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Confused about Spirometer TEST

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Posted 1/11/2007 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Can anyone help me to understand about Spirometer Test? I had another one of those test at my Allergist/Asthma clinic. And my doctor told me that the test results was bad. But, when I ask for an explaination I am not really getting what he is saying. I wasn't having terrible problems when he gave me that Spirometer test. Then there are other times when I am having alot of asthma trouble, and when I go into see my specialist doctor the Spirometer Test comes out normal. Why is it normal when I am having trouble? and not so good when I am not really experiencing any breathing difficulty?? Someone please help me understand. Thanks, Brandi.. :-) yeah
Posted 1/12/2007 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
When you are having a lot of trouble & go to see the specialist, are you taking more txs than usual due to the exacerbations? If you are, then your airways are more relaxed and you would have a better reading. When you are not experiencing exacerbations, you are not taking additional txs and, therefore, your readings most likely be lower.

Hope this helps answer your question.
Posted 1/16/2007 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Pegleg,

One question what is TXS?? I understood some of what you said. Thanks, Brandi.

Posted 1/16/2007 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, "txs" is just short for treatments.
Posted 1/18/2007 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Pegleg,

Ya, I do at times need to take my Albuterol days before or hours before I attend my appointment with my Asthma/Allergist doctor. I have a question for you? Lately I have been coughing at night while sleeping in my room. Also When I do get up out of bed take Albuterol it gets alot better then I go back to sleep. I am taking Advair Diskus and I am wondering why I have been having nighttime asthma trouble lately. Do you have any suggestions for me? I would appreciate your time. Thankyou, Brandi. :-)

Posted 1/20/2007 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Dear younglady 94: There are several reasons why asthmatics get worse during the night:

Natural changes in the body tend to make the airways narrower. These changes include: (1) Fall in body temperature; (2) fall in level of natural anti-inflammatory hormone (cortisol); (3) fall in the level of adrenaline, a hormone which opens the airways by relaxing the airway muscles; (4) increased activity of the parasympathetic nervous system which tends to relax the airways.

Allergy to dust mites; during the winter with the use of heat circulating, this tends to make sinuses worse which inturn may make your asthma worse. Where there is sinusitis, drops of mucus from the sinuses being inhaled during the night and making asthma worse.

In a few cases, a delayed reaction to something encountered during the day, occasionally a substance inhaled at work.

Where there is gasto-esophageal reflux, tiny drops of acidic liquid from the stomach being inhaled during the night, which irritates the airways and makes them narrower.

It may also be something not related to your asthma. I breathe better sleeping higher due to the problem with a deviated septum in my nose. The minutes I lay down without a high pillow, it seems that my entire nose is congested; if I sit up, my breathing returns to normal.

This this info helps.

This info taken from various asthma books and clinical guidelines. Meant as medical education info & not as medical advice.
Posted 1/23/2007 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Thankyou Pegleg,

  I am having the most problem with nighttime breathing when I sleep in my bedroom with my husband. (he isn't the problem, lol). Anyways, if I sleep in the living room I have no Asthma trouble. Seems like when I lay my head on my pillow in my bedroom I start having cough fits and wheeze. I tested negative to dust mites. Don't know what else could be the problem. Any suggestions Pegleg??. Brandi.

Posted 1/23/2007 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Have you changed your laundry detergent? (Your nose is directly next to cloth, so you may be having reaction to pillow case even though you do not have a reaction to your clothes.) Is your husband using anything at night that's different? You're not next to him constantly during the day. Also, you may actually be exposed to a trigger during the day that takes a while to build up to a reaction (many times this occurs for asthmatics with nocturnal triggers.) When you sleep in the living room, is your head more elevated than when using the pillow on your bed? This may be a symptom of reflux which aggrevates asthma. Right off base, these are the only things I can think of, but I'll check my books to see what else I can come up with. Good luck!
Posted 1/23/2007 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
No my husband isn't wearing anything different. I  have been using the same laundry detergent. Im wondering if its my pillow. I m going to go and buy a new pillow. It is due to be replaced anyhow. Try that to see if it makes any imrovement. I have been having a sore stomach after eating. Not really sure what that is. Going to see my doctor if my stomach doesn't improve soon. I may be eating too fast. But it doesn't seem like I am eating too fast. Thanks for your advice Pegleg. Brandi... :-)
Posted 1/24/2007 2:10 PM (GMT 0)

Hi all,

Pegleg, I'm wondering if you can help me decifer spirometry readings for my son.  He had one in 11/05 and one in 2/06.  His readings are as follows:

11/05: 1st test (before Albuterol): 79   85   96   119   142

          2nd test (after Alb.):  91   102   100   153   157

2/06:  only 1 test:  FVC .89, FEV1 .76, FEV/FVC 85.7, PEF .98, FIVC 1.67

The 11/05 test doesn't tell me what the numbers represent (FVC, etc), so I don't know how to interpret them.  They also don't seem to be in the same format.  I do know what the abbreviations mean on the 2/06 test, but am a little confused between the FEV1 and the PEF.  From what I've read, they both represent the same result as a peak flow meter but that doesn't make sense.

He'll have another test in 2 weeks and I'd like to be able to compare the results to see if he's doing better.

Can you help?  Thanks!

Posted 1/24/2007 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
FVC stands for Forced Vital Capacity (the air in your lungs); FEV1 stands for the forced expiratory volume within the first second of breath; PEF stands for peak expiratory flow (peak flow meter). The test shows that your son demonstrated a definite constriction of smooth muscles prior to being given a bronchodilator. If a person is not asthmatic, there would not be a large difference in the readings. I forgot how old you said your son is ... let me know & I will show you some lung exercises that will help improve his breathing by riding the lungs of air trapping (causes lower oxygen in the lungs, causes tightness in the chest, & shortness of breath). This is the test I adore because it opens the gate to the diagnosis & lets you start him on a correct management program. By ridding the lungs of air trapping, you will see an increase in the vital capacity of the lungs. Good luck on your son's next test.
Posted 1/24/2007 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
You are so smart!  He is 7 years old and I'd love to know about the exercies.

Posted 1/24/2007 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Momwith3: I've placed this exercise on threads before, but it is the best one for keeping the lungs free of air trapping.

Step 1: Relax your neck & shoulder muscles. Inhale slowly through your nose for 2 counts.

Step 2: Pucker your lips as if you were going to blow out a candle. Exhale slowly & gently through your lips for 4 or more counts.

Remember: Always exhale for longer than you inhale. This allowed your lungs to empty as much as possible. Exhale during the difficult part of any activity such as when you bend, life, or reach. NEVER HOLD YOUR BREATH.


There are other simple things you can do to get a child to understand this exercise. I always use party blowers that go in and out. Have your son take in a breath to the count of 2. Next, have him blow into the party blower to the count of 5. By using the party blower, you can tell if they are actually exhaling the breath long enough to clear the air of trapped air. The kids love this "game" and continue it long after you show them how. I also use 3 oz cups and stack them up. Then if you have a young child (age 2 and under), have them slowly blow the "tower" down. The trick is to think of things that will get them to breath out longer than they breathe in. A harmonica is good to use, but be sure to keep it sterile & have one for each child.

Good luck & have fun!
Posted 1/25/2007 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
pegleg,

I just want to say  thank you so much for all the great info you share with us! It is nice to have this scary disease broken down in a way that is understandable and to get great advice on ways to improve the quality of life for those suffering. THANK YOU!

Posted 1/26/2007 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
I also want to thank pegleg for her help. My readings in January were low the doctor said. other times the test shows the numbers to be in the 80's and 90's.  I don't understand that test very much. I was diagnosed by my primary doctor in 2002 with Asthma. Diagnose was made by my doctor listening to the wheezing in my lungs. I was having coughing and other problems for weeks, before he said it was Asthma. Anyhow, everyone have a nice day!! Brandi.. :-)
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