Who will be conducting my tests?

This test measures the total size of your lungs (i.e. how big they are) and how the air is distributed through the lungs. By performing this test, we can determine if any disease present is causing the lung tissue to:

• be distorted out of its normal shape
• be blocked off from partaking in gas exchange
• become floppy or sagging
• be stiffer than it should be

There are several different techniques employed that may be used to measure your lung volumes, including:

• Helium Dilution
• Nitrogen Washout
• Whole Body Plethysmography

Helium dilution and nitrogen washout involve you breathing normally in and out of lung function equipment for typically between 2 – 5 minutes whilst being exposed to either helium or elevated concentrations of oxygen.

Whole Body Plethysmography requires you to be seated within a special box/cubicle with the door closed and to breathe in and out through a mouthpiece. At some point during this test a shutter is activated which will prevent you from breathing for a very short period of time (typically ~ 3 seconds). However, during this time you will be asked to gently pant in and out (suck and push) against this shutter so that measurements can be made. This is typically repeated 3-5times as necessary.