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How To Use Your Spirometer

By Helene Norris


Spirometer is small and easy to use device used for spirometry. This procedure is used for measuring the amount of air that you breathe. It actually measures your lung capacity. For most restrictive and obstructive pulmonary diseases it is important to know how much air a patient can breathe out and how much time he needs for it.

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.

Personal spirometers are also available, and can be very useful to all patients suffering from asthma, COPD and CF. Testing and tracking your lung function can be of a great help for people recovering from pneumonia, and all other patients suffering from lung diseases. You will be able to detect possible problems and inform your doctor about them timely.

If performed regularly, spirometry can give your doctor a detailed insight into your lungs condition. If you track all the changes and compare them, you will be able to tell what's going on and inform your doctor about it. If recognized in time, various small problems can be solved before they become more serious.

Incentive spirometer is a simple tool that can help patients suffering from pulmonary diseases, but it can also be very useful for people who are recovering from surgery. Patients who need to stay in bed for a long time often have troubles breathing properly, and that can result with pneumonia and lung collapse. Using this simple tool might help you keep your lungs in good condition.

During recovery period, people usually breathe shallow. Lungs cannot receive enough air this way, and fluids and mucus can obstruct their airways within one or both lungs. Built fluids can cause infections and pneumonia. That's why it is so important to breathe properly. Using spirometer may help you breathing properly, and this will keep your lungs clean and active.

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.

Every time you use your spirometer, you should keep tracking your results and write them down to show them to your doctor. This handy little device will provide valuable information about your health condition and may prevent numerous complications. It really is very useful for recovering patients, as well as for people suffering from chronic lung diseases.




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