PFT stands for Pulmonary Function Test. It’s a group of tests used to assess how well your lungs work. These tests measure how much air your lungs can hold, how quickly you can move air in and out of your lungs, and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide from your body.

During a PFT, you’ll typically be asked to breathe into a mouthpiece connected to a machine called a spirometer. The spirometer measures the amount and rate of air that you breathe in and out. You may also be asked to perform specific breathing maneuvers, such as deep breaths, rapid breathing, or maximal exhalation, to assess different aspects of lung function.

PFTs are commonly used to diagnose and monitor respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer. They can help healthcare providers evaluate the severity of lung disease, monitor disease progression, and assess the effectiveness of treatment.

Overall, PFTs provide valuable information about lung function and play a crucial role in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of various respiratory disorders.