Pulmonary function test : When and why is it needed?

Posted By Suborna Fermi Posted on Aug 13, 2026

Introduction

Pulmonary function test is an extremely useful diagnostic test that is performed to gain information about how well the respiratory system of an individual is functioning. Individuals who are experiencing airway or lung condition symptoms are usually suggested to go for this test. This is a widely available test now and it can help the medical experts understand the exact condition of the lungs. During the test, you will be asked to breathe from your mouth, not your nose. To ensure that, a soft clip will be attached to your nose to keep it blocked so that all you can use is your mouth for breathing. Then you will have to breathe in and out through a spirometer with as much pressure as you can. There are various reasons why this test can be recommended to an individual, we mentioned some of those for you below.

When is a pulmonary function test performed?

As mentioned before, the test can be recommended as soon as an individual starts experiencing the lung or airway symptoms. The test can also be suggested to regular smokers. It’s wise to go for the test once the following symptoms start showing up.

• Wheezing
• Chest tightness or pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing

Why is a pulmonary function test performed?

The pulmonary function test can be performed for various reasons.

1. It can help the medical experts detect narrowing in the airways of the lungs.

2. It can also help healthcare experts figure out whether your lungs have caught any damage because of any environmental substances or not.

3. This test helps to detect changes in the ability of the lungs to transport oxygen to the blood.

4. The test can also help to measure the impact of continued smoking on pulmonary diseases.

The bottom line

Pulmonary function tests are offered by most of the diagnostic labs nowadays for a very affordable price. If you are a regular smoker or you have been facing symptoms like shortness of breath or wheezing, you must consider taking the test. Lung issues often turn serious, therefore, we should not ignore respiratory problems and leave them untreated. You may get in touch with any reliable diagnostic lab to know more about this test as well as the preparations that you need to take before appearing for this test.