Thursday, September 12, 2013

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.

There are several types of spirometers. Patients with various lung diseases typically take spirometry quarterly, under medical supervision. The test takes about few minutes, and the results are available instantly. The results show the degree of obstruction or restriction of air flow within the lung.

Small, easy to use digital spirometers are available for home use as well. They can become quite useful for all people suffering from lung diseases such as COPD or CF. Problems may appear days before the first symptoms, and they can be easily recognized using this simple test. The same test can also help patients recovering from surgery or pneumonia.

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.

Incentive spirometer is mostly used after different surgeries, for people recovering from pneumonia or suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and similar diseases, or any other health condition that requires staying in bed for longer period of time. It helps you breathe properly and keeps your lungs clear and active. It can also prevent a collapse of one or both of your lungs.

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 can be mechanical, with simple tube to breathe in and ball showing you the amount of air breathed in and out. Digital ones are easier to use, but work on the same principle. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions about the amount of air you should breathe in in the beginning. You should practice it until you normal level is achieved. Breathe in, wait for few seconds and breathe out.

You should follow your doctor's instructions, but the usual method is to breathe this way maybe ten times in a row, at least several times a day. After completing one cycle, you should cough to remove accumulated mucus. If you are recovering from your chest or abdominal surgery, press a pillow on your incision while coughing.

Small and handy digital spirometer is easy to use. Remember to write down your results regularly, to keep track of your lungs condition. These information will be valuable to your doctor, and numerous complications can be recognized and prevented this way. Irreplaceable for chronic lung diseases patients, spirometer can be very useful for patients recovering from surgery as well.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment