Pulmonary Function Test Referral

The most common test, spirometry, asks you to take a deep breath and blow forcefully into a mouthpiece connected to a machine that records your airflow and lung volumes. A technician guides you through several attempts, and you may be asked to repeat the breathing after an inhaled bronchodilator to see how much your airways respond.

More detailed studies can measure total lung capacity and how efficiently oxygen passes into your blood. The testing is painless and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, and results are sent back to us so we can interpret them in the context of your history and any inhaler therapy you may already use.

Plan to wear loose, comfortable clothing that doesn't restrict deep breathing, and avoid a heavy meal in the hours beforehand. We'll let you know whether to hold certain inhalers or breathing medications before the appointment, since some can affect the readings.

If you smoke, try to avoid smoking on the day of testing, and mention any recent respiratory infection or chest discomfort. We may pair this with smoking cessation support as part of your broader lung-health plan.

Once results return, Dr. Golian reviews them with you and explains what they mean for your diagnosis and treatment. Depending on the findings, we may start or adjust inhaled therapy, recommend monitoring over time, or arrange a pulmonology referral with coordination including Cedars-Sinai when more specialized care is appropriate.

For ongoing conditions, we fold the results into a personalized chronic care plan so your breathing is tracked and your treatment stays matched to how your lungs are actually doing.