Spirometry: A device called a spirometer is one of the ways that we can assess your lung function. We will measure how much air you can move in and out of your lungs as well as how fast you can move it. We use this test to diagnose and understand the severity of asthma, COPD and other lung disorders and to check how well your treatment plan is helping your lung function.

Impulse Oscillometry: This technique is used by less than 1% of allergists worldwide but is a new and exciting way of detecting abnormal function well before any other symptoms develop in children. It is very common for young children to cough more severely and for longer than others whenever they get a viral infection. Traditionally, we treat these infections like asthma, but new information indicates that in some of these children who show an abnormality in impulse oscillometry, we have found that the lungs of these children don’t grow and develop normally. Even worse, if this inflammation isn’t treated early, we can see abnormal, permanent changes in the lungs as early as age 20. Fortunately, studies have shown that we can avoid this problem when we use tools like impulse oscillometry to more thoroughly assess what is going on in the lungs of these young children. At AASC, we are proud to be able to offer this exciting diagnostic opportunity to our patients.