Spirometry is the most accurate breathing test for asthma. It measures the amount of air you can breathe in and out of your lungs, and how hard and fast you can breathe out. In other words, it measures your overall lung function.
The machine used to do the test is called a spirometer. At Peekaboo Pediatrics we use a spirometer to:
- check whether the airways in your child's lungs are narrower than they should be
- confirm whether your child has asthma
- work out how severe your child's asthma is
- see if your child's asthma is getting worse
- see if your child's asthma is getting better with treatment.
The test results help Dr. Thakkar and Dr. Pankaj decide whether you need any medicines, or to work out whether the type or dose of your child's current medicine needs to change. Most children over 4 years of age are able to perform the spirometry test.