All You Must Know About Spirometer

By Marsha Klein


Medicine has become a major part of modern life. Without the aid of modern medicine we would not be able to fight the life threatening diseases that exist today. But even with the aid of modern medicine man would be helpless if he was not able to diagnose the health problems that are affecting them. We can keep track of our lung capacity and functioning with the aid of any spirometer.

Talking about this kind of device does not limit us to just a single kind of machine. There are many different kinds of this machine that can help measure your lung functioning. A few of the devices require the patient to breathe in controlled environment. But the Pneumotachometer does not have such requirements. You can use this device anywhere you want, so it is an easily portable device.

There are times where testing the patient in a controlled environment is necessary. For such a case the plethysmograph is the best device. This device is mounted in a glass chamber, roughly the size of a telephone booth. The patient is allowed to breathe air from the device and is supposed to exhale into the device. This offers the doctors with a very accurate reading.

Devices that use movable parts and meshes are bound to offer incorrect readings at times. The chances of such error are reduced with the help of the electronic devices. The device uses ultrasonic transducers and change in air pressure to measure the lung capacity. So, it can offer a more correct reading.

One device that does not just measure the air flow but assists it is the Incentive Spirometers. After many surgeries this device is prescribed to many patients to help regain lung strength. The mouthpiece is to be blown into. After the device is blown into, it forces air back into the lung popping open the alveoli. This can help increase the lung strength.

The power of the lung can be measured best by measuring the out flow of the lung. The hand held version, peak flow meter, measures the rate of airflow through the bronchi. If there is any obstruction in the air flow then the measurements can tell you that. So the machine can help detect any kind of blockage in the lung.

Having rotating discs measure the air flow instead of any fluid is the best way to measure lung capacity. You can thus blow into the windmill-type or spiropet device to get the measurements. Expert supervision may be required to help you hold the device in the right position. If the device is not held horizontally the measurements may be incorrect.

The tilt type is another type of spirometer that can help you to get correct measurements. If the angle the device is held in is incorrect then the device can give you incorrect readings. There are some varieties that can easily be used to measure lung capacity on the go. So, you can use the devices without expert supervision.




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