Pulmonary Function Test: or PFTs, measure how well your lungs work. They include tests that measure lung size and air flow, such as spirometry and lung volume tests. Other tests measure how well gases such as oxygen get in and out of your blood. These tests include pulse oximetry and arterial blood gas tests. Another pulmonary function test, called fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), measures nitric oxide, which is a marker for inflammation in the lungs. You may have one or more of these tests to diagnose lung and airway diseases, compare your lung function to expected levels of function, monitor if your disease is stable or worsening, and see if your treatment is working (courtesy NIH).

Click here for information on the PFT.

6 Minute Walk Test: The 6MWT is a sub-maximal exercise test used to assess walking endurance and aerobic capacity. Particpnats will walk around the perimeter of a set circuit for a total of six minutes.

Click here for 6 Minute Walk Instructions

Bronchoscopy

To examine the upper and lower airways including the lungs. It is an examination in which the lining of the throat, voice box and the Bronchi inside the lungs are examined by direct vision through a small flexible instrument called a Bronchoscope. The instrument looks like a small hose which is passed through the bronchial tubes. Biopsies of lung tissues or endobronchial lung cultures can be taken through the Bronchoscope.

Click here for Bronchoscopy instructions

Endobronchial Ultrasound Bronchoscopy/ EBUS

Ultrasound visualization is a recent improvement to bronchoscopy. We can now see lymph nodes around the trachea and major bronchi and take aspiration samples with accuracy. This is done to improve accuracy of staging of lung cancer, to choose the most appropriate therapy. This may spare the patient from more invasive procedures like mediastinoscopy.

For more patient resources on Pulmonary Medicine go to: https://www.thoracic.org/patients/

Thoracentesis: The space between the lungs and the rib cage is called the pleural space. Normally, there is a small amount of fluid in this space.
Sometimes, excess fluid can accumulate in the pleural space. Doctors refer to this as pleural effusion. It can cause several symptoms, including an inability to breathe properly. A thoracentesis, also called a pleural tap, is a procedure to remove this fluid.

Click here for Thoracentesis instructions. 

Pulmonary rehab is designed to improve several physical problems that arise as a result of advanced lung disease. Pulmonary Rehab is a program of exercise, education and training for patients with chronic and advanced lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It is designed to help patients improve their functional status and quality of life

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Locations:

Beaumont Health Systems – Royal Oak & Troy and other applicable locations

Smoking Cessation Resources

https://www.lung.org/ (The American Lung Association)

Free Telephone Counseling & Lung Health Issues   (800) 548-8252

https://michigan.quitlogix.org/en-US/

1-800-QUIT-NOW

1-800-784-8669

National Cancer Institute

www.smokefree.gov

women.smokefree.gov

www.teen.smokefree.gov

text  QUIT  to iQUIT (47848)

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71550_2955_2973_53244-219403–,00.html

(MDHHS – Helping You Quit – State of Michigan)