Overview - Tests, Procedures & Treatments

Respiratory tests, procedures and treatments

If you have signs or symptoms of lung disease, your doctor will order tests to diagnose your condition and determine the right treatment plan for you. Your treatment could include lifestyle changes, minor procedures or lung surgery.  

What are tests?

Tests help your doctor to diagnose your lung condition. They can involve analysing a sample of your blood, and recording your breathing whilst you rest, exercise and sleep.

Tests determine how well your lungs are working, if there is a problem with your lungs, if your symptoms are related to lung disease and the general state of your health. The results of your tests help your doctor to provide you with an appropriate treatment plan.

Most of the time, you’ll need more than one type of test to accurately diagnose your condition. Tests are also performed if you’ve already been diagnosed with a lung condition, or have experienced lung surgery and require follow-up care to see how well your lungs are working.

Find out more about respiratory tests.

What is imaging?

Imaging is a form of testing that uses medical technology to create images of your body parts and internal organs using X-rays, ultrasounds and magnetic resonance. If your doctor thinks you may have lung disease, imaging tests will help to diagnose your condition. Imaging can also be used to check how well you are recovering from lung surgery or a recent procedure.

Find out more about lung imaging.

What are procedures and treatments?

If you’ve been diagnosed with lung disease, you may need one or more procedures and treatments. Procedures and treatments range from oxygen therapy to lung surgery.

Procedures and treatments aim to reduce your signs and symptoms, stop your lung condition from becoming any worse and enable you to live an active life. Your doctor will recommend a suitable treatment plan after conducting tests, reviewing your results and diagnosing your condition.

Find out more about respiratory procedures and treatments.