Should You Stop Smoking Before Lung Testing?
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With advanced pulmonary testing, patients can gain a vast amount of information about the overall health and other aspects of their lungs to determine whether they may need lung treatments or procedures. At Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA, board-certified physician in pulmonary, internal, sleep, and geriatric medicine, Dr. Avi Ishaaya performs comprehensive lung testing, imaging, and treatments to help patients restore their pulmonary health and breathe better than ever. Keep reading to find out what type of lung test you may need, what to expect during a lung test, and whether you should stop smoking before your pulmonary evaluation.
What is a lung test used for?
Lung testing is a highly beneficial screening tool for evaluating the overall health and function of a patient’s lungs, diagnosing various lung problems, assessing the extent of lung damage, and more.
Do I need a lung test?
Virtually anyone can benefit from lung testing, which offers a valuable look at the patient’s lung health and can clarify potential problems early so they can be addressed before they progress further. Lung testing is also particularly advantageous for patients with certain conditions, symptoms, or risk factors for lung disease, including:
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Asthma
- COPD
- History of lung cancer
- Cystic fibrosis
- History of smoking or secondhand smoke exposure
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Tightness in chest
- Difficulty breathing
- Can’t take a deep breath
- Pain with breathing
- Coughing up blood
How is a lung test performed?
Almost immediately following your initial consultation with Dr. Ishaaya, he may recommend a basic, noninvasive lung test called a pulmonary function test (PFT). A PFT helps to establish and assess the overall health and function of your lungs. Based on the results of your PFT, Dr. Ishaaya may recommend further testing, all of which can be performed in our fully equipped, state-of-the-art pulmonary testing facility, complete with an on-site radiology suite and more. These tests may include:
- Spirometry
- Oxygen six-minute walk study
- Exhale nitric oxide test
- Methacholine challenge
- CT imaging
- Ultrasound imaging
- X-ray imaging
How do I prepare for a lung test?
To get the most complete and accurate results of a lung test, patients should do the following prior to their evaluation:
- Do not smoke for at least 1 – 6 hours
- Do not drink alcohol for at least 4 – 6 hours
- Do not drink caffeine for at least 1 – 3 hours
- Do not engage in exercise or strenuous physical activity for at least 30 – 60 minutes
- Do not wear tight or restrictive clothing
- Do not eat a large meal
- Discuss your current medications with your lung test provider
Why do I have to stop smoking for a lung test?
Certain behaviors, including smoking and drinking, can interfere with your lung function and compromise the results of your lung evaluation. Patients should stop smoking as early as possible before any lung test, but smoking should be completely stopped a minimum of one hour prior to your appointment.
Breathe easy with advanced lung testing in Los Angeles, CA
Whether you are experiencing worrisome lung symptoms or simply want to assess your current lung health and function, we can help. To learn more about the benefits of pulmonary testing, call Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA to schedule your one-on-one consultation with acclaimed board-certified physician Dr. Avi Ishaaya today.