Spirometers And How They Work

By Debra Cooley


Patients afflicted with respiratory disorders frequently benefit from the use of a medical testing device called a spirometer. Spirometers are designed to measure a person's breathing function in a highly detailed manner. This is especially helpful to individuals suffering from respiratory problems such as asthma or emphysema. Devices of this type measure the volume of air one is able to inhale, as well as the force of his or her respirations.

In the use since the dawn of the 19th century, devices of this kind are essentially always used to assist doctors to make accurate diagnoses of lung problems. The science used to create such devices has been perfected resulting in the now commonly used digitized models. Although not all devices provide digital readings, most contemporary humans have this feature. Practitioners can choose from various models when performing the aforementioned tests.

Isolating one's respiratory strength and lung capacity plays a vital role in prognosis accuracy. This is why machines of this kind are found in essentially all medical establishments, such as nursing homes and hospitals. In many cases, they are used post-surgery, even on those who do not suffer from respiratory disorders. They are frequently used by physicians who want to find out whether or not an individual's lung capacity has returned to normal following the administration of anesthesia.

To evaluate the result of a specific medication or medical treatment, doctors often use the aforementioned devices. Spirometers can also indicate whether or not a person's condition is getting better or progressing. If the individual's airflow is decreased or disrupted, the severity of the obstruction can be determined through the use of a spirometer. Therefore, essentially all lung doctors and pulmonologists use equipment of this type.

Devices of this kind are made from temporary tubing that is affixed to the measuring device and mouthpiece. The individual is usually instructed to close his or her mouth tightly around the latter and breathe in and out regularly. The patterns of his or her respirations are then recorded on a digital graph.

The results printed on the graph are forwarded to the patient's physician or pulmonologist. The latter can then evaluate the readings and use them to design an appropriate care plan for each individual being treated. The device can also help physicians to determine whether or not drug adjustments may be indicated.

In addition, spirometers are helpful for individuals who have rare disorders of the lung, such as mesothelioma. This is because they can monitor function in both the upper and lower regions of the lung, which is not something other testing devices can do. This particular function allows physicians to zero in on specific issues with ideal accuracy.

It can take anywhere from an hour to merely a few minutes to test a person's lung capacity with a spirometer. The amount of time necessary will depend on what kind of data the physician requires. However, it rarely takes longer than an hour to measure lung function with such a machine. Due to the numerous benefits they provide, spirometers will likely remain a favorite diagnostic tool among physicians, pulmonologists, and other medical practitioners.




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