Know Which Spirometer To Use

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.

Another common device is the whole body plethysmograph. This device requires the patient to occupy an enclosed space, generally the size of a telephone booth. Having been placed in the enclosed space, the patient is given a device to breath into and out of. As the patient breathes in and out the meter records the air breathed in and out.

There is an electronic version uses ultrasonic transducer and pressured measurements to measure the air flow. There is not requirement of meshes or moving machine parts. The entire calculation method is mechanical, so there are less chances of devices having any wrong readings. The speed of the airflow is what can help the measurement.

One variety of this device, the incentive spirometers, not just measures but also helps recover. The device can be used on any recovering patient whose lung power needs to be improved. Essentially after being blown into, the device releases a backflow that helps open the lung alveoli.

At times it is necessary to have a hand held device that can be carried around. The peak flow device is such a device. The peak flow device measures the flow of air to tell you about your lung capacity and functioning. If there is any blockage then this device can detect it by detecting a drop in the air pressure. So, it is an effective device when it comes to measuring air flow.

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.

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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