Wednesday 13 February 2013

Learn More About How Spirometers Work

By Paula Barron


Spirometers are instruments that are used to measure the amount of air that is taken into or exhaled from the lungs in a single breath. It records the rate and volume of breathes over a specific period of time. It is primarily used in the medical field to assess or help diagnose the condition of an individual's lung capacity.

Spirometry is commonly called a lung function test in the medical field. These tests are normally done so as to determine what the percentage of lung functionality an individual has. These tests may be necessary after any type of lung operation so as to determine if there is any improvement, similarly doctors also use it to determine if a prescribed medication is having any significant effect on the patients' condition.

These medical apparatus are manufactured by several companies, for this reason they can be found in various shapes and sizes. Essentially though regardless of who makes them they all serve the same purpose. Small portable ones are more often than not found in doctor's surgeries, this is beneficial as it can save patients large costs, by avoiding them having to be unnecessarily tested with the more sophisticated hospital devices.

Prior to testing your height and weight will be recorded. You will first have to inhale deeply, place your lips over the mouthpiece and exhale rapidly clearing out all the air in your lungs. This could take a few seconds, in some cases you may be requested to rather exhale slowly, this sequence will depend entirely on the physician that is doing the tests.

To stop air from being expelled via your nasal passages, it may be required to place a clip over the nostrils. This entire sequence of inhaling and exhaling is repeated three times to be able to accurately estimate if the reading is accurate. If need be one may be required to do the test alone inside a glass booth to ensure that there are no outside factors that could result in inaccurate readings.

Medical staff uses a specific equation to evaluate the readings. An age, sex and size ratio is then used in conjunction with the readings to check if they are normal. These factors will all be cross referenced to determine what normal ranges you would fall under.

If a restricted or obstructed reading is obtained then it means that the lungs are not expanding or contracting to their full capacity. This will be indicative of problematic lungs and give an early warning of any respiratory diseases. There is no risk involved in having these tests done, unless you have recently had any abdominal surgery, or have an unstable stigma or have had heart surgery.

Prior to going for the spirometers testing, you may be asked to refrain from using any kind of bronchial inhaler. Depending on the reason for the test doctors could also request that no alcohol, strenuous exercising or heavy meals be eaten a few hours before as well. Most importantly is if you are a smoker then one must not smoke 24 hour before testing.




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