Lung function refers to how well a person's lungs are able to take in oxygen, process it and expel carbon dioxide. It is an important measure of overall respiratory health and can be affected by various factors such as age, genetics, environmental conditions or exposure to pollutants, smoking habits, and general physical fitness.
Lung function tests are used to assess the efficiency with which a person's lungs work. These tests measure parameters like lung volume, capacity, flow rates, and gas exchange abilities of the lungs. A normal range for these values varies according to age, sex, height, weight, and other factors.
In summary, lung function refers to how well an individual’s respiratory system is working in taking in oxygen, processing it, and expelling carbon dioxide. It can be affected by various factors such as genetics, environmental conditions or exposure to pollutants, smoking habits, and general physical fitness. Lung function tests are used to assess the efficiency with which a person's lungs work, measuring parameters like lung volume, capacity, flow rates, and gas exchange abilities of the lungs.