Lung Function

The Lung Function Laboratory is situated in the North West Lung Centre. Established in the 1950s, it is now one of the best equipped laboratories in assessing lung disease and responses to treatment.

The clinical services offered in the Lung Function laboratory include spirometry, lung volumes, gas transfer measurement, bronchodilator assessment, exercise testing, tests of bronchial responsiveness, high altitude simulation testing, respiratory muscle strength, allergy skin testing and long-term oxygen therapy assessment.

We boast one of the first sleep laboratories to be established in the UK, used to investigate and treat breathing related sleep disorders.

Questions & Answers

What is a lung function test?
Lung function tests are used to help the doctor assess how well your lungs are working. They investigate your lung capacity and assess how easily air passes in and out of your lungs. The tests can also determine how efficiently your lungs take up oxygen from the air.

What will the tests involve?
All the tests require you to be seated with a small mouthpiece placed between your teeth. You will be asked to breathe in and out of two or three machines. There are a couple of simple procedures but these are no more complicated than blowing out forcefully or holding your breath for a few seconds. During the test we may ask you to take some medication in order for us to investigate the effect on your breathing. This is a common procedure and does not necessarily mean that you will be prescribed the medication. You may also have a skin test to find out if you have any allergies. Some patients may also need an exercise test. We may need to take a small sample of blood from your earlobe to measure oxygen levels.

Are the tests painful?
All the tests require you to wear a nose clip and a mouthpiece. The test procedures are completely painless and you should experience no discomfort.

How long will the tests take?
The tests normally take between 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of tests that your doctor has requested. Part of this time may involve you waiting for any medication we administer to have its full effect.

Why might I be having these tests?
Doctors request lung function tests when patients are suffering from unexplained chest pain or shortness of breath. If you have been diagnosed with a chest problem the tests will tell us whether your breathing is better or worse since your last visit.

Do I need to prepare myself for the tests?
 It is important that you refrain from using any of the following medicines for at least 4 hours prior to your appointment: VENTOLIN, SALBUTAMOL, BRICANYL, TERBUTALINE SULPHATE, ATROVENT, IPRATROPIUM BROMIDE, COMBIVENT, AEROLIN. It is also important that you do not use the following long-acting inhalers for 12 hours prior to your appointment: OXIS, EFORMOTEROL FUMARATE OXIVENT, OXITROPIUM BROMIDE. You should continue to use angina sprays. 

Contacts

Lung Function Office – 0161 291 2524
Chief Physiologist – 0161 291 2406
Sleep Laboratory – 0161 291 2569
Oxygen Service – 0161 291 4935