All You Must Know About Spirometer

By Marsha Klein


Due to the drastic scientific advancements that we see today, our lives have become much easier. The life span of every individual has also increased since there is some medical cure or other to help people live longer. But before starting treatment it is important to diagnose health problems. If you are worried about your lung then you can use a spirometer to help diagnose and even aid your lung. The equipment generally helps track inhalation and exhalation rate as well as lung capacity.

This machine is not just a single device. There are many kinds of machines that falls under this category. All the devices work to measure lung capacity and functioning, while some can even help your lung recuperate. The Pneumotachometer is a commonly used machine that can be used in any environment. The machine does not require the patient to breathe in any controlled environment to get the correct readings.

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.

The electronic version device does not require moving parts or meshes. The device measures the speed of air flow. Using ultrasonic transducers or by measuring pressure change the machine can offer accurate measurements.

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.

The wind mill or spiropet is another kind of the device that can help measure lung capacity and air flow. The machine does not use any kind of fluid to make the measurements. There is a rotating disc; this is why the equipment must be layed flat to get the correct measurements. If the device is held in any other way then the vital capacity might be measured incorrect thus making the device useless.

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.




About the Author: