All You Must Know About Spirometer

By Marsha Klein


Life today has become easier and safer due to the scientific advances that we see today. Our lungs are one of the irreplaceable organs that we have in our bodies. Today we see that there are many diseases that can harm our lungs more than any other organ. This is why it is necessary to have a regular check on our lung functions. There is one device that can help you check your lung function easily, this device is the spirometer.

When we talk of this machine we are not talking about just a single device. There are many varieties of this device that works in different ways to measure lung function and capacity. One common variety of this machine is Pneumotachometer. Here the patient is allowed to breath in natural air that has not been treated through any machine.

At times there is need to have a controlled environment to be able to get the correct measurements. Putting the patient in a controlled and enclosed environment can help understand the patients body better. The plethysmograph helps you do exactly that. Here the patient has to stay in an enclosed space and breathe the air that is passed in and out of the breathing device.

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.

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.

Similar to the windmill-type is the tilt compensated type of the device. Here the machine needs to be held horizontally but at an angle. If the tilt is too much, then the measurements can go wrong. This is why it is best to have experts looking over the test process so as to ensure that there are not problems during the process. Some spirometer can be used without expert assistance. So, if you do need to keep a check on your lung capacity then it is best to buy this device.




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