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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 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.

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.

If you take only shallow, little breaths, you cannot provide enough fresh air to your lungs. As a result, fluids and mucus may build up in there, causing different infections, for example pneumonia. Spirometer can help you breathe properly and clear up all obstructed air passages. Deep breathing will clear up your lungs and prevent infections.

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.

Your doctor will tell you how long you should practice breathing this way. After recommended breaths, you should try to cough a few times, to remove built up mucus from your lungs. If you had any surgery recently, you should gently press a pillow on your incision while trying to cough, to reduce the pain.

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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