Helpful insights on lung health, breathing conditions, pulmonary testing, and treatments to help you better understand and care for your respiratory health.
On the morning of July 4, more than 50,000 people will line up on Peachtree Road for the AJC Peachtree Road Race. Somewhere near the halfway mark, the course tips upward toward Piedmont Hospital and climbs the equivalent of about 12 stories. Runners have a name for that stretch. They
Breathing difficulties can significantly impact one’s quality of life. When respiratory symptoms persist or worsen, daily activities may become challenging. Your healthcare provider may recommend pulmonary function tests to evaluate your lung health. These specialized tests measure how well your lungs function by assessing your breathing capacity, airflow, and the efficiency with which
The most famous two minutes in sports is usually told as a story about speed, bloodlines, and tradition. Underneath all of that, the Kentucky Derby is also something else. It’s a respiratory event, one of the most extreme in mammalian biology. Once you see it that way, the race starts
Spirometry shows how well your lungs move air, and age plays a big role in what counts as normal. We use age-based ranges to see whether your lungs work as expected or need attention. Normal spirometry values rise through childhood, peak in early adulthood, and slowly decline with age. Lung
You glance at a pulse oximeter and see 96%. Your mind jumps to questions about your lungs, your heart, and your health. A single number can feel heavy when you do not know what it means. Yes, a 96% blood oxygen level is normal for most healthy adults and shows
You can feel short of breath, yet your breathing test looks normal. That mismatch can feel confusing and frustrating. We see this happen when air gets trapped in your lungs, even though standard tests do not catch it. Hyperinflated lungs with normal spirometry mean air stays trapped in your lungs
Breathing problems can feel confusing, especially when symptoms build over time. We use spirometry to bring clear facts into focus and cut through guesswork. This simple breathing test shows how well air moves in and out of the lungs. Spirometry helps us diagnose COPD by showing ongoing airflow blockage that
SpO2 shows how well oxygen moves through our blood and supports daily health. We see this number often on smart devices and in clinics, yet many of us do not know what it truly means or why it matters. A clear understanding helps us spot problems early and act with
Breathing tests can feel confusing when names sound similar, and results matter to your health. You may hear spirometry and PFT used as if they mean the same thing. We clear up the difference so you know what each test does and why a clinician may choose one over the
A pulse oximeter gives you quick insight into how well oxygen moves through your body. This small clip often fits on your finger and delivers results in seconds. We use it in clinics, hospitals, and homes because it works fast and does not break the skin. A pulse oximeter measures
