Articles from prior issues of The Advocate

January/February, 1998

Pulmonary Function Studies
by Ella E. Timm, South Dakota DDS

SINCE I QUIT SMOKING A year and a half ago I thought it would be interesting to take a Pulmonary Function Test. Needless to say I was a little bit pensive due to 30+ years of smoking, especially after watching a few others take the test. First PT Begley explained the test to me and then had me take my shoes off so I would be flat on the ground, had to tell him my height 5.80 and my weight --- (I’m not telling). He had me put a circular tube in my mouth and told me to breath normally. Then all of a sudden, he said to take a DEEP breath and blow the breath out for a full TEN Seconds (let me tell you, “Ten Seconds” is a Loooooong Time to breathe out). Your lungs feel like they are going to burst, the veins in your neck start to stand out and I’m sure I was a very bright red! You have to repeat this test three times and each time gets a little harder!!!! Much to my surprise, I survived the test with only a slight headache and was pleasantly surprised with the good results. The last year and a half has been good to me. Now if you think this is an easy test to take, try breathing out for a full ten seconds, three times in a row, with only a couple of minutes between each test. Hard, isn’t it? I really thought this was an interesting activity. It was nice to be able to participate and not just listen to a lecture. Thank you, Kentucky!