What Is Spirometer And How It Works

By Helene Norris


Spirometry measures the amount of air you can breathe out and how much time you need for this. It can be used for diagnosing various lung diseases, including COPD, CF and asthma. Spirometer is very important tool used in evaluation of lung function, especially for people with restrictive or obstructive lung diseases.

Spirometry is very simple test. There are several types of spirometers, but hey all use the same principle. Chronic pulmonary patients take this test quarterly, under supervision, but it can hardly be enough for their condition. Anyway, the results are instantly visible, and they allow your doctor to see the state of your lungs.

Small personal spirometers can be mechanical or digital. Both types are simple to use, and very useful for all people having problems with their lungs. This include CF, Pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and similar problems. People with such diseases can avoid numerous serious problems if they track their lung condition regularly.

Different diseases may affect your breathing and cause serious problems. If you check it regularly, you will be able to recognize the symptoms in time. You can inform your doctor about your lung capacity and get medical help sooner.

Small personal incentive spirometer is very useful if you are recovering from surgery, for example. If you are forced to stay in bed for days, in pains, your breathing will become shallower and inadequate. This may result with lung collapse, and that's why it is so important to keep your lungs active and clean. Patients suffering from pneumonia and some chronic pulmonary problems will greatly benefit using this device.

Shallow, inadequate breathing may lead to lung collapse, the formation of mucus and different infections such as pneumonia. Spirometer will help you breathe properly, improving the capacity of your lungs. It will clear up obstructed air passages and improve your health condition.

Incentive spirometer has a tube you have to breathe air in through. A small ball or a piston will show you how much air you breathed in. Your doctor will give you special instructions about it. Over time, you will be able to breathe in more air, until normal level is reached. After you breathe in as much air as you can, keep it in for a few seconds, then breathe out normally.

Patients recovering from surgery should practice breathing this way in cycles, about ten times every hour. Your doctor will prescribe you a proper therapy. Anyway, after breathing like that for a while, you need to clear your lungs coughing. It will get rid of some accumulated fluids and mucus. If you had surgery recently, and your incision is on your abdomen or your chest, protect it using pillow.

Spirometer will give you very precise results about your lung condition. Remember to write these results and show them to your doctor. Chronic pulmonary diseases patients will be able to track down all possible changes, and inform their doctor about these changes before they cause air flow obstructions and even more serious health problems.




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