obstructive lung disease"]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"N","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":80,"max":100},"text":"A normal FEV1 indicates the absence of airway obstruction. The normal range is calculated by the spirometer based on your height, age, sex and ethnicity. If your lungs and airways are healthy, you can blow out most of your breath in the first second. This pattern tells your doctor that your spirometry test is normal when compared to the expected results for you.","conditions":[]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"% predicted","code":"%{predicted}","name":"percent predicted"}],"hideunits":false,"value":90}[{"abnormal":2},{"abnormal":1},{"abnormal":0},{"borderline":1},{"borderline":0},{"normal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
% predicted
35
50
60
70
80
Your result is Normal.
A normal FEV1 indicates the absence of airway obstruction. The normal range is calculated by the spirometer based on your height, age, sex and ethnicity. If your lungs and airways are healthy, you can blow out most of your breath in the first second. This pattern tells your doctor that your spirometry test is normal when compared to the expected results for you.
Related conditions
{"label":"FEV1\/FVC ratio reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"S","long":"Severe","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":50},"text":"A reduced FEV1\/FVC ratio means you can breath out less than 70% of the inhaled air in the lungs in one second. A low value indicates airflow limitation with an obstructive pattern.","conditions":["Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency","Asbestosis","Asthma","Bronchiectasis","Bronchiolitis","Bronchitis (chronic)","COPD","Cystic fibrosis","Emphysema","Epiglottitis (acute)","Lung cancer","Pulmonary fibrosis"]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"M","long":"Moderate","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":50,"max":60},"text":"A reduced FEV1\/FVC ratio means you can breath out less than 70% of the inhaled air in the lungs in one second. A low value indicates airflow limitation with an obstructive pattern.","conditions":["Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency","Asbestosis","Asthma","Bronchiectasis","Bronchiolitis","Bronchitis (chronic)","COPD","Cystic fibrosis","Emphysema","Epiglottitis (acute)","Lung cancer","Pulmonary fibrosis"]},{"flag":"borderline","label":{"short":"M","long":"Mild","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":60,"max":70},"text":"A reduced FEV1\/FVC ratio means you can breath out less than 70% of the inhaled air in the lungs in one second. A low value indicates airflow limitation with an obstructive pattern.","conditions":["Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency","Asbestosis","Asthma","Bronchiectasis","Bronchiolitis","Bronchitis (chronic)","COPD","Cystic fibrosis","Emphysema","Epiglottitis (acute)","Lung cancer","Pulmonary fibrosis"]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"N","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":70,"max":100},"text":"A normal FEV1\/FVC ratio is 70% to 80% or higher in adults, 65% or higher in adults older than 65 and 85% or higher in children. In healthy people, a normal value indicates healthy lungs. In people with lung disease, a normal (or even elevated) value indicates restrictive disease.","conditions":[]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"%","code":"%","name":"percent"}],"hideunits":false,"value":85}[{"abnormal":1},{"abnormal":0},{"borderline":0},{"normal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
%
50
60
70
Your result is Normal.
A normal FEV1/FVC ratio is 70% to 80% or higher in adults, 65% or higher in adults older than 65 and 85% or higher in children. In healthy people, a normal value indicates healthy lungs. In people with lung disease, a normal (or even elevated) value indicates restrictive disease.
Related conditions
Spirometry is a pulmonary function test that is used to estimate the size of the lungs and measure the rate of air flow into and out of them. This helps determine how well your lungs are functioning.
Your doctor may want to order this test to help diagnose and monitor chronic lung conditions, such as:
Asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Restrictive lung disease, such as pulmonary fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis
Other disorders affecting lung function
Spirometry let doctors diagnose lung diseases at early stages when treatment is most effective. Then, routine spirometry tests can help monitor treatment effectiveness by assessing changes in lung functions.
A spirometry test can be performed in your doctor’s office.
During the test, your healthcare provider will place a clip on your nose to keep your nostrils closed. Then, you will be asked to sit, take a deep breath in, hold your breath for one or two seconds, and then exhale as hard as you can into a small machine called a spirometer until your lungs feel entirely empty.
You will be asked to repeat this procedure at least three times to ensure consistent results.
If at this point, your results show evidence of a breathing disorder, your doctor might give you an inhaled drug known as a bronchodilator to open up your airways; then, you will be asked to wait for approximately 15 minutes to perform another round of sets. Both sets of tests will be compared at the end of the exam to see whether the bronchodilator helped increase your airflow.
A computer that is attached to the spirometer calculates and graphs your results.
You will be asked to refrain from taking alcohol on the day of the test, and avoid smoking, eating, or exercising for at least a few hours before the test is done. Don’t wear tight clothing that could restrict your breathing.
Inform your healthcare practitioner if you are taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications since you might be asked to temporarily stop taking certain drugs that may affect your test results, especially puffer medications.
Complications are rare during or after a spirometry test. You may feel dizziness or experience shortness of breath immediately after performing the test. In very rare cases, severe breathing problems may be triggered.
Spirometry is not recommended for people who recently had eye surgery, heart surgery, or have other heart problems.
Spirometry results indicate whether your lungs are functioning normally. It does this through several breathing measurements:
Forced vital capacity (FVC): this is the total air volume that you can force out of your lungs after you take your biggest breath in.
Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1): this is the amount of air that you can blow out of your lungs within the first second. It indicates whether or not there is airway obstruction.
FEV1/FVC ratio: this is the percentage of the FVC exhaled in the first second.
Normal results vary from person to person depending on their gender, age, height, and race.
Abnormal spirometry results could be due to either restrictive lung disease (such as pulmonary fibrosis or sarcoidosis), obstructive lung disease (such as asthma or COPD), or a combination of both restrictive and obstructive lung disease.
Your doctor will take into consideration all spirometry measurements, along with the results of other tests, and your clinical findings to determine which type of lung disease is present.
Spirometry is often performed once a year or once every two years to monitor people with well-controlled breathing disorders. People who have uncontrolled or more severe breathing problems may need to have this test more frequently.
Pulmonary Function Tests | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) [accessed on Dec 09, 2018]
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/nhanes_11_12/spirometry_procedures_manual.pdf [accessed on Dec 09, 2018]
Spirometry and Bronchodilator Test [accessed on Dec 09, 2018]
Spirometry | the lung association [accessed on Dec 09, 2018]
Spirometry Testing | Breathing Test | Lung Capacity [accessed on Dec 09, 2018]
Spirometry: Procedure, Normal Values, and Test Results [accessed on Dec 09, 2018]
https://www.racgp.org.au/download/documents/AFP/2011/April/201104paraskeva.pdf [accessed on Dec 09, 2018]
https://cnx.org/contents/bbaedbf4-4d78-4b7c-bc94-2a742f0f2f8c [accessed on Dec 09, 2018]
https://covid19.nih.gov/news-and-stories/monitoring-lung-function [accessed on Sep 03, 2021]
Additional Materials (14)
An illustration depicting an incentive spirometer.
An illustration depicting an incentive spirometer.
Image by BruceBlaus
A medical illustration depicting spirometry
A medical illustration depicting spirometry
Image by BruceBlaus
Testing and Diagnosis
Your doctor will first take your medical history and ask you about your symptoms. He or she will probably listen to your lungs using a stethoscope, although there may be no abnormal chest sounds between asthma attacks. Your doctor may ask about any patterns relating to your symptoms: are they worse during allergy seasons, at work or at home, during exercise? Do you have a family history of asthma?
Image by TheVisualMD
Testing and Diagnosis
Your doctor will first take your medical history and ask you about your symptoms. He or she will probably listen to your lungs using a stethoscope, although there may be no abnormal chest sounds between asthma attacks. Your doctor may ask about any patterns relating to your symptoms: are they worse during allergy seasons, at work or at home, during exercise? Do you have a family history of asthma?
Image by TheVisualMD
Testing and Diagnosis of Asthma
Testing and Diagnosis of Asthma
Image by TheVisualMD
Airway during asthma symptoms
Figure A shows the location of the lungs and airways in the body. Figure B shows a cross-section of a normal airway. Figure C shows a cross-section of an airway during asthma symptoms.
Image by National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute
How Is the Cause of Cough Diagnosed?
The image shows how spirometry is done. The patient takes a deep breath and blows as hard as possible into a tube connected to a spirometer. The spirometer measures the amount of air breathed out. It also measures how fast the air was blown out.
Image by National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NIH)
Asthma before-after
During an asthma episode, inflamed airways react to environmental triggers such as smoke, dust, or pollen. The airways narrow and produce excess mucus, making it difficult to breathe.
Image by FDA/Renée Gordon; vectors by Mysid
How Is COPD Diagnosed?
Doing a spirometry
Image by Jmarchn
Asthma in Children
A child using a peak expiratory flow meter in a pediatric clinic.
Image by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a division of the National Institute of Health
Types of Lung Function Tests
A man undergoing whole body plethysmography
Image by Finchbook01 (talk)
Asthma Attacks
Constriction of the bronchioles and excess mucous production during an asthma attack.
Image by 7mike5000
Gas Exchange across Respiratory Surfaces
The partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide change as blood moves through the body.
Image by CNX Openstax
Spirometry: how to take a lung function test
Video by The European Lung Foundation/YouTube
An illustration depicting an incentive spirometer.
BruceBlaus
A medical illustration depicting spirometry
BruceBlaus
Testing and Diagnosis
TheVisualMD
Testing and Diagnosis
TheVisualMD
Testing and Diagnosis of Asthma
TheVisualMD
Airway during asthma symptoms
National Heart, Lung, Blood Institute
How Is the Cause of Cough Diagnosed?
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NIH)
Asthma before-after
FDA/Renée Gordon; vectors by Mysid
How Is COPD Diagnosed?
Jmarchn
Asthma in Children
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a division of the National Institute of Health
Types of Lung Function Tests
Finchbook01 (talk)
Asthma Attacks
7mike5000
Gas Exchange across Respiratory Surfaces
CNX Openstax
4:00
Spirometry: how to take a lung function test
The European Lung Foundation/YouTube
Lung Diffusion Testing
Lung Diffusion Testing
Also called: Gas Diffusion Study, Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide, DLCO
A lung diffusion test is a painless and risk-free procedure in which you will be required to inhale a small amount of carbon monoxide that will be compared with the amount of the same carbon monoxide you exhale. This is useful to assess how well your lungs are functioning.
Lung Diffusion Testing
Also called: Gas Diffusion Study, Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide, DLCO
A lung diffusion test is a painless and risk-free procedure in which you will be required to inhale a small amount of carbon monoxide that will be compared with the amount of the same carbon monoxide you exhale. This is useful to assess how well your lungs are functioning.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
%
40
60
75
140
Your result is Normal.
A normal DLCO indicates a normal lung function. DLCO is a calculated, derived value that indirectly assesses the ability of the lungs to "transfer" oxygen to blood through the use of a test gas (namely, CO) that has a greater affinity for blood hemoglobin. A normal result does not completely rule out lung disease.
Related conditions
A lung diffusion test is used to assess how well the lungs are able to allow the “diffusion” or exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out the blood.
This test helps determine how well your lungs are functioning.
Your doctor may want to order this test to help diagnose and monitor chronic lung conditions, such as:
Asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Restrictive lung disease, such as pulmonary fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis
Other disorders affecting lung function
Your healthcare practitioner will put clips on your nose and will place a mouthpiece tightly around your mouth so you can breathe through it.
Then, you will inhale air that contains a very small, and safe, amount of carbon monoxide or another gas that can be used as a tracer, such as helium or methane. At this point, you will be required to hold your breath for 10 seconds and then quickly exhale it out of your lungs.
The exhaled air is then analyzed to determine how much of the tracer gas was absorbed in your lungs.
You will be asked to eat a light meal on the day of the test, and avoid smoking for at least a 6 hours before the test is done.
Inform your healthcare practitioner if you are taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications since you might be asked to temporarily stop taking certain drugs that may affect your test results, especially puffer medications.
There are no known risks associated with this test.
Normal results vary depending on the person’s age, sex, height, ethnicity, and health status.
Normal
If there’s significantly less exhaled carbon monoxide in your breath when compared with the amount of carbon monoxide that you inhaled, then this means that your lung function is normal because the gas was successfully absorbed into your bloodstream.
Abnormal
If the amount of inhaled and exhaled carbon monoxide in your breath is similar, it means that there is a problem in your lungs that is preventing the gas from being absorbed adequately. This can happen due to:
Asthma
Emphysema
Cystic fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis (a chronic disease characterized by the development of small tumors throughout the body)
Airway blockage by a foreign body
Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
Lung tissue loss
Pulmonary embolism
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003854.htm [accessed on Feb 03, 2019]
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/15445-gas-diffusion-study [accessed on Feb 03, 2019]
https://www.healthline.com/health/lung-diffusion-testing [accessed on Mar 20, 2019]
https://www.verywellhealth.com/lung-diffusion-tests-914897 [accessed on Mar 20, 2019]
https://www.nationaljewish.org/treatment-programs/tests-procedures/pulmonary-physiology/pulmonary-function/lung-diffusion-capacity [accessed on Mar 20, 2019]
https://www.uclahealth.org/lungcancer/lung-diffusion [accessed on Mar 20, 2019]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Lung Plethysmography
Lung Plethysmography
Also called: Body Plethysmography, Pulmonary Plethysmography, Lung Volume Measurement
Lung plethysmography, also called pulmonary plethysmography, is a test used to calculate how much air you can hold in your lungs. This helps determine whether you have problems with your lung capacity.
Lung Plethysmography
Also called: Body Plethysmography, Pulmonary Plethysmography, Lung Volume Measurement
Lung plethysmography, also called pulmonary plethysmography, is a test used to calculate how much air you can hold in your lungs. This helps determine whether you have problems with your lung capacity.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
mL
4000
6000
Your result is Normal.
It is the maximum volume of air the lungs can accommodate or sum of all volume compartments or volume of air in lungs after maximum inspiration. The normal value is about 6,000 mL (4‐6 L). TLC is calculated by summation of the four primary lung volumes (TV, IRV, ERV, RV).
Related conditions
{"label":"FRC reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Low","long":"Low","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":1800},"text":"","conditions":[]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":1800,"max":2200},"text":"The normal FRC value in healthy people is between 1800 and 2200 mL.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"High","long":"High","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":2200,"max":3000},"text":"","conditions":[]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"mL","code":"mL","name":"milliliter"}],"hideunits":false,"value":2000}[{"abnormal":0},{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
mL
1800
2200
Your result is Normal.
The normal FRC value in healthy people is between 1800 and 2200 mL.
Related conditions
{"label":"FRV reference range","scale":"lin","step":0.1,"items":[{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"Low","long":"Low","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":0,"max":1200},"text":"Normal values depend on several factors, such as age, weight, height, gender, and pregnancy.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"normal","label":{"short":"Normal","long":"Normal","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":1200,"max":3000},"text":"Normal values depend on several factors, such as age, weight, height, gender, and pregnancy.","conditions":[]},{"flag":"abnormal","label":{"short":"High","long":"High","orientation":"horizontal"},"values":{"min":3000,"max":5000},"text":"Normal values depend on several factors, such as age, weight, height, gender, and pregnancy.","conditions":[]}],"units":[{"printSymbol":"mL","code":"mL","name":"milliliter"}],"hideunits":false,"value":2100}[{"abnormal":0},{"normal":0},{"abnormal":0}]
Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
mL
1200
3000
Your result is Normal.
Normal values depend on several factors, such as age, weight, height, gender, and pregnancy.
Related conditions
Plethysmography is a test that uses a special machine called plethysmograph to measure volume changes in different areas of your body.
A lung plethysmography is used to calculate how much air you can hold in your lungs. Measurements include:
Functional residual volume (FRV): this is the amount of air left in your lungs after you force out as much air as you can.
Functional residual capacity (FRC): this is the amount of air that is left in your lungs after you breathe out normally.
Total lung capacity (TLC): this is the total amount of air in your lungs after you take your biggest breath in.
Your doctor may want to order this test in the following situations:
If you have signs and symptoms of upper respiratory problems, such as pain or shortness of breath.
To measure lung function in people with chronic pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or cystic fibrosis.
To differentiate obstructive lung disease (such as asthma or COPD) from restrictive lung disease (such as pulmonary fibrosis or sarcoidosis), especially when other pulmonary function tests have failed to do so.
To monitor your response to treatment.
To assess whether your lungs would tolerate lung cancer surgery.
You will be asked to sit in a small, airtight room, that looks very much like a telephone booth. Your healthcare practitioner will then place clips on your nose and will give you a mouthpiece so you can breathe through it.
Then, you will be guided through various breathing patterns, alternating normal breathing, panting, and deep breaths.
If you are receiving oxygen, it will be temporarily suspended during the duration of this test, which usually lasts around 15 minutes.
You will be asked to stop smoking for at least 8 hours and avoid doing exercise for a couple hours before the test. You should also eat a light meal on the day of the test.
Make sure to wear loose and comfortable clothing.
Most people don’t experience any discomfort during this test. However, in some cases, some symptoms like lightheadedness, dizziness, shortness of breath, or anxiety from being in a tight space can occur.
Normal
Normal results vary depending on the person’s age, sex, fitness level, and body size.
Abnormal
An abnormal plethysmography test result indicates a problem with your lung capacity, but it doesn’t provide a specific diagnosis. Further testing is usually required.
An abnormal result may be due to:
Emphysema
Cystic fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis
Sarcoidosis (a chronic disease characterized by the development of small tumors throughout the body)
Obesity
Scoliosis (abnormally curved spine)
This test is not the same as impedance plethysmography which is a test for blood clots in the legs.
Another test called spirometry is the standard way to measure lung function; however, lung plethysmography is more accurate.
This test cannot be done in people who require continuous oxygen therapy or in people with claustrophobia (a severe fear of being in small and enclosed places).
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/15467-body-plethysmography-pulmonary-function-test [accessed on Feb 03, 2019]
https://www.healthline.com/health/lung-plethysmography [accessed on Feb 03, 2019]
https://www.healthline.com/health/plethysmography#results [accessed on Mar 14, 2019]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003771.htm [accessed on Mar 14, 2019]
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-plethysmography-2249161 [accessed on Mar 14, 2019]
https://lunginstitute.com/blog/lung-plethysmography/ [accessed on Mar 14, 2019]
Lung Volumes - Physiopedia [accessed on Feb 07, 2024]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (12)
Body Plethysmography Chamber
Chamber used for Body Plethysmography and other related medical tests. Photographed at Swedish Hospital Ballard Campus, Seattle, Washington.
Image by Joe Mabel/Wikimedia
Lung Volumes Measurement by Body Plethysmography
Lung Volumes Measurement by Body Plethysmography technology from COSMED (http://www.cosmed.com/en/products/pulmonary-function/q-box-body-plethysmography)
Image by Cosmed/Wikimedia
Respiratory System
The respiratory system consists of the airways, the lungs, and the respiratory muscles that mediate the movement of air into and out of the body.
Image by LadyofHats
Lung Function - Lung Volumes and Capacities
Video by Armando Hasudungan/YouTube
Types of Lung Function Tests
A man undergoing whole body plethysmography
Image by Finchbook01 (talk)
Blood circulation: Red = oxygenated (arteries), Blue = deoxygenated (veins)
Oximetry - Blood circulation: Red = oxygenated (arteries), Blue = deoxygenated (veins)
Image by User:Sansculotte
Lung Function test for COPD
A modern USB spirometer
Image by AME
Lung Volume Testing by Plethysmography
Video by Launceston Lung Centre/YouTube
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT): Lesson 3 - Lung Volumes
Video by Strong Medicine/YouTube
5 facts about DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
Video by Comprehensive Bleeding Disorders Center/YouTube
About Thrombosis: Symptoms and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Video by Thrombosis Adviser/YouTube
How A Pulmonary FunctionTest Works
Video by LivingHealthyChicago/YouTube
Body Plethysmography Chamber
Joe Mabel/Wikimedia
Lung Volumes Measurement by Body Plethysmography
Cosmed/Wikimedia
Respiratory System
LadyofHats
8:31
Lung Function - Lung Volumes and Capacities
Armando Hasudungan/YouTube
Types of Lung Function Tests
Finchbook01 (talk)
Blood circulation: Red = oxygenated (arteries), Blue = deoxygenated (veins)
User:Sansculotte
Lung Function test for COPD
AME
3:03
Lung Volume Testing by Plethysmography
Launceston Lung Centre/YouTube
12:11
Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT): Lesson 3 - Lung Volumes
Strong Medicine/YouTube
2:28
5 facts about DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
Comprehensive Bleeding Disorders Center/YouTube
1:27
About Thrombosis: Symptoms and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Thrombosis Adviser/YouTube
3:11
How A Pulmonary FunctionTest Works
LivingHealthyChicago/YouTube
Stress Tests
Stress Tests
Also called: Cardiac Stress Test, Cardiac Diagnostic Test
Stress tests shows how well your heart works when it's pumping hard. They can find problems with blood flow to your heart muscle and other heart conditions. Reduced blood flow can be a sign of a serious heart disease.
Stress Tests
Also called: Cardiac Stress Test, Cardiac Diagnostic Test
Stress tests shows how well your heart works when it's pumping hard. They can find problems with blood flow to your heart muscle and other heart conditions. Reduced blood flow can be a sign of a serious heart disease.
Stress tests show how well your heart works when it's pumping hard. Some heart diseases are easier to find when your heart is working its hardest to pump blood through your body. So stress tests check your heart while you exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. If you're not able to exercise, medicine can be used to make your heart work harder , as if you were exercising.
There are different types of stress tests. They all check:
Blood flow in your heart
Your blood pressure
The rate and rhythm of your heartbeat
The strength of the electrical signals that control your heartbeat
Some stress tests also take pictures of your heart at rest and when it's working hard. The pictures provide more detail about how your heart is working.
Stress tests are most often used to find the cause of symptoms that may be from a heart problem.
The tests can help diagnose certain heart conditions, including:
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Angina
Arrhythmia
Heart failure
Heart valve diseases
Cardiomyopathy
Stress testing is also used:
To find out how serious a known heart condition is, including the chance that you'll have a heart attack in the future.
To help make treatment decisions for a heart condition.
You may need a stress test if you have symptoms that could be from a heart condition. Symptoms may include:
Chest pain or discomfort without a known cause
Shortness of breath
Irregular or rapid heartbeat that may feel like a fluttering in your chest
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
You may also need a stress test to check your heart health if you:
Have a heart condition with new or worsening symptoms.
Are going to have surgery. Your health care provider may want to see if your heart is strong enough for the operation.
Are being treated for heart disease. The test can show how much treatment is helping, including heart surgery.
Have a high risk for heart disease. Your risk may be higher than normal if you have a family history of heart disease and/or certain conditions, such as diabetes, that are linked to heart disease.
Plan to start an exercise program. If you have a heart condition or a high risk for a heart condition, a stress test can show what level of exercise is safe for you. (Always talk with your provider before starting any strenuous, new exercise.)
Stress tests may be done with or without imaging (pictures of your heart). The most common type of test is an exercise stress test. It doesn't include pictures. But the main steps of an exercise stress test are part of all stress tests:
You'll have a blood pressure cuff on your arm to check your blood pressure.
Electrodes will be placed on your body for an electrocardiogram test (also called EKG or ECG). Electrodes are small sensors that stick to your skin. Wires connect the electrodes to a computer or an EKG machine that records the electrical activity in your heart during the stress test.
If you're unable to exercise: An intravenous (IV) line will be inserted into a vein in your arm. You'll get medicine through the IV. The medicine will make your heart work harder for 10 to 20 minutes while an EKG records your heart's electrical activity. Medicine can be used instead of exercise for all types of stress tests.
If you can exercise: You'll walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bicycle. On a treadmill, the speed will slowly increase. The treadmill may also tilt so you feel like you're walking uphill. On a bicycle, the resistance will slowly increase, so it's harder to pedal.
You'll exercise for about 10 to 15 minutes until you reach a target heart rate based on your age and fitness level. But you may stop the test sooner if:
You develop chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue or other symptoms
The EKG shows a problem with your heart
After all types of stress tests, you'll be monitored for 10-15 minutes or until your heart rate returns to normal.
Stress tests with pictures include stress echocardiograms, nuclear stress tests, and cardiac (heart) MRI stress tests. These tests have extra steps:
A stress echocardiogram or "echo" takes moving pictures of your heart using doppler ultrasound. The pictures show the size and shape of your heart and blood flow through your heart. Pictures will be taken before and after your heart has worked its hardest. You'll lie on your left side on a table as a provider moves an ultrasound device on your chest. If you exercise on a bicycle, the second set of pictures may be taken while you're pedaling.
A nuclear stress test takes pictures of your heart using a small amount of a radioactive substance called a "tracer" and a special camera that scans your heart. A provider injects the tracer into your bloodstream through an IV line that's placed in a vein. Your heart and blood vessels absorb the tracer, which makes them show up more clearly in the pictures.
Pictures are taken while you lie on a table before and after your heart has worked its hardest. After the test, the tracer naturally leaves your body in your urine (pee). Drinking lots of water will help remove it faster.
A cardiac MRI stress test takes the most detailed pictures of your heart using radio waves, magnets, and a computer. It is a newer test that's mostly used for very serious heart problems. For an MRI stress test:
A provider may inject dye into your bloodstream through an IV line placed in your arm. Some cardiac MRIs, but not all, use dye to help show very small details on the pictures.
Pictures of your heart may be taken before and after your heart has worked hard. To take the pictures, you'll lie on a table that slides into a large, tunnel-like MRI machine. You'll hear loud sounds as the machine takes pictures. If you're exercising for the test, you may use a treadmill near the MRI, or you may exercise while lying in the MRI machine using special devices to move your arms or legs.
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing for exercise. Your provider will tell you what else to do before a stress test. You'll usually need to fast (not eat or drink) and stop smoking for at least a few hours before the test. You may need to avoid drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and colas, for a longer period of time.
If you take medicines or supplements, ask your provider if you should take them as usual. Don't stop taking any medicine unless your provider tells you to. If your test uses MRI, tell your provider about any metal you have in your body. An MRI can heat certain metal and cause burns.
Stress tests are usually safe. You will be closely watched during the test. If a problem develops, you'll be treated quickly. Medicines that make your heart work harder sometimes cause symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or nausea. An IV may bruise your arm.
The tracers and dyes used in nuclear and MRI stress tests may cause an allergic reaction, but this is rare. If you are or could become pregnant or are breastfeeding, talk with your provider before you have these tests.
A normal test result means no blood flow problems were found. Your heart is working well.
If your test result was not normal, it may mean you have heart disease. Ask your provider to explain what condition you may have. You may need more tests to find out how serious your condition is.
Stress Tests: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Mar 09, 2023]
Exercise Tolerance Test
Exercise Tolerance Test
Also called: Treadmill Stress Testing, Exercise Stress Test, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test, CPX Test
Exercise tolerance testing is a form of cardiac stress testing that uses treadmill exercise with electrocardiogram (EKG) and blood pressure monitoring. The test is used to determine a patient’s functional capacity, assess the probability and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as assess risks, prognosis and effects of therapy.
Exercise Tolerance Test
Also called: Treadmill Stress Testing, Exercise Stress Test, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test, CPX Test
Exercise tolerance testing is a form of cardiac stress testing that uses treadmill exercise with electrocardiogram (EKG) and blood pressure monitoring. The test is used to determine a patient’s functional capacity, assess the probability and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as assess risks, prognosis and effects of therapy.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
(mL/kg)/min
30
Your result is Good.
VO2 max refers to the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during intense or maximal exercise. The greater your VO2 max, the more oxygen your body can consume and transport to your organs, muscles, and tissues, enabling you to have better endurance and performance for a given effort.
Related conditions
This test allows your doctor to learn how your heart reacts to exercise. As you walk on the treadmill, an EKG (electrocardiogram) will check your heart’s electrical activity. The EKG may show if your heart lacks blood flow or has abnormal heartbeats during exercise. The stress test also helps your doctor decide if you need further tests to evaluate your heart.
Before the test begins, your nurse or doctor will explain it to you. Feel free to ask questions and voice concerns at this time. When you understand what will happen, you will be asked to sign a consent for the test to be performed.
To monitor your heart during exercise, adhesive patches, called electrodes, will be put on your chest. Your chest will be cleansed with alcohol and shaved in some areas (if necessary) before these electrodes are placed.
You will be asked about symptoms you have had with exercise in the past. Describe, as completely as you can, any chest discomfort, breathing problems, lightheadedness or dizziness, fluttering in the chest, weakness, fatigue, or anything else you think may be relevant. Also, mention anything you feel while you are being prepared for the test.
A nurse or doctor will be with you throughout the test. Your heart rate and rhythm and your blood pressure will be checked during the test.
Generally, the treadmill’s pace and incline will increase every 3 minutes. It is important that you describe anything you feel as you exercise. If you become short of breath, the nurse may ask you to rate it as “mild,” “moderate,” or “severe.” If you have chest discomfort, you will be asked to describe it as best you can and rate it on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 is very mild; 10 is very severe). There is no right or wrong number. This helps your doctor know how you are doing and gives us a better way to compare how you feel before and after the test.
Keep walking until you are told to stop or until you cannot walk any longer. Let the nurse know when you need to slow down. Keep walk-ing as the treadmill slows. Do not jump off.
While you rest, your heart will continue to be monitored.
Inform the doctor or nurse about any temporary or permanent condition that could affect your ability to move, walk, bear weight, or keep your balance. If possible, discuss this when you are first scheduled for the test. It is also important that the doctor and/or nurse conducting the test have this information.
Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about medications. Some medications should be stopped for 48 hours before the test; others should not be stopped. If you do not have clear instructions about all your medications (including those for your heart, blood pressure, or other medications), contact your doctor or nurse a few days before the test.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine 8 hours before the test. Do not eat 2 hours before the test, and do not drink liquids 1 hour before the test. If your exercise test is combined with heart imaging (such as a thallium scan), follow the specific instructions for that test.
Try to be as well rested as possible. You may need to reschedule the test if you feel unwell (for example, if you have a cold). If you do not feel you can give your maximum exercise effort, contact your nurse or doctor before the test.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing with a separate top and bottom. Women should wear bras. Wear comfortable, flat shoes that will not slip off while you are walking.
After the procedure:
You can eat and drink as usual.
Depending on how you feel, you may go about your normal routine or take it easy if the test tired you.
Do not take a hot shower for at least an hour after the test. Your blood vessels expand with exercise and need time to return to normal. A hot shower may expand them more, causing low blood pressure and dizziness.
Procedures/Diagnostic Tests. Exercise tolerance test. National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. [accessed on Dec 11, 2018]
Vilcant V, Zeltser R. Treadmill Stress Testing. [Updated 2018 Oct 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2018 Jan-. [accessed on Dec 11, 2018]
Am Fam Physician. 2017 Sep 1;96(5):293-299. Exercise Stress Testing: Indications and Common Questions. Garner KK, Pomeroy W, Arnold JJ. [accessed on Dec 11, 2018]
Am Fam Physician. 1999 Jan 15;59(2):401-10. Ordering and understanding the exercise stress test. Darrow MD. [accessed on Dec 11, 2018]
Harvard Men's Health. Cardiac exercise stress testing: What it can and cannot tell you. [accessed on Dec 11, 2018]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Stress Echocardiography
Stress Echocardiography
Also called: Echocardiography Stress Test, Stress Echo
Stress echocardiography, or echo, is a test that uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your heart. A stress echo is done as part of a stress test. Some heart problems, such as coronary heart disease, are easier to diagnose when the heart is working hard and beating fast.
Stress Echocardiography
Also called: Echocardiography Stress Test, Stress Echo
Stress echocardiography, or echo, is a test that uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your heart. A stress echo is done as part of a stress test. Some heart problems, such as coronary heart disease, are easier to diagnose when the heart is working hard and beating fast.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Normal.
A normal result means that blood flow through the coronary arteries is probably normal.
Related conditions
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007150.htm [accessed on Feb 23, 2022]
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/stress-tests/ [accessed on Feb 23, 2022]
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/echocardiography [accessed on Feb 23, 2022]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Treatment
Antacids
Image by Brett_Hondow
Antacids
Antacids
Image by Brett_Hondow
How Is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Treated?
There is currently no cure for IPF. You may need medicines, pulmonary rehabilitation, procedures, or other treatments to slow down lung damage and help improve your quality of life.
Medicines
You may need the following medicines:
Nintedanib or pirfenidone can help your lungs work better. They may also help to prevent an acute exacerbation, which is an unexpected and sudden worsening of symptoms over a period of days or weeks, and may prolong survival.
Antacids may help prevent stomach acid from getting into the lungs from reflux, making IPF worse.
Other treatments
You may need other treatments to treat IPF, including:
Oxygen therapy to decrease shortness of breath and improve the ability to exercise
Ventilator support to help with breathing
Surgery
A lung transplant may be an option for some people who have serious IPF. The major complications of a lung transplant are infection and rejection of the new organ by the body. You will have to take medicines for the rest of your life to reduce the risk of rejection following a lung transplant.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Additional Materials (3)
Life with Pulmonary Fibrosis | Treatment Options for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Video by Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation/YouTube
Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Treatment Options for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Video by National Jewish Health/YouTube
Lung transplantation, pulmonary transplantation
The illustration shows the process of a lung transplant. In figure A, the airway and blood vessels between a recipient's diseased right lung and heart are cut. The inset image shows the location of the lungs and heart in the body. In figure B, a healthy donor lung is stitched to the recipient's blood vessels and airway.
Image by NHLBI, NIH
3:11
Life with Pulmonary Fibrosis | Treatment Options for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation/YouTube
1:28
Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Treatment Options for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
National Jewish Health/YouTube
Lung transplantation, pulmonary transplantation
NHLBI, NIH
Prevention
Zero - No direct Treatments
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images/Pixabay
Zero - No direct Treatments
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images/Pixabay
Can I Prevent Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Currently, there are no screening methods to determine who may develop IPF. If you have certain risk factors, especially a family history of IPF, your doctor may ask you to have a lung function testor an imaging test, such as a high-resolution chest CT scan, to look for scarring in the lungs.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Additional Materials (1)
Importance of early diagnosis in IPF
Video by Boehringer Ingelheim Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/YouTube
The systems that control life energy in our bodies and minds are built to work together. What happens to our natural state of healthful balance as we travel life's path? We begin to make choices that throw our bodies and minds out of harmony. "Rules of Wellness" show, for the first time, the inner workings of these intricately connected systems.
Image by TheVisualMD
Living With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
If you have been diagnosed with IPF, it is important to continue your treatment plan. Talk to your doctor about how often to schedule follow-up care and how to monitor and understand your condition so you know when to get medical help. You may need lifestyle changes and pulmonary rehabilitation to help you manage the disease.
It is important to know that the progression of IPF is different for each person and cannot be predicted. Managing your condition is best done with the help of a healthcare team that can help improve your quality of life.
What health problems can IPF cause?
Complications of IPF may include:
Depression and anxiety
Lung cancer
Pulmonary hypertension
Respiratory failure
Sleep problems or disorders
Receive routine follow-up care
Regular checkups with your doctor may be part of your follow-up and treatment. Tell your doctor if you suddenly experience a worsening of symptoms over a period of days or weeks. This event is called an exacerbation. Sometimes a trigger or other factor may cause it, but often there is no obvious cause. Exacerbations from IPF can be life threatening and are more common in advanced stages of IPF. People who have an exacerbation from IPF may have repeat episodes.
If your condition worsens, you may benefit from oxygen therapy full time. Some people who have IPF carry portable oxygen when they go out.
Monitor your condition
People who have IPF can have other conditions as well, so you may need to see several doctors who specialize in different areas of medical care.
Your doctor may use the following tests and procedures to monitor your condition, and also to determine whether to recommend a lung transplant.
Chest CT scan to look for lung cancer, or to see how you are responding to treatment or if your condition is getting worse
Liver function tests to monitor possible side effects from medicines
Lung function tests, which you may need every few months
Adopt healthy lifestyle changes
You may need to adopt healthy lifestyle changes to improve your overall health and prevent other conditions.
Quit smoking. If you smoke, quit. Also, try to avoid other lung irritants, such as dust, chemicals, and secondhand smoke. Visit Smoking and Your Heart and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Your Guide to a Healthy Heart. For free help quitting smoking, you may call the National Cancer Institute's Smoking Quitline at 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848).
Get regular physical activity. Physical activity can help you maintain your strength and lung function and reduce stress. Try moderate exercise, such as walking or riding a stationary bike. Ask your doctor about using oxygen while exercising.
Aim for a healthy weight.
Adopt a heart-healthy diet. Also, eating smaller meals more often may relieve stomach fullness, which can make it hard to breathe.
Your doctor may ask you to make these lifestyle changes as part of a pulmonary rehabilitation program.
Take care of your mental health
Living with IPF may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. Talking about how you feel with your healthcare team may help. Your doctor may recommend one or more steps you can take to protect your mental health.
Get counseling, particularly Cognitive behavioral therapy.
Get treatment for depression. Medicines, such as antidepressants, or other treatments can improve your quality of life.
Join a patient support group. This can help you adjust to living with IPF. You can see how other patients manage similar symptoms and their condition. Talk with your doctor about local support groups or check with an area medical center.
Ask for support from family and friends. This can help relieve stress and anxiety. Let your loved ones know how you feel and what they can do to help you.
Discuss palliative care. If you have serious symptoms ofIPF, palliative care doctors may help you have a better quality of life with fewer symptoms.
Prevent exacerbations
To prevent exacerbations, your doctor may ask you to avoid situations where breathing is more difficult, such as in high altitudes, or when the air quality outside is poor from dust or pollution. Your doctor may treat exacerbations with medicines, such as glucocorticoids, or increased levels of supplemental oxygen.
Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Additional Materials (3)
The Wellness Continuum
Being in good health doesn't happen overnight; it's a journey. Here's your roadmap. Begin with Wellness Rule 1, Measure Yourself to Track Your Health, and continue on to learn how to turn around bad habits one by one. As you start practicing good health habits, you'll find they reinforce one another. By getting enough sleep, for instance, you'll more effectively manage stress and be less likely to overeat.
Image by TheVisualMD
Advice for Living with Pulmonary Fibrosis
Video by American Lung Association/YouTube
Living With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
No cure is available for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) yet. Your symptoms may get worse over time. As your symptoms worsen, you may not be able to do many of the things that you did before you had IPF.
However, lifestyle changes and ongoing care can help you manage the disease.
If you're still smoking, the most important thing you can do is quit. Talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit. Also, try to avoid secondhand smoke. Ask family members and friends not to smoke in front of you or in your home, car, or workplace.
Image by Drriad
The Wellness Continuum
TheVisualMD
1:54
Advice for Living with Pulmonary Fibrosis
American Lung Association/YouTube
Living With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Drriad
Prognosis
Prognosis Icon
Image by mcmurryjulie/Pixabay
Prognosis Icon
Image by mcmurryjulie/Pixabay
What Is the Long-Term Outlook for People with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
The long-term outlook (prognosis) for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is poor, with only 20-30% of affected people surviving at least 5 years after diagnosis. Several factors have been associated with a shortened survival time, including:
older age at diagnosis
extensive cigarette smoking
lower body mass index (BMI)
more severe physiologic impairment
greater extent of disease on imaging studies
the development of other complications or conditions (eg, pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, and bronchogenic cancer)
The natural history of IPF is not completely understood. While it usually follows a course of progressive deterioration, some people remain stable for extended periods and individual outcomes can vary significantly. Still, long-term survival of IPF is not expected.
It now appears that three potential disease courses exist, but there is not currently a definitive way to predict the course in an affected person. They are:
slowly progressive disease (the most common);
disease marked by episodes of acute exacerbations; and
rapidly progressive disease.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
Additional Materials (1)
Introduction into idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
Video by Boehringer Ingelheim Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/YouTube
1:13
Introduction into idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
How Does Lung Transplantation Affect Survival Time in People with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?
It is somewhat controversial whether people with IPF should have a single or bilateral lung transplant. Some have reported no difference in overall survival between the two types of transplants. Others have found a trend toward better early survival after a single transplant, and better long term survival after a bilateral transplant. It has now been seen in several studies that bilateral transplants may have better long-term outcomes, but worse short-term outcomes; single transplants have been associated with a slightly higher later risk of death.
Although the question of whether to perform a single or bilateral transplant remains unanswered, there is an increasing tendency in the transplant community to perform bilateral rather than single lung transplants. The data overall seem to suggest that although bilateral lung transplant may increase the risk for early death, it promotes long-term survival. It is possible that the early mortality caused by bilateral lung transplants has been improved by better surgical techniques and critical care.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
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Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition where the tissue deep in the lungs becomes scarred over time, making it thick and stiff. The lungs then lose their ability to move oxygen to the brain and other parts of the body. Learn more about pulmonary fibrosis, including symptoms, causes, and ways to manage the disease after a diagnosis.