- Asthma, as stated earlier, is an obstructive lung disease, but is different from diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis (COPD).
- In the case of asthma, the diffusing capacity is normal and the obstruction may be partially to completely reversible.
- Pulmonary function tests should be done in the evaluation of asthma.
- A Forced Expiratory Volume in a second (FEV1) is the amount of air exhaled in the first second of a forced vital capacity (FVC).
- An FVC is when a patient inhales maximally and exhales all of the air out of their lungs in one forceful contraction.[4]
| | | | | |