Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Tests
A type of lung disease marked by permanent damage to in the , making it hard to breathe. includes chronic , in which the (large air passages) are inflamed and scarred, and , in which the (tiny air ) are damaged. It develops over many years and is usually caused by cigarette smoking. Also called COPD.
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Diagnosis of COPD
Your doctor will diagnose COPD based on your signs and symptoms, your medical and family histories, and test results.
Your doctor may ask whether you smoke or have had contact with lung irritants, such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust.
If you have an ongoing , let your doctor know how long you’ve had it, how much you cough, and how much comes up when you cough. Also, let your doctor know whether you have a family history of COPD.
Your doctor will examine you and use a to listen for wheezing or other abnormal sounds. He or she also may recommend one or more tests to diagnose COPD.
Lung Function Tests
Lung function tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out, how fast you can breathe air out, and how well your deliver to your .
The main test for COPD is spirometry (spi-ROM-eh-tre). Other lung function tests,…