Spirometry – What Is It and What Should I Expect?

Spirometry is a simple, non-invasive breathing test that measures how well your lungs are working. It helps assess how much air you can breathe in and out, and how quickly you can empty your lungs. Spirometry is commonly used to help diagnose and monitor conditions such as asthma, COPD and other respiratory disorders.

The test is straightforward and usually takes around 20–30 minutes. During the test, you will be asked to take a deep breath in and then blow out as hard and as fast as you can into a mouthpiece connected to a spirometer. To ensure accurate results, you will usually be asked to repeat the test several times.

You may also be asked to repeat the test after using a bronchodilator (reliever) inhaler. This is known as reversibility testing and helps determine whether your lung function improves after the medication.

Throughout your appointment, I will explain each step clearly and guide you through the test at your own pace. The procedure is safe for most people, although some individuals may not be able to undergo spirometry if there are medical reasons why it would not be appropriate. This will be discussed during your initial consultation and assessment.

The test is not painful, but because it requires maximum effort, some people may briefly feel light-headed or slightly short of breath afterwards. This usually settles within a few moments.

My aim is to make your experience as comfortable and reassuring as possible while obtaining accurate, reliable results that can help support your diagnosis and ongoing care.