Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.

Question:

I have emphysema. How often should I have a complete breathing test?

Answer

There are no specific recommendations about how often a person with emphysema needs a complete breathing test. Doctors call this pulmonary function testing.

In general, treatment is guided by how you feel and by your blood oxygen level. Your doctor can measure your blood oxygen level by putting a clip over your finger. A machine gives the reading — no needles.

I hope you are not smoking. Quitting smoking is the only way to slow down the lung damage from emphysema.

If your blood oxygen level ever falls below 89%, you would be eligible for home oxygen therapy. Home oxygen can help you feel better and it prolongs survival in people with emphysema.

Your doctor may order a complete breathing test if you started feeling more short of breath and the reason was not clear. The breathing test could help determine if your lung condition is getting worse or if your doctor needs to look for some other cause of your shortness of breath.