Wikiposts
Search
Medical & Health News and debate about medical and health issues as they relate to aircrews and aviation. Any information gleaned from this forum MUST be backed up by consulting your state-registered health professional or AME. Due to advertising legislation in various jurisdictions, endorsements of individual practitioners is not permitted.

Lungs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 13th Mar 2002, 20:06
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Oop north
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question Lungs

Hi,. .. .I've had a class 2 medical for just over a year now and when the AME signed me off he told me I shouldn't have any problem getting a class 1. However, I had my works medical last week (still a wannabe so in a ground based job at the mo) and after the bit where you blow into a tube a couple of times for lung capacity and peak flow I was told I have a lung age of 37 - I'm ony 24!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> . .I've never smoked and I have relatively fit, this has worried me now because i've got my class one on April 4th.. .Does anyone know if this is bad?? Will I be waved away from Gatwick with my dreams in tatters?. .. .Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.. .. .CBK. . . . <small>[ 13 March 2002, 16:07: Message edited by: Capt BK ]</small>
Capt BK is offline  
Old 13th Mar 2002, 20:31
  #2 (permalink)  

Life's too short for ironing
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Scotland, & Maryland, USA
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Post

I have never been able to make the bottom line on that blow thing - and I've had a 1st class medical for 11 years. Why being able to blow into a tube makes you a safe pilot, I'm never quite sure, and neither is the doctor when I ask them, but I'm sure someone knows. I see you are a chemical technician - are you inhaling lots of gunky stuff?. .. .Good luck huffing and puffing
fernytickles is offline  
Old 13th Mar 2002, 22:25
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London
Age: 53
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Post

Capt BK,. .It might be to do with your technique! I'm not taking the pith here, but like you I had widely varying results when I blew into the Spirometer (I think that's what they call it).. .. .First time I was told to put my teeth on the outside of the tube and I hardly moved the disc. On the second attempt I exhaled through a much narrower gap between my teeth and blew the disc to the end! . .. .Hope this helps. Good luck with the Class One and remember.... .. ...chin-up, chest out <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .(now I'm taking the pi**!)
The Islander is offline  
Old 15th Mar 2002, 05:44
  #4 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Oop north
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Post

Thanks for the posts.. .. .Im starting to chill out a bit more now, im should be far too young to get stressed out over such things.. .Ferytickles - I used to have to breathe in all sorts of gunk, none of it good for you. But I now work in a nice air conditioned control room so im slowly going blind staring at screens for 8hrs a day!. .Islander - I was talking to a nurse the other night and she mentioned my technique as well, i hope she was talking about lung capacity (seriously though, she was).. .. .CBK. . . . <small>[ 15 March 2002, 01:47: Message edited by: Capt BK ]</small>
Capt BK is offline  
Old 15th Mar 2002, 12:58
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: gone surfin'
Age: 59
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Post

Sounds like its more of a problem of the test, rather than your lungs ! Remember any physiological average, is just that, an average. Asking me what a normal peak flow rate is for your age, is like asking me what a normal height is ! Someone who is 5 foot 2 is as "normal" as a lofty 6 footer ! Difficult to interpret your results without seeing them, but it sounds like you are within the range of what is considered normal. . .PS consider obtaining a peak flow meter from your friendly chemist/GP/asthmatic as technique is important. Your local asthma nurse (usually located at your health centre) can perform spirometry if you have any doubts.! Good luck.
gingernut is offline  
Old 21st Mar 2002, 02:24
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: London
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Arrow

lung function tests are quite difficult to interpret and are often of little value, unless they are markedly down. . .i am NOT an aviation physician , but i think you should not worry too much about lung function tests. technique matters and usually one should take the best of three tests , not the average as far i know. . .don't smoke , every now and then take a deep breath to open out your lungs , and maintain a healthy life style.
gas_man is offline  
Old 21st Mar 2002, 02:27
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: London
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Arrow

lung function tests are quite difficult to interpret and are often of little value, unless they are markedly down. . .i am NOT an aviation physician , but i think you should not worry too much about lung function tests. technique matters and usually one should take the best of three tests , not the average as far i know. . .don't smoke , every now and then take a deep breath to open out your lungs , and maintain a healthy life style. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />
gas_man is offline  
Old 5th Apr 2002, 09:29
  #8 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Oop north
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just to let you know I had my initial class 1 yesterday and everything went well, just waiting for the certificate. Overall it took longer then usual because the receptionist forgot to put my file through so I was at there in my gown for an hour and a half while everyone else went in and out, why do these things always happen to me???

Thanks for your help, now onto groundschool.....
Capt BK is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.