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EAST CENTRAL PCN: Respiratory Hub on behalf of the following practices:
West Green Surgery
Hornsey Park Surgery
The Old Surgery
The Staunton Group Practice
Spirometry
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR BLUE INHALER TO THE APPOINTMENT AS THIS WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE TEST
Spirometry test is a simple painless test of your lungs and how you breathe.
The test involves blowing out hard into a tube and to check this is safe for you to do please look at the following list and let your GP know if any apply to you as the spirometry test may need to be delayed if so.
Check list of reasons to delay spirometry:
Any surgery in the last 6 weeks (on either the eye, abdomen or groin or chest or brain)
Heart attack (myocardial infarction) in the last 6 weeks
Angina pain requiring use of a GTN spray
Blood clot in the lungs or pulmonary embolus in the previous 6 weeks
Pneumothorax in the previous 6 weeks
Stroke in the previous 6 weeks
Any nausea or vomiting in the previous 2 days
Middle ear infection in the past two weeks
Aortic aneurysm under surveillance- please inform the team. If > 6cm avoid spirometry
Are you being investigated or treated for tuberculosis TB
On the day of testing please avoid the following:
Smoking before testing on the day your spirometry is booked
Consuming alcohol for at least four hours prior to the test
Eating a substantial meal for at least 2 hours prior to the test
Vigorous exercise for at least 30 minutes prior to the test
Wearing tight clothing that may restrict full chest and abdominal expansion
Some of your inhalers should not be used before the spirometry appointment
Salbutamol (blue inhaler) do not use for 4 hours before the test
Atrovent- do not use for 12 hours before the test
Salmeterol or formoterol- do not use for 24 hours before the test
Tiotropium- do not use for two days before the test
Combination inhalers containing two or more medicines- stop 1-2 days before testing
If you are taking a steroid/corticosteroid inhaler which does not contain other medicines you can continue this as usual.
FeNO Test
A FeNO test measures the levels of nitric oxide when you breathe out. Find out when it’s used, how the test is done and what the results show.
The FeNO test is safe and easy test to do. You will take a big breath in and then gently breath out through the filtered mouthpiece into a small portable device for approximately 10 seconds. The device shows the reading on its screen.
Before your appointment:
You should avoid too much physical activity or exercise for at least an hour before the test.
If you smoke, avoid smoking at least an hour before the test.
Hot drinks, caffeine and alcohol can all affect the result, so avoid these at least an hour before the test.
Foods such as green leafy vegetables and beetroot can also affect the result, because they are rich in nitrates. Avoid eating these for at least three hours before the test.
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