Pulmonary Testing For Better Health

Diet and exercise plans often fail because they are not tailored to each person’s body type.

At Mountain View Hospital in Idaho Falls, pulmonary function tests to check lung capacity and metabolic testing can help patients better understand their body’s abilities.

“We do all sorts of lung function test,” said Bob Hiatt, a pulmonary technician at Mountain View Hospital.

Hiatt said a lung volume tests is one of the most important.

“Out of that we find out how much air you can use and how much air you cannot use,” said Hiatt.

Hiatt guides patients through a test called spirometry, which measures lung capacity.

People with asthma or other breathing issues will show on Hiatt’s graph of results.

Hiatt also uses conducts a basal metabolic test by putting a bubble-like machine over a patients head.

The bubble collects the air the patient breaths.

“Out of that air we find out how much oxygen you’re using and how much carbon dioxide you’re producing. And out of those two numbers we can measure all sorts of things,” said Hiatt.

Hiatt creates a relaxing environment with music and turns lights off. Patients breathe in the bubble for 15 minutes.

The results are analyzed by Hiatt who shows patients how many calories they burn at rest and during exercise.

Lung function tests and metabolic testing can pin-point any problems. The tests also provide an exact measure of each person’s body to see how much fuel a person needs and how much exercise they can handle.

Doctors at Mountain View Hospital also say pulmonary function is crucial for proper sleep.

Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center has exercise physiologists who meet with patients to help design a plan for optimal weight and fitness goals.