How to Test for Emphysema
Most doctors are able to venture a diagnosis of emphysema based on the symptoms described by the patient. Once a doctor suspects that a person may have emphysema, there are a series of tests that can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. A test is important not only to confirm the presence of the disease, but also to understand the severity of it.
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Instructions
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Submit to a full examination. This is usually the first step in helping a doctor determine your chances of having emphysema. After asking questions about your medical history and helping you determine your risk level, a doctor will perform a physical examination to check for abnormal breathing sounds and to determine how strenuous your breathing rhythm is.
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Be prepared to take a series of X-rays. This is the second most common test performed to confirm a diagnosis of emphysema, because X-rays can show the state of the lung, including the amount of tissue that is either damaged or dead. If the results are unclear, a CAT scan may be indicated, but doctors tend to shy away from them because of the increased exposure to radiation.
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Ask for a spirometry test to evaluate your breathing limits and problems. This test is performed at a hospital and consists of exhaling as much air as possible from the lungs in 1 second into a special instrument. The test measures lung capacity by checking how much air is exhaled during the exam.
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Be ready to undergo a series of exams to check lung volume. The tests vary from the body plethysmography (to check lung obstruction) to the diffusing capacity (to measure the level of oxygen diffusion in the blood). Most tests are not invasive and require only a simple breathing exam to be administered by a professional.
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Don't be surprised if you are given a blood test to confirm the amount of oxygen in your blood. The arterial blood gases (ABG) test can determine how well your lungs work by measuring levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide and comparing these amounts to the quantities present in a person with healthy lungs.
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Tips & Warnings
If a doctor suspects a hereditary condition, or if emphysema shows up at an early age (especially in patients under 30), he may request a test for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. A deficiency of the protein Alpha-1 Antitrypsin can cause a series of lung problems, including emphysema.
