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.

Giving an accurate prognosis can only be accomplished when the doctor can isolate one's lung capacity and respiratory strength. For this reason, devices of this type are found in virtually all medical facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes. In numerous instances, they are used on post surgery patients, even if the latter do not have lung conditions. Physicians may still use them to discover whether or not a person's lung capacity has returned to normal after having been placed under anesthesia.

Evaluating the results of certain medications or medical treatments is another reason doctors may use the device mentioned above. Additionally, spirometers can tell practitioners if a person's condition is progressing or getting better. If disrupted or decreased airflow is discovered, a spirometer can help the doctor to determine the severity of the obstruction. For this reason, equipment of this kind is used by essentially all pulmonologists and lung doctors.

Units of this kind are usually made from tubing that is disposable. The latter is attached to the machine and its mouthpiece. The patient must typically tighten his or her lips around the mouthpiece and then simply breathe out and in normally. A digital graph will eventually display the person's respiratory patterns and lung function.

One's pulmonologist or physician then reads the printed results. Practitioners can then evaluate the readings and design a proper plan of care for the person. Machines of this kind also help physicians to discover whether or not drug adjustments are required.

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.

Testing with spirometers can take anywhere from several minutes to an hour. This will depend on the type of data the doctor wishes to retrieve. However, it rarely takes longer than sixty minutes to evaluate lung function with such a device. Because of the multi benefits they offer, such machines will probably remain a popular diagnostic tools among pulmonologists, physicians and other professionals in the health care field.




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