What is a spirogram and in what cases is it necessary

Spirogram - what it is, indications and method of conducting it

The method of obtaining an assessment of the condition and performance of the lungs by collecting the main indicators of their work is called a spirogram. The examination is carried out according to medical indications and is used in cardiology, pulmonology and allergology. Basically, the considered study is diagnostic in nature and allows to assess the state of the respiratory system for the further appointment of effective therapy. What is a spirogram and how is it done - this information will be useful to everyone.

When the procedure is performed

When referring for a spirogram, doctors prescribe FZD - what kind of procedure is this? This is the second name of the spirogram, which stands for external breathing functions. Indications for carrying out:

1. Disruption of the function of external breathing, which can be a sign of emphysema, pneumonia, adhesion disease of the lungs or bronchi, pleurisy, pneumothorax.
2. Obstructive pathologies. They arise as a result of the difficult passage of oxygen into the respiratory organs. Chronic bronchial diseases, asthma, benign or malignant tumors, laryngitis can provoke this condition.
3. Bronchial asthma (FZD in bronchial asthma is performed even during the remission period in the presence of shortness of breath with cough).

In addition, a spirogram can be prescribed during a general examination of the body for the presence of pathologies, in case of unclear symptoms and the impossibility of establishing an accurate diagnosis. Simultaneously with the examination in question, an electrocardiogram, general blood and urine tests, and computer tomography of the respiratory system are prescribed. Deciphering the results of the lung spirogram is a comparison of the obtained results with normal values.

How a spirogram is performed

Preparation for the FZD study is not required, but the patient must fulfill some requirements:

• the procedure is performed in the morning on an empty stomach;
• one hour before the start of the spirogram, you cannot smoke or drink coffee;
• it is forbidden to take bronchodilators a day before the procedure.

The examination is performed in a sitting position: the back is straight, the chin is slightly raised. The patient's clothing should be loose and not interfere with full inhalation and exhalation.

During the spirogram, the following measurements are taken:

• minute volume of breathing in a calm mode without deep inhalations and exhalations;
• duration of exhalation (the patient takes a deep and sharp breath, and then a slow and deep exhalation; normally, the exhalation time is an average of 6 seconds);
• measurement of external breathing fluctuations at different amplitudes and depths (within 12 seconds the patient should breathe frequently and shallowly).

Some patients, while passing the tests, feel dizzy and complain of darkening in the eyes. This happens extremely rarely. In this case, it is necessary to stop the research, let the patient resume breathing, and measure blood pressure. The doctor decides whether to continue the spirogram, taking into account the patient's condition.

Obtaining reliable results is possible only if the patient does not make the following mistakes:

• insufficiently tight closing of the mouthpiece with the lips, as a result of which additional air enters the respiratory organs;
• untimely inhalations and exhalations;
• too strong clenching of the teeth;
• conscious reduction of exhalation time;
• pressing lips.

Decoding of indicators

The spirogram procedure lasts no more than 30 minutes. After receiving the data, the doctor begins to evaluate them. Normal indicators of FZD:

1. The frequency of breathing in 60 seconds is a maximum of 20 and a minimum of 10 movements.
2. The volume of air received during inhalation is on average 1.3 liters, the minimum amount is 1.2 liters.
3. The volume of air during a deep exhalation is a maximum of 1.2 liters, a minimum of 1 liter.
4. The total capacity of the lungs is 6 liters on average.

After decoding, the patient receives the results of the examination in his hands, which can be useful to other specialists. For example, data on the functionality of external breathing will help a cardiologist, pulmonologist and therapist in diagnosing diseases and determining the degree of severity of the course of the pathological process.

Spirogram is the first examination recommended for chronic shortness of breath and persistent cough. If similar problems arose in childhood, you need to find out in advance where you can do FZD for a child. The procedure requires concentration from the patient, psychologists and pediatricians work with children before the examination.

You can get more information about the price of FZD, in which clinics and state medical institutions it is performed, on our website Dobrobut.com.

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