Lung specialist clinic in Szeged, at the Korda Clinic

When is a respiratory function test necessary?

Lung function can be assessed by a respiratory function test called spirometry. Its importance is paramount in diagnosing respiratory diseases and monitoring the patient's condition.

What parameters does the respiratory function measure?

The airway system can be compared to the structure of a tree. The trunk of the tree is the trachea, the larger branches are the main bronchi, which branch off into smaller bronchi, eventually reaching the alveoli.
This is where the gas exchange takes place: oxygen from the inhaled air is transferred to the blood, while carbon dioxide is removed from the blood through the airways. According to Dr Lyubomir Jancsikin, a pulmonologist at Korda Clinic, respiratory function tests measure the volume (vital capacity) and speed of the air that is inhaled and exhaled, distinguishing between the function of the large and small airways, which depend on their dilatation.

What can cause the measured values to deteriorate?

It can be caused by a number of respiratory dysfunctions, but a group of so-called obstructive lung diseases stand out. In these cases, the airways become narrowed, making it difficult to exhale first: the volume and speed of air outflow is reduced. The air trapped in the lungs dilates the air sacs, damaging their walls and creating air traps, which inhibit gas exchange. As a result of these processes, insufficient oxygen is released from the alveoli into the blood and carbon dioxide evacuation is impeded, causing severe fatigue, dyspnoea and rapid exhaustion on physical exertion.

When is the test recommended?

If you have a cough that occurs in fits or persists, it is important to have it checked as soon as possible. Also, in the case of shortness of breath, choking, chest pressure, the doctor will probably recommend a respiratory function test. It also provides important information about the patient's condition and the effectiveness of treatment for known diseases such as asthma or COPD, and is therefore also performed regularly in these cases.

What happens during the investigation?

The test is performed in a sitting or standing position. After the nose is closed, the patient must exhale into the device as instructed, repeated several times. On average, the entire test takes 15-30 minutes.

How to prepare for it?

Smokers should not smoke for at least four hours before the test. Avoid heavy food, coffee or cola two hours before the test. Do not do strenuous exercise.
Rest for 15 minutes before the test.

You should tell your doctor about your medicines, as some of them may affect the results of the test and may play a role in maintaining your symptoms.

Allergic diseases can cause symptoms affecting many different organ systems. These symptoms occur when the body comes into contact with allergens that most often cause the following symptoms:

• Respiratory symptoms: frequent sneezing, nasal itching, throat and palate scratching, runny nose.
• Eye symptoms: watery, itchy, red eyes.
• Skin symptoms: itchy skin, blisters, swelling, redness.
• If gastrointestinal symptoms are also present, the possibility of food allergy is also a possibility, with typical symptoms of stomach cramps, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

How can an allergy test help your doctor? Combined with your medical history, allergy tests can confirm whether substances that come into contact with your skin, inhaled or ingested are causing allergy symptoms.

How is allergy skin testing done? Allergic skin testing involves monitoring skin reactions to suspected allergens (e.g. plants, pet dander, pet dander, food) applied to the forearm, such as redness, which can be a sign of an allergic response.

Why is it important to have a skin test? The information provided by skin testing allows the doctor to develop an allergy management plan, which may include avoidance of allergens, medication or other treatments (such as immunotherapy).

Allergy skin tests are widely used to diagnose allergic conditions.

Skin tests are generally safe and can be used at any age.