what tests do i take to find out if i have that lung diease called copd?

Answer 1

Pulmonary function tests are the primary diagnostic tools for COPD, after the medical history and physical examination. These tests demonstrate characteristic abnormalities in lung function that, in the proper clinical context (i.e., medical history, physical examination, chest x-ray) confirm or support the diagnosis of COPD and give some idea of the degree of impairment and prognosis.

There are four components to pulmonary function testing: spirometry, postbronchodilator spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusion capacity. In the initial evaluation, all four components are often performed. Periodically, an individual component, most commonly spirometry, is performed to assess progression of disease and to determine the effectiveness of medication.

In addition to PFT, you may also have a chest x-ray, a CT scan, arterial blood gases testing, and a test for your Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Level. Rarely is biopsy used to diagnose emphysema.

Answer 2

COPD is a name like "Virus. "" There are many forms, some are easily diagnosed.

However a lung specialist has all sorts of diagnostic equipment that the average doc does not.

Start with your family doc. He can get you started with a chest xray, an ekg, arterial blood gas,

I was diagnosed as ":mild COPD' with chronic bronchitis. Guess what caused it?. Smoking. Even though I quit 14 years ago.

Even so, it beats having cancer.

Answer 3

They can do a Spirometry to find out if you have copd. My grandmother just died of copd last week and for 3 years of her life before she died she had to be on oxygen 24/7. I hope that you don't have it because it's not a very good disease.
I wish you the best and hope you're okay.

Answer 4

They have one screen that checks for over 20 different things... so that pretty much checks for all the common ones. There are lots of people looking for jobs... so why would anyone want a druggie! They are a safety risk, they are not reliable (don't show, are late, and call-off), they steal to pay for drugs, tend to be non-productive workers, use poor judgement about other things as well... impulsive and immature. [Just like your Avatar shows]

Answer 5

A simple chest x-ray and a pulmonary function test.

Answer 6

you need to go to a pulmonary Dr and have a PFT (pulmonary function test) done. They will be able to tell you from that if you have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) as well as how severe it is.

Answer 7

listen to Elite Rt, those snot suckers usually know what they are talking about.

Answer 8

http://www.medicinenet.com/chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease_copd/page5.htm

Answer 9

chest x-ray

Answer 10

Ask your doc.