December 05, 2025 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Pulmonary function testing is a tool to help diagnose certain respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Bronchitis and emphysema are both categorized as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). A pulmonary function testing doctor McLean, VA knows is Michael R. Kletz, M.D. of Black & Kletz Allergy. He and his colleague, Appaji Gondi, M.D., both perform and interpret pulmonary function tests. The board certified allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy diagnose and treat asthma and other pulmonary (i.e., lung) conditions and have done so for more than 50 years.
A pulmonary function testing doctor McLean, VA trusts is important in the management of asthma. It allows an allergy doctor to not only diagnose asthma, but to follow a patient’s course of asthma. The pulmonary function test helps the allergist choose medications that are needed to control one’s asthma, and it helps the allergy specialist monitor the patient’s progress as well as catch a decline in the patient’s breathing even before it may be noticed by the patient. The earlier that a decline in lung function is discovered, the better the chance to reverse its course quickly so that asthma symptoms do not manifest themselves. In other words, pulmonary function monitoring is a method to prevent asthma symptoms from developing early in its course. It can be utilized to detect subtle changes in lung function before the patient is aware of any increased asthma symptoms. A pulmonary function testing doctor McLean, VA recognizes such as either doctor at Black & Kletz Allergy is thus important for the overall management of asthma and other lung disorders.
Asthma is quite common as approximately 8% of the U.S. population has the diagnosis of asthma. Seeking care with a pulmonary function testing doctor McLean, VA trusts is important in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma. In an undiagnosed individual, a board certified allergist, such as the ones at Black & Kletz Allergy, will begin with a comprehensive history and physical examination. The triggers of one’s asthma will be discussed and if any of the triggers appear to be allergic factors, allergy testing will probably be performed in order to help identify if the person has allergies to those exacerbating factors. Allergy testing may take the form of skin testing or blood testing depending on the history and the circumstances. In addition to allergy testing, a pulmonary function testing doctor McLean, VA residents know will usually order a pulmonary function test to assess lung function, again depending on the situation.
A pulmonary function testing doctor McLean, VA trusts such as the doctors at Black & Kletz Allergy can detect early changes in lung function, such as narrowing of the small airways, that might show a need for a certain medication or a change in a medication as mentioned earlier. Pulmonary function tests may be used to compare one’s lung function with what is expected in individuals without lung disease. They may be utilized to show whether exposure to offending substances in one’s workplace or home environments may have damaged their lungs. Lung function tests are used in order to determine an individual’s ability to tolerate surgery and medical procedures. Pulmonary function tests are primarily used to assess the more common lung disorders such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) or emphysema, cystic fibrosis, restrictive lung diseases [e.g., idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, scleroderma (i.e., systemic sclerosis), scoliosis, obesity, myasthenia gravis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pneumoconiosis, and restrictive lung disease due to radiation therapy or certain medications (e.g., phenytoin, nitrofurantoin, methotrexate, thiazides, amiodarone, gold, bleomycin, hydralazine, cyclophosphamide)]. Pulmonary function tests are also used to evaluate some conditions that do not stem from the lungs, such as vocal cord dysfunction.
The treatment of asthma may include treating the underlying allergy with allergy medications as well as treating the bronchial tubes and lungs with asthma inhalers. The asthma inhalers may contain a short-acting beta-2 agonist which is a quick-acting bronchodilator, which causes the muscles of the bronchial tubes to relax. These types of inhalers are typically used to mitigate symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and/or shortness of breath. Inhaled corticosteroids, on the other hand, are usually used to control asthma by reducing inflammation. Inhaled corticosteroids are typically used daily but in certain individuals may also be used on an as needed basis, if prescribed that way by a physician. Combination inhalers (i.e., usually a combination of a corticosteroid plus a long-acting beta-2 agonist) are used for more moderate or severe asthma for longer-term control and relief. In more severe asthmatics, biological medications [e.g. Xolair (i.e., omalizumab), Fasenra (i.e., benralizumab), Nucala (i.e., mepolizumab)] may be utilized. In conglomeration or instead of inhalers depending on the severity of asthma, Singulair (i.e., montelukast), a leukotriene antagonist, is quite effective in the treatment of asthma. In addition to medications, allergy immunotherapy (i.e., allergy shots, allergy injections, allergy hyposensitization) has been very efficacious in the treatment of asthma in allergic individuals. Allergy immunotherapy is effective in about 80-85% of patients who take them. The average length of time on allergy shots is typically 3-5 years.
The board certified allergy specialists at Black & Kletz Allergy treat both pediatric and adult patients. We have offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. The Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible and the McLean, VA office has a free shuttle that runs between our office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. All 3 of our offices have on-site parking. Alternatively, please click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day. Black & Kletz Allergy has been providing allergy and asthma treatment in the Washington, DC metro area for over 50 years. If you need a pulmonary function testing doctor McLean, VA trusts, please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment.
