Lung diffusion testing measures how well the lungs exchange gases. This is an important part of lung testing, because the major function of the lungs is to allow oxygen to “diffuse” or pass into the blood from the lungs, and to allow carbon dioxide to “diffuse” from the blood into the lungs.

Gas exchange takes place in the millions of alveoli in the lungs and the capillaries that envelop them. As shown below, inhaled oxygen moves from the alveoli to the blood in the capillaries, and carbon dioxide moves from the blood in the capillaries to the air in the alveoli.

Based on the above, pulmonary gas exchange is considered as a continuous process involving: 1) ventilation, 2) diffusion (including both physical diffusion across the pulmonary blood:gas barrier and subsequent chemical reactions (between O2 and haemoglobin (Hb) and for CO2 conversion to bicarbonate), and 3) perfusion.

The abbreviation for transfer factor or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide used in this document is DLCO, although TLCO is an equally valid term. A standardised clinical method of determining the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide was described by OGILVIE et al.

Some conditions causing restrictive lung disease are: Interstitial lung disease, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease. Obesity, including obesity hypoventilation syndrome.

The condition, which is part of a group of disorders known collectively as interstitial lung disease, causes inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue and sufferers have an average life expectancy of between just three and five years.

The typical breakdown of ILD stages are as follows: Mild- meaning you have 5+ years with appropriate treatment. Moderate- meaning you have 3-5+ years with appropriate treatment. Severe- meaning you have 3+ years with appropriate treatment.

The type of pneumonia often associated with COVID-19 can cause long-standing damage to the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. The resulting scar tissue can lead to long-term breathing problems. Brain.

Signs of Lung Problems

• Chronic cough (eight weeks or longer for adults and four weeks or longer in children)
• Shortness of breath.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Increased mucus production.
• Pain or tightness in the chest when breathing.

The lungs are key organs in the human body, responsible for bringing oxygen into the body and helping get rid of waste gases with every exhale. Though having both lungs is ideal, it is possible to live and function without one lung. Having one lung will still allow a person to live a relatively normal life.