Diagnosis
Emphysema

During your appointment, your doctor will perform a physical examination. He or she will check the shape of your chest and will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope to determine if you are wheezing or if you are struggling to exhale.

Your doctor may also perform one or more tests to confirm a diagnosis. These tests may include:

  • Spirometry test
    During this test, you will be asked to breathe into a tube attached to a machine called a spirometer. This test measures the amount of air that can be forced out of the lungs in one second. The time that it takes to exhale air in the lungs is the best way to determine the amount of airway obstruction.

  • Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) test
    This test measures the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood to determine how well your lungs are working. A technician will draw your blood from an artery, usually in your wrist, so that the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels can be measured before they enter body tissues and change.

  • Pulse Oximetry
    During this test, a small device will be clipped on your finger. The clip will use your pulse to measure how much oxygen you have in your lungs.

  • Chest X-ray
    X-rays are only used to diagnose moderate or severe cases of emphysema.

  • Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
    You will be asked to breathe into a machine that will measure how fast you can exhale and how much air is in your lungs.

  • Pulmonary Ventilation/Perfusion Scans
    These are two separate nuclear scans. During each, a technician will ask you to either inhale radioactive materials or he or she will inject the materials into your system so that your breathing and circulation can be monitored in all areas of your lungs.

  • Chest CT scan
    A CT scan produces multiple cross-sectional images of the organs and tissues of the chest. The images are far more detailed than what can be produced by x-rays.

  • Sputum samples may be taken
    A sample of your sputum (what you are coughing up) will be sent to a laboratory where the sample will be analyzed for signs of infection, blood, or abnormal cells.

  • Blood test
    Blood may be taken so that it can be tested to ensure that you are not missing the Alpha-1 antitrypsin protein.

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
    An EKG records the electrical impulses of your heart. It may be used to ensure that your lung disease has not had an adverse affect on your heart.

  • Bronchoscopy
    A bronchoscopy may be performed if you are coughing up blood. This test is used to investigate problems with the airway, to remove an object or growth from the airway, and to collect lung secretions or tissue specimens.

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