Personalized Medicine and Spirometry: Proactive Healthcare

Personalized medicine is detecting diseases and risk for diseases at earlier stages. It is proactive medicine instead of reactive medicine. Diagnostic tests are one tool used to learn more about each individual patient’s illness.  Doctors may choose specific treatment options based on these test results. These tests allow doctors to focus on preventing disease and earlier treatments, instead of waiting until the disease is in advanced stages.

Diagnostic tests such as lung function testing (spirometry) is one of the most important tools in proactively managing your lung health. 

Lung Function Testing (Spirometry)

Spirometry is a simple test that measures how much (volume) and how fast (flow) you can move air into and out of your lungs. This test tells your doctor how healthy your lungs are, and it can also help find lung damage before it is untreatable. Spirometry can help your doctor decide why you have difficulty breathing, a nagging cough or get many breathing-related infections. These can be symptoms of lung disease, so don’t ignore them, call about a spirometry test today.

When to have spirometry

Lung experts at National Jewish recommend that all adults have spirometry testing during their routine physical exam.  Spirometry is also recommended for current and former smokers and people who have been exposed to chemicals or irritants at work or home.

Receive a free spirometry test at one of our events in the Denver area.

What do your spirometry results mean?

The technician performing your spirometry test will tell you if your results are normal or abnormal.  If you have abnormal results, you need to talk with your doctor. Your doctor may order more tests to find why your lungs are not functioning properly.

To learn more about personalized medicine, listen to our podcast featuring National Jewish CEO Michael Salem, MD.