Pulmonary Function Testing Specialist
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Salman Alim, MD
Pulmonologist located in Humble, TX
If you experience an ongoing cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, turn to expert pulmonologist Salman Alim, MD, in Humble, Texas. He offers advanced pulmonary function testing to evaluate lung function and diagnose lung diseases that cause unpleasant symptoms. Call his office today to schedule an appointment or book one online.
Pulmonary Function Testing Q&A
What is pulmonary function testing?
Pulmonary function testing, also called lung function testing, includes the various diagnostic tests that detect or rule out lung problems. Dr. Alim might recommend you undergo lung function tests if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
- Ongoing cough
- Chest tightness or pain
- Wheezing
Lung tests help him diagnose asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, and others. He first reviews your medical history and symptoms, and completes a physical exam.
What do pulmonary function tests measure?
Lung function testing measures the amount of air your lungs can hold. They allow Dr. Alim to determine how well you move air in and out of your lungs and your lungs’ ability to move oxygen into your bloodstream.
What happens during lung function testing?
Prior to undergoing pulmonary function testing, you remove dentures if you wear them and jewelry and loosen tight clothing. You sit in a comfortable chair and Dr. Alim might place a soft clip on your nose. You breathe into a mouthpiece attached to a special machine. He asks you to exhale in various ways into the mouthpiece.
Dr. Alim might give you a medicine called a bronchodilator and ask you to repeat your lung function test. Doing so helps him evaluate the effectiveness of the bronchodilator on your breathing ability.
What happens after pulmonary function tests?
After you complete lung function testing, Dr. Alim lets you know if you require treatment to help you breathe easier. He could recommend that you use an inhaler, take allergy medications, use supplemental oxygen, or undergo biological treatments (injections) for asthma.
He can also complete bronchial thermoplasty for asthma, a procedure that uses thermal energy to eliminate airway constriction.
Dr. Alim personalizes each breathing treatment to help you get the oxygen needed to stay healthy and feel good. He could recommend more than one kind of lung treatment to ensure that you get the best results.
Don’t live with breathing problems caused by asthma or other lung disorders when simple treatments can help you breathe easily. Call Salman Alim, MD, today or book an appointment online to find out if you need pulmonary function testing.
