Disease-Related Insomnia and Lung Function Testing

Insomnia has many causes, including stress, medications, environmental factors such as loud noises, and chronic medical conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

People with COPD have airways that are narrowed and blocked due to damage. This is most often caused by smoking. The narrowed airways can result in shortness of breath which, at night, can lead to sleep disturbance and insomnia.

If you have a chronic illness and you are having sleep disturbances, talk with your doctor.

Lung Function Testing (Spirometry)

If you don't know whether you have COPD but think you may be at risk, you should take a lung function test (also called spirometry) annually to help identify changes in lung function before symptoms occur.

A lung function test measures how much (volume) and how fast (flow) you can move air into and out of your lungs. This test tells your doctor how healthy your lungs are, and it can also help find lung damage before it is untreatable. A lung function test can help your doctor decide why you have difficulty breathing, a nagging cough or get many breathing-related infections. These can be symptoms of lung disease, so don’t ignore them, call about a lung function test today.

When to Have a Test

Lung experts at National Jewish Health recommend that all adults have a lung function test during their routine physical exam. The test is also recommended for current and former smokers and people who have been exposed to chemicals or irritants at work or home.

Receive a free lung function test at one of our events in the Denver area.

Your Test Results

The technician performing your lung function test will tell you if your results are normal or abnormal. If you have abnormal results, you need to talk with your doctor. Your doctor may order more tests to find why your lungs are not functioning properly.

This information has been approved by Teofilo Lee-Chiong, MD (May 2008).